Hill's Science Diet® cat food has been recommended and sold by veterinarians for decades. Check out some of the main ingredients, look at independent customer reviews and decide whether this could be the right brand for your cat.
Hill's Science Diet Cat Food
Science Diet's line of cat food has been one of the most veterinary-recommended brands of cat food for the last twenty-five years. The company offers a wide selection of formulas designed for each life stage, as well as formulas designed for cats with particular health conditions. Many formulas come in both dry and canned forms, as well as multiple flavors.
Prescription Diets®
Science Diet offers Prescription Diet® cat food formulas that are available by prescription from a veterinarian only. These diets are designed to aid in the management of feline illnesses/conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hairballs
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary tract problems
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Dental problems
- Specific food allergies
Top Five Science Diet Cat Food Ingredients
Ingredients are always listed in order of the greatest volume first. In a quality cat food, meat should be in the top three ingredients, ideally the first ingredient. Science Diet formulas contain a mix of protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and carbohydrates in the form of meats, grains and vegetables. Kitten foods also include DHA enhancement from fish oil that plays a crucial role in a kitten's brain and central nervous system development.
Here are the top five ingredients in two popular Science Diet dry cat food formulas.
Kitten Indoor Dry:
- Chicken by-product meal
- Whole grain corn
- Animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid)
- Corn gluten meal
- Brewers rice
Review the entire ingredient list for Kitten Indoor Dry at the company website.
Adult Indoor Dry:
- Chicken by-product meal
- Corn gluten meal
- Brewers rice
- Whole grain corn
- Animal fat (preserved mixed tocopherols and citric acid)
View the entire ingredient for Adult Indoor Dry at the Hill's website.
Natural Preservatives
Science Diet cat food uses natural preservatives, such as mixed Tocopherols and citric acid, in their formulas. These preservatives are considered safe, unlike the controversial BHA and BHT compounds that many companies use in pet food. Tocopherol (vitamin E) and citric acid are natural antioxidants.
Independent Reviews
Reviews of Science Diet are mixed on independent review sites. Customer reviews at Amazon included the following:
Positive reviews:
- Veterinarian recommended it
- Cat responded to the Prescription Diet food
- Cats thrived
- Cats with sensitive stomachs improved
- Cat's eliminations smelled better and were easier to clean up
- Cat liked the taste of the food
- Impressed with ingredients compared to common grocery store brands
Negative reviews:
- Disliked high corn and grain content
- Believed chicken by-product was bad protein source
- Ingredient list contained too many fillers
- Felt holistic and natural cat foods had better ingredients
- Cat didn't thrive on the food
- Cat gained too much weight eating the food
- Cat disliked the food
Research Pet Food Choices
Science Diet is one of many pet food companies that offers cat diets. What works for one pet may not work for another. Picking the right cat food involves some research to make an informed decision. Pet owners should also consult with their veterinarian for cat food recommendations.
