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.
Our verdict
Is Hill's k/d Early Stage a good dog food?
We score it 30/100 (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".
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with cereals, egg and oils and fats as the main ingredients.
Declared analysis sits below the FEDIAF minimum for protein, phosphorus.
98% 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 adult dogs
- Doesn't list chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids fish: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists cereals
- You need more protein than this: 18.9% 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 17.40% · Fat 17.40%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.40% |
| Fat | 17.40% |
| Fibre | 1.50% |
| Ash | 4.50% |
| Moisture | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 50.70% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3.50% |
| Calcium | 0.64% |
| Phosphorus | 0.31% |
| Sodium | 0.17% |
Energy: 387 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Adult maintenance: 1kg = 30g, 2kg = 50g, 4kg = 80g, 5kg = 95g, 10kg = 165g, 20kg = 275g, 30kg = 370g, 40kg = 460g, 50kg = 545g, 60+kg = 545g + 10g per kg. Gradually transition over 7 days or more.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
3b103 (Iron) 88.3mg/kg; 3b202 (Iodine) 2.2mg/kg; 3b405 (Copper) 8.7mg/kg; 3b502 (Manganese) 9.1mg/kg; 3b603 (Zinc) 155mg/kg; 3b801 (Selenium) 0.2mg/kg; 3a920 (Betaine) 5.0g/kg; Vitamin A 8,172 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 702 IU/kg; Vitamin E 575mg/kg; Vitamin C 90mg/kg; Beta-carotene 1.5mg/kg; L-carnitine 533mg/kg
Technological additives
Natural antioxidant
Ingredients (13)98% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 30.2%
- carb 24.9%
- supplement 12.8%
- oil 10.9%
- other 8.3%
- veg 7.2%
- fibre 5.7%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.6% Cereals | Cereals | carb · poor | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 2 | 0.6% Eggs and Egg Derivatives | Egg | meat · good | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 3 | 0.6% Oils and Fats | Oils and Fats | oil · poor | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 4 | Vegetable Protein Extracts | Vegetable protein extracts | carb · poor | - | 12.7 |
| 5 | Derivatives of Vegetable Origin | Vegetable By-Products | other · poor | - | 12.0 |
| 6 | Meat and Animal Derivatives | Meat and Animal Derivatives | meat · poor | - | 11.4 |
| 7 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 10.8 |
| 8 | Seeds | Seeds | veg · poor | - | 10.1 |
| 9 | Dried Whole Eggs | Dried Whole Egg | meat · good | - | 9.5 |
| 10 | Pea Protein | Pea protein | carb · medium | - | 8.9 |
| 11 | Betaine | Betaine Anhydrous | supplement · good | - | 8.2 |
| 12 | Oat Bran | Oat bran | fibre · good | - | 7.6 |
| 13 | Fructo-oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 7.0 |
- 1. 0.6% Cereals0.6% declared0.6% estimated
- 2. 0.6% Eggs and Egg Derivatives0.6% declared0.6% estimated
- 3. 0.6% Oils and Fats0.6% declared0.6% estimated
- 4. Vegetable Protein Extracts12.7% estimated
- 5. Derivatives of Vegetable Origin12.0% estimated
- 6. Meat and Animal Derivatives11.4% estimated
- 7. Minerals10.8% estimated
- 8. Seeds10.1% estimated
- 9. Dried Whole Eggs9.5% estimated
- 10. Pea Protein8.9% estimated
- 11. Betaine8.2% estimated
- 12. Oat Bran7.6% estimated
- 13. Fructo-oligosaccharides7.0% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-15
Brand and contact: Hill's
- Website
- https://www.hillspet.co.uk/
- Address
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Goldsworth Place 1 Forge End Woking GU21 6DB
- Contact page
- www.hillspet.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-15
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.hillspet.co.uk
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.
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 30 out of 100. Ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.4 points. The processing format contributed -6.7 points, the carbohydrate content contributed -3.7 points, and lower-quality ingredients contributed -3.3 points. 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.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | -0.1 | 9.191 | -0.79 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 32.4% | -0.115 | -3.73 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.9% | -0.092 | -1.46 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 1.6% | -0.005 | -0.01 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.5% | -0.012 | -0.21 |
| Other share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.375 | -2.30 |
| Recipe graded poor | 51.0% | -0.065 | -3.31 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 7.9% | -0.179 | -1.42 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 6 | -0.876 | -5.26 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 9.8% | 0.060 | +0.59 |
| Undeclared quantities | 98.2% | -0.106 | -10.37 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -1.16 | 0.222 | -0.26 |
| 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 | -0.1 | 9.191 | -0.79 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 32.4% | -0.115 | -3.73 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.9% | -0.092 | -1.46 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 1.6% | -0.005 | -0.01 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.5% | -0.012 | -0.21 |
| Other share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.375 | -2.30 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 51.0% | -0.065 | -3.31 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 7.9% | -0.179 | -1.42 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 6 | -0.876 | -5.26 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 9.8% | 0.060 | +0.59 |
| Undeclared quantities | 98.2% | -0.106 | -10.37 |
| 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 | -1.16 | 0.222 | -0.26 |
| 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
- 29.9
- Final score
- 30/100
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.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up 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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 17.4 | 18.9 (band 18.929347826086953 to 40%) | 69.9 |
| Fat | 17.4 | 18.9 (band 5.783967391304346 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 1.5 | 1.6 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 85.1 |
| Calcium | 0.64 | 0.7 (band 0.5258152173913042 to 2.5%) | 75.2 |
| Phosphorus | 0.31 | 0.3 (band 0.4206521739130434 to 1.6%) | 56.1 |
| Sodium | 0.17 | 0.2 (band 0.10516304347826085+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 2.1 | 2.1 (band 1 to 2%) | 96.8 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 387 | 420.7 | 100 |
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.
Declared fortification: 13 nutritional additives on the label
- 3b103 (Iron) 88.3mg/kg
- 3b202 (Iodine) 2.2mg/kg
- 3b405 (Copper) 8.7mg/kg
- 3b502 (Manganese) 9.1mg/kg
- 3b603 (Zinc) 155mg/kg
- 3b801 (Selenium) 0.2mg/kg
- 3a920 (Betaine) 5.0g/kg
- Vitamin A 8,172 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3 702 IU/kg
- Vitamin E 575mg/kg
- Vitamin C 90mg/kg
- Beta-carotene 1.5mg/kg
- L-carnitine 533mg/kg
High confidence: full analysis plus minerals or omegas and declared energy.
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 (1.8% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 0.4/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| 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) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrition clinically shown to help sustain vital kidney function & healthy body condition (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense, a proprietary blend of prebiotics shown to activate the gut microbiome to help protect kidney function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Proprietary technology clinically proven to stimulate appetite and increase caloric intake of dogs with kidney disease (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite & calcium oxalate crystals (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| S+OX SHIELD: Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite and calcium oxalate crystals (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low level of phosphorus and restricted level of high-quality protein (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| With fish oil (Omega-3s) (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High levels of essential amino acids and L-carnitine (on pack) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Controlled phosphorus & low sodium (on pack) | High/low level | 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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