When a person gets a pet, the question of its nutrition arises. Many veterinarians recommend Hills food for large and small breed dogs. Reviews, composition, positive and negative aspects - these are the topics that will be covered further. All types of this food will also be considered.
It is important to approach the choice of menu for your pet responsibly. The condition of his body depends on this. It is important that your diet contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed to maintain health. For this reason, Korm Hills is common among owners, dog trainers and veterinarians.
Who produces this food?
Production began in the 30s of the 20th century. The idea of producing specialized food for animals belongs to veterinarian Mark Morris. One day he was doing guide dog therapy. During treatment, the doctor discovered that the animal was suffering from kidney failure. Mark began to establish the cause of the pathology and realized that its appearance was provoked by poor nutrition. The doctor decided that animals required a specific menu and began developing it together with his wife.
At the end of the 40s of the 20th century, Mark Morris entered into an agreement with Hill's Packing Company, which at that time was already engaged in the production of specialized diets, but did not achieve much success. Through the joint efforts of the organization's professionals and a veterinarian, food was developed - Hill's dry food for dogs. It was immediately appreciated by experienced dog handlers and private animal owners.
Since then, the menu has been in demand. It is in demand in many countries around the world. The company's product range is constantly expanding. Hills dog food with chicken and other types of meat is available on store shelves.
After some time, Hill's Packing Company became part of the large concern Colgate-Palmolive. However, the main direction continues to be actively developed.
Not just food
Hills diets are not only about delicious food. When consumed regularly, the food promotes the coordinated functioning of organs, which will make the dog cheerful and active at any age.
- Hill's food easily solves problems such as obesity or poor digestion.
- For dogs with an increased allergic reaction to the components of many foods, it is perfect.
- Perfectly restores the body to its optimal state after injuries and operations.
- It will help dogs with reduced renal activity live happily and joyfully - the food contains vitamin supplements and components that promote the normal functioning of the kidneys and other internal organs.
- Minerals, which are included in the food in a unique combination, provide the pet’s bones and joints with everything they need. The dog will move easily and painlessly at any age.
It is better to select the type of food on the recommendation of a doctor, because some types of food are produced for dogs with poor health or chronic diseases.
The production of feed takes place under strict control, which allows it to be considered not just food, but also medicine. All Hill's products are certified and meet the requirements of international standards.
Types of food
The organization produces a whole line of menus for pets. Each series includes several products that can satisfy the most picky pet.
Hill's Science Plan
It is allowed to give to your pet every day. Here are menus for animals of different ages, different activities and breeds:
- Advanced Fitness. Recommended for adult animals of all breeds. The menu normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and promotes muscle development.
- Large Breed. This is Hill's dog food for large breeds. It maintains muscle mass in optimal condition and has a beneficial effect on joint health.
- Advanced Fitness Mini. Suitable for adult pets and pets of small breeds whose body weight does not exceed 15 kg. Positively affects animal health.
- This is a diet intended for adult pets. The main task is to provide the body with useful components and at the same time maintain optimal weight.
- Perfect Weight. It is low in fat. It helps maintain the dog's optimal weight. This diet contains several types of food designed for small breeds.
- Recommended for active pets. The diet helps restore the animal's spent energy.
- Sensitive Skin. This is a special menu for pets experiencing problems with the epidermis. Sensitive Skin relieves dryness, redness and flaking of the skin.
- Sensitive Stomach. Quickly and easily absorbed by the body due to the high fiber content in the composition.
- Small & Miniature. Helps maintain normal gastrointestinal activity, good condition of the epidermis and oral cavity. Recommended for small pets.
- Small & Miniature Light Original. Suitable for small and miniature animals. Helps maintain normal body weight and good oral health.
The food line also includes Canine Mature products:
- Adult 5+ Active Longevity™ Large Breed. The food is intended for older dogs of large breeds, whose age exceeds 5 years. The diet helps maintain the dog’s health, physical mobility and muscles.
- Adult 7+ Active Longevity. The menu is designed for dogs over 7 years old. It improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also good for joints. Here are products for medium and small breeds.
The next group in the series is Puppy:
- Healthy Development. The menu is recommended for daily use for puppies. The diet helps the animal’s skeleton to form correctly. Here are options for all breeds.
- Small & Miniature. It has a positive effect on the immune system, promotes the proper formation and development of all systems of small breed puppies.
