Purina vs Hill's
Purina against Hill's, measured across 105 and 66 kibble recipes: 27.1% vs 21.3% protein and 35% vs 47% starch, as fed.
How They Differ
- Purina runs higher in protein: 27.1% against 21.3% as fed, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Purina is lower in starch, about 35% of the food as fed against 47%.
- Purina is more calorie dense, 408 kcal per cup on average against 353, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Purina | Hill's | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 105 | 66 | 1,742 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 27.1%18.0% to 34.0% | 21.3%15.5% to 29.7% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 14.4%8.0% to 20.0% | 13.5%5.5% to 125.0% | 14.4% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 35%21% to 50% | 47%33% to 54% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 408280 to 534 | 353243 to 445 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 88% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 4% | 2% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 76%, Fish 51%, Egg 50% | Chicken 91%, Egg 29%, Lamb 8% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 80%, Wheat 65%, Soy 70% | Corn 64%, Wheat 45%, Soy 71% | |
| By-products | 69% | 2% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | 3Latest 20233 older in the archive | None4 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Nestlé Purina | Colgate-Palmolive Company |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead, which takes the water out so foods of different moisture compare evenly. Why we use as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
Protein 21%
Fat 10%
Starch 47%
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 21%
Fat 12%
Starch 47%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Purina puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Hill's is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Purina starts lower.
- Hill's has fewer FDA recalls in our record over the last five years (0 against 3). Read the list below before counting it against Purina: most recalls cover a few lots, not a whole range.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Purina runs from 18% to 34% protein as fed and Hill's from 16% to 30%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Purina
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental dry dog food, two additional lots (expansion)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental prescription dry dog food (8 lb, 20 lb)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. PPVD EN Gastroenteric Low Fat wet dog food 13.4 oz cans (contained Purina ONE True Instinct Turkey & Venison)
Archive: 3 older recalls
Beneful; Purina Pro Plan. Beneful Prepared Meals, Beneful Chopped Blends and Pro Plan Savory Meals 10 oz wet dog food tubs, Best Before Jun-Aug 2017
Purina ONE beyOnd. Purina ONE beyOnd Our White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Adult dry dog food, limited bags
Waggin' Train; Canyon Creek Ranch. All Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats (chicken jerky) sold in US (market withdrawal)
Hill's
No FDA recalls in our record for Hill's in the last five years.
Archive: 4 older recalls
Hill's. Canned Dog Food
Hill's. Canned Dog Food
Hill's Science Diet. Canned Dog Food
Hill's Science Diet. Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed dry dog food (62 bags)
About the Brands
Purina
Purina is made by Nestlé Purina PetCare, the pet food business of Nestlé, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Its dog food brands include Pro Plan, Purina ONE, Dog Chow, Beneful and Alpo.
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1894. Every Purina food we review
Hill's
Hill's is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition, a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive, and is best known for its Science Diet wellness foods and its Prescription Diet therapeutic foods sold through veterinarians. It also sells the Bioactive Recipe and Healthy Advantage lines.
Based in Overland Park, Kansas, since 1948. Every Hill's food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 20, 2026.
Think You Know What Your Dog Can Eat?
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Think You
Know?
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
Want the reason behind every answer? The 80-page e-book, $7.99
Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,128 foods.