Hill's Science Plan Kitten Healthy Development Chicken

Among the huge variety of Hill's canned foods, of course, there are also special diets for kittens. For example, Hill's Science Plan Kitten Healthy Development Chicken wet food - Chunks in Gravy. These are pieces in sauce, packed in a special soft bag, the so-called pouch.

Already in the name of this complete food, the manufacturer states that kittens with this diet will be guaranteed “healthy development.” We decided to look at its composition to understand what its pros and cons are, and whether the characteristics of the diet really meet the nutritional requirements of kittens.

Animal sources of protein

No fresh and/or raw meat or fish ingredients were used in the production of Hill's Science Plan Kitten Healthy Development Chicken.
Ingredient No. 1 in the feed is chicken (46%) and turkey meal (65% of the total poultry content). This is a good indicator. But! The translation of the first ingredient (“chicken (46%) and turkey flour”) is not entirely accurate. In fact, this is “Chicken & Turkey Meal” - chicken and turkey meal. The word “meat” in the name is either a translation error or a marketing ploy to make this ingredient more attractive. In total, there are two sources of animal protein in the feed. The second is protein hydrolysate, which occupies 4th place in the composition of the feed; however, it is rather a protein component that improves the taste and smell of the feed than a complete source of animal protein. The content of animal protein in the feed is generally above average, but its quality is not very good.

Meat and unknown by-products

First of all, we should note that “pieces” are not cut whole pieces of meat. Each slice here is formed from a mixture of food ingredients, and then these pieces are filled with sauce. This format of canned product is quite common.

The label does not contain the ingredients in English, so our review of Hill's Pine Plan food for kittens will be based on the names of the ingredients in French.

Component No. 1 in the food is called “meat and peptides of animal origin.” In fact, this is just unknown meat and animal by-products, and nothing is said about peptides in the French-language composition - after all, the component is called “Viandes et Sous-produits Animaux”.

Cellulose

The diet contains two types of fiber.

Dry beet pulp (No. 7 in the list of ingredients) - in small quantities is quite acceptable and beneficial for the intestines of dogs and cats. But cellulose (No. 9) is a cheap ballast filler of unknown origin, absolutely not nutritious for dogs and cats. It is better to avoid this product in the diet (it’s good that there is not much of it here).

A large amount of fiber in the food increases the volume of the food bolus and gives cats a deceptive feeling of fullness, but there is no benefit from it.

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Hill's™ Science Plan™ Kitten with Tuna to support immunity and healthy digestion. A diet with clinically proven antioxidants and optimal levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from fish oil.

Hill's Science Plan wet food for kittens, chicken

Kittens need to receive the correct amount of different nutrients for healthy growth and development. These nutrients must be precisely balanced because too much of a nutrient can be just as harmful as too little. It is also important to use high-quality ingredients to help digestion, which is especially sensitive at this age. Hill's™ Science Plan™ diets are precisely balanced nutrition to meet your kitten's individual needs, eliminating any nutritional deficiencies or excesses.

Hill's Science Plan wet food for kittens, with turkey

Kittens need to receive the correct amount of different nutrients for healthy growth and development. These nutrients must be precisely balanced because too much of a nutrient can be just as harmful as too little. It is also important to use high-quality ingredients to help digestion, which is especially sensitive at this age. Hill's™ Science Plan™ diets are precisely balanced nutrition to meet your kitten's individual needs, eliminating any nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Clinically proven antioxidants for a healthy immune system. High quality ingredients for gentle healthy digestion. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) for optimal brain development, increased reaction speed and alertness.

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Healthy Ingredients

This food contains a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements, which are necessary partly due to the lack of minerals and vitamins in the raw materials, partly due to the peculiarities of the technological process for the production of dry food (this is the industry norm, and therefore is not a direct indicator of high or low quality diet).

Mixed tocopherols, citric acid and rosemary extract are natural preservatives and antioxidants that help maintain the freshness of the food.

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Hill's Science Plan dry food for kittens, with tuna

Hill's™ Science Plan™ Kitten with Tuna to support immunity and healthy digestion. A diet with clinically proven antioxidants and optimal levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from fish oil.

