Hill's Science Plan dog food: reviews and composition analysis

The Hills company (hillspet.ru) has been known to pet owners for more than half a century. The manufacturer produces the sought-after premium class Hills dog food. It is preferred not only by dog ​​handlers and veterinarians, but also by animal owners. Before choosing a menu for, you need to study the composition of the brand. The manufacturer's factories are located in America and European countries. In our country you can find three product lines: Science Plan, Prescription Diet, Nature's Best.

Briefly about the manufacturer

The production of Hills feed began in the 30s of the 20th century. Product developed by veterinarian Mark Morris. Once while treating a guide dog, he realized that the cause of kidney failure was the animal’s poor diet. The doctor thought about developing a diet for dogs that would be healthy and balanced. In the 40s, he entered into an agreement with the famous company Hill's Packing Company and the result of cooperation was the development of dry dog ​​food.

More than two hundred veterinarians, nutritionists, and scientists continue to work on improving the food produced and their new recipes. Each ingredient of the future product is controlled, its composition is analyzed. The manufacturer carefully monitors the quality of the finished feed. In 2016, some of the rations were removed from sale, and the composition of the rest was updated.

General characteristics, country of origin

Hill's dry food for dogs and cats has been on the market since the 40s of the last century. Scientists and veterinarians take part in the development of diets, which helps to ensure an individual approach to the animal, taking into account all the characteristics of its body at different stages of life. The Hills Research Center is located in the USA, Kansas, and there are numerous representative offices in almost every country.

Composition of diets for dogs

The most important component of the food is meat - turkey, chicken. But often you can see chicken and turkey flour in the composition. This means that ground poultry meat, skin and bone structures are used in production. The manufacturer does not use chicken heads, paws or feathers in the manufacture of this product. Often, by-products are included in diets, which reduces the cost of the product. This approach can be found in the production of economy and premium feed.

To provide the animal with carbohydrates, wheat and rice are included in the feed. It is fortified with corn. It contains many vitamins and amino acids. But it is this ingredient that provokes allergic reactions. The dog gets its vegetable protein from corn gluten and its fiber from sugar beets.

Benefits of Hills for dogs

Hill's produces an extensive line of dog food. Among them you can choose a diet for animals of any age and activity. In specialized stores it is easy to choose food for therapeutic nutrition or the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, etc.

In production, they do not use artificial dyes and preservatives, which many manufacturers of famous brands are guilty of. There are no flavors, potassium sorbate, or antioxidants.

Despite the fact that the manufacturer does not clearly state the composition of the product on the label and does not always specify information about the ingredients, most of it contains meat and offal. Food from this company can be found in almost any pet store or in the “Pet Products” departments. The price of the food is budget-friendly and will not hurt your wallet when switching to regular feeding with products of this brand.

Manufacturer and official website

The history of the company dates back to 1939. At that time, therapeutic diets had not yet been developed, but animal owners needed them.

Veterinarian Mark Morris (USA), saving a guide dog, created a diet that extended the years of its life. Not stopping there, the doctor began to develop new diets and this grew into the creation of a company.

At the moment, Hill's is the largest company with its own:

• scientific and technical center;
• laboratory;
• hospital for clinical research;
• production facilities.

Products are manufactured in more than 50 items and sold in almost 100 countries around the world.

Each country has its own representative office and official website. For the Russian Federation this is www.hillspet.ru.

Feed disadvantages

The manufacturer does not always clearly state on the label how much offal and real meat is contained in the diet. Consumers point out that the company uses little high-quality meat, trying to reduce the cost of the product with other meat ingredients.

The food contains corn and wheat, which often cause allergies in pets. Therefore, when choosing a menu for dogs prone to allergies, you should be careful. Contains soybean oil. Beet pulp, which is poorly absorbed by the body, causes an ambiguous reaction from owners and veterinarians.

Feeding Guide Hills z/d

Our brand: dog and puppy food (hypoallergenic)

Before starting to use Hills, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian and get his approval. This is especially true for dogs whose diet is difficult to adjust correctly due to high sensitivity to various foods. After studying all the available data about the animal, the doctor will determine which specific allergy food is suitable for the pet and in what quantity.

Note! Hills is a mono diet. It contains all the substances a dog needs and does not require any supplements.

Feeding must be organized strictly in accordance with the information on the packaging:

• weight 2.5 kg – 50-70 g;
• for 5 kg – 85-120 g;
• hills zd for dogs 10 kg – 145-200 g;
• weight 20 kg – 245-340 g;
• for 30 kg – 335-460 g;
• for pets 40 kg – 415-570 g;
• weight 50 kg – 490-675 g;
• over 60 kg – 10 g for every 10 kg.

