Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Orijen Original
Owners who want the absolute best ingredient quality regardless of cost
Orijen is widely considered the gold standard of commercial dog food. 85% animal ingredients, WholePrey ratios with organs and cartilage, zero recalls ever. The ingredient list reads like a butcher shop menu. The only real barriers are the ~$2.13/day price and the grain-free DCM concern.
Strengths
- Zero recalls in brand history — impeccable safety record alongside sister brand ACANA
- 85% animal ingredients from fresh/raw free-run chicken, turkey, and wild-caught fish
- WholePrey ratios include organs and cartilage — mimics natural ancestral diet
Limitations
- Most expensive option at ~$2.13/day — ultra-premium pricing
- Very high protein content (38%+) may be too rich for sedentary dogs
- Grain-free formula subject to FDA DCM investigation concerns
When to Choose Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
Hill's Science Diet is the other pillar of veterinary-recommended nutrition alongside Purina Pro Plan. The formulation is precise and backed by feeding trials. However, corn gluten meal and by-product meal at ~$1.24/day makes it expensive for what you get ingredient-wise. You're paying for the research, not the ingredients.
Strengths
- Developed by veterinary nutritionists with extensive feeding trial validation
- Precise nutrient balance designed for optimal adult maintenance
- Clean safety record for dry food lines over the past 5+ years
Limitations
- Contains corn gluten meal and chicken by-product meal — not premium ingredients
- Higher price (~$1.24/day) for ingredient quality that trails premium competitors
- Minimal sourcing transparency — ingredient origins are not disclosed