Hill's Science Plan wet food for kittens, with turkey

Kittens need to receive the correct amount of different nutrients for healthy growth and development. These nutrients must be precisely balanced because too much of a nutrient can be just as harmful as too little. It is also important to use high-quality ingredients to help digestion, which is especially sensitive at this age. Hill's™ Science Plan™ diets are precisely balanced nutrition to meet your kitten's individual needs, eliminating any nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Clinically proven antioxidants for a healthy immune system. High quality ingredients for gentle healthy digestion. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) for optimal brain development, increased reaction speed and alertness.

Cons of Hill's Science Plan Kitten with Chicken

No fresh and/or raw meat or fish ingredients were used in the production of this food.

In addition, it is impossible to determine the raw materials for a number of products in the diet (poultry, animal fat, hydrolyzed protein and fish oil). Generic names may hide the inconsistent composition of the feed, changing depending on the cost of these questionable ingredients.

A marketing ploy was identified, designed to “embellish” the composition of the ingredient in Russian, as well as the increased content of cellulose, a product dangerous for cats.

Healthy diet

Having a consistent feeding routine for your kitten will help avoid problems with overeating and give you more control over your food intake. Use this feeding calculator* to determine the amount of food your kitten needs. And always consult your veterinarian about his diet first.

*When using Hill's Science Plan cat food

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The best dry food for kittens

The composition of dry food is much richer than that of wet food. In addition to the protein component, they often include vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs. Thus, these feeds provide the animal with all the necessary nutrients that it could receive in its natural environment.

Veterinarians do not recommend giving dry food to kittens under four months; it is more suitable for older pets, after teeth have changed. It is worth introducing such complementary foods gradually, first soaking the granules in broth or water.

6 Purina Cat Chow with poultry

The dry food rating opens with the Purina CAT CHOW product, which contains poultry.
Suitable for feeding kittens, available in packages of 400 g or more. Purina has been creating complete nutrition for pets since 1926, leveraging its experience and expertise. The special formulation of the food with a high content of poultry meat helps meet the natural needs of the growing kitten's body.

During the period of active growth, the animal needs a properly selected, balanced diet, which promotes the formation of muscle and bone tissue, as well as wool. Specialists, when creating Purina CAT CHOW food, tried to take this into account. Therefore, the product includes:

• Vitamins B and C, which strengthen the kitten’s immunity.
• Component of cat's milk to strengthen bones and muscles.
• Fresh meat, quality proteins, grains, natural vegetables and herbs.

The food does not contain artificial additives, preservatives or thickeners.

Users prefer Purina CAT CHOW food for its reasonable price, nice packaging design, balanced composition, large number of natural ingredients, vitamin and mineral complex, and beneficial effect on the kitten’s body.

Pros:

• Bright packaging design.
• Affordable price.
• High quality products included.
• Vitamins and minerals.
• Improves digestion.
• Kittens eat with pleasure.

Minuses:

• Packaging without zipper.

Dry food for kittens Purina CAT CHOW with poultry

5 Pro Plan Original OPTIStart, with chicken

The next position in our rating is occupied by Pro Plan Original OPTIStart dry food from Purina.
Available in bags ranging from 200 g to 10 kg of finished product. Complete dry food designed to feed kittens aged 1 month to one year. It contains all the beneficial substances necessary to maintain the animal’s body in a healthy state:

• The unique patented OPTIStart complex is designed to strengthen the immune system.
• Vitamins and minerals support proper muscle and skeletal development.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on brain and vision development.

The product contains high quality chicken meat, animal protein, cereals, fat, starch, flavoring additives, fish oil, yeast, preservatives, amino acids, a complex of vitamins and minerals.

Owners of kittens choose Pro Plan Original OPTIStart dry food for their pets for the optimal quality-price ratio, convenient packaging, pleasant taste and aroma of the product, small granules, and useful substances in the composition.

Pros:

• Affordable price.
• Convenient packaging.
• High quality ingredients.
• Improves digestion.
• Useful vitamins and minerals.
• Pleasant aroma and taste.

Minuses:

• Imperfect composition.

Dry food for kittens Pro Plan Original OPTIStart, with chicken

4 Royal Canin

In fourth place is dry food for kittens from Royal Canin.
Available in the form of granules, the package contains 400 g. This product is intended for kittens in the second phase of growth - from 4 to 12 months. At this time, the animal’s immune system is formed, and proper nutrition helps strengthen the body’s protective functions. The food contains a unique set of antioxidants and vitamin E. The high content of minerals and proteins ensures the healthy development of your pet.

