The Top Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Foods: Reviewed

Choosing great dog food can become quite a challenge. Attempting to research on your own online will bring up a variety of options to choose from. It can be tempting to give up, however, before you do, please remember that your furry friend’s health is important.

Finding the right dog food for a large breed dog can be even more stressful. Their diet requires slightly different nutritional needs than smaller dog breeds. This is because they are more prone to hip disease as their joints carry more weight. For example, one thing to avoid is food with too much calcium. Hill’s is one of the brands that consider this when making their dog food. That’s why they have a Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog food line. This line contains foods made with your large breed dog’s nutrition in mind.

However, there are a lot of different food options that this line offers. That’s why we’ve decided to research this line and choose the top options based on top-rated customer reviews. Here’s our list of the top Hill’s Science Diet large-breed dog foods available on the market. We’ve taken into account several factors to help you choose the best food option for your dog, no matter what stage of life they’re in or their specific food preferences!

Top Picks: The Best Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Foods Today

#1. Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Light With Chicken

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Light with Chicken is our best overall choice for large breed dogs. It contains the precise nutrition your large breed dog needs for a healthy lifestyle. Your dog will enjoy and benefit greatly from this nutritious food.

Veterinarians also recommend this diet for dogs who are prone to gaining excessive weight. This is because it contains fewer calories, and this helps your dog convert more fat to energy. This in turn leads to more weight loss. One of the top reasons reviewers enjoy this dog food is that real meat is the first ingredient. Chicken meal is the first ingredient on the ingredients list. 

Hill’s Science Adult Large Breed Light also contains chondroitin and glucosamine, which both support great muscle and bone health. The antioxidant content of this food, alongside the vitamin E and C blend, promotes a healthy immune system in your dog. If your dog is between the ages of one to five, this is an excellent food option for them. However, some reviewers did mention that the overall protein content is low compared to how high in carbs the overall recipe is.

Pros and Cons of the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Light With Chicken

Best Overall

Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Light With Chicken

• Contains the precise nutrition that large breed dogs require to thrive
• Veterinarian-recommended for dogs that tend to be overweight
• This food contains fewer calories than other formulas
• Contains chondroitin, glucosamine, and vitamins E and C
• Recommended for dogs 1 - 5 years old

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2. Best For Value: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-5 Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

The Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-5 Large Breed Chicken & Brown Recipe is a delicious and nutritious option that won’t leave your wallet feeling light. This large breed meal has no corn and soy and is made with the best natural ingredients. It’s perfect for helping your large breed dog build the ideal lean muscle mass that it needs.

Made with chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints and bones, this also has natural fibers that support easier digestion. This food’s high-quality protein content helps promote the lean muscle mass that your large-breed dog needs. The first ingredient in this food is real chicken. There are also antioxidants as well as vitamins C and E in the formula. These are all great ingredients for your dog’s immune system. Overall, this is a great formula as it also doesn’t contain fillers or artificial additives. However, some reviewers noted that their dogs found the kibbles to be too hard and that it was difficult for their dogs to eat.

Pros and Cons of the Hill’s Science Diet Adult 1-5 Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Best for Value

Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-5 Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

• Does not include corn or soy
• Made from the best natural ingredients
• Includes chondroitin and glucosamine for joint and bone health
• Natural fiber supports healthy digestion
• High-quality protein promotes lean muscle mass

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3. Best For Older Dogs: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Your older large breed dog will greatly benefit from the Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Dry Dog Food. Meeting the specific needs of an older and aging large breed dog is no easy task. However, this Hill’s Science Diet for 6+ Large Breed dog food does the work for you. It is specially formulated for older dogs and has ingredients that work.

First, you have glucosamine and chondroitin, which support healthy joints, bones, and cartilage in your dog. Next, this food also contains a rich blend of antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which is great for your dog’s immune system. It is made with your large breed’s optimum health in mind. Many reviewers also loved how shiny and healthy their senior dog’s coat is when eating this food. This is because Hill’s large breed for 6+ contains omega-6 fatty acids. This is known to nourish your dog’s skin and coat.

However, some reviewers noted that their dogs with sensitive stomachs did not take well to the formula. So this is definitely something to take into account if your senior dog is known to be sensitive to the food that they eat.

Pros and Cons of the Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Best for Large Breeds

Hill's Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Dry Dog Food

• Senior dog food for large breeds
• Glucosamine & chondroitin for joint health
• Easy to digest
• Additional vitamins and omegas for healthy skin and coat

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4. Best Chicken Alternative: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Lamb Meal & Brown Rice

Dogs that prefer other protein sources besides chicken will love Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Lamb Meal & Brown Rice dog food. Does your large breed dog hate the flavor of chicken? Then Hill’s Science Adult Large Breed Lamb Meal is a great alternative. This nourishing recipe is delicious and made with a wholesome natural lamb meal and rice. It provides excellent support for your large breed’s lifestyle.

