Hill's Light Small & Mini Adult Dog Food

Dry Extruded · completeClear label

Light Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Average
our rating

Our verdict

Is Hill's Light Small & Mini Adult Dog Food a good dog food?

We score it 49/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with dehydrated chicken and turkey, chicken and poultry as the main ingredients.

How we score

72% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

Why you might choose it

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

Why you might not

We found no significant drawbacks in the data we hold for this product.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
  • Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
  • Doesn't list beef, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dehydrated chicken and turkey
  • Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated chicken and turkey
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists wheat
  • 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 23.70% · Fat 10.30%

Typical analysis (as fed)

NutrientAs fed
Protein23.70%
Fat10.30%
Fibre12.40%
Ash5.20%
Moisture8%
Carbohydrates40.30%
Calcium0.82%
Phosphorus0.61%
Sodium0.29%

Energy: 312 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Feeding and storage

Storage

To prevent suffocation, keep the packaging out of the reach of pets and children.

Feeding guide

Feed the daily amount shown; adjust amount to maintain optimum weight. New to this food? Mix increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the previous food over a 7 day period. Keep fresh water available at all times. Neutered dog feeding table provided by weight (e.g. 2 kg = 55g/day dry).

Additives declared on the label

Nutritional additives

3b103 (Iron) 75.6mg; 3b202 (Iodine) 1.9mg; 3b405 (Copper) 7.5mg; 3b502 (Manganese) 7.8mg; 3b603 (Zinc) 132mg; 3b801 (Selenium) 0.2mg; Vitamin A 8,770 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 656 IU/kg; Vitamin E 1,017 mg/kg; Vitamin C 128 mg/kg; Beta-carotene 1.6 mg/kg; L-carnitine 333 mg/kg

Technological additives

with natural antioxidant

Ingredients (22)72% of the recipe is estimated

Estimated composition

  • meat 36.9%
  • fibre 23.6%
  • carb 17.2%
  • supplement 9.0%
  • oil 7.3%
  • veg 6.0%
#As declaredMatchedLabel readingDeclared %Est. %
1Chicken and turkey mealDehydrated Chicken and Turkeymeat · medium-4.7
2chicken 11%Chickenmeat · medium1111.0
3total poultry 17%Poultrymeat · medium1717.0
4wheatWheatcarb · poor-4.6
5pea bran mealPea Bran Mealfibre · medium-4.5
6maizeMaize / Corncarb · medium-4.4
7maize protein mealMaize glutencarb · poor-4.2
8digestDigestmeat · poor-4.1
9broken riceRice - whitecarb · medium-4.0
10celluloseCellulosefibre · medium-3.9
11animal fatUnspecified Animal Fats and Oilsoil · poor-3.8
12dried beet pulpBeet Pulpfibre · medium-3.7
13vegetable oilVegetable oiloil · medium-3.5
14mineralsVitamins and mineralssupplement · medium-3.4
15flaxseedLinseedveg · good-3.3
16oat branOat branfibre · good-3.2
17fructo-oligosaccharidesFructo-oligosaccharidessupplement · good-3.1
18dried tomato pomaceTomato Pomacefibre · medium-3.0
19dried citrus pulpCitrus Pulpfibre · medium-2.8
20spinach powderSpinachveg · good-2.7
21ActivBiome+ Multi Benefit prebiotic blend (0.6%): Oat branOat branfibre · good-2.6
22fructo-oligosaccharides.Fructo-oligosaccharidessupplement · good-2.5
  1. 1. Chicken and turkey meal4.7% estimated
  2. 2. chicken 11%11% declared11.0% estimated
    Chicken · meat · medium
  3. 3. total poultry 17%17% declared17.0% estimated
    Poultry · meat · medium
  4. 4. wheat4.6% estimated
    Wheat · carb · poor
  5. 5. pea bran meal4.5% estimated
    Pea Bran Meal · fibre · medium
  6. 6. maize4.4% estimated
    Maize / Corn · carb · medium
  7. 7. maize protein meal4.2% estimated
    Maize gluten · carb · poor
  8. 8. digest4.1% estimated
    Digest · meat · poor
  9. 9. broken rice4.0% estimated
    Rice - white · carb · medium
  10. 10. cellulose3.9% estimated
    Cellulose · fibre · medium
  11. 11. animal fat3.8% estimated
  12. 12. dried beet pulp3.7% estimated
    Beet Pulp · fibre · medium
  13. 13. vegetable oil3.5% estimated
    Vegetable oil · oil · medium
  14. 14. minerals3.4% estimated
    Vitamins and minerals · supplement · medium
  15. 15. flaxseed3.3% estimated
    Linseed · veg · good
  16. 16. oat bran3.2% estimated
    Oat bran · fibre · good
  17. 17. fructo-oligosaccharides3.1% estimated
    Fructo-oligosaccharides · supplement · good
  18. 18. dried tomato pomace3.0% estimated
    Tomato Pomace · fibre · medium
  19. 19. dried citrus pulp2.8% estimated
    Citrus Pulp · fibre · medium
  20. 20. spinach powder2.7% estimated
    Spinach · veg · good
  21. 21. ActivBiome+ Multi Benefit prebiotic blend (0.6%): Oat bran2.6% estimated
    Oat bran · fibre · good
  22. 22. fructo-oligosaccharides.2.5% estimated
    Fructo-oligosaccharides · supplement · good

Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-15

Brand and contact: Hill's
Hill's logo
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?

This recipe achieves a final score of 49 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +2.9 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -7.6. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -2.5.

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 quality0.39.191+2.93
Meat share of dry matter11.1%0.096+1.06
Carb share of dry matter21.6%-0.115-2.48
Oil share of dry matter10.2%-0.092-0.94
Vegetable share of dry matter7.7%-0.005-0.04
Supplement share of dry matter11.7%-0.012-0.14
Recipe graded poor16.8%-0.065-1.09
Poor-quality meat in recipe4.1%-0.179-0.74
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient4.6%0.060+0.28
Undeclared quantities72.0%-0.106-7.60
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Additive penalty-0.180.222-0.04
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+2.93
Meat share of dry matter11.1%0.096+1.06
Carb share of dry matter21.6%-0.115-2.48
Oil share of dry matter10.2%-0.092-0.94
Vegetable share of dry matter7.7%-0.005-0.04
Additive share of dry matter0.0%0.163+0.00
Supplement share of dry matter11.7%-0.012-0.14
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor16.8%-0.065-1.09
Poor-quality meat in recipe4.1%-0.179-0.74
Number of poor ingredients4-0.876-3.50
Largest single poor ingredient4.6%0.060+0.28
Undeclared quantities72.0%-0.106-7.60
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)no-3.158+0.00
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-0.180.222-0.04
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
49.3
Final score
49/100

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.

ModelScore
v349/100current
v249/100
v147/100
v1.948/100
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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein23.725.8 (band 18 to 40%)91.2
Fat10.311.2 (band 5.5 to 20%)93.6
Fibre12.413.5 (band 0.5 to 5%)31.5
Calcium0.820.9 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)81.7
Phosphorus0.610.7 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)83.2
Sodium0.290.3 (band 0.1+%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.31.3 (band 1 to 2%)90.7
Energy (kcal/100g)312339.1100

Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 95); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.

Declared fortification: 12 nutritional additives on the label
  • 3b103 (Iron) 75.6mg
  • 3b202 (Iodine) 1.9mg
  • 3b405 (Copper) 7.5mg
  • 3b502 (Manganese) 7.8mg
  • 3b603 (Zinc) 132mg
  • 3b801 (Selenium) 0.2mg
  • Vitamin A 8,770 IU/kg
  • Vitamin D3 656 IU/kg
  • Vitamin E 1,017 mg/kg
  • Vitamin C 128 mg/kg
  • Beta-carotene 1.6 mg/kg
  • L-carnitine 333 mg/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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✓ Printed percentages on the label (28% of the recipe mass) (voluntary)5.6/20
✓ 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 file0/5

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.

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

Consistent with the label

  • "complete pet food" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.

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

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

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Helps promote an ideal body weight with low calories and L-carnitine (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Satiety control. Keeps your dog satisfied between meals (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports healthy skin and a luxurious coat with nourishing omega-6s and Vitamin E (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
complete pet food (on page)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
low calorie (on page)High/low levelnot checkableManufacturer assertion
special Small & Mini antioxidant blend for lifelong immune support (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology promotes a foundation for lifelong health by supporting digestion, immune system and organ health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
100% healthy and balance nutrition (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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