What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Hills Offer
Hills has several lines of cat food, including Hills Science Diet, Hills Prescription Diet, Hills Healthy Advantage, and Hills Ideal Balance.
- Science Diet emphasizes scientifically-formulated recipes that utilize what Hills describes as biology-based nutrition for all stages of cats lives.
- Hills Prescription Diet is only available with a veterinarians prescription. Recipes in this line target health conditions and special needs, including IBD, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract health.
- Hills Healthy Advantage is exclusively sold through veterinarians. While Hills Prescription Diet foods target single health conditions, each food in this line addresses five essential health factorsimmunity, weight management, urinary health, digestion, and skin and coat health.
- The Ideal Balance line is made with natural ingredients and, according to Hills, is perfectly balanced.
Hills Science Diet Dog Food Reviewed
Hills Science Diet dog food has been around for a bit, so youre probably familiar with the brand . Its always a good idea to learn more about a food before buying it, though. Hills has a focus on making dog food recipes according to common health issues dogs face, so while it may be suitable for most dogs, it may not be ideal for every dog.
And while they say they focus on nutrition, a good amount of their foods contain peas and legumes and grains that dont necessarily add a lot of fiber.
Hills Science Diet Dog Food Reviews: Brand Overview Recalls Top Picks & More
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Given a chance to choose between a dog food brand that makes biology-based formulas and one that talks big game but cant give the scientific basis behind their recipes, almost all of us would go for the former.
Even though they are few, such brands are an option you will hardly go wrong with. Nearly everything about them, from the ingredients used to the manufacturing process, meets the standards set by regulating authorities, like the Food and Drug Administration .
Hills Pet Nutrition is a perfect example of a brand that would fit this description. If you have suffered disappointment in the past as a result of dog foods that promised heaven and delivered the exact opposite, then you might want to try out Science Diet and see if their claims are true.
Looking at what fellow dog parents, vets, and other pet experts have to say about it, its unlikely that you will be disappointed. Later in this guide, I will take you through some Science Diet dog food reviews so you can see firsthand why this brand is a cut above the rest.
Meanwhile, here are a few things about the brand you will want to know.
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Homemade Dog Food Recipe Faq
How much homemade dog food should my dog eat?
This will definitely vary from dog to dog and I highly recommend speaking to your vet before going homemade. Generally speaking, for every 10 lbs your dog weighs is roughly 1/2 cup of prepared food.
Rascal weighs 75 lbs and we feed him about 3-3.5 cups of food per meal .
Is it cheaper to feed your dog homemade food?
Homemade dog food is more affordable than you might think. Its very relative to how large your dog is, but Ill break down the numbers for you The last dry kibble dog food Rascal was prescribed was over $90 a bag. A homemade batch costs us roughly
- 3 lbs ground turkey $10.49
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes $5.19
- 3 carrots $1.04
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Has Hills Science Diet Dog Food Been Recalled
Yes, Hills Science Diet Dog Food has been recalled.
Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed was recalled due to possibleSalmonella contamination in three US states.
The second recall happened when there were alleged labeling problems on select wet dog foods.
Finally, the third recall was Hills Prescription and Science Diet dog foods because of high vitamin D levels.
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Read The Entire Review
People tend to glance at reviews and note the stars or numbers assigned to dog food reviews. But the text of the review itself can yield insight into potential misunderstandings from the reviewer that led to a skewed result. A pet parent may not understand how organic ingredients influence pet health, allowing him or her to judge certain ingredients on a false premise. Read the entire review, noting to yourself if the reviewer’s comments are valid in this way.
Hills Science Diet Dog Food: Is It Right For Your Dog
If your doctor has recommended that you feed your dog Hills Science Diet due to some medical condition, then, by all means, follow their instructions. This brand is one of the best for nourishing dogs struggling with infirmities.
Its still a good food for healthy pups, and its moderately priced, but you can likely find better kibble if youre willing to pay a bit more. The protein levels are especially low and theyre full of grains, and we generally recommend packing in the meat at the expense of corn and wheat.
Still, this is a fine food, and one your dog shouldnt have any qualms about gulping down.
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What Is The Difference Between Hills Science Diet And Prescription Diet
Hills Prescription Diet Dog Food is specially formulated to cater to any specific health or medical conditions that your pet might be facing. Science Diet, on the other hand, is made to fulfill the needs of healthy pets during their varying life stages.
Furthermore, Prescription Diets are available only through your vet, whereas Science Diet recipes are available through vets and pet stores. Additionally, Science Diet foods are also available at pet stores and some pet grooming facilities.
