Editorial ratings based on published specifications, manufacturer data and verified owner reviews. We have not physically tested this product.
| DURABILITY | 80 | STRONG | |
| VALUE INDEX | 65 | MIXED | |
| BREED COMPATIBILITY | 85 | STRONG | |
| EASE OF USE | 85 | STRONG | |
| AU SUPPLY CHAIN | 90 | STRONG |
What’s in it
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult contains at least 20.5% protein, at least 12% fat and 3% fibre as fed. Allowing for about 10% moisture, that is roughly 23.8% protein, 15% fat and an estimated 53.8% carbohydrate on a dry-matter basis. It provides 363 kcal per cup.
That protein level is noticeably lower than its main rivals: Royal Canin Maxi Adult has 26%, Advance Large Breed 25% and Black Hawk Large Breed 23%. It is above the AAFCO minimum of 18% for adult dogs, but if your dog is very active or you want to build lean muscle, be aware this is a moderate-protein food. Hill’s says the lower protein and fat are deliberate, to help large breeds that put on weight easily, such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, stay at a healthy weight.
At least 2.5% omega-6 fatty acids, plus vitamin E, support healthy skin and coat. Omega-3 is 0.61% in total, which gives some anti-inflammatory benefit but is lower than Royal Canin’s 7.8 g/kg.
Ingredients
Whole chicken is the first ingredient. According to Hill’s, this is mechanically deboned chicken, mostly from necks and backs. Fresh chicken is about 70% water, so being first on the list (which is ranked by weight before cooking) doesn’t mean chicken makes up most of the finished dry food. It is still a better sign than foods that list dried poultry protein or meal first.
The next ingredients are pearled barley, whole wheat, whole corn, whole sorghum, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, chicken fat, brewers rice and chicken meal. In other words, the food relies on several grains and plant proteins for its energy. Taken together, the grains clearly outweigh the animal protein. Corn gluten meal and soybean meal add to the protein figure without supplying the full range of amino acids that meat does.
On the plus side: chicken fat (a named, good-quality fat), flaxseed (a source of omega-3), dried beet pulp (fibre for gut health), added taurine (for the heart), and small amounts of apple, broccoli, carrot, cranberry and green pea. It is preserved naturally with vitamin E rather than synthetic preservatives.
One drawback: the selenium comes from sodium selenite, which the body uses less well than selenium yeast. Most mainstream dry foods do the same, but it is worth knowing if mineral quality matters to you.
Joint support
This is where Hill’s genuinely stands out. The label guarantees at least 300 ppm glucosamine and 550 ppm chondroitin sulphate. Royal Canin Maxi Adult contains the same ingredients but doesn’t say how much. These levels are lower than a dedicated joint supplement (which typically gives 500 to 1,500 mg of glucosamine a day), but they do provide useful everyday support for the cartilage of heavy dogs.
ActivBiome+, Hill’s own blend of prebiotic fibres and antioxidants, is another point of difference. It is designed to feed the good bacteria in the gut, supporting digestion, immunity and nutrient absorption. Royal Canin Maxi Adult includes beet pulp for fibre but has no dedicated prebiotic blend.
What it costs per day
At about $151 for a 12 kg bag (October 2026), it costs $12.58 a kilo, noticeably more than Royal Canin Maxi Adult at $10.53 a kilo ($158 for 15 kg). Hill’s feeding guide by body weight:
25 kg dog: about 260-310 g a day = $3.25-$3.90 a day
30 kg dog: about 300-355 g a day = $3.75-$4.45 a day
35 kg dog: about 335-400 g a day = $4.20-$5.05 a day
40 kg dog: about 370-440 g a day = $4.65-$5.55 a day
50 kg dog: about 435-520 g a day = $5.45-$6.55 a day
A 12 kg bag lasts about 23 to 46 days, depending on your dog’s size. For a typical 35 kg dog that is about $1,540 to $1,840 a year, which puts Hill’s at the top end of mainstream dry food prices.
Where to buy it in Australia
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult is widely available: Amazon Australia (ASIN B07GBTYYJH) with Prime delivery, Pet Circle, Petstock, Petbarn, independent pet shops and vet clinics. It is made in the USA by Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive) and imported by its Australian arm. No recalls have been recorded for this product (checked February 2026). Hill’s offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee through authorised retailers.
