
Evolve vs. Hill's Ideal Balance
In this comparison article for Evolve vs Hill's Ideal Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Hill's Ideal Balance vs Evolve comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Evolve Review Page or Hill's Ideal Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Hill's Ideal Balance vs. Evolve
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Evolve Dog Food vs. Hill's Ideal Balance Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Crude Protein | 27.6% | 23.5% |
Crude Fat | 15.6% | 17.8% |
Crude Fiber | 4.8% | 1.6% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Crude Protein | 44.1% | 26.6% |
Crude Fat | 27.4% | 19.7% |
Crude Fiber | 7.2% | 4.8% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance. On average, Hill's Ideal Balance dry dog food recipes contain 4.12% less protein than Evolve recipes. In addition, Evolve wet dog foods also provide more protein than Hill's Ideal Balance wet foods.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
There is a small difference between the fat content of Hill's Ideal Balance and Evolve. We can see that Hill's Ideal Balance guarantees about 2.17% more fat than Evolve. In addition, Evolve wet dog foods also provide more fat than Hill's Ideal Balance wet foods.
According to our average data, Hill's Ideal Balance typically provides less fiber than Evolve. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Evolve wet dog foods also provide more fiber than Hill's Ideal Balance wet foods.
Evolve Cat Food vs. Hill's Ideal Balance Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Crude Protein | 37.7% | 32.5% |
Crude Fat | 17.7% | 21.9% |
Crude Fiber | 4.5% | 0.9% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Crude Protein | 50.3% | 43.6% |
Crude Fat | 25.6% | 22.1% |
Crude Fiber | 6.3% | 3.3% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.
Hill's Ideal Balance dry recipes contain 5.21% less protein than Evolve dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance. In addition, Evolve wet cat foods also provide more protein than Hill's Ideal Balance wet foods.
Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food
There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):
- Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
- Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
The table shows that Evolve provides far less fat than Hill's Ideal Balance. The difference in fat content is roughly 4.18%. For wet cat foods, Evolve typically provides a little more fat (about 3.46% more).
If you look at the average percentages of crude fiber, you'll notice that Evolve typically guarantees 3.57% more fiber. This is a fairly small difference between Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance, but still worth mentioning. In addition, Evolve wet cat foods also provide more fiber than Hill's Ideal Balance wet foods.
Evolve Pet Food Ingredients vs. Hill's Ideal Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Evolve.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Hill's Ideal Balance.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Hill's Ideal Balance.
Product Safety: Recall History of Evolve & Hill's Ideal Balance?
Evolve has been recalled once.
- Nov. 27, 2018: elevated levels of Vitamin D
According to our records, Hill's Ideal Balance has never been recalled.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
Dry Dog Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Per Pound | $1.76 | $1.98 |
Per Calorie | $0.0011 | $0.0011 |
Dry Cat Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Per Pound | $3.43 | $2.49 |
Per Calorie | $0.0021 | $0.0013 |
Wet Dog Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Per Pound | $5.58 | $3.32 |
Per Calorie | $0.0142 | $0.0100 |
Wet Cat Food | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Per Pound | $3.77 | $7.12 |
Per Calorie | $0.0068 | $0.0160 |
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Evolve or Hill's Ideal Balance, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.
Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Evolve or Hill's Ideal Balance will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Evolve and Hill's Ideal Balance. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
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Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Evolve Pet Foods
You can purchase Evolve pet foods from the following stores:



Where To Buy Hill's Ideal Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Hill's Ideal Balance pet food products from these retailers:




Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | Evolve | Hill's Ideal Balance |
Dry Dog Food | 9 Recipes | 6 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 11 Recipes | 2 Recipes |
Dog Treats | 14 Treats | 3 Treats |
Dry Cat Food | 4 Recipes | 4 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 8 Recipes | 2 Recipes |
Cat Treats |