Hill's Prescription Diet
This is a dietary product with therapeutic properties. Typically, such a menu is prescribed by a doctor when health problems are detected. The fact is that the food contains the following components that help cope with pathologies:
- heart and blood vessels;
- epidermis;
- Gastrointestinal tract;
- excessive body weight;
- reproductive and urinary system.
The line includes the following diets:
- C/d – prevents the recurrence of urolithiasis.
- D/d – recommended if there are problems with the epidermis, as well as for sensitive digestion with vomiting and stool disorders that occur against the background of atypical reactions of the body to irritants.
- T/d – for protection against pathologies of the oral cavity.
- U/d – recommended for urolithiasis.
- W/d – helps maintain optimal weight.
- Z/d – menu for pets suffering from atypical reactions of the body to the action of an allergen.
- Dream Defense Canin - menu for allergies, when a negative reaction occurs to external irritants.
- H/d – nutrition for problems with heart function and vascular condition.
- I/d Low Fat is a product with a reduced presence of lipids in the composition to normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
- I/d Stress Mini - food for small breeds with problems with the gastrointestinal tract that arose against the background of experienced unrest, in particular, the menu should be given to a dog with pancreatitis.
- J/d – improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system.
- K/d – diet for pets with pathologies of the urinary organs.
- L/d – for the treatment of liver pathologies.
- Metabolic + Mobility is a weight loss menu that helps get rid of excess body weight and increases the animal’s mobility.
- Hill's Metabolic for dogs - normalizes your pet's body weight.
Hill's Nature's Best
The peculiarity of the line is the presence of natural high-quality components. The series includes the following products for animals older than one year:
- Large Breed/Giant – for large breeds.
- Mini/Medium – for little pets.
Hill's Ideal Balance
Here is the only product based on chicken meat for feeding animals from 1 year to 7 years. It has a balanced ratio of BZHU. It is rich in various useful elements.
How to choose Hill's food
The main criterion for selecting suitable food for a dog is its age.
For young dogs up to one year old, the food contains unsaturated fatty acids and a complex of vitamins necessary for an active, mobile, rapidly growing organism.
For adult pets from one to 7 years old, the food contains a precisely calculated amount of proteins that eliminate protein deficiency in the body. The complex of useful ingredients is supplemented with vitamins and antioxidants - so that the dog remains young for a long time and always feels great.
Expert opinion
Slanimsky Alexey Georgievich
Veterinarian of the highest qualification category. Has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating diseases in animals.
For dogs aged 7 years and older - food for this category of four-legged consumers is a carefully developed complex of nutrients and vitamins. The food is balanced taking into account the age of the dog and ensures the pet a long life in optimal condition.
Composition of Hill's dog food
Each company product has a unique composition. Any Hills diet contains the main ingredient - poultry or lamb meal. The basis can also be fish. Any menu contains not only chopped meat, but also skin and even bones.
The next component of the composition is corn. This ingredient is added because it contains many beneficial substances, which include:
- vitamins;
- minerals;
- amino acids.
In addition, it contains the following components:
- Wheat provides the body with healthy carbohydrates, but can cause allergies.
- Rice is a supplier of vegetable protein.
- Beetroot - this vegetable normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and promotes normal bowel movements of the animal.
The nutritional composition is not limited to these components. Hills food also contains:
- animal fats;
- fish fat;
- vegetable oils;
- digest;
- flax seeds;
- chicken eggs.
The following components are isolated from useful substances;
- Fatty acids have a positive effect on the condition of the epidermis and coat of pets.
- Calcium and phosphorus - improve the condition of the teeth and bones of animals.
- Protein – supports muscle mass.
- Taurine – improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
The specific composition depends on the type of diet. For example, Hills Small Breed Dog Food contains:
- chicken flour - this ingredient makes up the main part of the menu;
- turkey flour – it is presented in small quantities;
- wheat, corn, rice - these components account for more than 50%.
The exact composition is presented on the packaging. All components present on the menu are listed here.
Conclusions about Hills dog food
Premium food is a kind of compromise between price and quality, Hills is no exception. It is of much higher quality than economy feed, but still not as healthy as super-premium or holistic feed.
Hills is suitable for those who cannot buy expensive dog food, but also do not want to poison it with a frankly poor economy class. However, Dai Paw still cannot recommend it as a permanent food for your pets.
Hills dog food price
- Dry food Hills Science Plan 0.3 kg - from ;
- Dry food Hills Science Plan 3 kg - from 1200 rubles;
- Dry food Hills Science Plan 12 kg - from 3300 rubles;
- Dry food Hills Prescription Diet 12 kg - from 5000 rub.
