Some displayed label, nutrition, calorie, price, package, or availability fields come from retailer pages. They are usable for beta, but can change and are not treated as manufacturer/package verification.
Hill's Science Diet · Dry dog food · Captured April 30, 2026
Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
Source-backed adult maintenance dry food with AAFCO feeding-test language and clear calorie data. Watch-outs are chicken and wheat sensitivity exposure plus a historical Hill’s canned-dog-food recall/warning-letter record that remains disclosed as brand-level regulatory history.
AdultKibblePartially verified
Strengths
- Nutrition Fit 9.0 / 10AAFCO adequacy clears the rubric and dry-matter protein and fat land in the bands we expect.
- Brand Trust 8.8 / 10WSAVA-style signals (named nutritionist, manufacturing control, recall posture) verified from primary sources.
- Low sensitivity risk 7.5 / 10Few of the most-named adverse-reaction trigger ingredients high on the label.
Watch-outs
- Common triggers on the labelSkip if your dog avoids chicken, wheat, corn. We surface this regardless of sub-score.
- Value 4.0 / 10Cost per 1,000 kcal is above the category median. Cheaper options exist with comparable nutrition.
- Partially verified source confidenceSome label or pricing fields rely on retailer-mediated capture rather than the manufacturer source. See evidence notes below.
Data status
Partially verified
Some primary-source fields are verified; unresolved fields remain visible.
- Captured
- April 30, 2026
Why partial?
Source caveats on this scorecard.
These notes explain what the current sources can and cannot support. Missing or unresolved evidence is not scored as a product defect.
Brand-level recall or enforcement history is shown as context after source matching and manual disposition. It is not treated as a defect in this product unless the source match is product- or SKU-relevant.
The current warning-letter table may have been checked, but full export or archive coverage is still incomplete. Unknown status stays unknown, not false.
Launch readiness
Ready for public beta.
Public copy QA passed for beta. This is still partial-source data, so unresolved Brand Trust and warning-letter gates remain visible.
Promote to public beta with historical 2019 canned-dog-food recall/warning-letter disclosure, partial Brand Trust, warning-letter full-export gap, and price freshness gap visible; do not mark verified.
- Lane
- Public beta
- Packet
- ready for public beta
- Product source
- partially verified
ManufacturercapturedRetailercapturedIngredientscapturedGAcapturedAAFCOcapturedBrand TrustpartialRecallcapturedWarningmanual reviewScorecaptured
Brand Trust scoring
Brand Trust source capture is in progress.
Captured Brand Trust signals are shown for auditability, but they do not affect the product score until the record is verified.
- Record status
- partially verified
- Score path
- Seed score still in use
- Unknown signals
- 7
- Conflicts
- 0
- Brand sources
- 5
What we know
Captured from source records.
- Manufacturer source supports ingredients, calories, AAFCO feeding-test statement, made-in-USA/global-ingredients language, and average nutrient dry-matter values.
- Retailer source supports the 45 lb package price, guaranteed analysis, ingredients, and calorie statement.
- Wet/dry comparison uses dry matter basis from the retailer-captured moisture value.
- FDA recall archive matching is complete and manually dispositioned for the brand, with no brand-relevant FDA recall in the five-year window.
- FDA warning-letter source confirms a 2019 Hill’s Pet Nutrition warning letter tied to canned dog food vitamin D recalls and preventive-control violations.
- FDA recall alert says the related canned dog food recall was terminated on December 21, 2021.
Still unresolved
Not product defects.
- The 2019 warning-letter record is brand-relevant historical regulatory history and remains disclosed; active-warning-letter status is not marked resolved because no closeout letter was captured in the available FDA warning-letter source.
- FDA warning-letter full-export coverage remains blocked by FDA export limitations.
- Brand Trust signal record is partially verified, not complete.
- Retail price can change and should be refreshed before public launch.
- Official page gives average nutrient values on dry matter basis; as-fed guaranteed-analysis fields are cross-checked from retailer label text.
Buyer read
What should you take away?
Looks promising, with a few checks still worth making.
For Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food, the main watch-outs are: the estimated cost per calorie is high compared with similar foods. This is an evidence read, not a medical recommendation.
9.0
Nutrition FitAAFCO fit, calories, and dry matter protein/fat ranges.
8.8
Brand TrustWSAVA-style signals, recall mapping, and source confidence.
7.0
Ingredient ClarityNamed sources and label specificity.
7.5
Sensitivity RiskPopulation-level common allergen exposure.
4.0
ValueEstimated price per 1,000 kcal within category.
Score math
How PetScored got there.
Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.
dog-food-v1.0-label-events
Score math
How PetScored got there.
Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.
Nutrition Fit9.030% of total score
7 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Nutrition Fit is reconstructed from deterministic dog-food v1 rules using the currently available fixture fields.
AAFCO statement matches declared life stageA verified AAFCO adequacy statement earns points only when it matches the declared life stage.
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.+3.0AFeeding trials substantiate adequacyFeeding-trial language receives additional credit because it is stronger evidence than formulated-to-meet language.
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.+1.0AProtein dry matter basis in rangeProtein is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 18-35%.
