Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
The most rigorously validated sensitive-stomach food here, but it costs about 25% more per calorie than the Pro Plan equivalent for a broadly similar formulation.
Score breakdown
The overall score of 80/100 is a weighted sum of the six dimensions below. Each dimension shows what we found in this specific formula.
Weight 30% · Algorithm-computed score 73/100
Algorithm: first ingredient “Salmon” is named whole meat; 1 named animal ingredients in the top five; protein 22.9% on a dry-matter basis (target for this stage: 24%). Deductions: Concentrated corn protein used to lift the crude protein number without adding meat..
Weight 20% · Algorithm-computed score 70/100
Algorithm: first ingredient is a named animal source; among the top five, 0 by-product/unnamed and 1 plant-protein concentrate items.
Weight 18% · Editorially assessed score 92/100
AAFCO statement: Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that this food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.. Formulated-to-meet profiles are acceptable but weaker evidence than feeding trials, which caps the score here.
Weight 14% · Editorially assessed score 80/100
One recall event, announced in three waves between January and May 2019: a withdrawal of roughly 22 million cans of Science Diet and Prescription Diet wet dog food for elevated vitamin D traced to a supplier premix error. FDA issued Hill's a warning letter the same year over incoming-ingredient verification. No dry food, cat food or treats were affected, and nothing has been recalled since.
Weight 10% · Algorithm-computed score 94/100
Algorithm: about $1.81 per 1,000 kcal ($$ tier), normalized against same-species peers, wet and dry together (cheapest = 100, most expensive ≈ 15).
Weight 8% · Editorially assessed score 91/100
Owner ratings are consistently high across major retailers, with few recurring palatability complaints.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Salmon first with brown rice, and Hill's ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend for the gut microbiome
- Feeding-trial validated - the strongest evidence base of any sensitive-stomach food here
- 20.5% protein with 14% fat and only 3% fiber, a gentle profile for a reactive gut
- Omega-6 and vitamin E levels are specified for skin and coat support
What we don't
- About $1.81 per 1,000 kcal - roughly 25% more per calorie than Pro Plan Sensitive
- Corn protein meal sits fifth, adding plant protein
- Smaller review base than the Purina equivalent (about 495 ratings)
Ingredients & nutrition analysis
The first five ingredients tell most of the story:
Hill's builds this around salmon and brown rice plus its ActivBiome+ prebiotic fibre blend, and - like every Science Diet recipe - it is substantiated by AAFCO feeding trials rather than formulation. The profile is gentle: 20.5% protein, 14% fat, just 3% crude fibre, with brewers rice and barley for easy digestion.
The comparison with Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is close and mostly decided by price. Hill's costs roughly $1.81 per 1,000 kcal against Purina's $1.46, offers less protein (20.5% versus 26%), and has a far smaller owner review base. What it offers instead is the deepest research programme in the category and a more tightly controlled fibre blend.
Alternatives to consider
Other products ranked in Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs:
80/ 100 Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Adult Salmon & Potato Recipe
Frequently asked questions
Is Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe right for my pet?
It is our pick for: Dogs with genuinely reactive digestion where the strongest feeding-trial evidence is worth a premium. It is not the best fit for: Budget-sensitive households, and dogs that need a higher protein intake. Individual animals vary — if your pet has diagnosed health conditions, confirm the choice with your veterinarian.
How much does Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe cost?
Expect roughly $3.13 per pound ($$ tier) depending on bag size and retailer. Check the linked retailers for current pricing; our value score compares cost per 1,000 kcal against comparable formulas.
How should I switch to this food?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food into the old. Go slower for puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with sensitive stomachs, and watch stool quality during the switch.
Score history
Every change to this product's score is logged here, including the reason. Scores are recomputed by algorithm whenever ingredient or price data changes.
- 2026-10-19 — Product data refreshed: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, AAFCO statement, calorie content and price replaced with values verified against the manufacturer's current US label and current US retail listings. Editorial scores for standards, safety and reviews reassessed against that data.