Hill's Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe (4.5 lb)

Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food

Product Description

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Dry Dog Food in Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe in the 4.5 lb bag is the ideal starting point for owners bringing home a new puppy or switching from a different brand who want to trial the formula before committing to a larger bag. This formula covers five essential building blocks for lifelong health, with ActivBiome+ Digestion supporting the gut microbiome, DHA from fish oil promoting healthy brain development, real chicken leading the ingredient list, and balanced minerals building strong bones and teeth throughout puppyhood.

Benefits

• ActivBiome+ Digestion: A special prebiotic fiber blend supports the gut microbiome and promotes healthy digestion in growing puppies throughout every daily serving.
• DHA from Fish Oil: DHA at 0.062% dry matter supports healthy brain development and cognitive function during the puppy's most critical developmental window in the first year.
• Real Chicken First: Chicken is the first named ingredient, providing high-quality protein to support the healthy lean muscle development puppies need as they grow.
• Balanced Minerals for Growth: Calcium at 1.54% and phosphorus at 1.26% dry matter are precisely balanced to support strong bone and dental development throughout the first year.
• Immune System Development: Vitamins C at 192 ppm and E at 564 IU/kg provide antioxidant support to help build a healthy immune system in growing puppies during daily feeding.
• Skin and Coat Nourishment: Omega-6 fatty acids at 4.11% dry matter alongside fish oil support healthy skin and a well-maintained coat throughout puppyhood.
• For Pregnant and Nursing Dogs: Verified by AAFCO feeding tests for gestating and lactating adult female dogs as well as growing puppies up to 1 year old.

Variants

4.5 lb

15 lb

30 lb

Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Oats, Pea Protein, Soybean Meal, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Iodized Salt, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Tryptophan, Beta-Carotene.

Guaranteed Analysis

Calorie Content: 3747 kcal/kg | 393 kcal per cup

How to Use

Recommended-Usage Chart

Disclaimer: Product information and usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. Always use products as directed on the label and consult your veterinarian before use if you have any concerns regarding your pet's health.

Directions for Use

• Start with the Right Age Bracket: A newly weaned puppy has very different daily requirements from one approaching its first birthday, so always use the correct age column in the feeding chart when measuring each daily serving.
• Complete the Full 7-Day Transition: When switching a puppy from its current food to this formula, blend a small amount of this kibble into the existing food on day one and gradually increase the proportion each day over the full week to avoid digestive discomfort during the changeover.
• Water Accessible at All Times: Fresh drinking water should be available to the puppy throughout the day alongside every meal, as adequate hydration supports healthy daily nutrition for puppies eating dry food.
• Check Portions at Each Vet Checkup: A puppy's daily feeding needs change as it passes through each growth bracket, so confirming the correct amount with a veterinarian at every routine visit ensures the feeding plan stays appropriate as the puppy grows.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Puppies and Pregnant or Nursing Dogs Only: This formula is designed for puppies up to 1 year old and for gestating or lactating adult female dogs. It is not appropriate for adult dogs, Adult 7+ dogs, or obese-prone dogs.
• Not for Large Breed Puppies: This formula is not suitable for large breed puppies expected to weigh 70 lbs or more as adults. Those puppies should be fed Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe instead.
• Transition Gradually When Introducing for the First Time: Whether introducing this formula to a newly weaned puppy or switching from a previous brand, the 7-day gradual transition helps prevent temporary digestive discomfort that can result from an abrupt dietary change.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Sensitivity During Food Change: Switching foods too quickly can cause temporary loose stools or stomach discomfort in some puppies. Taking the full 7 days to transition gradually helps avoid this before completely moving to the new diet.

Storage Information

• Store in Original Bag: Keep the food in its original bag after opening, as the bag provides a fat barrier that helps retain the best flavor and freshness.
• Cool and Dry Environment: Store in a cool, dry place below 100°F (38°C) to prevent vitamin degradation and oxidation of fats that can lead to rancidity.
• Keep Packaging Away: Store the bag and all packaging safely out of reach of both pets and children at all times to prevent potential suffocation hazards.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the 4.5 lb bag a good size for trialing this puppy food before buying a larger bag?

Ans: Yes, the 4.5 lb bag is the ideal way to introduce this formula to a new puppy or to test acceptance before committing to the 15.5 lb, 30 lb, or larger bags. It provides enough food to complete the full 7-day transition period and observe the puppy's response over several feedings, making it a practical low-risk option for first-time buyers of this formula.

Q2: At what age can a puppy start eating this Hill's chicken and brown rice dry food?

Ans: This formula is suitable from weaning, which typically occurs at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Very young puppies just beginning solid food may benefit from moistening the kibble slightly with warm water during the initial transition to make it easier to eat. As the puppy's teeth and jaw strength develop over the following weeks, it can eat the dry kibble as served without modification.

Q3: How long will a 4.5 lb bag last for a single small breed puppy?

Ans: A 4.5 lb bag lasts around 2 to 3 weeks for a 5 lb puppy aged 4 to 9 months eating about 7/8 cup per day. For younger puppies under 4 months who eat less daily, the same bag could last 3 to 4 weeks depending on body weight, making it a good short-term option for small or young puppies.

Q4: What makes this Hill's puppy dry food different from standard supermarket puppy kibbles?

Ans: This formula includes ActivBiome+ Digestion, a proprietary prebiotic fiber blend that specifically supports the gut microbiome alongside digestive health, which is not a feature commonly found in standard supermarket puppy foods. It also includes DHA specifically for brain development support and uses a multi-source fiber blend of ground pecan shells, flaxseed, beet pulp, and citrus pulp to support well-rounded digestive health in growing puppies.

Q5: Can I use this 4.5 lb bag alongside the Hill's Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée canned food?

Ans: Yes, combining this kibble with the Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée canned food is a practical way to add moisture and mealtime variety to the puppy's daily routine. When combining wet and dry food, adjust the portions of each to keep total daily calorie intake within the appropriate range for the puppy's current weight and age bracket, using both product feeding charts as a combined reference point.

Q6: Does this puppy formula contain taurine and why is it included?

Ans: Yes, taurine is a directly listed ingredient in this formula. As an amino acid that supports healthy heart function and vision development, its inclusion ensures growing puppies receive a reliable daily amount throughout their first year, when the heart and other organ systems are actively forming, even though dogs can produce some taurine on their own.

Q7: When should I upgrade from the 4.5 lb bag to a larger size?

Ans: After the initial trial period and once you are confident this formula suits your puppy, stepping up to the 15.5 lb or 30 lb bag cuts down on restocking trips. The 15.5 lb bag is a good fit for single-puppy households, while the larger options work better for multiple puppies or owners who prefer to buy in bulk throughout the first year.