Hill's Science Diet Adult Advanced Fitness Original

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein010025

Fat010016

Carbs010051

Ingredients: Chicken, whole grain wheat, brewers rice, whole grain sorghum, corn gluten
meal, whole grain corn, chicken meal, chicken liver flavor, pork fat, dried beet pulp,
soybean oil, lactic acid, flaxseed, potassium chloride, iodized salt, choline chloride, calcium
carbonate, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin
C), niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate,
biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic
acid, vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate,
manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), taurine, oat fiber, mixed tocopherols
for freshness, phosphoric acid, beta-carotene, natural flavors, dried apples, dried broccoli,
dried carrots, dried cranberries, dried peas
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
Method
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Calorie Weighted Basis

Estimated Nutrient Content

Protein
Fat
25%
16%
25%
16%
21%
34%

Carbs
NA
51%
45%

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken
contains about 80% 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 wheat. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal
grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.
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 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 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.
Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins lower in some of the essential
amino acids dogs need for life.
This inexpensive plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein reported
on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of
this dog food.
The sixth ingredient is corn. Corn is another cereal grain and subject to the same issues as
wheat (previously discussed).
The seventh ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate
and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
After the chicken liver flavor, we find pork fat, a product from rendering pig meat.
Commonly known as lard, pork fat can add significant flavor to any dog food. And it can be
high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life.
Although it may not sound very appetizing, pork fat (in moderate amounts) is actually an
acceptable pet food ingredient.
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 product.
With five notable exceptions
First, 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.
Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the
kibble after processing to help with digestion.

In addition, 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.
Next, flaxseed is 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.
And lastly, the minerals listed here do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them
more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality
dog foods.

Hills Science Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Hills Science Diet Adult Dog Food looks like a below
average dry product.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the
products meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 2%, a fat level of 16% and
estimated carbohydrates of about 51%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of
14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 54% for the overall product
line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 60%.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a
typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal, dried peas and
flaxseed contained in this recipe as well as the pea protein and soybean meal in other
recipes, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a below average amount of meat.
Bottom line?

Hills Science Diet Adult Dog Food is a plant-based kibble using a below average amount
of named meats and meat meals as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the
brand 2.5 stars.
Not recommended.
Please note some products may have been given higher or lower ratings based upon our
estimate of their total meat content.

A Final Word
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the views and opinions of the author.
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However, due to the biological uniqueness of every animal, none of our ratings are intended
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For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The
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Notes and Updates

12/27/2009 Original review
08/01/2010 Review updated
11/21/2011 Review updated
02/17/2013 Review updated
11/09/2013 Review updated
11/09/2013 Last Update