Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time. You want to give your furry little friend the best start in life by providing top-notch nutrition to set them up for healthy growth and development. As a loving pet owner, you naturally want to choose the highest quality puppy food within your budget. In this article, we talk about Hill’s Science Diet Vs. PEDIGREE-Analyzing Puppy Growth Formulas.
With so many options on the market, deciding on the right food can feel overwhelming. Should you splurge on a premium brand backed by science and vet recommendations? Or opt for an affordable grocery store variety that still meets basic nutritional needs?
To help simplify your decision, we’ll compare two top contenders: Hill’s Science Diet and Pedigree puppy growth formulas. By evaluating ingredients, nutritional profiles, real customer reviews and each food’s overall value, you’ll have the information you need to make the optimal choice for your pup.
Meet the Contenders: Hill’s Science Diet vs. Pedigree Puppy Food
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée Dry Dog Food
Overview:
- Premium pet food brand sold by veterinarians
- Tailored nutrition to fuel healthy growth
- Made with natural ingredients
- Chicken is the #1 ingredient
Key Benefits:
- Supports brain, eye, and muscle development
- Promotes immune system health
- Easy-to-digest formula
- Provides antioxidants
Ingredients: Chicken, whole grain wheat, cracked pearled barley, whole grain sorghum, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, chicken meal, pork fat, chicken liver flavor, dried beet pulp, fish oil and more natural ingredients.
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Puppy Crunchy Bites Dry Dog Food
Overview:
- Affordable puppy food sold at grocery stores
- Provides complete and balanced nutrition
- Made with ingredients similar to mother’s milk
- Supports growth of puppies at every stage
Key Benefits:
- Has DHA for brain development
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Aids in digestion
- Supports strong teeth and bones
Ingredients: Ground whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, ground whole grain wheat, animal digest and more affordable ingredients.
Comparing Key Factors: Nutritional Value, Ingredients and More
When it comes to fueling your puppy’s growth and development, nutrient content is incredibly important. Let’s analyze key differences between Hill’s Science Diet and Pedigree growth formulas.
Nutritional Analysis:
Both foods meet basic nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and reproduction. However, Hill’s Science Diet tailors their formula to have higher-quality fat, protein and carbohydrate sources.
For example, Hill’s gets top-quality protein from whole chicken and amino acids from chicken meal. Pedigree relies more on plant proteins like soy and corn that may be harder to digest. Hill’s also includes fish oil with DHA and EPA for brain, eye and coat health.
Ingredient Quality:
As a premium pet food company, Hill’s Science Diet uses superior ingredients you’d find in human foods like chicken, barley, beet pulp and fish oil. Their foods are natural with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
By contrast, Pedigree makes affordable food with poultry by-product meal, animal fat and corn as primary ingredients. Many dog owners try to avoid these in favor of whole, natural ingredients.
Taste and Texture:
Pet parents report that picky eaters seem to love the taste of Hill’s Science Diet. The smaller kibble size works well for small breed puppies. Some dogs had issues chewing the larger, crunchy kibble pieces in the Pedigree formula.
Price and Overall Value:
As expected, Hill’s Science Diet costs significantly more per pound than Pedigree. Over the course of a year, this adds up, especially for large breed puppies that eat more food.
However, fans of Hill’s say that you get what you pay for. The higher quality ingredients and tailored nutrition to meet puppy-specific needs makes it worthwhile for many pet owners.
What Real Customers Are Saying in Reviews
Looking at actual buyer reviews, Hill’s Science Diet puppy food earns rave reviews with a 4.8 out of 5 star overall rating. Happy pet parents say it helps puppies maintain healthy body condition and gives them thick, shiny coats. Many veterinarians recommend this formula.
Pedigree also scores well with customers, earning a 4.7 out of 5 star overall rating. Positive reviews mention it helps keep puppies satisfied between feedings while supporting healthy growth and digestion. Several owners mix it with wet food to make it more appealing.
And the Winner Is…
While both Hill’s Science Diet and Pedigree offer complete puppy foods, Hill’s comes out on top if you’re willing to pay premium pricing for superior nutrition. By investing in high quality ingredients tailored to your pup’s needs, you set them up for long-term health.
However, Pedigree remains a fine option for pet owners needing an affordable food that still meets basic standards for complete and balanced nutrition. Just be aware that plant-based proteins may impact digestibility.
No matter which brand you choose, pay close attention to your puppy’s health and adjust food amounts or formulas if needed. Be sure to gradually transition to any new food over 5-7 days. Follow feeding guidelines based on your puppy’s age, weight and activity level.
The Most Important Factor: Your Pup’s Needs
With your puppy’s specific sensitivities and nutritional requirements in mind, you’re now equipped to make an informed decision between Hill’s Science Diet vs. Pedigree puppy chow. As long as you choose an age-appropriate formula and adjust amounts to maintain ideal body condition, either brand can support healthy growth. I sincerely hope you find this “Hill’s Science Diet Vs. PEDIGREE: Analyzing Puppy Growth Formulas” article helpful.