22.2%+2.0AFat dry matter basis in rangeFat is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 5.5-20%.
12.8%+2.0ACalcium and phosphorus listedThis can earn credit once the nutrition panel stores calcium and phosphorus fields from a verified source.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0BCalorie statement presentA calorie statement is needed for value, feeding-cost, and cross-format comparison work.
365 kcal/cup+1.0ALarge-breed puppy statementThis rule is not applicable unless the product is marketed for large-breed puppies.
not applicable0.0ABrand Trust8.825% of total score
1 scoring rule(s)14 context item(s)seed in use
Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.
Brand Trust signal record pending verificationBrand Trust requires source-backed evidence for nutrition staff, manufacturing, recalls, research, and transparency. The seed score remains visible until those signals are verified.
partially_verified; 5 source(s) capturedcontextSeedNamed qualified nutritionistA publicly named qualified nutritionist earns Brand Trust credit when the source record verifies it. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAOwns primary manufacturing facilitiesOwnership or direct operation of primary manufacturing earns credit when verified from brand or facility sources.
verified_truecontextACurrent feeding-trial evidenceCurrent AAFCO feeding-trial evidence earns Brand Trust credit when it is tied to the product or line.
verified_truecontextAPublishes peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed product or nutrition research earns credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAComplete nutrient analysis availableComplete nutrient analysis availability earns credit when source-backed. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextANo FDA recall in past five yearsRecall credit requires verified matching against FDA recall/enforcement records.
verified_truecontextANo FDA Class I recall everClass I recall history must be source-matched before credit is awarded. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextACountry-of-origin sourcing publishedPublished sourcing information earns partial Brand Trust credit when verified.
verified_truecontextBSame ownership for 10+ yearsOwnership stability earns limited heuristic credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextCActive FDA warning letterActive FDA warning letters reduce Brand Trust when verified and relevant. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextACannot identify qualified nutritionistIf research cannot identify a qualified nutritionist anywhere, Brand Trust is reduced. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextAUnknown Brand Trust signalsUnknown Brand Trust signals are shown as research debt. They do not change the score until source verification is complete.
7 unresolved signal(s)contextSeedBrand Trust seed subscorePrototype score imported from the seed fixture. This keeps the public page auditable while verified rule events replace seed values.
8.8 / 10+8.8SeedSource confidence visibleConfidence is shown beside the score so prototype, single-source, verified, stale, and conflict records are not treated the same.
Partially verifiedcontextSeedIngredient Clarity7.015% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Ingredient Clarity is reconstructed from named-source and label-specificity rules.
Animal protein sources named in top 10Named species such as chicken meal or salmon count as clearer than generic terms such as meat meal or poultry by-product meal.
chicken | chicken meal | chicken fat | chicken liver flavor+3.0BFat sources named in top 10Named fats, such as chicken fat or salmon oil, are clearer than generic animal fat.
chicken fat+2.0BGrain sources are specificSpecific grains such as rice, barley, oatmeal, or sorghum earn clarity credit. Generic grain terms do not.
cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat | whole grain corn | corn protein meal | whole grain oats+1.0BPreservatives explicitly namedExplicit preservative language earns clarity credit because the label tells readers what is preserving the fat or formula.
mixed tocopherols for freshness+1.0ACountry of manufacture statedThis can earn credit once the product source record stores a verified made-in or country-of-manufacture statement.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CManufacturer identifiableThis can earn credit once the source record identifies the manufacturer from a verified product page or label.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CCo-packer or facility disclosedThis can earn credit once the product or brand source record publicly discloses the facility or co-packer.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0CIngredient splitting high on labelRelated starch or pulse ingredients high on the label are flagged for transparency. This is not treated as proof of harm.
corn: whole grain corn | corn protein meal0.0CSensitivity Risk7.515% of total score
9 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)
Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.
Sensitivity baselineSensitivity Risk starts at 10 and adjusts for common exposure patterns. It is not a prediction for an individual dog.
10 / 10 before ingredient exposure adjustments+10.0ABeef or beef-derived ingredient in top 5Beef exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score because beef is commonly reported in canine food-reaction studies.
chicken | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat0.0ADairy ingredient anywhereDairy exposure is counted anywhere on the label because even lower-position ingredients may matter for sensitive dogs.
chicken | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat | whole grain corn | corn protein meal | chicken meal | chicken fat | chicken liver flavor | soybean meal | dried beet pulp | soybean oil | lactic acid | flaxseed | pork liver flavor | potassium chloride | iodized salt | whole grain oats | fructooligosaccharides (fos) | choline chloride | calcium carbonate | vitamins (vitamin e supplement | l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin c) | niacin supplement | thiamine mononitrate | vitamin a supplement | calcium pantothenate | biotin | vitamin b12 supplement | riboflavin supplement | pyridoxine hydrochloride | folic acid | vitamin d3 supplement) | taurine | minerals (ferrous sulfate | zinc oxide | copper sulfate | manganous oxide | calcium iodate | sodium selenite) | mixed tocopherols for freshness | natural flavors | beta-carotene.0.0AChicken or chicken-derived ingredient in top 5Chicken exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score as a population-level sensitivity flag.
chicken | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat-1.0AWheat or wheat gluten in top 5Wheat exposure in the top five ingredients is flagged without implying the food is unsafe.
chicken | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat-1.0ALamb in top 5Lamb receives a smaller exposure adjustment under the current dog-food rubric.
chicken | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | brewers rice | whole grain wheat0.0AMultiple common sensitivity ingredients in top 5Multiple common exposure families high in the ingredient list receive an additional small adjustment.
