Hills Science Diet Cat Food Review
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Why Should You Trust This Review?
- I’ve been a cat mom for 30 plus years
- I have volunteered at cat shelters for over 15 years
- I frequently confirm information with veterinarians
- I did 12 hours of research on this cat food
About Hills Science Diet Cat Food
The Hill’s Pet Nutrition brand was founded by Burton Hill in 1907. It was then a rendering operation called Hill Rendering Works. In the 1930s, the company started a milling division which produced farm animal feed, dog food, and horse meat for human consumption. The company was renamed the Hill Packing Company. The product line expanded to include more Prescription Diet food for cats and dogs with specific conditions in 1968. The food was then being sold at veterinary clinics and by pet professionals as Hill’s Science Diet. Hill’s Pet Nutrition was acquired by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976.
The company offers a wide selection of formulas designed for each life stage, as well as formulas designed for cats with particular health conditions. Many formulas come in both dry and canned forms, as well as multiple flavors. The cat foods are divided into 3 main product lines: Science Diet, Prescription Diet, and Healthy Advantage. Their products are now available in 86 countries around the world.
Hill’s Science Diet brand is divided into five lines: Kitten, Adult, Weight, Hairball, and Urinary. Each line offers both dry and wet cat food selections. Hill’s Science Diet cat food uses natural preservatives, such as mixed Tocopherols and citric acid, in their formulas.
The Hill’s pet food brand employs over 220 veterinarians and animal nutritionists to develop their products and they own a 180-acre Pet Nutrition Center in Topeka, Kansas, where they analyze ingredients, test new recipes, and conduct research.
Hills Science Diet Cat Food Sourcing And Manufacturing
| Parent Company/ Owned by | Colgate-Palmolive |
| Company Net Worth | 17 Billion |
| Dry Food Manufactured | Topeka, Kansas |
| Wet Food Manufactured | Topeka, Kansas |
| Number of Recipes | 48 |
| FDA Approved | Yes |
Recall History
Hills pet food recipes have been recalled several times. Here is a brief summary of Hills’ recall history.
In February 2019 a recall was issued of canned dog foods from the Science Diet and Prescription Diet lines due to dangerously high levels of vitamin D.
In May 2016 high iron levels are detected in UK and Russian products.
In November 2015 a withdrawal of product was made due to labeling issues but this affected only a hand full of dog recipes.
In June 2014 possible salmonella affected one recipe of Science Diet dog food in California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
In April 2007 one recipe was affected by Melamine.
In March 2007 Melamine was detected in several cat food recipes.
Top 5 Recipes Reviewed And Analyzed
#1 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 30% Min
- Crude Fat 18% Min
- Crude Fiber 5% Max
- Moisture 8.0% Max
- Taurine 0.1% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Brown Rice, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Soybean Oil, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas
To better understand the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Whole grain wheat is a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Currently there is no conclusive evidence that shows whole grains are harmful to the general cat population. However a small percentage of cats may have sensitivities to grains.
Corn gluten meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
Chicken fat provides a natural source of Vitamin E and Omega-6, is highly palatable to cats and increases the aroma profile for your pet.
Chicken meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Meal is a concentrated form of meat that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram it is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Chicken Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Chicken but in higher concentrations.
#2 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 29% Min
- Crude Fat 17% Min
- Crude Fiber 3% Max
- Moisture 10% Max
- Taurine 0.2% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat, Chicken Meal, Egg Product, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Oat Fiber, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene
To get a better understanding of this Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Brewers rice offers very little nutritional value. The only nutrition that Brewers Rice does offer is carbohydrates which cats do not need.
Corn gluten meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
Whole grain corn is a natural and wholesome ingredient that supplies essential fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates and natural antioxidants.
Chicken fat provides a natural source of Vitamin E and Omega-6, is highly palatable to cats and increases the aroma profile for your pet.
#3 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 31% Min
- Crude Fat 13.0% Min
- Crude Fiber 6.0% Max
- Moisture 8.0% Max
- Taurine 0.1% Min
Ingredients
Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Green Peas, Apples, Cranberries, Carrots, Broccoli, Beta-Carotene
Here we analyzed the first five ingredients to get a better understanding of what is included in this Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Whole grain wheat is a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Currently there is no conclusive evidence that shows whole grains are harmful to the general cat population. However a small percentage of cats may have sensitivities to grains.
Corn gluten meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
Powdered cellulose is simply a processed version of Cellulose that can be easily bought and utilizes in the mass production of pet food recipes. Outside of its fiber content, Powdered Cellulose provides little to no nutrition.
Chicken fat provides a natural source of Vitamin E and Omega-6, is highly palatable to cats and increases the aroma profile for your pet.
#4 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 7.0% Min
- Crude Fat 3.5% Min
- Crude Fiber 1.5% Max
- Moisture 78% Max
Ingredients
Water, Chicken, Turkey Giblets, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Powdered Cellulose, Corn Starch, Rice, Soybean Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor, Natural Flavor, Fish Meal, Guar Gum, Brewers Dried Yeast, L-Tryptophan, Monosodium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Lysine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate), Beta-Carotene
To get a better understanding of this Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree Canned Cat Food, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Water means water was necessary for the complete processing of the product and is required to be listed by the FDA. Basically it means there was no more water added (as filler) than was necessary.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Turkey giblets are organs that are packed with moisture, healthy fats and makes food more palatable.
Pork by-products are the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially de-fatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. These parts provide calcium and phosphorus.
Pork liver contains high amounts of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals and is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids.
#5 Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken & Rice Medley Canned Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 6.5% Min
- Crude Fat 2.0% Min
- Crude Fiber 2.0% Max
- Moisture 78% Max
- Taurine 0.02% Min
Ingredients
Chicken Broth, Chicken, Pork Liver, Carrots, Wheat Gluten, Spinach, Rice Starch, Rice, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Potassium Alginate, Calcium Chloride, Monosodium Phosphate, Chicken Fat, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Lactate, Calcium Gluconate, Guar Gum, Egg Flavor, L-Lysine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Taurine, Potassium Citrate, Iodized Salt, Magnesium Oxide, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Beta-Carotene
Here we analyzed the first five ingredients to get a better understanding of what is included in this Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken & Rice Medley Canned Cat Food.
Chicken broth is rich in vitamins, minerals and collagen. These components can help improve your cat’s digestion and overall immunity.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
Pork liver contains high amounts of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals and is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including healthy beta-carotene.
Wheat gluten is a substitute for high-quality protein sources in pet food. Many pet food manufacturers add cheap grain products like wheat gluten to cat food as filler, to save on cost.
Is Hills Science Diet Good Cat Food?
When looking at the ingredients Hills Science Diet is an average cat food and offers meat as the first ingredient in most recipes, but that’s where the positives end.
There are many types of filler ingredients in their recipes. Which means carbohydrates are too high to be appropriate for your cat and they do not digest most of these as well as they digest meats.
There are some recipes that contain questionable fillers like, corn, meals and animal by-products which are not necessary in a cats diet and are often used in replacement of grains. Other recipes contain rice, wheat and other grains.
Where Is Hills Science Diet Cat Food Sold?
Hills Science Diet cat foods are available in most pet store chains and pet food specialty stores, although recipes may vary. You can also purchase Hills Science Diet cat food online through Chewy, Amazon and various pet food retailers.
