Hill's Pet Nutrition Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Dry Extruded · complete
Our verdict
Is Hill's Pet Nutrition Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe a good dog food?
We score it 39/100 (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".
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.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small 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 oats
- 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 feedingProtein 28.90% · Fat 19.70%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed | Dry matter | Directory average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28.90% | 28.90% | 37.69% (137 eligible foods) |
| Fat | 19.70% | 19.70% | 23.89% (134 eligible foods) |
| Fibre | 2.30% | 2.30% | 3.81% (135 eligible foods) |
| Carbohydrates | 40.60% | 40.60% | 30.63% (76 eligible foods) |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.68% | - | - |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 4.25% | - | - |
| Calcium | 1.58% | - | - |
| Phosphorus | 1.31% | - | - |
| Sodium | 0.49% | - | - |
Energy: 378 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Adjust feeding amounts as necessary to maintain optimal weight. Mix increasing amounts of new food with decreasing amounts of old food over a 7-day period. Keep fresh water available at all times. Detailed cup/gram amounts provided by dog weight (2-25 lbs) across growth stages (<4 months, 4-9 months, 10-12 months) and pregnancy weeks.
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; Taurine
Technological additives
Mixed Tocopherols for freshness; Lactic Acid
Ingredients (25)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 32.7%
- meat 18.6%
- supplement 12.8%
- oil 11.9%
- fibre 10.6%
- additive 9.7%
- veg 3.6%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 5.3 |
| 2 | Whole Grain Oats | Oats | carb · medium | - | 5.2 |
| 3 | Brown Rice | Rice - brown / whole grain | carb · medium | - | 5.1 |
| 4 | Chicken Meal | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | - | 4.9 |
| 5 | Chicken Fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 4.8 |
| 6 | Pea Protein | Pea protein | carb · medium | - | 4.7 |
| 7 | Whole Grain Corn | Whole-Grain Maize | carb · medium | - | 4.6 |
| 8 | Cracked Pearled Barley | Pearled Barley | carb · medium | - | 4.5 |
| 9 | Soybean Meal | Soybean Meal | carb · poor | - | 4.4 |
| 10 | Chicken Liver Flavor | Liver | meat · good | - | 4.3 |
| 11 | Corn Protein Meal | Maize gluten | carb · poor | - | 4.2 |
| 12 | Pork Liver Flavor | Liver | meat · good | - | 4.1 |
| 13 | Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement · medium | - | 4.0 |
| 14 | Ground Pecan Shells | Ground Pecan Shell | fibre · poor | - | 3.9 |
| 15 | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid | additive · medium | - | 3.8 |
| 16 | Soybean Oil | Soybean oil | oil · medium | - | 3.7 |
| 17 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 3.6 |
| 18 | Dried Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 3.5 |
| 19 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 3.4 |
| 20 | Dried Citrus Pulp | Citrus Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 3.3 |
| 21 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement · medium | - | 3.2 |
| 22 | Iodized Salt | Salt | additive · poor | - | 3.1 |
| 23 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement · medium | - | 2.9 |
| 24 | Sodium Tripolyphosphate | Sodium Tripolyphosphate | additive · poor | - | 2.8 |
| 25 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement · good | - | 2.7 |
- 1. Chicken5.3% estimated
- 2. Whole Grain Oats5.2% estimated
- 3. Brown Rice5.1% estimated
- 4. Chicken Meal4.9% estimated
- 5. Chicken Fat4.8% estimated
- 6. Pea Protein4.7% estimated
- 7. Whole Grain Corn4.6% estimated
- 8. Cracked Pearled Barley4.5% estimated
- 9. Soybean Meal4.4% estimated
- 10. Chicken Liver Flavor4.3% estimated
- 11. Corn Protein Meal4.2% estimated
- 12. Pork Liver Flavor4.1% estimated
- 13. Dicalcium Phosphate4.0% estimated
- 14. Ground Pecan Shells3.9% estimated
- 15. Lactic Acid3.8% estimated
- 16. Soybean Oil3.7% estimated
- 17. Flaxseed3.6% estimated
- 18. Dried Beet Pulp3.5% estimated
- 19. Fish Oil3.4% estimated
- 20. Dried Citrus Pulp3.3% estimated
- 21. Calcium Carbonate3.2% estimated
- 22. Iodized Salt3.1% estimated
- 23. Potassium Chloride2.9% estimated
- 24. Sodium Tripolyphosphate2.8% estimated
- 25. Choline Chloride2.7% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-18
Brand and contact: Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Website
- https://www.hillspet.com/
- Contact page
- www.hillspet.com
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.
Brand and retailer reviews
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 39 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +2.8 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.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.3 | 9.191 | +2.81 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 35.1% | -0.115 | -4.04 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.092 | -1.31 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.9% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 10.6% | 0.163 | +1.72 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| Recipe graded poor | 18.4% | -0.065 | -1.20 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 4.4% | 0.060 | +0.27 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -11.68 | 0.222 | -2.59 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.3 | 9.191 | +2.81 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 35.1% | -0.115 | -4.04 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.092 | -1.31 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.9% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 10.6% | 0.163 | +1.72 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 18.4% | -0.065 | -1.20 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 5 | -0.876 | -4.38 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 4.4% | 0.060 | +0.27 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -11.68 | 0.222 | -2.59 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 39.0
- Final score
- 39/100
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 puppies and growth. 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.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; 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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28.9 | 31.9 | 100 |
| Fat | 19.7 | 21.8 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.58 | 1.7 | 90.9 |
| Phosphorus | 1.31 | 1.4 | 100 |
| Sodium | 0.49 | 0.5 (band 0.22972375690607733+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.2 | 1.2 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 378 | 417.7 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
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: 19 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
- Taurine
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.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| 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 file | 0/5 |
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.
Claims on file; none we can check against the label
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contains ActivBiome+ Digestion, a breakthrough blend of prebiotic fibers to support the gut microbiome and digestive system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Growing bones and teeth supported by balanced minerals (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Healthy brain and eye development supported by DHA and Fish Oil (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Developing immune system supported by antioxidant blend (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Growing muscles fueled by high quality proteins (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies and gestating or lactating adult female dogs (on pack) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer 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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