Products / Dog Food / Hill's Science Diet

Dog Food · Dry · Adult · Meal

Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Large Breed Dog Food

View on Hill's Science Diet: official page

28 ingredients25% protein (dry matter)2,961 kcal/kg★ 4.7 · 254 reviews Where to buy ↓

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Ingredients

28 ingredients

11 beneficial · 1 under research review · 11 contextual · 21 standard

44 classified, including what's inside premixes and blends

Nutritional adequacy

✓ Complete & Balanced

Feeding trials substantiate that this product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles (Adult), brand statement

Brand transparency

4 of 5 disclosed

Pawdit presents manufacturer-declared facts and attributes every note to its published source. We do not rate, grade or rank products. This assessment is generated by an algorithmic methodology based on published sources. It is not a guarantee of product quality or safety. Always consult your veterinarian.

Ingredients

28 ingredients (broken into components where relevant) · tap any for its research notes

What do these mean? ▾

Beneficial. Linked to benefits in published research. Tiers show evidence strength.

Restricted or banned. Restricted or banned by a regulator in at least one country.

Under research review. Being studied or re-evaluated by researchers or regulators.

Contextual. Not flagged, but there is a note worth reading.

Standard. Everyday components like vitamins and minerals.

Not yet classified. Not in our dictionary yet. Always still listed.

Counts include what's inside compound entries like vitamin premixes, so they can add up to more than the label's ingredient count.

1Chicken MealNamed species meat meal▾

● Beneficial (well-established)Rendered meal from a named animal species: a concentrated protein source with water and fat removed. The species is identified, which supports traceability and allergy checking.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions · Veterinary nutrition references

2Cracked Pearled BarleyBarley▾

● Contextual noteA whole grain carbohydrate and fibre source. Provides beta-glucans, a type of soluble fibre associated with gut health benefits.Sources: Veterinary nutrition references

3Whole Grain Wheat

Show all 28 ingredients ▾

9Soybean Oil▾

● Contextual noteA plant-derived oil providing omega-6 fatty acids. Derived from soybeans, which are a common allergen in some pets. Relevant for allergy-prone pets.Sources: NRC 2006 · AAFCO ingredient definitions

10Chicken Liver FlavorNamed organ meats▾

● Beneficial (well-established)Organ meat from a named animal species, with both the species and the organ identified. Published nutrition references describe named organ meats (e.g. chicken liver, beef heart) as nutrient-dense, naturally rich in vitamins A and B12, iron, copper, and folate. Where the label names only the organ (e.g. "liver"), the animal species is not identified.Sources: NRC 2006 · Nutritional composition data

Nutrient analysis

dry matter, the manufacturer's basis · compared to AAFCO adult dog maintenance minimums

✓Feeding trials substantiate that this product meets AAFCO nutrient profiles (Adult)"Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Large Breed Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs." (brand statement)

Protein25%AAFCO min 18% DM

Fat8%AAFCO min 5.5% DM

Fibre12.2%no AAFCO reference

2,961 kcal/kg≈ 1,239 kJ / 100g energy densityBrand states 2,961 kcal/kg

Also declared on the label

Phosphorus0.7% dry matterbrand statedSodium0.38% dry matterbrand statedPotassium0.81% dry matterbrand statedMagnesium0.115% dry matterbrand statedOmega-3 (total)0.63% dry matterbrand stated

This manufacturer publishes its analysis on a dry-matter basis (with moisture removed), so the values above are shown on that basis and moisture is not stated. AAFCO minimums are also dry-matter figures, so they compare directly; the comparison is shown for context only. Consult your vet for diet decisions.

Brand transparency

Hill's Science Diet · what the manufacturer discloses, not a rating

Part of Colgate-Palmolive (Hill's Pet Nutrition) · 3 brands on Pawdit

Recall historyon record2019: Global voluntary recall of canned dog food due to excess Vitamin D from supplier error. FDA warning letter. $12.5M settlement. 0 APOG consumer reports.

AS5812 accreditationAustralia's voluntary pet food manufacturing standardnot confirmed

PFIAA membershipPet Food Industry Association of Australiaconfirmed

Quality certificationsconfirmedAAFCO · FDA cGMP

Parent companydisclosedColgate-Palmolive (Hill's Pet Nutrition)

A factual disclosure checklist from public records and the brand's own statements. Items we haven't verified show as not confirmed: a data gap, not a judgment. Are you Hill's Science Diet? Claim your brand to confirm or correct this record.