The finished product from Royal Canin includes: meat, rice, vegetable proteins, animal fat, flavorings, fiber, yeast, vitamins and minerals, fish oil, plantain and marigold extract. The kitten's needs for intensive growth are ensured by the increased calorie content of the food. The nutrition is easily absorbed by the animal's body thanks to prebiotics and highly digestible LIP proteins.

Numerous users in their reviews note that Royal Canin dry food is of high quality, contains useful substances for the growth and development of the pet, has a pleasant taste and aroma, and kittens eat small granules with pleasure.

Pros:

• Convenient packaging.
• Small granule size.
• Balanced composition.
• Vitamin and mineral complex.
• Well absorbed by the kitten's body.
• Has a pleasant aroma.

Dry food for kittens Royal Canin

3 Farmina N&D Prime, grain-free, with chicken, with pomegranate

In third place is Farmina N&D Prime dry food, intended for feeding kittens.
Available in packages of 300 g or more. Dry food is a balanced nutrition of a holistic class, which is distinguished by: the absence of grain crops, high protein content in the form of fresh meat, without any by-products. In addition, the product contains medicinal herbs and probiotics.

Farmina N&D Prime grain-free food with chicken and pomegranate is suitable for the daily nutrition of kittens. Its main advantages are:

• Steaming raw ingredients once allows you to preserve their taste and beneficial properties.
• The product contains a complete set of nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the animal.
• Probiotic cultures improve digestion and help feed be better absorbed.
• There are no GMOs, dyes, thickeners or preservatives.

Owners of kittens choose Farmina N&D Prime food for its high quality, natural ingredients, unique preparation technology, a large amount of useful substances, and the absence of harmful additives.

Pros:

• Natural composition.
• High percentage of meat.
• Practical packaging.
• Optimal granule size.
• Well absorbed by the body.
• Does not contain harmful additives.

Minuses:

• Price.

Dry food for kittens Farmina N&D Prime, grain-free, with chicken, with pomegranate

2 Monge Natural Superpremium

The second place is occupied by Natural Superpremium dry food from the Monge company.
Designed for feeding kittens aged 1 month to one year. Available in packages of 400 g or more. Monge Natural Superpremium dry food is a complete, balanced diet of high quality, necessary for the proper development of a growing organism.

The finished product contains the following nutrients:

• Vitamin E is an antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system.
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 ensure the proper development of the animal’s brain and vision, and are also responsible for healthy skin and thick coat.
• Phosphorus and calcium are necessary for the full growth of bones and muscles.
• XOS xylooligosaccharides help maintain the balance of the animal’s intestinal microflora, promote better absorption of nutrition, and strengthen the immune system.

Users choose Monge Natural Superpremium dry food for their pets for its high meat content, balanced composition, presence of vitamins and minerals, pleasant aroma and taste, convenient packaging and small granule size.

Pros:

• Convenient packaging.
• Small granule size.
• Pleasant taste and aroma.
• Lots of meat ingredients.
• Nutrients.
• Improves digestion and strengthens the immune system.

Minuses:

• Difficult to find on sale.

Dry food for kittens Monge Natural Superpremium

1 Hill's Science Plan, with chicken

In first place in our rating is Hill's Science Plan dry food, intended for feeding kittens.
Available in the form of granules, the package contains 300 g of product. Complete, high-quality food designed specifically for growing kittens, taking into account all their needs. The product is made from natural ingredients and contains a large amount of meat protein necessary for animal muscle growth.

DHA, obtained from fish oil, has a beneficial effect on the development of the visual organs in kittens. A balanced composition of vitamins and minerals helps strengthen bones, teeth and claws. Antioxidants (a mixture of tocopherols) help strengthen the immune system.

The composition of dry food granules includes: chicken and turkey, corn flour, fish oil, sugar beets, vegetable oils, cellulose, a mixture of vitamins and minerals. The total meat content is at least 45%.

Owners of kittens prefer Hill's Science Plan dry food due to its high-quality composition, natural ingredients, high meat content, vitamin and mineral complex, convenient packaging and small granules.

Pros:

• High quality.
• Natural ingredients.
• High meat content.
• Benefits for the body of kittens.
• Well absorbed.
• Small granules.
• Convenient packaging.

Minuses:

• Not detected.

Dry food for kittens Hill's Science Plan, with chicken