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NutriSource vs Hill's Science Diet

NutriSource vs. Hill's Science Diet

In this comparison article for NutriSource vs Hill's Science Diet, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet, 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 Science Diet vs NutriSource comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our NutriSource Review Page or Hill's Science Diet Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Hill's Science Diet vs. NutriSource

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.

NutriSource Dog Food vs. Hill's Science Diet Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Crude Protein28.9%24.6%
Crude Fat16.8%14.7%
Crude Fiber7.1%3.7%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Crude Protein43.4%25.7%
Crude Fat33.0%17.3%
Crude Fiber7.2%3.5%

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.

The table shows that Hill's Science Diet provides far less protein than NutriSource. The difference in protein content is roughly 4.30%. In addition, NutriSource wet dog foods also provide more protein than Hill's Science Diet wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

If you look at the average percentages of crude fat, you'll notice that NutriSource typically guarantees 2.14% more fat. This is a fairly small difference between NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet, but still worth mentioning. In addition, NutriSource wet dog foods also provide more fat than Hill's Science Diet wet foods.


According to our data, NutriSource guarantees 3.43% more fiber than Hill's Science Diet. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, NutriSource wet dog foods also provide more fiber than Hill's Science Diet wet foods.

NutriSource Cat Food vs. Hill's Science Diet Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Crude Protein36.4%35.0%
Crude Fat17.9%18.5%
Crude Fiber7.8%4.5%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Crude Protein46.4%38.7%
Crude Fat31.4%21.5%
Crude Fiber5.2%3.6%

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.

As you can see, Hill's Science Diet and NutriSource guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, NutriSource provides more protein (about 7.64% more).


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):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, NutriSource provides significantly more fat (about 9.90% more).


There is a small difference between the fiber content of NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet. We can see that NutriSource guarantees about 3.34% more fiber than Hill's Science Diet. For wet cat foods, NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

NutriSource Pet Food Ingredients vs. Hill's Science Diet Pet Food Ingredients

NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Dried Tomato Pomace

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by NutriSource.

Garlic
Canola Oil
White Rice

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Hill's Science Diet.

Liver
Caramel
Corn Flour
Iron Oxide
Pork Plasma
Poultry Fat
Animal Liver
Wheat Gluten
Caramel Color
Tomato Pomace
Beef By-Products
Corn Gluten Meal
Pork By-Products
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Wheat
Powdered Cellulose
Pea Protein Concentrate
Soybean Protein Isolate

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of NutriSource & Hill's Science Diet?

According to our records, NutriSource has never been recalled.

Hill's Science Diet has been recalled 2 times.

  • Jan. 31, 2019: elevated levels of Vitamin D
  • March 20, 2019: elevated levels of Vitamin D

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Per Pound$2.64$2.83
Per Calorie$0.0015$0.0018
Dry Cat FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Per Pound$3.25$4.17
Per Calorie$0.0018$0.0024
Wet Dog FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Per Pound$3.21$5.03
Per Calorie$0.0061$0.0125
Wet Cat FoodNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Per Pound$6.39$9.11
Per Calorie$0.0119$0.0197

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 NutriSource or Hill's Science Diet, 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 NutriSource or Hill's Science Diet will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for NutriSource and Hill's Science Diet. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


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 NutriSource Pet Foods

You can purchase NutriSource pet foods from the following stores:


75 Recipes In-Stock Today

30 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Hill's Science Diet Pet Foods

You can purchase Hill's Science Diet pet food products from these retailers:


125 Recipes In-Stock Today

123 Recipes In-Stock Today

101 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductNutriSourceHill's Science Diet
Dry Dog Food41 Recipes48 Recipes
Wet Dog Food13 Recipes34 Recipes
Dog Treats11 Treats18 Treats
Dry Cat Food8 Recipes25 Recipes
Wet Cat Food10 Recipes48 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated NutriSource Recipes

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Pure Vita Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée
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Grain Free Cat Food Country Select
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Top Rated Hill's Science Diet Recipes

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Perfect Weight Adult Chicken Recipe For Dogs
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Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entree
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Perfect Weight Adult Chicken Recipe
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Adult Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entree
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