Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I'll try to be as succinct as possible with this review.
1. Hill's (the makers of Science Diet) spends an enormous amount of money on marketing and veterinary scholarships, training etc.
2. The vets that carry Science Diet get a commission from the food.
3. Do your research on ingredients that should NOT be in your dog's food and you will find that ALL of Science Diet dog food formulas have them as their FIRST (in other words, what the food has most in it) ingredients. This particular formula has whole grain corn and chicken by-product meal as it's number 1 and 2 ingredients. Dogs do not need grain of any kind in their diets. Chicken by-products are the things essentially considered not fit for human consumption (beaks, etc).
4. Science Diet is EXPENSIVE and is PERCEIVED as a TOP food. You see it in every undereducated vet's office in the United States. To put it quiet frankly, I would check and DOUBLE CHECK what your vet says if he has bags of this in his lobby. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. Before you go out and buy something that you THINK is incredibly good for your beloved dog, search for GOOD and BAD dog food ingredients. If you are willing to spend top dollar on dog food, (and I respect anyone that takes care of their animals) shouldn't you be getting your money's worth? Check out these alternative brands at similar or LOWER prices:
Blue Buffalo
Orijen
Natural Balance
Newman's Own
(and more)
Most are available online and at Petco and Petsmart. Look at the reviews, do the homework and you will soon discover what I found a few years ago: Even though I grew up THINKING that Science Diet was the *best* dog food (because AFTER ALL, my vet carries it!) it is NO BETTER than Walmart Old Roy brand GARBAGE.
As it turns out, having a vet's waiting room stocked full of Science Diet is like having a pediatrician's waiting room stocked full of chicken nuggets and regular soda (with a vitamin pill, because that will make the other ok).
Remember, dog "food" is a relatively new idea. A few generations ago, dogs were fed table scraps. Now we have a VERY loosely regulated dog food industry. I applaud those companies listed above for offering balanced, quality foods. For those of us who consider our dogs irreplaceable, it is the MOST important thing to know that we are doing our best for our dogs.
***Simple rule of thumb for ANY dog food: if it lists CORN or by-products, put it back.***
Click Here to see more reviews about: Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food - 15.5-Pound Bag
