Royal Canin vs. Hill’s Science Diet: Which One to Choose?

Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet are two of the best-selling pet food brands. These two prominent names in the pet food industry have been trusted by pet parents and veterinarians across Australia and beyond. This article is an in-depth discussion about the comparison of these brands. Find out which one is the right choice for your pet: Royal Canin or Hill’s Science Diet.  

Royal Canin – Overview

Royal Canin, a division of Mars Inc., has been working to make nutrition the first medicine for cats and dogs in collaboration with veterinarian nutritionists for over 50 years now. The brand offers tailored pet food of three main types: size-specific nutrition, breed-specific nutrition, and specific health nutrition.

Hill’s Science Diet – Overview

Hill’s Science Diet is a leader in cutting-edge food science and research. It is a premium wellness nutrition brand that offers science-backed food for cats and dogs. The portfolio of Hill’s Science Diet includes specialized nutrition for specific health areas, such as skin, stomach, weight, etc.

Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet – Detailed Comparison

When comparing Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet for dog food, we must consider some of the key factors like taste, nutritional value, price, and selection. Let’s compare these factors in detail.

Taste: When considering the palatability of pet food, pet parents rate Royal Canin as a clear winner. Hill’s Science Diet also offers some of the most scrumptious pet food options, but the flavours may not be as strong as those of Royal Canin. 

Nutritional Value: Hill’s Science Diet recipes contain real meat as the first ingredient and no chicken by-products in their mainline foods, while Royal Canin offers higher protein and fibre content but may contain some by-products.

Affordability: Hill’s Science Diet is usually more affordable in both general and veterinary products compared to Royal Canin, making it a cost-effective choice.

Selection: Royal Canin offers breed-specific foods and life-stage-specific foods, while Hill’s Science Diet provides a wider range of flavour options, specialized foods, and choices for dogs that need specialized diets.

Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet – Pros & Cons

Now, let us go through the pros and cons of these two trusted pet food brands to understand their offerings better.

Royal Canin vs. Hill’s Science Diet: Which One to Choose?

In summary, while both brands have their strengths, your ultimate choice should depend upon your preferred choice for its quality, and affordability, as well as a variety of options, especially for dogs and cats with specific dietary needs.

And, most importantly, their taste buds. Although all the diet formulations by Royal Canin and Hills have high palatability, it is important to ensure that the product you choose for your furry friend’s well-being suits their likability.

For example, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you can consider buying Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food or Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Dog Food. If your cat is prone to hairballs, you can consider buying Hill’s Cat Urinary Hairball Control Wet Food or Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Cat Food.

If you want to opt for breed-specific nutrition, you must go with Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition portfolio, which covers food for various dog species such as Dachshund, German Shepherd, Cavalier, Chihuahua, Boxer, Maltese, Boxer, and many more, and cat species like Persian, British Shorthair, Siamese, etc.

Whereas, if your pet needs a specialized diet, Hill’s Science Diet is a good choice for your pet. If your cat or dog has any specific health issues that you may want to address with a dietary change, you can also consider Hill’s Prescription Diet.

Irrespective of the pet food brand you choose, always ensure their diet fulfills their individual nutritional requirements by consulting with your veterinarian first.