Purina vs Hill's
Purina against Hill's, measured across 98 and 60 kibble recipes: 30.8% vs 22.6% protein on a dry matter basis, 35% vs 47% starch, and 0 vs 0 FDA recalls in the last five years.
How They Differ
- Purina runs higher in protein: 30.8% against 22.6% on a dry matter basis, 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 352, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
| Measure | Purina | Hill's | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 98 | 60 | 1,540 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 30.8%20.5% to 38.6% | 22.6%17.2% to 32.0% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 16.5%9.1% to 22.7% | 12.4%6.1% to 18.6% | 16.0% |
| 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%18% to 50% | 47%34% to 54% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 408330 to 534 | 352243 to 445 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 89% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 5% | 2% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 76%, Egg 52%, Fish 51% | Chicken 92%, Egg 30%, Lamb 8% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 79%, Wheat 65%, Soy 70% | Corn 62%, Wheat 50%, Soy 70% | |
| By-products | 69% | 2% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None | None1 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. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories 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 24%
Fat 11%
Starch 47%
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Large Breed Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 23%
Fat 13%
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.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Purina runs from 21% to 39% protein and Hill's from 17% to 32%, 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
No FDA recalls for Purina in the last five years.
Hill's
No FDA recalls for Hill's in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Hill's Science Diet. Canned Dog Food
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 September 29, 2026.