Customer reviews

4.7

254 reviews · aggregated from retailer listings across multiple sources

Where to buy

confirm prices and explore sizes on the retailer's site

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checked 20d ago · 2 sizes: 370g x12, 12kgVisit

Wheat / wheat gluten

● Contextual noteA protein and carbohydrate source. Wheat gluten is a high-quality plant protein. Note: true gluten intolerance is uncommon in dogs compared to humans.Sources: AAFCO 2024 · NRC 2006

4Whole Grain CornCorn / corn gluten meal▾

● Contextual noteA digestible carbohydrate and protein source for most dogs. Commonly characterised as filler in consumer discussions, but veterinary nutrition research supports its nutritional value.Sources: AAFCO 2024 · NRC 2006

5Corn Protein MealCorn / corn gluten meal▾

6Powdered CelluloseCellulose / powdered cellulose▾

● Under research reviewA plant-derived insoluble fibre. Provides bulk but limited nutritional value. Acceptable in small amounts; when present as a primary fibre source (top 10 ingredients), it may indicate a high proportion of nutritionally inert filler.Sources: NRC 2006 Nutrient Requirements · Nutritional composition data

7Brewers RiceRice / brewer's rice▾

● Contextual noteA highly digestible carbohydrate. Brewer's rice is a milling by-product but still provides nutritional value.Sources: NRC 2006

8Pea FiberPea protein / pea starch / pea fibre▾

● Contextual noteFractionated legume derivatives that can be used to increase the protein reading on a guaranteed analysis without providing a complete amino acid profile. More relevant than whole peas to the FDA's DCM investigation (2018-2022, no causal link established).Sources: FDA DCM Investigation 2018-2022

11Dried Beet PulpBeet pulp

● Beneficial (supported)A well-studied moderately fermentable fibre source associated with stool quality benefits in dogs.Sources: NRC 2006 · Fahey et al. 1990Position on the ingredient list suggests a moderate to small inclusion level.

12FlaxseedFlaxseed / flaxseed oil▾

● Beneficial (supported)A plant-based source of omega-3 (ALA), fibre, and lignans. Note: dogs have limited ability to convert plant ALA to the more bioactive EPA/DHA found in marine sources.Sources: Bauer 2011Position on the ingredient list suggests a moderate to small inclusion level.

13Lactic Acid▾

● Standard ingredientA naturally occurring organic acid used as a preservative or pH regulator.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions

14Pork Liver FlavorNamed organ meats▾

15Potassium ChloridePotassium salts▾

● Standard ingredientA standard added potassium (mineral) supplement.Sources: NRC 2006

16Calcium CarbonateCalcium salts▾

● Standard ingredientA standard added calcium (mineral) supplement.Sources: NRC 2006

17Iodized SaltSalt▾

● Contextual noteAn essential mineral present in all pet food. Flag only when appearing high on the ingredient list.Sources: NRC 2006

18L-Lysine▾

● Standard ingredientAn essential amino acid added as a standard supplement.

19Whole Grain OatsOats▾

● Contextual noteA whole grain carbohydrate source rich in soluble fibre (beta-glucans). Generally well-tolerated and considered a high-quality grain for pets.Sources: Veterinary nutrition references

20Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides)▾

● Beneficial (supported)A prebiotic fibre associated with gut microbiome support in published studies. Promotes beneficial bacteria growth.Sources: Swanson et al. 2002Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.

21vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement)12 components▾

● Standard ingredientA generic term for a vitamin premix. Where the label lists the specific vitamins in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual vitamins are not disclosed.Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions

The label breaks this entry into components, each classified on its own:

22Choline Chloride▾

● Standard ingredientCholine chloride: a standard added nutrient for normal cell and nerve function.

23TaurineTaurine (supplemental)▾

● Beneficial (well-established)Taurine supplementation is increasingly common in dog food, particularly for breeds associated with DCM susceptibility.Sources: Pion et al. 1987 · NRC 2006 · Freeman et al. 2018Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.

24minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite)6 components▾

● Standard ingredientA generic term for a mineral premix. Where the label lists the specific mineral compounds in brackets, each is shown and classified below; otherwise the individual minerals are not disclosed. European-style labels declare added trace minerals as numbered additives with doses (e.g. "E4 (copper): 10 mg").Sources: AAFCO ingredient definitions

The label breaks this entry into components, each classified on its own:

25Mixed Tocopherols for freshnessMixed tocopherols (natural preservative)▾

● Beneficial (emerging)This product uses mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin E) as a preservative, which is an alternative to synthetic preservation systems.Sources: NRC 2006Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.

26Natural FlavorsNatural flavours▾

● Contextual noteA broad AAFCO-defined category that may contain multiple unspecified compounds. Relevant for allergy-prone pets since potential allergens may not be individually listed.Sources: AAFCO 2024

27L-Carnitine▾

● Beneficial (emerging)L-carnitine is associated with fat metabolism support in some studies, particularly in weight management contexts.Sources: Gross et al. 2000Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.

28Beta-Carotene▾

● Beneficial (emerging)A provitamin A carotenoid and antioxidant. Some studies have explored its role in immune function and skin health in dogs. Note: cats cannot convert beta-carotene to vitamin A.Sources: Chew et al. 2000 (Journal of Nutrition)Position on the ingredient list suggests a small inclusion level.