It is important to note that the transition to food cannot be made abruptly. A small amount of Hills should be mixed with your usual food, gradually increasing its share. It is recommended to switch your dog to a new diet within a week on average.

Since the food is medicinal, the creators limit the time it is consumed. To eliminate minor manifestations of allergies or get rid of a mild form of hypersensitivity to food, it is enough to switch your pet to a dietary diet for 3-8 weeks.

In conditions where signs of intolerance have not disappeared even after treatment with Hills products, it is necessary to consult a specialist. In this case, lifelong consumption of food is possible.

Hypoallergenic Hills food is a complete nutrition for dogs with food sensitivities. It is well suited for both small and large pets. The food is recommended by veterinarians as an effective remedy in the fight against allergies, to prevent its consequences and strengthen the dog’s body.

Types of food

The company offers breeders and dog owners a wide range of diets. In each series you can find several foods that even a picky dog ​​will like. All foods can be divided into two large groups: Science Plan, Prescription Diet. Science Plan can be used to feed your animal regularly. It is selected depending on the size of the dog and its age group. Prescription Diet is a line of medicinal food for pets with diseases. It is prescribed by a veterinarian.

For puppies you can purchase Healthy Development. It is recommended to be used for feeding puppies up to 12 months of age. Small & Miniature products are given to puppies of decorative breeds. This diet is based on chicken or lamb and rice.

Science Plan line

This food can be given to your pet every day. The manufacturer produces several brands of food depending on the dog’s activity, age, and breed.

Advanced Fitness is suitable for adult dogs of any breed. It builds muscle mass and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Large dogs should choose Large Breed food, which has a beneficial effect on joints and maintains the muscular frame in good condition. For small pets weighing less than 15 kilograms, it is recommended to buy the Advanced Fitness Mini. All products are used for regular feeding of adult animals and are intended for weight maintenance.

It is better to give Perfect Weight to animals that are overweight. This diet is low in fat. It has several types suitable for medium-sized dogs. But at the same time, it can be fed to animals that move a lot. The composition of the food is designed to fully compensate for the dog’s energy spent during the day.

Hills feed feeding chart

Hills dosage table for juniors

It is better to give Sensitive Skin to pets who suffer from problems with the epidermis. With such nutrition it will be possible to avoid peeling of the skin and remove redness. If you need food to be easily digestible, then it is better to purchase Sensitive Stomach. It has a lot of fiber. To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and skin condition, Small & Miniature should be used. This food is suitable for small pets. For feeding smaller dogs, Small & Miniature Light Original is better suited. This diet will help keep the animal in good shape.

The Canine Mature line includes two varieties of diet designed for dogs over five years of age. Adult 5+ Active Longevity ™ Large Breed will support physical activity and muscle corset in dogs over five years old. And for pets over seven years old, Adult 7+ Active Longevity feeding is suitable. This menu improves the functioning of the intestines and stomach. Suitable for small and medium breeds.

Science Plan is also represented by the Puppy series. For puppies, veterinarians recommend purchasing Healthy Development, which promotes proper bone formation. To improve immunity, Small & Miniature should be given to puppies of small breeds.

Hill's Prescription Diet Line

This food is usually prescribed by veterinarians if your pet has health problems. Such foods contain components that have a positive effect on the functioning of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, etc. Hill's Prescription Diet improves skin condition and copes with excess weight.

C/d nutrition will help reduce the likelihood of relapse in urolithiasis. If you have problems with digestion, skin and stool, it is recommended to purchase D/d for your dog. It reduces the body's atypical reactions to irritants. To maintain dental health, veterinarians recommend T/d, and for kidney stones, U/d. If it is important to maintain normal weight, but your dog is gaining extra pounds, it is better to switch to a W/d diet. For animals with allergies, Z/d food is better suited.

If the dog reacts negatively to external stimuli, then Dream Defense Canin is needed. In case of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is better to switch to the H/d product. I/d Low Fat brand is low in lipids, so it is often recommended to improve stomach and intestinal function. Animals that have digestive problems due to stress and anxiety are best given I/d Stress Mini. Usually these are pets of decorative and small breeds. This food is also suitable for animals suffering from pancreatitis.

To improve the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, J/d nutrition is suitable for your dog. For diseases of the urinary organs, it is recommended to give your pet K/d. During treatment of liver pathologies, feed him L/d. To eliminate excess weight, you need to add Metabolic to your diet. Such food will allow the animal to quickly get into the desired shape and increase its mobility. Hill's Metabolic will be a similar product with a similar effect on the body.

