Hills cat food review: composition and detailed description of all lines

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Hill's cat food is a series of premium products.

It gained its popularity not only thanks to its line of balanced diets, but also due to the presence of medicinal compounds.

With the advent of a furry pet at home, the question arises not only about the toilet , vaccinations , scratching posts , furminators and other accessories, but also about what to feed the purr .

For the normal functioning of the body, a cat needs a balanced diet, which is quite difficult to maintain by giving it traditional food from the table.

Therefore, most owners opt for ready-made food.

• 2 Composition
• 3 Pros and cons
• 4 Specifics
• 5 Reviews
• 6 Conclusion

Manufacturer

Hill's official website: www.hillspet.com.

Hill's Pet Nutrition was founded in 1939 by veterinarian Mark Morris, who believed that animal health was directly related to nutrition. Initially, Hills brand products were developed for dogs, but in the late 1960s the first food for cats appeared.

Over the 80 years of its existence, the company has been constantly working on the quality of its products, improving formulas and creating new types and lines. Food for cats and dogs under the Hill's brand is known in both hemispheres and is supplied to most countries. The factories where the feed is produced are located in the Netherlands and the USA. In Russia, the company cooperates with many distributors; the choice of partner depends on the region of the country.

Manufacturer, description and composition of food

The Hill's brand appeared on the market in 1939. Hills food was created by veterinarian Mark Morris. The doctor developed a tasty and healthy recipe for dog food with minimal salt content, which became the first food affordable for the mass consumer.

Hill's food belongs to the premium class category and is intended for regular and therapeutic nutrition. All food is divided according to age, weight, as well as certain characteristics of the pet, for example, for sterilized cats and neutered cats.

The basis of Hill's food consists of the following ingredients:

• turkey, rabbit, lamb or chicken meal;
• vegetable protein;
• rice and corn cereals;
• dried vegetables;
• minerals (calcium, iodine, selenium);
• amino acids;
• vegetable preservatives;
• fish fat;
• antioxidants;
• soybean and vegetable oil.

Types of feed

Hills brand products can be divided into 2 main types:

• Everyday food designed to feed cats every day;
• A therapeutic diet developed for pets who need a gentle menu due to illness or during the recovery period.

Products for feeding cats are divided into dry diet and wet food. Release forms:

• Dry granules, packaged in packages of various sizes;
• Canned mousses in metal cans;
• Small bags, or pouches, with pieces of meat.

How did laboratory research turn into premium food?

Research to create a product that cures diseases began in 1928 with the opening of a clinic in the USA. Mark Morris, an honored specialist, received visitors with pets suffering from external factors. The story of a man who came with a German shepherd suffering from impaired renal function caused resonance. After much research, the veterinarian came to the conclusion: improper nutrition destroys the dog from the inside. Having released the first medicinal food, mothballing it, Morris contributed to the activity.

In 1948, the specialist signed a cooperation contract with (Hill Packing Company), and the first batch of canned food was produced (Hills Pet Nutrition). The food was specialized for sick pets, and a research laboratory was opened in the USA. His father's business is continued by Morris Jr., producing a type of food for healthy pets - Hills Science Plan.

Line of medicinal feeds

Despite the fact that industrially produced food is produced by dozens of manufacturers, only a few companies have a special treatment line. Hills' wide range of products designed to feed sick cats has earned the trust of veterinarians and owners.

Hill's Prescription Diet line includes more than 10 types of food. Each of which can only be recommended by a veterinarian in accordance with the identified pathology of the animal. The duration of feeding is also agreed upon by the doctor.

Food recommended for kidney dysfunction and urological diseases:

• SD – used for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract diseases
• CD - used in the treatment of urolithiasis and cystitis of various etiologies.
• KD - prescribed for renal failure and other nephrological pathologies.
• G.D. – intended for animals with Chronic renal failure is combined with pathologies of the heart muscle.

Veterinary foods prescribed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver:

• LD – used for liver failure and various liver lesions.
• ID – recommended for diseases of the digestive system .
• W.D. – food with a wide spectrum of effects, useful for diabetes, constipation, colitis and intestinal inflammation.

