veterinary diet

This is a medical nutrition decision. Speak to your vet.

This is a veterinary diet product: a "dietetic" feed designed for a particular nutritional purpose and intended for use under veterinary direction. The score and figures below are readings of the label, the same as for any other food: they can't tell you whether this product is right for your dog.

Read our full disclaimer

Hill's Pet Nutrition j/d Dry Dog Food

Dry Extruded · completeveterinary diet

j/d Dry Dog Food
Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is Hill's Pet Nutrition j/d Dry Dog Food 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

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

Why you might not

  • 4 poor-graded ingredients make up about 26% of the recipe.
  • Low in protein: 20% protein on a dry-matter basis.
  • Only protein, fat and fibre declared; ash and moisture missing from the analysis.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
  • Your dog avoids pork: it is listed as an ingredient
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists wheat
  • You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
  • You need more protein than this: 20.0% 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 20% · Fat 15.90%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fedDry matterDirectory average
Protein20%20%37.69% (137 eligible foods)
Fat15.90%15.90%23.89% (134 eligible foods)
Fibre4.10%4.10%3.81% (135 eligible foods)
Carbohydrates55.40%55.40%30.63% (76 eligible foods)
Omega-3 fatty acids3.60%3.60%-
Calcium0.70%0.70%-
Phosphorus0.60%0.60%-
Sodium0.20%0.20%-

Energy: 367 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

Use within 60 days of opening

Feeding guide

Adult maintenance. Daily feeding varies by weight: 5 lb (2.3 kg) = 5/8 cup (60 g); 10 lb (4.5 kg) = 1 cup (100 g); 15 lb (6.8 kg) = 1 1/3 cup (130 g); 20 lb (9.1 kg) = 1 2/3 cup (165 g); 30 lb (14 kg) = 2 1/4 cups (225 g); 40 lb (18 kg) = 2 2/3 cups (265 g); 50 lb (23 kg) = 3 1/4 cups (320 g); 60 lb (27 kg) = 3 2/3 cups (365 g); 70 lb (32 kg) = 4 cups (395 g); 80 lb (36 kg) = 4 1/2 cups (445 g); 100 lb (45 kg) = 5 1/3 cups (530 g); 120 lb (54 kg) = 6 1/4 cups (620 g). Gradually transition over 7 days or more.

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

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; Ferrous Sulfate; Zinc Oxide; Copper Sulfate; Manganous Oxide; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite

Technological additives

Mixed Tocopherols for freshness

Ingredients (16)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • carb 23.2%
  • supplement 19.9%
  • meat 19.6%
  • oil 13.3%
  • additive 10.2%
  • veg 7.7%
  • fibre 6.1%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Whole Grain WheatWheatcarb · poor-8.2
2Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-7.9
3FlaxseedLinseedveg · good-7.7
4Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-7.4
5Corn Protein MealMaize glutencarb · poor-7.1
6Chicken FatChicken Oil and Fatoil · good-6.9
7Chicken Liver FlavorLivermeat · good-6.6
8Fish OilFish Oiloil · good-6.4
9Powdered CellulosePowdered Cellulosefibre · poor-6.1
10Lactic AcidLactic Acidadditive · medium-5.9
11Pork Liver FlavorLivermeat · good-5.6
12Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-5.4
13L-LysineLysinesupplement · medium-5.1
14Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-4.8
15Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-4.6
16Iodized SaltSaltadditive · poor-4.3
  1. 1. Whole Grain Wheat8.2% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  2. 2. Whole Grain Corn7.9% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  3. 3. Flaxseed7.7% estimated
    Linseed · veg · good
  4. 4. Chicken Meal7.4% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  5. 5. Corn Protein Meal7.1% estimated
    Maize gluten · carb · poor
  6. 6. Chicken Fat6.9% estimated
    Chicken Oil and Fat · oil · good
  7. 7. Chicken Liver Flavor6.6% estimated
    Liver · meat · good
  8. 8. Fish Oil6.4% estimated
    Fish Oil · oil · good
  9. 9. Powdered Cellulose6.1% estimated
    Powdered Cellulose · fibre · poor
  10. 10. Lactic Acid5.9% estimated
    Lactic Acid · additive · medium
  11. 11. Pork Liver Flavor5.6% estimated
    Liver · meat · good
  12. 12. Potassium Chloride5.4% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  13. 13. L-Lysine5.1% estimated
    Lysine · supplement · medium
  14. 14. Calcium Carbonate4.8% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium
  15. 15. Choline Chloride4.6% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good
  16. 16. Iodized Salt4.3% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor

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?

The overall score is 40 out of 100. Ingredients without printed percentages pulled the score down by -10.6, while the processing format reduced it by -6.7. The carbohydrate content took off another -2.8 points, and the additive load contributed -2.7. This is a general explanation of how the score works, not veterinary advice. For any health condition, food choice is a decision for your vet.

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 quality0.29.191+2.29
Carb share of dry matter24.5%-0.115-2.82
Oil share of dry matter15.7%-0.092-1.44
Vegetable share of dry matter8.2%-0.005-0.04
Additive share of dry matter11.0%0.163+1.78
Supplement share of dry matter21.8%-0.012-0.27
Recipe graded poor25.8%-0.065-1.67
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient8.2%0.060+0.49
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-12.330.222-2.74
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 quality0.29.191+2.29
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter24.5%-0.115-2.82
Oil share of dry matter15.7%-0.092-1.44
Vegetable share of dry matter8.2%-0.005-0.04
Additive share of dry matter11.0%0.163+1.78
Supplement share of dry matter21.8%-0.012-0.27
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor25.8%-0.065-1.67
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient8.2%0.060+0.49
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-12.330.222-2.74
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
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
40.0
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
Protein2022.1 (band 18.24861878453039 to 40%)80.6
Fat15.917.6 (band 5.57596685082873 to 20%)100
Fibre4.14.5 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium0.70.8 (band 0.5069060773480664 to 2.5%)78
Phosphorus0.60.7 (band 0.4055248618784531 to 1.6%)82.9
Sodium0.20.2 (band 0.10138121546961328+%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.21.2 (band 1 to 2%)80
Energy (kcal/100g)367405.5100

Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 95); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

Declared fortification: 18 nutritional additives on the label
  • 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
  • Ferrous Sulfate
  • Zinc Oxide
  • Copper Sulfate
  • Manganous Oxide
  • Calcium Iodate
  • Sodium Selenite

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)10/10
✓ 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

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

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

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

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Clinically proven to improve dog's ability to run, jump, and play in as little as 3 weeks (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite & calcium oxalate crystals (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
S+OXSHIELD: Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite & calcium oxalate crystals (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Hill's Prescription Diet j/d helps your dog walk, run and jump more easily in as little as 21 days (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Helps preserve joint cartilage (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Helps build lean muscle (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports a healthy immune system (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
U.S. Veterinarians' #1 Recommended Brand (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (on page)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
Added L-carnitine (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Clinically proven antioxidants (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Chicken Flavor (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.

See all products from Hill's Pet Nutrition

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