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Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dog Food Review (Dry)
Home Reviews Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dog Food Review (Dry)
Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dog Food Review (Dry)
By Mike Sagman
Updated: March 22, 2024
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Which Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dry Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dog Food receives the Advisors second highest tier rating of 4 stars.
The Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight product line includes the 4 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 Adult Perfect Weight Large Breed 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 Adult Perfect Weight
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Chicken, cracked pearled barley, brown rice, pea fiber, corn gluten meal, chicken meal, dried tomato pomace, oat fiber, chicken liver flavor, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, coconut oil, pork flavor, lactic acid, potassium chloride, l-lysine, dl-methionine, carrots, iodized salt, lipoic acid, 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), choline chloride, minerals (manganese sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), taurine, mixed tocopherols for freshness, natural flavors, l-carnitine, beta-carotene, apples, broccoli, cranberries, green peas
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 10.4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 29% | 11% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 11% | 52% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 25% | 48% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is cracked pearl 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 next ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth item is pea fiber, a mixture of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber derived from pea hulls. Aside from the usual benefits of fiber, this agricultural by-product provides no other nutritional value to canines.
The fifth ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.
Although corn gluten meal contains 60% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat and can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that cant be ignored when judging the actual meat content of this product.
The sixth ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The seventh item is tomato pomace. This ingredient is a controversial one, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.
Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
Next, we find oat fiber, one of the richest sources of soluble dietary fiber of any cereal grains.
Soluble fiber is especially known for its ability to lower cholesterol in humans (which may not be as important for dogs).
After the chicken liver flavor, 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 and contain about 19% protein.
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 6 notable exceptions
First, beet pulp is considered 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.
Next, we note the use of coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.1
Because of its proven safety2 as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
In addition, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
We also note the inclusion of taurine, 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.
Next, this recipe 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 Perfect Weight Large Breed Dog Food looks like an average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 52%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 10%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 53% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 36%.
Which means this Science Diet product line contains
Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
However, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal (located high in the ingredient list) and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing just a moderate amount of meat.
Our Rating of Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Dry Dog Food
Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Large Breed is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meal as its dominant source of animal protein, thus receiving 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.
Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight 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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More Hills Science Diet Brand Reviews
The following Hills Science Diet dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
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A Final Word
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Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Oat Fiber, Carrots, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Coconut Oil, Pork Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, Lipoic Acid, 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), Choline Chloride, minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Cranberries, Green Peas.
Hills Science Plan for Dogs
Hills Science Plan contains everything a grown dog needs, essential fatty acids for healthy shiny fur, high-quality protein for healthy muscles and balanced calcium and phosphorus levels for strong bones and teeth.Pets have varying dietary needs at different stages in their lives so Science Plan for Dogs has used cutting-edge food science to develop precisely-balanced nutrition for their specific needs, like supporting mobility and oral health.
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From:12.76 to 51.62Save up to 15%Hills Science Plan Oral Care Dog Food is a complete and balanced diet that has been carefully formulated for dogs to help reduce plaque and tartar, and freshen bad breath. Containing...[More info]
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From:28.24 to 29.41Hills Science Plan Adult 1-6 Wet Food has been developed with the perfect balance of taste and nutrition to support lean muscles and healthy vital organs in adult dogs. Made with a soft,...[More info]
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The Benefits of Hills Science Plan for Dogs:
- Benefit #1:
- Provides Precisely Balanced Nutrition.You can be certain you are feeding your pet the proper nutrition to stay healthy. Science Plan provides a precise blend of high quality ingredients tailored to the age, breed, size, sensitivity and special need of your pet. Too much or too little of certain nutrients can affect your pet's health.
- Benefit #2:
- Contains Clinically Proven AntioxidantsWe want to help your pet maintain a healthy immune system and stay in peak condition. That's why all Science Plan products contain a clinically proven, superior antioxidant formula.
- Benefit #3:
- 100% Satisfaction or Your Money Back
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