Excess weight is harmful for domestic cats, so medicinal foods are also necessary to correct it:

• MD – designed for obese animals, as well as for cats with an excess of glucose in the blood.
• RD – dietary food .
• Metabolic (Metabolic) - prescribed to speed up metabolism and normalize weight.
• Metabolic + Urinary – carries out prevention of urolithiasis in combination with maintaining normal weight.

Other types of medicinal feeds:

• YD – necessary for the treatment of thyroid diseases.
• JD – recommended for the development of joint pathologies .
• TD – used to treat diseases of the oral cavity .
• ZD – intended for animals prone to allergies .
• AD – designed for speedy recovery of cats after surgery, severe diseases and underweight.

Hill's Prescription Diet food on Yandex Market

Cat food Science Plan - reviews

Hills food has been present on the Russian market for many years and is actively advertised. Over the years, many cat owners have bought them, so there are more than enough reviews on the Internet. Below we have collected some of the newest ones.

Reviews from veterinarians

Despite the fact that many buyers write about purchasing this food on the recommendation of a veterinarian, there are no direct reviews from the vet. We were unable to find doctors. If you are a veterinarian, take the time to express your opinion about Hills Science Plan food in the comments below, we will definitely add them to the review.

Customer Reviews

Zhanna writes:

It’s not easy to live with a capricious cat; just when you thought that you pleased him with food, an allergy begins. Or vice versa, there are no side effects, but he eats very reluctantly. We tried several dry foods, but Hills Science Plan was the only one that worked. Acceptable in quality and price, did not cause allergies or other problems. The cat is now 4 years old and has been eating this food for over a year.

It is most profitable to buy a large 10 kg bag; it lasts for about half a year. It is profitable to take smaller amounts only if you buy shares. The food is quite good. I give my cat a full bowl in the morning and add more throughout the day. He eats as much as he wants, but is not obese. Maybe this is because the food is specially for sterilized animals, it is lower in calories.

I would like to note that, to me, the smell of the food is very unpleasant, but apparently the cat has completely different aromatic tastes. The main thing is that he likes it, because he can eat it) I recommend Hills dry food.

Anya writes:

Our cat is not picky, he ate every food that was offered to him, including the famous Hill's. We bought a 2 kg package from the PetShop online store for RUB 1,071 (Kitten Healthy Development Chicken, since our cat is still growing). This package lasted for a month and a half; they were fed strictly according to the recommendations given by the manufacturer.

The food is not ideal; it contains corn, which is difficult for the digestive system to digest. Premium is certainly not holistic, but still it is much better than various poisons such as Friskis and Whiskas. Poultry comes first in the composition, not grains.

The packaging is equipped with a zip fastener, the food does not dry out. The granules are made in the shape of a triangle, fragrant, not large, and leave oily stains on the hands. The food is suitable for kittens from 4-5 months, I think for smaller ones the granules will be a bit large.

After a month and a half of feeding, no problems were found. The cat ate well, digestion was normal, and his weight was appropriate for his age. The baby is active and playful. In general, Hill's food suited him. I think this is a good food for a relatively low price.

When a kitten appeared in the house, I began to find out what I could feed it, first of all I was interested in ready-made food. I read that Hills food belongs to the super premium category. I was buying it based on this information. The kitten ate it very appetizingly, and the small croquettes were just right for little ones like him. But I was alarmed by the unpleasant smell of the food, so I started looking for more information about ready-made food.

Thus, I learned that I need to look at the composition of the food, and the Hills composition turned out to be not super premium. Compared to many foods, the composition is poor; it contains corn, which is a serious allergen for cats. It also turns out that it is not poultry flour that is used, but simply poultry flour - the composition says Chicken and turkey meal in English! That is, the word meat is not there.

Overall, although the kitten eats well, I do not recommend Hill food. For the same price there are really better foods that do not contain corn and contain fish, apples, blueberries, etc.

Food for every day

The Hills company produces 3 lines of food for daily consumption:

• Science Plan – a diet developed for completely healthy animals and taking into account age characteristics, breed size and special needs.

  Hill's Science Plan food

• Nature's Best – feed of improved composition, consisting only of products that are healthy for animals. Components that potentially provoke allergies are excluded from the formula.

  Hill's Nature's Best food

• Ideal Balance – completely balanced food for cats. Some of the products in this line include brown rice, a grain that is most natural for cats. Other foods are completely grain-free.