While this food still has some chicken content, the first ingredient is lamb. It also contains taurine, which is great for your dog’s heart and brain. This food’s antioxidants and vitamins E and C make it great for immune support. Another reason dog parents love this food is its essential fatty acid content. These help your dog have a healthier and shiny coat. This food also contains chondroitin and glucosamine, which provide support for your dog’s muscles and cartilage.

However, it is important to note that the recipe does contain soybean oil and soybean meal. Dogs who have soybean allergies should avoid this formula.

Pros and Cons of the Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Lamb Meal & Brown Rice

Best Chicken Alternative

Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Lamb Meal & Brown Rice

• The first ingredient is lamb
• The formula does include some chicken
• Contains taurine for heart health
• Supplemented with antioxidants and vitamins E and C for immune health
• The recipe also contains essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and chondroitin and glucosamine for muscle and cartilage support

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5. Best For Puppies: Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Large breed puppies will benefit greatly from Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food. 

Are you wondering what to feed your large-breed puppy? You have to be incredibly careful throughout their formative years. This is especially important if you want to avoid issues like hip dysplasia. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed dog food has just the nutrients your puppy needs.

It comes with an optimal level of calcium for balanced bone growth. This puppy dog food also comes with DHA from fish oil which is great for your puppy’s brain development. Additionally, it also has a high-quality protein as a first ingredient, which is great for muscle growth. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy also contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These nutrients support healthy muscles and joints in your large breed puppy. This food’s rich antioxidants and vitamin C and E content also make it great for your puppy’s immune system. Overall, this is a highly balanced food option for puppies up to one year of age. 

However, it is important to note that the recipe does contain whole grains. Some dog owners commented in the reviews that their puppies found it difficult to digest the food as a result of these whole grains.

Pros and Cons of the Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Best for Puppies

Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed

• Contains an optimal level of calcium for controlled bone growth
• Balanced minerals that promote strong bones and strong teeth
• Made with natural ingredients uses DHA from fish oil
• Developed by over 220 veterinarians, food scientists and technicians

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What to Look For in the Top Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Foods

Hill’s Science Diet for Large Breed Dogs is a fantastic option for larger dogs. However, the brand has an extensive dog food lineup. This can make choosing the best dog food from their line pretty difficult. After all, how do you decide which dog food will be best for your dog’s specific needs? When it comes to choosing the best option there are a few factors that you need to take into account. 

The most important factors to keep in mind when choosing between the top Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed dog foods include: 

• Protein content 
• Type of meat 
• Necessary additives 

Let’s take a look at each of these factors in more detail below:

Protein Content

Your large breed dog needs to have a lot of protein in its diet. In fact, experts suggest that any dog food you get should have at least 30% protein. This is especially important for growing puppies, as it will benefit them later. Animal protein is also better as it contains more essential amino acids.

Type of Meat

The type of animal protein your dog’s food meat comes from may not matter, except in the case of allergies. The type of meat itself is, however, important. If your dog food contains a meat meal, this is the best as all the water content has been removed, making it have a high nutritious content. There is also whole meat which still has its water content and, while natural, might not be as highly nutritious as a meat meal. Finally, there are meat by-products that can also be of high quality but can be of questionable origin.

Necessary Additives

Large-breed dogs are prone to some serious health problems. One of these is hip dysplasia. This occurs more often with larger dogs because their joints tend to wear down faster because of the extra weight they carry. There are, however, additives like chondroitin and glucosamine, which are great for joint and bone health and should be included in any premium dog food. Others include omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

The 2 Different Types of Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Foods

Hill’s Science Large Breed Dog Foods come in two different types. Each of these has its own pros and cons. It is helpful to know the differences between these two types of food options as one might be better for your dog than the other. 

Some of the most common pros and cons include: 

• Wet food — Great for hydration as it has a high moisture content. Tends to be quite delicious for your pup and filled with nutritious ingredients. However, it must be refrigerated after being opened. Tends to be more expensive and has been linked to gum disease. 
• Dry food — A less expensive option. Great for oral health as chewing helps prevent tartar buildup. Great for digestion and more varieties available. Provides less hydration. Has a high carb content.

Up Next

• The Best Large Breed Dog Food — Looking for the best large breed dog food but aren’t committed to a specific brand? Then check out our list of the very best!
• We Found the Best Dog Food for Large Breed Puppies — Do you own a large breed puppy that has a hearty appetite? Then find out the best dog food you could be feeding them.
• Choosing the Best Dog Food: Everything You Need to Know — Our complete guide to dog food will help you find the perfect food for your dog no matter what size they are.