Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food, 4.5 lb bag

Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Puppy Food for Small and Mini Breeds

Product Description

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is made for small and mini breed puppies, with a kibble size and nutrient profile designed for their smaller frames and faster metabolisms. ActivBiome+ Digestion supports the gut microbiome, DHA from fish oil aids brain and eye development, and vitamin E at 1005 IU/kg delivers strong antioxidant immune support. The 4.5 lb bag is a great starting point for owners wanting to trial a formula built for small and mini puppies from weaning through 12 months.

Benefits

• Tailored for Small and Mini Breeds: The kibble size, nutrient ratios, and caloric density are all tailored to the unique developmental needs of small and mini breed puppies.
• ActivBiome+ Digestion: A breakthrough prebiotic fiber blend supports the gut microbiome and promotes healthy digestion in growing small and mini breed puppies throughout daily feeding.
• DHA for Brain and Eye Development: DHA sourced from fish oil plays a key role in healthy brain and eye development throughout the puppy's critical developmental period from weaning to one year old.
• High Vitamin E for Immune Support: Vitamin E at 1005 IU/kg delivers strong antioxidant support for the developing immune system, making this one of the highest vitamin E puppy formulas in the range.
• Lean Muscle Growth: High-quality chicken as the first ingredient provides the complete protein needed to fuel healthy lean muscle development in small and mini breed puppies.
• Strong Bones and Teeth: Calcium at 1.58% and phosphorus at 1.31% dry matter are balanced to support healthy skeletal and dental development throughout the puppy's first year.
• 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

Ingredients

Chicken, Whole Grain Oats, Brown Rice, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Pea Protein, Whole Grain Corn, Cracked Pearled Barley, Soybean Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Corn Protein Meal, Pork Liver Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground Pecan Shells, Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Dried Citrus Pulp, Calcium Carbonate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Choline Chloride, 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), Pressed Cranberries, L-Threonine, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Tryptophan, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

Guaranteed Analysis

Calorie Content: 3780 kcal/kg | 418 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

• Complete the Full 7-Day Transition: Take the full week and slowly work more of the new kibble into their current food each day for a smooth and comfortable changeover.
• Start with the Right Age Bracket: Small and mini breed puppies need very different amounts at each stage of growth. Before measuring each serving, make sure you are using the age column of the chart that matches where your puppy is right now.
• Reassess at Every Vet Visit: Small and mini breed puppies burn through energy faster than larger breeds, which means their daily needs can shift more quickly. At every routine vet visit check that portions are still on track for your puppy's age and size.
• Fresh Water Accessible Always: Keep fresh drinking water available to the puppy throughout the day, as adequate hydration supports healthy daily nutrition for all puppies eating dry food.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Small and Mini Breed Puppies and Pregnant Dogs: This formula is tailored for puppies up to 1 year old that will weigh 25 lbs or less as adults, and for pregnant or nursing adult female dogs. It is not appropriate for adult dogs, Adult 7+ dogs, or obese-prone dogs.
• Not for Large or Medium Breed Puppies: This formula is designed for the unique developmental needs of small and mini breeds. Medium and large breed puppies should be fed the Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe or Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe instead.
• Transition Gradually When Introducing: Whether switching from a previous brand or introducing this formula to a newly weaned small breed puppy, the full 7-day gradual transition helps prevent temporary digestive upset from an abrupt dietary change.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Sensitivity During Food Change: Some puppies experience temporary loose stools or stomach discomfort when switching foods. Taking the full 7 days to transition gradually helps avoid this before fully replacing the previous 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 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: Why do small and mini breed puppies need a different formula from standard puppy food?

Ans: Small and mini breed puppies have faster metabolisms, smaller stomachs, and different energy needs compared to medium and large breed puppies. This formula is tailored specifically to those differences with an adjusted nutrient profile, kibble size, and caloric density designed to support healthy development in puppies expected to weigh 25 lbs or less as adults, rather than applying a one-size formula to all breed sizes.

Q2: What is the vitamin E level in this small and mini puppy formula and why is it notable?

Ans: At 1005 IU/kg dry matter, the vitamin E level in this formula is among the highest in the Hill's Science Diet puppy range. This reflects a deliberate focus on strong antioxidant support for immune system development in small and mini breed puppies. Antioxidants play an important role during puppyhood when the immune system is actively developing, making this a meaningful nutritional distinction for this formula.

Q3: Is the 4.5 lb bag a practical size for trialing this formula with a new small breed puppy?

Ans: Yes, the 4.5 lb bag is ideal for trialing this formula before stepping up to the 12.5 lb bag. There is enough food to work through the full 7-day transition and monitor the puppy's acceptance and digestion over a few weeks. When you are happy it suits your puppy. The 12.5 lb bag is the natural next step for less frequent restocking.

Q4: How does this small and mini puppy formula differ from the standard Hill's puppy chicken and brown rice recipe?

Ans: The small and mini formula uses whole grain oats as the second ingredient rather than brown rice, and includes whole grain oats and cracked pearled barley alongside brown rice as the carbohydrate base. It also delivers a higher vitamin E level at 1005 IU/kg versus 564 IU/kg in the standard puppy formula, and the feeding chart covers puppies up to 25 lbs rather than 120 lbs, reflecting its breed-size-specific nutritional calibration.

Q5: Can I feed this small and mini puppy formula to my pregnant small breed dog?

Ans: Yes, this formula is AAFCO verified for growing puppies and pregnant or lactating adult female dogs. The feeding chart covers pregnancy-specific amounts by gestation week for small breed pregnant dogs. When first introducing this food during pregnancy, take the full 7 days to transition gradually for a comfortable dietary change.

Q6: How many cups per day does a 5 lb small breed puppy need in the 4 to 9 month bracket?

Ans: For a 5 lb puppy in the 4 to 9 month age bracket, the manufacturer's feeding chart recommends approximately 3/4 cup per day as a starting amount. This is a reference point and should be adjusted based on the puppy's individual body condition, activity level, and growth rate, with a vet confirming the appropriate daily amount at each routine checkup throughout the first year.

Q7: When should I transition my small breed puppy from this formula to a Hill's adult small dog food?

Ans: This formula is recommended for small and mini breed puppies up to 1 year old. Once the puppy reaches approximately 12 months, transitioning to Hill's Science Adult Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe dry dog food is the natural next step. That formula is calibrated for the faster metabolism and specific nutritional needs of adult small and mini breed dogs rather than growing puppies, and the switch should be completed gradually over 7 days.