2 of beef, dairy, chicken, wheat detected-0.5BHydrolyzed protein primary dietHydrolyzed-protein diets can receive credit when hydrolyzed protein is a primary ingredient.
not detected0.0ASingle novel protein sourceA single novel animal protein can receive credit, but marketing claims alone do not count.
not detected0.0BValue4.015% of total score
3 scoring rule(s)2 context item(s)
Value is reconstructed from package size, price, kcal density, category median, and quality caps.
Package weight parsedPackage weight is parsed from the product fixture so price can be normalized before scoring.
20.41 kgcontextCCost per 1,000 kcal calculatedValue uses calories rather than package price alone, because calorie density changes how long a bag lasts.
USD 1.43contextCCategory relative price bandThe base Value score comes from cost per 1,000 kcal relative to the product category median.
143% of Mass premium dry median+4.0CNutrition Fit value capA low Nutrition Fit score caps Value so a cheap food is not over-rewarded when core nutrition evidence is weak.
Nutrition Fit 9.00.0CBrand Trust value capA low Brand Trust score caps Value so price does not overpower weak manufacturer/source signals.
Brand Trust 8.80.0CIngredients
Parsed label
Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Protein Meal, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Flaxseed, Pork Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Whole Grain Oats, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.
Sensitivity flags
May matter for individual dogs
chickenwheatcornsoypork flavor
Source record
Confidence is visible by design.
Manufacturer product page, retailer label/price record, FDA recall archive disposition, and the 2019 Hill’s warning-letter context are captured. This packet is public-beta ready with historical canned-food regulatory history disclosed, not treated as a defect in the scored dry food.
- Captured
- April 30, 2026
- Confidence
- Partially verified
- Sources
- Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe official product pagemanufacturer · captured 2026-04-29Chewy Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley 45 lb product pageretailer · captured 2026-04-29FDA Hill's Pet Nutrition warning letterregulatory · captured 2026-04-30FDA Hill’s canned dog food vitamin D recall alertregulatory · captured 2026-04-30
- Evidence notes
- Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe official product pageOfficial Hill's page lists ingredients, 3675 kcal/kg, 365 kcal/cup, adult maintenance feeding-test language, and made-in-USA/global-ingredients context.Chewy Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley 45 lb product pageRetailer page showed the 45 lb bag, $106.99 price, 365 kcal/cup, and guaranteed analysis used for as-fed scoring fields.FDA Hill's Pet Nutrition warning letterFDA warning letter dated November 20, 2019 cites Hill’s Pet Nutrition in connection with canned dog food products with unsafe vitamin D levels and animal-food preventive-control violations. No closeout letter was captured in the available FDA warning-letter source.FDA Hill’s canned dog food vitamin D recall alertFDA alert identifies the Hill’s vitamin D recall as affecting canned dog food varieties and states that FDA terminated the recall on December 21, 2021. This is brand-level regulatory history, not a source defect in the scored dry formula.
- Adequacy
- Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.
Appears in
PetScored best-for lists this food is on
- Best dog food for sensitive dogsRanked by lowest population-level sensitivity risk. We do not diagnose individual dogs; the goal is to reduce the number of common trigger ingredients on the label.
- Most transparent dog food brandsRanked on the combined Ingredient Clarity and Brand Trust sub-scores. These brands publish more about what is in the bag, where it came from, and how it is made.
Compare to similar
Same category, within 1.2 composite
Where to buy
Buying Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
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FAQ
About Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
What is the PetScored rating for Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food?
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food scores 7.7 out of 10 on the PetScored deterministic rubric. Strongest sub-score: Nutrition Fit. Weakest sub-score: Value. See the full sub-score breakdown and rule-event trail on the scorecard.
Is Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food good for dogs with food sensitivities?
Skip this food if your dog avoids chicken, wheat, corn, soy. These are common adverse-reaction trigger ingredients in published case series. If your dog tolerates these proteins, the sub-score reflects the population-level risk; individual dogs vary.
Is Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food AAFCO complete and balanced?
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food carries this AAFCO adequacy statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs." This is an adult-maintenance statement — not adequate for puppies, growth, or pregnancy. Feeding-trial substantiated, which PetScored credits as stronger evidence than formulated-only adequacy.
What life stage is Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food for?
Per the bag, Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food is intended for Adult (format: Kibble). Always cross-check the AAFCO statement on your actual bag, since recipes and life-stage designations can change between production runs.
How much does Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food cost per calorie?
Captured retailer price: $106.99 for a 45 lb bag bag, at 3675 kcal/kg. PetScored Value sub-score benchmarks cost per 1,000 kcal against the category median rather than the sticker price — see the Value detail on the scorecard.