Hill's Pet Nutrition Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Dry Extruded · complete

Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Poor
our rating

Our verdict

Is Hill's Pet Nutrition Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe a good dog food?

We score it 36/100 (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

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

  • No analytical breakdown is published.
  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
  • Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large dogs
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
  • 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 rice - brown / whole grain
  • You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein

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 feeding

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fedDry matterDirectory average
Protein-26.30%37.69% (137 eligible foods)
Fat-15.40%23.89% (134 eligible foods)
Fibre-2.40%3.81% (135 eligible foods)
Carbohydrates-49%30.63% (76 eligible foods)

Energy: 363 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Feeding guide

Adjust feeding amounts as necessary to maintain optimal weight. New to this food: Mix increasing amounts of new food with decreasing amounts of old food over a 7-day period. Keep fresh water available at all times. See detailed cup/gram amounts by body weight and age (less than 4 months, 4-9 months, 10-12 months, 13-18 months) on the page.

No additives recorded yet.

Ingredients (25)100% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • carb 37.2%
  • meat 18.1%
  • supplement 12.4%
  • fibre 10.6%
  • oil 8.1%
  • additive 7.2%
  • veg 6.4%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1ChickenChickenmeat · medium-5.3
2Brown RiceRice - brown / whole graincarb · medium-5.2
3Whole Grain OatsOatscarb · medium-5.1
4Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeat · good-4.9
5Cracked Pearled BarleyPearled Barleycarb · medium-4.8
6Chicken FatChicken Oil and Fatoil · good-4.7
7Pea ProteinPea proteincarb · medium-4.6
8Brewers RiceRice - whitecarb · medium-4.5
9Whole Grain WheatWheatcarb · poor-4.4
10Soybean MealSoybean Mealcarb · poor-4.3
11Whole Grain CornWhole-Grain Maizecarb · medium-4.2
12Chicken Liver FlavorLivermeat · good-4.1
13Ground Pecan ShellsGround Pecan Shellfibre · poor-4.0
14Lactic AcidLactic Acidadditive · medium-3.9
15Pork Liver FlavorLivermeat · good-3.8
16Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium phosphatesupplement · medium-3.7
17FlaxseedLinseedveg · good-3.6
18Dried Beet PulpBeet Pulpfibre · medium-3.5
19Fish OilFish Oiloil · good-3.4
20Iodized SaltSaltadditive · poor-3.3
21Dried Citrus PulpCitrus Pulpfibre · medium-3.2
22Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplement · medium-3.1
23Choline ChlorideCholinesupplement · good-2.9
24Pressed CranberriesCranberriesveg · good-2.8
25Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplement · medium-2.7
  1. 1. Chicken5.3% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  2. 2. Brown Rice5.2% estimated
    Rice - brown / whole grain · carb · medium
  3. 3. Whole Grain Oats5.1% estimated
    Oats · carb · medium
  4. 4. Chicken Meal4.9% estimated
    Dried chicken protein · meat · good
  5. 5. Cracked Pearled Barley4.8% estimated
    Pearled Barley · carb · medium
  6. 6. Chicken Fat4.7% estimated
    Chicken Oil and Fat · oil · good
  7. 7. Pea Protein4.6% estimated
    Pea protein · carb · medium
  8. 8. Brewers Rice4.5% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  9. 9. Whole Grain Wheat4.4% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  10. 10. Soybean Meal4.3% estimated
    Soybean Meal · carb · poor
  11. 11. Whole Grain Corn4.2% estimated
    Whole-Grain Maize · carb · medium
  12. 12. Chicken Liver Flavor4.1% estimated
    Liver · meat · good
  13. 13. Ground Pecan Shells4.0% estimated
    Ground Pecan Shell · fibre · poor
  14. 14. Lactic Acid3.9% estimated
    Lactic Acid · additive · medium
  15. 15. Pork Liver Flavor3.8% estimated
    Liver · meat · good
  16. 16. Dicalcium Phosphate3.7% estimated
    Dicalcium phosphate · supplement · medium
  17. 17. Flaxseed3.6% estimated
    Linseed · veg · good
  18. 18. Dried Beet Pulp3.5% estimated
    Beet Pulp · fibre · medium
  19. 19. Fish Oil3.4% estimated
    Fish Oil · oil · good
  20. 20. Iodized Salt3.3% estimated
    Salt · additive · poor
  21. 21. Dried Citrus Pulp3.2% estimated
    Citrus Pulp · fibre · medium
  22. 22. Potassium Chloride3.1% estimated
    Potassium Chloride · supplement · medium
  23. 23. Choline Chloride2.9% estimated
    Choline · supplement · good
  24. 24. Pressed Cranberries2.8% estimated
    Cranberries · veg · good
  25. 25. Calcium Carbonate2.7% estimated
    Calcium Carbonate · supplement · medium

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 36 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.1 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 -4.7.

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 quality0.39.191+3.06
Carb share of dry matter40.9%-0.115-4.71
Oil share of dry matter10.0%-0.092-0.92
Vegetable share of dry matter4.6%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter8.0%0.163+1.31
Supplement share of dry matter14.3%-0.012-0.17
Recipe graded poor16.0%-0.065-1.04
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient4.4%0.060+0.27
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-8.650.222-1.92
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 quality0.39.191+3.06
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter40.9%-0.115-4.71
Oil share of dry matter10.0%-0.092-0.92
Vegetable share of dry matter4.6%-0.005-0.02
Additive share of dry matter8.0%0.163+1.31
Supplement share of dry matter14.3%-0.012-0.17
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor16.0%-0.065-1.04
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient4.4%0.060+0.27
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietno2.294+0.00
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-8.650.222-1.92
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
Subtotal
35.9
Final score
36/100

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

Analytical constituents not declared

No nutritional additives section declared on the label.

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) - not on file0/10
✓ 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, Additives 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.

Claims on file; none we can check against the label

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Specially made with an optimal level of calcium for controlled bone growth, a unique developmental need of large breed puppies (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Contains ActivBiome+ Digestion, a breakthrough blend of prebiotic fibers to support the gut microbiome and digestive system (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Growing bones and teeth supported by balanced minerals (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Healthy brain development, enhanced memory and easier training supported by optimal levels of DHA from marine algae oil (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Developing immune system supported by antioxidant blend (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
100% Satisfaction guarantee (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Great tasting natural* nutrition for a long, happy life (*plus vitamins, minerals and amino acids) (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
U.S. Veterinarians' #1 Recommended Brand (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Growing muscles fueled by high quality proteins (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies (on page)Nutrientnot 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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