Overall Is Hills A Good Choice
Hills is built on a foundation of industry-leading nutrition research, giving it the ability to create recipes formulated for specific health conditions and dietary needs.
While Hills can be a good choice for cats with health issues, its not the strongest candidate for a healthy cats daily diet. Though Hills says that corn, wheat, and other high-carbohydrate plant ingredients are nutritious for cats, others disagree. Whether youre shopping for wet or dry food, Hills cat food tends to contain large amounts of plant ingredients that dont fit into a carnivorous diet plan.
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Now Let’s Break Down The Recipe For My Easy Homemade Dog Food Shall We
The recipe box below contains a printable version of my go-to recipe for homemade dog food, which consist of lean ground sirloin, brown rice, carrots, hard boiled eggs, parsley, and a few tablespoons of oil that is high in Omega’s. But sometimes, especially since social distancing, I’ve found that it is helpful to have a list of easy substitutes for when ingredients run low. Plug in or swap out any of the items below based on what foods your pup likes/needs and what you have on hand to create your pup’s ideal dog food flavor profile.
Best Adult Oral Care: Hills Science Diet Oral Care
You might not think of it but brushing your teeth is second nature as its something you do every day, but that may not always be the case with your dog. Sometimes its easier said than done to make sure that your dogs teeth are regularly brushed and kept clean, but its extremely important for your dog to maintain healthy oral care. First, Hills Science Diet Oral Care improves the dental health of your canine by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Secondly, their clinically proven kibble technology has a texture that mimics the same results as a toothbrush. Third, the interlocking fiber technology helps clean teeth. Fourth, it helps freshen your dogs breath. Lastly, its made with natural ingredients, fatty acids, and vitamin E so it will also support a healthy skin and coat. This is the number one veterinarian-recommended choice for supporting oral health. The ingredients include chicken, healthy grains, brown rice, chicken fat, vitamins, minerals, and vegetables.
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Is Hills Science Diet Dog Food Worth It
Yes, Hills Science Diet Dog Food is worth it.
The natural ingredients promote and impart a sense of health and happiness in all dogs. They target several pet health problems such as urinary health, immunity boost, weight management, and allergic reactions.
Whether it is puppy food, cat food, or food for large and small breeds, the brand uses high-quality ingredients such as oats, chicken meal, brown rice, barley recipe, flaxseed, taurine, brewers rice, and iodized salt in their products.
Their products are at par with some of the best names in dog food brands, such as Purina and Royal Canin. The brand also offers prescription diets, high-calorie foods, and dog treats. Their adult dog food is perfect for all breed dogs.
What Is Hills Science Diet Dog Food
Science Diet Dog Food is a specificdog food line from Hills. Hills is a reputable pet food brand. It offers premium quality formulas for dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes.
Hills Science Diet is not just centered around manufacturing a great food product. The brand also participates in supporting shelters year-round by providingbalanced pet nutrition to every dog possible.
Colgate-Palmolive owns Hills Pet Nutrition and is currently the manufacturer of Hills Science Diet. They bought Hills back in 1976, and the brand has seen nothing but exponential growth since then.
Hills Science Diet Dog Food caters to the dogs natural nutritional needs and offers several health benefits like boosting the immune system, providing antioxidants, and being free of preservatives.
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Assess The Reviewer’s Credentials
Some websites screen reviews or only allow qualified professionals to comment on health matters pertaining to pet food. These domains are proud of their contributors and publish their credentials next to their name. So, when you see titles such as “DVM” or Veterinary Assistant you can presume the reviewer has the nutritional insight into what quality foods should contain.
Dry Vs Wet Puppy Food
Although dry kibble is a popular choice, its not the only option. As you walk the dog food aisles, you may see both dry and wet puppy foods.
This can make it harder to decide what to feed your puppy. Fortunately, as long as both the wet and dry formulas are complete and balanced for growing puppies, you can feed either one to your pup with confidence.
You and your puppy may have a preference when it comes to dry versus wet. Feeding a combination of the two is also an option.
According to Purina Nutritionist, Allison Millican, PhD, If youre feeding your puppy a combination of wet and dry food, it is extremely important to ensure the total caloric value does not fall short or exceed their daily energy requirement. Use the calories reported on the package to understand how much wet food will replace the dry and vice versa. This allows you to calculate the amount of each product needed to meet your puppys nutritional requirements.
