Hill's Pet Nutrition Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe

Dry Extruded · complete

Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe
Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is Hill's Pet Nutrition Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Recipe a good dog food?

We score it 40/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".

How we score

Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.

100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

Why you might choose it

  • Single named animal protein: chicken.
  • Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

  • Low in protein: 19% protein on a dry-matter basis.
  • Meat makes up an estimated 9% of the dry matter (12% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
  • Only protein, fat and fibre declared; ash and moisture missing from the analysis.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for senior dogs
  • Single named protein: chicken
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists pearled barley
  • You need more protein than this: 18.7% on a dry-matter basis is in the low band

These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.

Nutrition and feedingProtein 18.70% · Fat 13.50%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fedDry matterDirectory average
Protein18.70%18.70%37.69% (137 eligible foods)
Fat13.50%13.50%23.89% (134 eligible foods)
Fibre2.40%2.40%3.81% (135 eligible foods)
Carbohydrates58.70%58.70%30.63% (76 eligible foods)
Omega-3 fatty acids0.53%--
Omega-6 fatty acids3.94%--
Calcium1.15%--
Phosphorus0.68%--
Sodium0.32%--

Energy: 355 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Feeding guide

Mature Adult: Weight of Dog - lbs (kgs) | Amount per Day - cups (grams): 5 (2.3) 1/2 (50); 10 (4.5) 7/8 (85); 20 (9.1) 1 1/2 (150); 30 (14) 2 (200); 40 (18) 2 1/2 (250); 50 (23) 3 (295); 60 (27) 3 1/3 (330); 80 (36) 4 (395); 100 (45) 4 3/4 (470); 120 (54) 5 1/2 (545). Adjust feeding amounts as necessary to maintain optimal weight. If unsure, ask your veterinarian. Transition over a 7-day period. Keep fresh water available at all times.

Additives declared on the label

Technological additives

Mixed Tocopherols for freshness

Ingredients (19)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • carb 42.8%
  • supplement 16.0%
  • meat 12.0%
  • oil 10.5%
  • additive 8.7%
  • fibre 5.4%
  • veg 4.5%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-6.9
2Cracked Pearled BarleyPearled Barleycarb · medium-6.7
3Brewers RiceRice - whitecarb · medium-6.5
4Whole Grain WheatWheatcarb · poor-6.4
5Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-6.2
6Whole Grain SorghumSorghumcarb · medium-6.0
7Whole Grain OatsOatscarb · medium-5.8
8Chicken FatChicken Oil and Fatoil · good-5.6
9Dried Beet PulpBeet Pulpfibre · medium-5.4
10Soybean MealSoybean Mealcarb · poor-5.3
11Chicken Liver FlavorLivermeat · good-5.1
12Soybean OilSoybean oiloil · medium-4.9
13Lactic AcidLactic Acidadditive · medium-4.7
14FlaxseedLinseedveg · good-4.5
15Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-4.4
16Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-4.2
17Iodized SaltSaltadditive · poor-4.0
18Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)Fructo-oligosaccharidessupplement · good-3.8
19Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-3.6
  1. 1. Chicken Meal6.9% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  2. 2. Cracked Pearled Barley6.7% estimated
    Pearled Barley · carb · medium
  3. 3. Brewers Rice6.5% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  4. 4. Whole Grain Wheat6.4% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  5. 5. Whole Grain Corn6.2% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  6. 6. Whole Grain Sorghum6.0% estimated
    Sorghum · carb · medium
  7. 7. Whole Grain Oats5.8% estimated
    Oats · carb · medium
  8. 8. Chicken Fat5.6% estimated
    Chicken Oil and Fat · oil · good
  9. 9. Dried Beet Pulp5.4% estimated
    Beet Pulp · fibre · medium
  10. 10. Soybean Meal5.3% estimated
    Soybean Meal · carb · poor
  11. 11. Chicken Liver Flavor5.1% estimated
    Liver · meat · good
  12. 12. Soybean Oil4.9% estimated
    Soybean oil · oil · medium
  13. 13. Lactic Acid4.7% estimated
    Lactic Acid · additive · medium
  14. 14. Flaxseed4.5% estimated
    Linseed · veg · good
  15. 15. Potassium Chloride4.4% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  16. 16. Calcium Carbonate4.2% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  17. 17. Iodized Salt4.0% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  18. 18. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)3.8% estimated
    Fructo-oligosaccharides · supplement · good
  19. 19. Choline Chloride3.6% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-18

Brand and contact: Hill's Pet Nutrition

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-09-18
Scored with
Model v3 (methodology)
Product page
www.hillspet.com

Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.

External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.

Trustpilot: 3.0/5 · 3 reviews

Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.

Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall rating of 40 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.3 points to the total. However, the presence of ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6. Furthermore, the processing format decreased the score by -6.7, and the carbohydrate content lowered the final result by -5.

Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.49.191+3.34
Carb share of dry matter43.2%-0.115-4.97
Oil share of dry matter11.9%-0.092-1.10
Vegetable share of dry matter4.7%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter9.0%0.163+1.46
Supplement share of dry matter16.8%-0.012-0.20
Recipe graded poor15.6%-0.065-1.01
Number of poor ingredients3-0.876-2.63
Largest single poor ingredient6.4%0.060+0.38
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-10.530.222-2.34
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.49.191+3.34
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter43.2%-0.115-4.97
Oil share of dry matter11.9%-0.092-1.10
Vegetable share of dry matter4.7%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter9.0%0.163+1.46
Supplement share of dry matter16.8%-0.012-0.20
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor15.6%-0.065-1.01
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients3-0.876-2.63
Largest single poor ingredient6.4%0.060+0.38
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-10.530.222-2.34
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+1 transparency bonus
Subtotal
39.8
Final score
40/100

Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.

Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges

How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.

Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein18.720.7 (band 18 to 40%)77.3
Fat13.514.9 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre2.42.7 (band 0.5 to 5%)98.7
Calcium1.151.3 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)93.1
Phosphorus0.680.8 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)87.6
Sodium0.320.4 (band 0.1+%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.71.7 (band 1 to 2%)100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)355392.3100

Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.

Scored over 9 declared nutrients (combined weight 105); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

No nutritional additives section declared on the label.

Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.

This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.

Transparency: what the label discloses

How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file0/15
✓ Additives declared (mandatory)5/10
✓ Energy value declared (voluntary)5/5
✓ Complete/complementary designation (mandatory)5/5
✓ Feeding guidance given (mandatory)10/10
✓ Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory)5/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)10/10
✗ Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file0/5

Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).

Safety: recall history

Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.

No recalls recorded in our database.

See all current recalls we track.

Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it

The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.

100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.

Consistent with the label

  • "Provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.

7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ dry dog food is formulated for specific aging needs (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Provides easy-to-digest nutrition with a synergistic blend of ingredients to help support energy & activity level (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Contains ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit, a special blend of prebiotic fibers and antioxidants to support digestion, immune system and organ health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Healthy heart, kidneys, and bladder supported by antioxidants and balanced minerals (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Lean muscles supported with high-quality protein (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
U.S. Veterinarians' #1 Recommended Brand (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (on pack)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
100% Satisfaction guarantee (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

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