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.
Hill's Pet Nutrition d/d Duck Formula Wet Dog Food
Wet Pate complete veterinary diet
Is Hill's Pet Nutrition d/d Duck Formula Wet Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 48/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
The recipe reached a score of 48 out of 100. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +4.2 points, while undeclared ingredient shares cost -10.6 points. The oil and fat content cost -2.4 points, and the additive load reduced the score by -1.7 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.
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.
- Recipe48
- Nutritionallow84
- Transparency40
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited50
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Why you might choose it
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.
Why you might not
- Meat makes up an estimated 9% of the dry matter (18% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
- Only protein, fat and fibre declared; ash and moisture missing from the analysis.
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 17.20%
- Fat
- 16.40%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Carbohydrates
- 57.20%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 1.08%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 5.28%
- Calcium
- 0.92%
- Phosphorus
- 0.62%
- Sodium
- 0.39%
Dry matter basis
- Protein
- 17.20%
- Fat
- 16.40%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Carbohydrates
- 57.20%
Additives & feeding info
No additives recorded yet.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate unused portion.
Feeding guide
Adult maintenance feeding guide by body weight in lbs/kg giving cans of 13 oz (370 g) per day: 5 lb → 1/2, 10 lb → 1, 15 lb → 1 1/4, 20 lb → 1 1/2, 30 lb → 2, 40 lb → 2 1/2, 50 lb → 3, 60 lb → 3 1/2, 70 lb → 3 3/4, 80 lb → 4 1/4, 100 lb → 5, 120 lb → 5 3/4. Consult veterinarian for specific instructions.
Reviews
Trustpilot: 3.0/5 · 3 reviews
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- Your dog avoids duck: the label lists duck
- 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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (13)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water | Water | other | - | - | 10.0 |
| 2 | Duck | Duck | meat | medium | - | 9.6 |
| 3 | Potatoes | Potatoes | carb | medium | - | 9.2 |
| 4 | Duck Liver | Liver | meat | good | - | 8.8 |
| 5 | Potato Starch | Potato starch | carb | poor | - | 8.5 |
| 6 | Soybean Oil | Soybean oil | oil | medium | - | 8.1 |
| 7 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil | good | - | 7.7 |
| 8 | Powdered Cellulose | Powdered Cellulose | fibre | poor | - | 7.3 |
| 9 | Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement | medium | - | 6.9 |
| 10 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 6.5 |
| 11 | Iodized Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 6.2 |
| 12 | DL-Methionine | Methionine | supplement | good | - | 5.8 |
| 13 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 5.4 |
Brand
- 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.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. 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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.20 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.4% | -0.115 | -0.85 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 26.0% | -0.092 | -2.40 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 9.2% | 0.163 | +1.50 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 37.8% | -0.012 | -0.46 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.8% | -0.065 | -1.02 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.5% | 0.060 | +0.51 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -7.51 | 0.222 | -1.67 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | yes | -0.672 | -0.67 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.20 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.4% | -0.115 | -0.85 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 26.0% | -0.092 | -2.40 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.005 | +0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 9.2% | 0.163 | +1.50 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 37.8% | -0.012 | -0.46 |
| 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 | 15.8% | -0.065 | -1.02 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.5% | 0.060 | +0.51 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | no | 2.294 | +0.00 |
| 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 | -7.51 | 0.222 | -1.67 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 33.786 | +33.79 |
| 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 | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | yes | -0.672 | -0.67 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- -0.08
- Subtotal
- 48.3
- Final score
- 48/100
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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 17.2 | 78.2 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 16.4 | 74.5 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3 | 13.6 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 0.92 | 4.2 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 32.7 |
| Phosphorus | 0.62 | 2.8 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 23.9 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.5 | 1.5 (band 1 to 2%) | 99 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Fibre: Declared as a maximum; the high-fibre taper is not applied.
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 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 78% from the food type.
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) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| 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, 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.
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.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Limited ingredient nutrition with a single, animal protein to avoid common allergens in dogs with food sensitivities" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Duck Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
10 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite & calcium oxalate crystals (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps improve digestion & stool quality (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Visible improvement in skin & coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps maintain a healthy skin barrier (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports a healthy immune system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Clinically proven antioxidants (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Clinically tested nutrition to help avoid adverse food reactions (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Limited ingredient nutrition with a single, animal protein to avoid common allergens in dogs with food sensitivities (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| U.S. Veterinarians' #1 Recommended Brand (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Free from soy protein (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Duck Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs (on page) | Content | consistent | 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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