Hill's Nature's Best range

This line is distinguished by the presence of natural ingredients. Typically, this diet is intended for animals older than 12 months. For large large breed dogs, Large Breed/Giant is recommended. Mini/Medium is suitable for decorative and small breeds.

Hill's Ideal Balance range

This is the only product from the entire Hill's range whose main ingredient is chicken. It contains balanced proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is best to switch pets to this diet between the ages of one and seven years. Ideal Balance contains a lot of vitamins.

Price and where to buy

Hill's Science Plan dry and wet food can be purchased at many stores, such as:

1. "Yandex Market" ():
   Packaging 0.3 kg - from 199 rubles;
2. Packaging 1.5 kg - from 731 rubles;
3. Packaging 2.5 kg - from 1190 rubles;
4. Packaging 6 kg - from 2499 rubles;
5. Packaging 12 kg - from 3750 rub.

The above prices are indicative, relevant in mid-September 2022, may differ depending on the option and change significantly over time. For the exact cost, see the pet store websites using the links above.

Reviews from veterinarians and buyers about the food

Dog owners and veterinarians have quite different opinions about Hills products. Some owners consider the food an excellent option for regular nutrition and give it to the animal for several years. They advise and recommend it to friends and acquaintances, noting that the dog receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals, the coat is shiny, the dog feels great, is active and does not get sick.

Other owners and breeders are more cautious and often read negative reviews about Hills. Despite the fact that dogs eat it with pleasure, people try to consult a veterinarian first, even if there is no food allergy. It is rare, but you can find negative reviews about allergic reactions to dietary components. Typically, allergies in dogs begin from the consumption of wheat in the product.

The opinions of veterinarians were also divided. Some experts recommend it because it does not contain preservatives, dyes or synthetic unnatural components. They note that the manufacturer controls the quality of the ingredients and the finished product at every stage of production. They consider the balanced composition and manufacturer’s analysis of the characteristics of all breeds to be another significant advantage.

Other experts doubt that the quality of the product matches its price. They note that many diets include meat meal, which is not made from anything clear, and it is better not to use corn and wheat to feed the animal. Such doctors recommend using only veterinary food for the prevention and treatment of diseases. They note that there is little real meat in the food. In their opinion, it contains a lot of by-products, which reduce the cost of the diet and make it less tasty and healthy.

Hills contains many allergenic foods. The manufacturer takes into account many characteristics of the “end consumers”, for example, size, age, etc. Many veterinarians consider such food to be an ambiguous product.

But at the same time, they note that its composition is of higher quality than that of budget lines of well-known brands for animals. But in terms of their usefulness, they are inferior to holistic ones. Hill's contains meat flour, which does not guarantee the absence of by-products in the package, even if this is not indicated on the label. This is the golden mean for those breeders and animal owners who are not ready to spend a large part of the family budget on food, but at the same time do not want to give the dog poor quality food.

Hill's is much better in composition than many mass market products for dogs. It will be easy for the owner to choose the packaging of the food. On average, the price of one and a half kilograms of such food will be from 650 to 1050 rubles. For a large pack (12 kilograms) you will have to pay from 4,500 to 5,800 rubles. With the right diet, the dog will be healthy and receive all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

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Hills ID Dog Food Review

The Prescription Diet dietary line is designed for dogs with health problems. ID series food belongs to the super-premium class. It is intended for pets with diseases of the digestive system, when it is difficult for the body to break down and absorb fats. The balanced composition of Hill's dog food protects against exhaustion and prevents relapse. Suitable for all breeds.

Clinically tested effectiveness of Hills ID:

• in acute forms of intestinal disorders accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting;
• with excessive proliferation of bacteria, microflora disturbances, malabsorption;
• when food digestion deteriorates;
• for inflammation of the small intestine, gastrointestinal tract after surgery, during the recovery period;
• for chronic diseases, obesity;
• in case of bloating, volvulus, dilation of the stomach - emotional arousal and physical activity are additionally excluded.

Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

Ask a Question

Take Hill's food for dogs with gastritis, colitis, enteritis. It is also used for pancreatitis, weak exocrine pancreatic function (after removal of acute conditions, during which the introduction of any food or liquid is contraindicated) and as a daily diet for a puppy.

Important! The food is not intended for dogs with sodium retention in the body, or cats. If the disease is corrected by fiber content, choose the WD line.

Hills ID feed composition analysis

The food contains a low percentage of fat, increased electrolyte composition and components of high biological value. The basis is protein and high quality ingredients. The food includes rice, wheat, chicken, starch, protein hydrolysate, beets, oats, barley, minerals, ginger, flax seeds, vitamins, antioxidants.

Composition of Hills ID food