  Hill's Ideal Balance food

Important! Grain-free foods are not always well absorbed by cats and can cause constipation. Despite the prevailing opinion that such a diet is optimal for pets, it is important to closely monitor the animal’s reaction and well-being.

Dry food forms the basis of the cat's menu; in addition to it, the manufacturer supplies the market with wet canned food and meat pieces in pouches.

What do veterinarians say about this food?

Many veterinarians give a positive assessment of Hill's dog food. They recommend a product for pets whose bodies tolerate corn and wheat well. Doctors note the natural composition of the product and the content of poultry and fish flour.

Veterinarians pay special attention to the therapeutic line of diet. Professionals say that the food corresponds to the descriptions stated by the manufacturer. Doctors recommend Hills nutrition not only for prevention, but also for the treatment of pathologies that have been diagnosed in the animal.

However, there are also negative opinions regarding Hill's dog food. Veterinarians say that the composition of the diet is questionable. The manufacturer notes “chicken flour” on the packaging. Experts point out that this is flour, not meat, that is, the food can only contain ground bones and skin. Veterinarians also question the hypoallergenic properties of the product. It contains corn and wheat, which themselves can provoke an atypical reaction in the animal’s body.

Users often have a question - Royal Canin or Hills for dogs - which is better? Veterinarians do not give an exact answer to this. Experts say that it all depends on the individual characteristics of the animal.

Video: Hills dog food, its composition and reviews

Specialized feed

Hill's has developed specialized food for cats with special needs. This is also an everyday cat diet, but it is ideal if the cat is prone to allergies, is neutered or has fluffy hair.

For sterilized cats and neutered cats

After sterilization or castration, it is recommended to transfer animals to special food. Cats after such operations require a lower percentage of proteins and fats. Hill's Young Adult Neutered - dry kibble, mousse and meat kibble in several flavors for neutered animals. Hill's is included in the rating of the best food for neutered cats.

Hypoallergenic food

If a serious allergy occurs, your veterinarian will recommend a special diet for the duration of treatment. For pets with a tendency to such reactions, Hills has developed a hypoallergenic line, Nature's Best , from which allergens (corn, rice, chicken) are completely excluded.

Hill's for sedentary cats

Hill's Science Plan Indoor Cat Adult is a diet designed for cats that spend most of their time indoors. Such animals are prone to weight gain, so the feed is low in fat and carbohydrates, and also contains minerals that have a beneficial effect on the urinary tract.

For animals with sensitive skin

Hills Science Plan Feline Adult Sensitive Skin is useful for animals with skin problems, as well as dull and brittle hair. The specialized composition of the food eliminates itching, relieves inflammation and supplies the blood with substances necessary for shiny fur and improved skin condition.

For pets with long hair

Hills Science Plan Feline Adult Hairball Control - food for long-haired cats. In the process of washing, cats eat dead hairs that stick together in the stomach cavity and form bezoars. A fiber complex has been added to the diet formula, which facilitates the removal of hairs from the gastrointestinal tract naturally.

For dental care

Hill's Science Plan Adult Oral Care helps remove plaque and prevent tartar. Fangs are cleaned due to the special consistency of granules that do not crumble when the cat eats. The low percentage of calcium and proteins prevent the entry into the oral cavity of components that cause plaque on the teeth.

For pets with sensitive digestion

Hill's Science Plan Adult Sensitive Stomach is a food containing fiber necessary to maintain the natural microflora of the intestinal tract and improve peristalsis. The rice and eggs in the composition allow the body to easily absorb and completely digest the eaten granules.

For overweight cats

Hill's Science Plan Perfect Weight Adult - food for cats that have begun to gain extra pounds. This food, as the basis of the diet, allows you to maintain weight balance and eliminate fat layers. The formula is designed in such a way that the animal quickly becomes satisfied after eating a small portion. It also contains a high percentage of fiber and low fat content. L-carnitine stimulates metabolism.

Conclusions about Science Plan food

Reviews about Science Plan cat food are mostly positive, although there are also negative ones. The composition is not as good as the manufacturer advertises. Considering the last fact, the PetObzor website recommends, if possible, choosing something of higher quality from the super premium class (for example, Brit Care or Monge at almost the same price).