Yearly cost
For a typical 35 kg dog over 12 months:
Food: about $1,540-$1,840 a year (based on $151 per 12 kg bag, 335-400 g a day)
Per month: about $128-$153
Per day: about $4.20-$5.05
Compared on price per kilogram (October 2026): Black Hawk Large Breed is about $7.50/kg, Advance Large Breed about $9.27/kg, Royal Canin Maxi Adult $10.53/kg and Hill’s about $12.58/kg. You pay extra for Hill’s for its joint-support levels, prebiotics, chicken as the first ingredient and the WSAVA guidelines it follows, not for protein.
Our verdict
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult is a carefully researched food. Its strengths are the stated glucosamine and chondroitin levels, the ActivBiome+ prebiotics, chicken as the first ingredient and natural preservation. Its weaknesses are the lowest protein of the major brands (20.5% against 23 to 26%), the highest price per kilo, and a smaller 12 kg bag, so you buy more often. Choose it if you value vet-backed nutrition and clear joint-support information more than high protein or value for money.
Breeds prone to joint problems that may particularly benefit from a food with joint support include the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Bernese Mountain Dog.
| Product Type | Complete dry food |
| Suits Dogs Weighing | 25-50kg+ (large breed), 50kg+ (giant breed) |
| Suits Ages | 1-5 years (large), 1-4 years (giant) |
| Protein | 20.5% min (as fed), ~23.8% (dry matter) |
| Fat | 12% min (as fed), ~15% (dry matter) |
| Fibre | 3% min |
| Moisture | 10% max |
| Omega-6 | 2.5% min |
| Omega-3 | 0.61% total |
| Glucosamine | 300 ppm min (stated on label) |
| Chondroitin Sulphate | 550 ppm min (stated on label) |
| Energy | 363 kcal/cup |
| Main Protein Source | Whole chicken (mechanically deboned) |
| Grains | Barley, wheat, corn, sorghum, brewers rice |
| Prebiotics | ActivBiome+ (Hill's prebiotic fibre blend) |
| Bag Size | 12kg |
| Daily Amount (35kg dog) | 335-400g |
| Bag Lasts (35kg dog) | 30-36 days |
| Manufacturer | Hill's Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive) |
| Made In | USA |
| Recalls | None recorded (checked Feb 2026) |
| Standards | AAFCO adult maintenance; follows WSAVA guidelines |
| Where to Buy in Australia | Amazon AU, Pet Circle, Petstock, Petbarn, vet clinics, independents |
Hill's Science Diet or Royal Canin Maxi Adult: which is better for large dogs?+
Hill's has less protein (20.5% against 26%) and costs more per kilo ($12.58 against $10.53), but it states its glucosamine (300 ppm) and chondroitin (550 ppm) levels, which Royal Canin doesn't. Hill's also adds ActivBiome+ prebiotics and lists whole chicken first, while Royal Canin lists dried poultry protein. Both meet AAFCO standards. Choose Royal Canin for more protein and better value, or Hill's for clearer joint-support information and added prebiotics.
How long does a 12 kg bag last for a large dog?+
For a 35 kg dog at normal activity, about 30 to 36 days at the recommended 335 to 400 g a day. For a 25 kg dog, about 39 to 46 days. For a 50 kg dog, about 23 to 28 days. Hill's recommends two meals a day and switching over 7 days from your old food. Because the bag is 12 kg rather than 15 kg, you'll buy more often than with some competitors.
How much does it cost per day to feed Hill's Science Diet Large Breed in Australia?+
At about $151 for a 12 kg bag, it costs from about $3.25 a day for a 25 kg dog to $6.55 a day for a 50 kg dog at normal activity. For a typical 35 kg dog that is about $1,540 to $1,840 a year. It is the dearest per kilo of the major large-breed dry foods in Australia: Hill's about $12.58/kg, Royal Canin $10.53/kg, Advance about $9.27/kg and Black Hawk about $7.50/kg (October 2026).
Does Hill's Science Diet Large Breed have enough joint support for large dogs?+
It contains at least 300 ppm glucosamine and 550 ppm chondroitin from natural sources. That gives useful everyday support for cartilage, but it is less than a dedicated joint supplement (typically 500 to 1,500 mg of glucosamine a day). If your dog has a diagnosed joint problem or belongs to a breed at high risk, ask your vet about an extra supplement. Stating the amounts on the label is a genuine plus, as most competitors don't.
Is Hill's Science Diet Large Breed made with natural ingredients?+
Hill's describes it as made with natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, and is kept fresh with natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). The ingredients include small amounts of apple, broccoli, carrot, cranberry and green pea. It is made in Hill's own US factories. Note that 'natural' on pet food doesn't mean organic or grain-free.