science plan dog food review

Hills Science Plan Adult Dog Food with Lamb and Rice review

According to Hills, its Science Plan food has been developed with the combined expertise of more than 220 vets, scientists and pet nutritionists. The brand has been making dog food since 1939 and has proven to be very popular with many dog owners often being listed among the best dog food available its also recommended by more vets than other brand (according to the Hills website).

The company has a number of different options for your dog, depending on its size, age and particular health needs. In this review, well be looking at the Lamb and Rice Adult variant, which is a dry food recommended for dogs aged 1-6, and is available for small/mini, medium and large breeds. Its worth noting here that dry dog food may not prove suitable for older dogs or those with dental problems, who may be better suited to the best wet dog food.

Hills selects ingredients and nutrients which are specifically designed to work with a dogs biology, and prides itself on only using high-quality ingredients, such as chicken, lamb and salmon. The company is so confident that you (or more accurately, your dog) will enjoy the food, that it offers a money-back guarantee.

If youre trying to decide between various brands, why not take a look at our best dry dog food round-up.

Hills Science Plan Adult Dog Food with Lamb and Rice: Features

Hills Science Plan is available in a variety of flavours, including chicken, salmon and lamb. This lamb variety is excellent for any dog that has an allergy to other proteins, such as chicken or beef, or for anybody keen to keep their dog on a single protein diet / single protein meals.

The food has been especially formulated with adult dogs in their prime in mind. This means that its best suited to dogs aged from one six, with puppy and older adult/senior versions also available for the different stages in your pups life.

By using lamb along with rice, the food is designed to provide gentle digestion so it might be a good option for any pup with a sensitive stomach. It contains omega+6 and Vitamin E, which are designed to leave your dog with healthy skin and a luxurious coat. The high-quality protein should help with lean muscles and to keep weight under control.

There are three sizes to choose from with this food, small/mini, medium and large. The small/mini formula features a specially-formulated antioxidant blend for immune support. This size is recommended for dogs up to 10kg in weight, while the medium is intended for dogs 11-25kg, and the large for dogs 25kg or larger. The size of the kibble matches each size, with the smallest for the small/mini variety, to make it appropriate for the size of the dog eating it.

Hills Science Plan Adult Dog Food with Lamb and Rice: User reviews

User reviews for Hills Science Plan Adult Dog Food with Lamb and Rice are overwhelmingly positive, with many owners saying they would never stray from this brand as their dog loves it.

Several reviewers also mention how good the food is for helping to keep your dogs weight under control so it could be a good option for those who have breeds that are particularly prone to weight gain, such as the French Bulldog, and the associated problems that come with that.

Lots also mention that the food seems to leave their dogs more satisfied or less hungry than with other comparable foods that their dogs have tried in the past. Some reference that their dogs have been calmer after a few weeks eating the food, so the high-quality ingredients could be having an impact on overall mood and temperament. Along a similar vein, some users reference that their dogs have more energy than before. Others also say that they have noticed an improvement in the quality and shine of their dogs coat after they have been using Hills for a while.

A few reviewers mention that their previously fussy dogs enjoyed Hills, while many praise the different kibble sizes particularly for small dogs where other food might be harder to eat and digest, especially for those with dental problems and/or sensitive tummies. Some say that their dogs show excitement when it comes to dinner time, when previously they had become apathetic to their food its worth noting that this could be a temporary effect for some dogs.

On a practical level, the bag being easy to open and reseal was praised, especially if you purchase a larger bag it should stay fresher for longer.

Should you buy the Hills Science Plan Adult Dog Food with Lamb and Rice?

Hills is a well-respected brand, and having been around for several decades, its clear that it knows what its doing when it comes to providing a good selection of choice for dog owners.

In particular, the Lamb and Rice Adult Food is a good choice for anyone looking for a good all-round food which provides a good level of nutrition, and is specifically suited to the size of their breed. Using different kibble sizes is particularly helpful, especially for smaller dogs, and is something you dont always get from other brands.

The only major downside to this food is that it is relatively expensive in comparison to some other brands, but paying a little extra for high-quality food can reap benefits including financial ones in the long term.

Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food Review (Dry)

Home Reviews Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food Review (Dry)

Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 22, 2024

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Which Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food receives the Advisors mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars.

The Hills Science Diet Adult Plus product line includes the 11 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Hills Science Diet Small Bites Adult 7+ was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Hill's Science Diet Small Bites Adult 7+

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, brewers rice, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain sorghum, chicken fat, dried beet pulp, whole grain oats, chicken liver flavor, soybean meal, soybean oil, lactic acid, pork flavor, flaxseed, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, 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), l-lysine, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), taurine, dl-methionine, oat fiber, mixed tocopherols for freshness, natural flavors, l-carnitine, beta-carotene, apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, green peas

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.4%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The third ingredient is brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth item is wheat. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.

The fifth ingredient is corn. Corn is another cereal grain and subject to the same issues as wheat (previously discussed).

The sixth ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.

The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The next ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.

The ninth ingredient includes oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Science Diet product.

With 7 notable exceptions

First, this recipe contains soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production more commonly found in farm animal feeds.

Although soybean meal contains 48% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Next, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Soybean oil is red flagged here only due to its rumored (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

However, since soybean oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids and contains no omega-3s, its considered less nutritious than flaxseed oil or a named animal fat.

In addition, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

Next, we note the use of taurine in this recipe. Taurine is an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

This recipe also contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Hills Science Diet Adult Plus looks like an average dry kibble.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 19%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 59%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 21% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 58% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 68%.

Which means this Science Diet product line contains

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the soybean meal and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.

Our Rating of Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food

Hills Science Diet Adult Plus is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meal as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.

Recommended.

Hills Science Diet Adult Plus Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Hills through April.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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