Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food

Brand: Hills Dog Food, Science Diet Dry Digestive

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Brand: Hills Dog Food, Science Diet Dry Digestive

Ingredient Quality

3 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 51% carbohydrate ^ⓘDogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
Contains fats that are highly processed or inflammatory ^ⓘSeed oils, such as safflower, sunflower or flaxseed oil, provide calories and taste. They are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause systemic and gut inflammation. Other oils like soybean are highly processed and may contain trans fats. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Product contains two or more added amino acids ^ⓘMultiple amino acids are typically only found in lower quality foods that rely on less complete plant sources of protein. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive vitamins ^ⓘWhen vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.
Contains plant protein ^ⓘPlant-based protein sources are the least inexpensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more

Ingredient Safety

1 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is ultra processed ^ⓘExtruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Contains rice ^ⓘArsenic contamination is a significant concern with rice since it naturally absorbs arsenic and the water it's grown in can be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues. Learn more
Contains known GMO ingredients in the top 5 ingredients including sorghum and wheat ^ⓘThere are limited safetey studies on geneticaly modified and Roundup Ready crops although they are lacking in nutrients compared to non-GMO foods. GMO crops also strip nutrients from soils, require increased pesticide risk and may be involved in bee die-off. Learn more
Contains known GMO ingredients including corn and soy ^ⓘThere are limited safetey studies on geneticaly modified and Roundup Ready crops although they are lacking in nutrients compared to non-GMO foods. GMO crops also strip nutrients from soils, require increased pesticide risk and may be involved in bee die-off. Learn more
Contains natural flavor ^ⓘNatural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	23.80%
Crude Fat (min)	16.70%
Crude Fiber (max)	1.70%

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