For example, Millican explains, one thirteen-ounce can of wet puppy food may contain four hundred and seventy-five kilocalories and replace approximately one cup of a dry puppy formula with a similar value of kilocalories per cup. In this scenario, you could substitute a thirteen-ounce can of wet food for one cup of the daily dry food recommendation.
The brand websites and your veterinarian are great resources and can help you develop a feeding plan specifically for your puppys needs.
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List Of Ingredients In Hills Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Original
Chicken Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Pork Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Pork Flavor, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, vitamins , Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals , Taurine, Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas
Who Makes Hills Science Diet Dog Food
To answer why its called Hills, we have to go back in time to pre-WW2 America. In the late 1930s, a blind man named Morris Frank was touring the US with his guide dog, Buddy. Unfortunately, Buddy seemed to be suffering from kidney failure at the time.
What happened next launched one of the biggest pet foods in the world.
Keep in mind, veterinary practice and dog nutrition were still very young.
To help Buddy, Mr. Frank turned to one of the leading veterinarians of the time, Dr. Mark Morris Sr., who coincidentally had the same last name as Mr. Franks first name.
Dr. Morris Sr. deduced that Buddys kidney failure resulted from poor nutrition and developed a dog food for Buddy. The results delighted Mr. Frank so much that he arranged for cans and canning machines to be sent to Dr. Morris Srs home. Eventually, the faithful doctor outgrew his home canning facility and turned to Hill Packing Company to can and package what would become Hills Prescription Diet dog food.
The doctors son, Dr. Morris Jr., worked alongside his father in a research facility to develop a food for healthy dogs Science Diet.
The manufacturer of Hills Science Diet, Hills Pet Nutrition, is currently owned by Colgate-Palmolive. Yes, the toothpaste and the soap. But Colgate-Palmolive also markets a variety of food products, healthcare products, and personal care products. They bought Hills in 1976, and the brand has seen growth year-over-year since then.
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Approved By Picky Sensitive Pitbull Mix
I am shocked at how much my picky dog likes these. He has a sensitive stomach and has never gotten too excited about kibble, but he loves to chew. I think he sees this as a chew toy rather than dinner and he happily crunches away. No impact on his stomach at all. I can’t believe it. Hopefully, it will help his teeth too.
Watch Out For Unfounded Health Claims
Not all dog foods are created equal. Foods such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® brand provide nutrition-based solutions to specific pet health challenges and are only available via a recommendation from your veterinarian. Dog food reviews that claim a certain product “cured” a dog of a problem may simply be a pet parent ascribing improper cause and effect. Weight management foods, for example, often work differently depending on the breed and activity level of the canine.
Check the product information carefully on all dog food ratings, and trust only those companies and brands that back up their claims with scientific research. The opposite can also be true regarding to claims that a certain food harms dogs. If you find claims that a certain type of dog food caused dogs to get sick or die, it’s worth reaching out to the manufacturer to see if any of the claims are substantiated or consulting your veterinarian about your concerns is always a good idea. They research food choices as much as you do, and they will be able to give you good insight into whether a certain type of dog food could be harmful to your canine friend.
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Is Grain Free Puppy Food Better
Good question. Some owners much prefer puppy food thats made without the use of any grains, simply because theyve got a puppy who has specific allergies or intolerances. If this describes your puppy, then yes- its always necessary that you feed him puppy food that leaves out the grains. Its super important, in any case, that you have a chat with your vet if you think that your puppy has a food allergy so that you can get some help with diagnosing the exact ingredients hes allergic to.
Another thing to be aware of is the fact that a grain free puppy food will always be free of gluten, too. Because some other, non-grain ingredients can contain gluten, puppy owners whove got a pooch with gluten sensitivities are making a safer choice when they pick out something thats 100% without grains. Common grain ingredients such as rye or barley are very often still present in puppy foods which advertise that they are free of corn, wheat, or soy. These DO contain gluten and this may trigger an allergic reaction in dogs who cannot tolerate it. In short, going grain free is a sensible way to know that your puppy is not taking in any gluten whatsoever.
What Do Others Say About Hills Science Diet
At the time of this update
Chewy customers rate Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed 4.6 out of 5 stars and 94% say they would recommend it to others.
Heres an actual user review
Sample buyer reviewIve tried 2 other brands for our German Shepherd and after 10 months her bathroom business continued to be a mess. So since she was almost a year old I switched her to the Hills Diet. After a couple weeks her poop was noticeably more solid so that we could easily pick it up on walks and in the yard. I think thats a great barometer to see if her body works well with this food and it does!
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