If this is not possible, then dry food from Hills is generally no worse than other premium products, and certainly better than economy class food.

• Hills feed
• Premium food for cats

Classification by age criterion

Small kittens grow, develop and actively spend energy, so they need a high percentage of protein, which is a building material for growth. Adult cats need a source of energy, and older cats, due to reduced activity, need a reduced fat content.

• From 3 weeks to 1 year. The Hills brand sells a separate series designed specifically for active kids. The food is high in protein and calcium, which is essential for strengthening growing bones. The taste variability is not so wide; for older cats, even for the most picky kittens, it is possible to choose healthy and balanced dry food or airy mousse. The food is included in our rating of premium and super premium food for kittens.
• From 1 year to 6 years – for adult animals. Hills food, in addition to specialized products, offers an extensive range of flavors, so choosing food for your pet is not difficult. All products have an attractive smell and distinct taste, so they are suitable even for demanding animals with poor appetite.
• From 7 years and older. Cats are classified as aging and require special dietary food. Age-related changes begin, so food for older animals contains a small percentage of carbohydrates and fats. They are quickly absorbed and help the cat maintain mobility and activity.

Opinion of veterinarians, owners and pets

The quality of hypoallergenic dog food can be assessed from Hills reviews of specialists/owners who have tested the food on their pets:

“Hills dog food will appeal to pets who are not allergic to corn and wheat, which are present in the composition. Natural products, manufacturers use meat flour, which is impossible to verify. However, the feed manufacturer has been on the market for a long time, there is no reason not to believe it. In addition to meat flour, the necessary microelements and vitamins are present - the basics of a dog’s diet are preserved.

The Hills line of anti-allergenic dry dog ​​food includes medical nutrition - Hills Prescription Diet. The components treat dogs - from gastrointestinal problems to cardiovascular diseases. Based on practice, animals that had problems and switched to Hills got rid of their problems. Thanks to hypoallergenic dog food.”

“I am the owner of a Chihuahua dog who is allergic to chicken, which is on the list of popular food additives. Allergies of various types - itching, crusts on the back, diarrhea. We lost hope and, after much effort, looked for a veterinarian who recommended Hills Science Plan for adult dogs – a “pill” for allergies.

1. Hills granules are medium size, a small dog can chew them and brush their teeth.
2. The smell is not chemical, weak.
3. Practical packaging.
4. Absence of the dog-hated chicken.
5. The packaging indicates the ratio “number of granules/weight”. The little cup suffered - diarrhea, running eyes, spots on the skin. A month of use - the condition of the skin and coat has improved, I have not gained weight, there are no more tears in my eyes!
6. I bought a 3kg package of food, enough for 3 months. Economical, surprised by the price.

A solid “A” goes to the anti-allergenic dog food.”

Cases of exacerbation of allergies to various products are not excluded, so do not buy the product yourself, consult your doctor. You cannot guarantee good consequences!

Features of the composition

Depending on the purpose of the food and its taste, the composition may vary slightly, but the main ingredients are:

• Approximately 35% turkey or chicken meal (meat only).
• Plant protein (corn or maize gluten).
• Rice and corn.
• Animal and fish oils, vegetable oil.
• Soy.
• Lamb, rabbit, tuna flour.
• Dairy industry products.
• Dried beet pulp.
• Vitamin and mineral complexes, beta-carotene, cellulose; amino acids.
• Natural preservatives, including rosemary.

Ideal Balance
food , which is positioned as a product with an improved composition, includes:

• Dried turkey, chicken, or tuna meat.
• Vegetables including tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, beets and potatoes.
• Brown rice
• Legumes - peas.
• Eggs.
• Cranberry and apple.
• Flax seed.
• Preservatives and antioxidants of natural origin.

The composition of food for cats with good health is completely balanced and created to support the vital functions of the body and the activity of the pet. The treatment line has a fundamentally different formula; its main purpose is to stimulate the cat’s speedy recovery.

The food recommended for kidney dysfunction includes:

• Broken rice.
• Animal and fish oil.
• 21% turkey and chicken meal is 15% less than healthy animal diets.
• Corn gluten, ground into flour.
• Pea protein and wheat.
• Whole egg and protein hydrolysate.
• Cellulose.
• Beet pulp.
• Soybean oil.
• Complexes of vitamins and microelements.
• Taurine and L-carnitine.