The prices shown are indicative, current as of June 2017 and may change significantly over time.
In addition to those listed above, there are many different food packages (1 kg, 7.5 kg, etc.). The price depends not only on the size of the package, but also on the option. The medicinal line is more expensive than the everyday line.
Advantages and disadvantages
Hill's dog food has the following advantages:
- A large assortment for pets of any age, breed and lifestyle.
- The diet is hypoallergenic, which is especially important for animals suffering from atypical body reactions.
- There are medicinal products, in particular, Hepatic Hills for dogs (l/d Canine) suffering from liver pathologies.
- The presence of useful elements in the composition.
- Contains natural preservatives.
- The products prevent the occurrence of urolithiasis (Urinari).
- Easily absorbed by the animal's body.
- Positively affects the condition of organs.
- Positive reviews from veterinarians.
The disadvantages include the following:
- a small amount of protein in the composition for premium food;
- a significant proportion of cereals;
- presence of low quality components;
- high price.
Reviews
Veterinarian review
Hill's dry and wet food cannot be judged unambiguously. Their daily diets do not meet dog nutrition standards due to the abundance of wheat and corn. Even if the dog is not allergic to gluten, plant protein is poorly digested by animals, gives a false sense of fullness, and leads to obesity and diabetes.
But Hill's veterinary line is excellent. It helps to cope with diseases, prevent relapses and normalize the pet’s condition. If a veterinarian prescribed it, feel free to take it.
Customer Reviews
Valentin: “I’ve been feeding my dog Hills all my life. I didn’t find any shortcomings: the pet is cheerful, the skin is clean, the fur is shiny, the chair is always decorated.”
Inna: “An allergy in an animal is also a punishment. My husky used to be all natural until dandruff appeared and his fur began to fall off. In search of the ideal treatment and food, we changed 3 clinics and countless brands until we tried Hills. Z/D contains little protein, but the dog eats it with pleasure, quickly fills up, and does not lose weight. And most importantly – clean skin and a thick fur coat!”
Laura: “I didn’t like Hills. I bought it because of the range, nutritional value, lack of flavors and taste enhancers. But then she refused: the composition is poor, there are no fresh or raw meat components, the ingredients are described in general terms, without percentages, and some are not indicated at all.”
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
Hill's Product Lines
Everyday delicious meals - Science Plan
Food for adult dogs of all sizes that stimulates the intestines and promotes muscle development.
The manufacturer has provided for all possible problems and provided the owner with a chance to solve them without using medications. Daily food that is healing and beneficial for any dog because:
- regulates weight
- Replenishes energy costs for active dogs
- improves digestion
- Provides shine to your pet's coat and eyes
- Helps puppies develop properly.
Useful video
Review of Hill's food for small breed dogs:
Therapeutic nutrition for a fulfilling life - Prescription Diet, Nature's Best
Medicinal food will make the life of an ill and weakened dog much better, because with regular use it solves the following problems:
- stone formation
- allergic manifestations, ranging from skin rashes to vomiting and diarrhea
- development of inflammation of the mouth and teeth
- renal failure
- obesity
- heart disease
- digestive problems (several types of food are available for this, among them low-fat food)
- stressful state
- insufficient functionality of the liver and kidneys
- problems with joints and bones.
The perfect combination of ingredients for super dogs - Ideal Balance.
Particularly nutritious food without grain fillers - only based on animal products and balanced vitamins.
Each food group includes options for complete nutrition for dogs of different ages and sizes.
Allowance for dog food when eating canned food
While it is quite easy to determine how much dry dog food to give using the table above, portions of wet food, or canned dog food, are more difficult to calculate. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always provide information on the packaging about what the daily intake should be depending on the weight of the pet.
Giving your dog food at random, relying on its appetite and your own intuition, is not worth it; it is dangerous, because such food most likely will not be complete. However, there are certain standards, guided by which you can try to create a norm for your pet that is as close as possible to the ideal.
An adult dog on average requires at least 50 kilocalories per day per kilogram of weight, while the energy value of standard wet food ranges from 75–110 kilocalories per 100 grams. Thus, knowing the weight of the dog, as well as taking into account its condition and activity, which were mentioned above, you can relatively accurately calculate the volume of the daily portion.
With this approach, it is very important to carefully monitor the pet’s well-being, its weight, the condition of its coat and teeth; if everything is normal and does not change over time, then most likely your calculations are correct. Otherwise, the diet should be the same as when feeding dry food: that is, the daily norm is divided into two doses and given to the dog at the same time in the morning and in the evening after a walk.
