Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 20, 2026
This is a complete dry food for growing puppies, using chicken and chicken meal as the main animal protein sources alongside brown rice, whole grains, and added pea and soy proteins. The formula provides moderate-to-high protein and fat for growth, with added DHA from fish oil for brain development and an antioxidant blend for immune support. It’s designed for puppies of all breeds, and also suitable for pregnant or nursing dogs.
Nutritionally, this is a well-designed puppy food with an excellent evidence base behind it, including AAFCO feeding trials for growth and for pregnant/lactating dogs. It offers appropriate protein and fat levels for puppies, carefully controlled calcium and phosphorus, and targeted additions like DHA, antioxidants, and prebiotic fibers. It’s a strong option for most healthy puppies, though it may not be ideal for dogs needing very simple ingredient lists or avoiding chicken, wheat, soy, or corn.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Uses named animal proteins (chicken and chicken meal) as key protein sources, providing good-quality, highly digestible protein for growth.
- Formulated for growth and pregnancy/lactation and validated by AAFCO feeding trials, which is the strongest level of nutritional evidence for a pet food.
- Calcium and phosphorus levels are appropriate for growth, with a reasonable Ca:P ratio, which is important for healthy bone development in puppies.
- Includes DHA from fish oil for brain and eye development, plus antioxidants (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene) and prebiotic fibers to support digestion and immune function.
Considerations
- Contains multiple common allergen sources (chicken, chicken meal, soy, wheat, corn), so it would not be suitable for puppies with known sensitivities to any of these ingredients.
- Pea protein and soybean meal contribute to the overall protein; while still nutritious, some owners of dogs with legume or soy sensitivities may prefer to avoid them.
- The moderate protein level (about 28% on a dry matter basis) is appropriate for most puppies but is not a high-protein formula for very active or working puppies that might benefit from higher levels.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
03
Whole Grain Wheat
Whole grain wheat is used in pet foods as a digestible source of carbohydrates, fiber and some plant protein, and provides B‑vitamins and minerals to supply energy and help support stool quality—its nutritional contribution is typically more relevant for dogs than for obligate‑carnivore cats. While whole wheat retains more nutrients and fiber than refined wheat, it is calorie‑dense and can trigger gluten or grain sensitivities in a minority of pets, so animals with known wheat allergies or weight management concerns may be better served by wheat‑free or lower‑carbohydrate options.
04
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
05
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Hill's Science Diet is a premium pet food brand focused on life-stage and lifestyle-specific nutrition for dogs and cats, formulated with high-quality ingredients and balanced by veterinarians and nutritionists for optimal pet health.
Visit Hill's Science DietWSAVA publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer (qualified nutritionists, feeding trials, published research); it does not certify or endorse brands.
Manufacturer
Hill's Pet Nutrition maintains strict quality and safety standards in all of its manufacturing sites, with adherence to rigorous ingredient testing and safety validation procedures. Facilities follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and are regularly audited for quality, safety, and consistency. All products meet or exceed AAFCO and FDA regulatory standards for pet food.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Hill's Science Diet ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Hill's Science Diet. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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