Shelf life: 12 months.

Advantages and disadvantages

In general, pet owners are quite satisfied with the manufacturer’s products.

Among the positive aspects of Hills cat food, the following points should be highlighted:

• availability;
• suitable for sterilized cats;
• good balanced composition and a wide range of diets for cats with various diseases;
• a wide selection of food depending on the age of the pet;
• the manufacturer does not hide the composition: it is completely written on the packaging.

Important! For the normal functioning of the body, the pet needs both dry and wet food. Therefore, it is optimal to alternate these two types.

Since many owners castrate and sterilize cats, the Sterilized Cat type is especially popular

Among the negative aspects, buyers note:

• high content of vegetable protein and carbohydrates;
• the possibility of an allergic reaction;
• Hills wet food is slightly inferior in quality compared to dry food.

Advantages of Hills feed

Hills cat food has obvious advantages:

• High quality ingredients.
• A completely balanced composition, including all substances necessary for normal life.
• The Ideal Balance line is made on the basis of natural meat products.
• The manufacturer provides detailed information about the composition, which is printed on the packaging.
• Extensive range, it is possible to choose food for animals with different characteristics.
• A wide range of medicinal feeds allows you to find nutrition for various diseases and has proven itself as an effective adjuvant in the treatment of diseases.
• Hills products are available in many stores selling pet supplies.
• The affordable price makes the food a real find for owners of a large pride of cats.

Reviews

Reviews from veterinarians and animal owners are generally positive. Here are a few of them:

Artem, Simferopol: “We had to completely review our cat’s diet after urolithiasis was detected. This food was recommended to us as the best in terms of price/quality ratio. The cat feels good, everyone is happy. I recommend".

Daria, Kiev: “We recently switched to Hills, and it feels like our cat’s appetite has increased. It is quite possible that these are just flavorings in the food, but since, as a veterinarian we know explained to us, this food is healthy, and it contains a lot of all sorts of microelements - let our Yorbert eat more of it, we are only for a healthy diet.”

Alexandra, St. Petersburg: “ We have a Peterbald, she is a girl, and she will soon turn two years old. And she will soon have kittens! I consulted at the pet store and with our veterinarian - everyone advises choosing food for pregnant cats for your pet. So we’re feeding Hills Science Plan—we’re expecting more soon!”

If the animal is not picky and healthy, almost any product from the Science Plan line will be eaten with pleasure.

Owners of pets aged 8-10 years note that after changing the diet to Hills dry cat food, the condition of the coat noticeably improves, as does the activity of the animals.

Try it, it's very tasty!

Cases of an allergic reaction cannot be excluded.

If your pet is allergic to corn, gluten or soy components, it is better to refrain from purchasing this food.

Prices

Prices for Hills products vary depending on the region, store markup and its purpose. See the price table for dry food:

A jar of meat mousse (85 g) costs approximately 110-115 rubles. The cost of medicinal pates starts from 120 rubles. Pouches can be purchased for 60 rubles and above. Meat pieces from the medicinal series cost from 75 rubles.

Feeding recommendations

The feeding standards indicated on the packages are approximate; you need to focus on the animal’s behavior to determine the level of satiety and well-being.

Hillsya food dosage table for cats recommended by the manufacturer:

Useful video

Review of Hills feed and analysis of the composition in the video below:

It is necessary to remember that each cat is an individual, so it happens that even the highest quality food is not suitable for her. When choosing, you need to rely on her well-being and health status. When developing product lines, Hill's Pet Nutrition tried to take into account all the possible needs of furry pets, which is why Hill's diet is in demand and popular with many cat owners.

Write your reviews of Hill's food, we'll discuss how cats feel about it and whether it helps in treating diseases. Also, if you were able to replace this food with inexpensive brands, please share in the comments.

Dry or wet?

Veterinarians recommend choosing Hill's dry food as the basis of nutrition:

• it is nutritious, contains all the necessary nutrients;
• the granules are small, as can be seen in the photo of Hill's food for cats, they are easy to chew even for animals with weak teeth;
• helps strengthen teeth, prevent oral diseases and the formation of tartar.

Wet food is higher in calories because it is enriched with fats. It is best used as an additional food - a treat for domestic cats.