Hill's
Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6
Rating
Is Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 wet cat food good?
Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 is a wet cat food rated 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Egg, Poultry.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Includes a fair number of clearly named animal ingredients.
- Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Cons
- Some non-animal ingredients are not clearly identified, which reduces formula transparency.
Nutrition Breakdown
- Protein 42%
- Fat 21%
- Est. Carbs 28%
- Fiber 2%
- Ash 7%
Moisture (81%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
- Protein 8%
- Fat 4%
- Est. Carbs 6%
- Moisture 81%
- Ash 1%
As-fed values are the raw percentages printed on the product label.
Tips
- Protein is High (42% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is generally more aligned with cats' higher protein needs than lower-protein recipes, assuming the food is complete for the cat's life stage.
- Fat is High (21% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It can raise calorie density, so watch body condition and seek vet input for cats with pancreatitis or digestive disease.
Ingredients Analysis
9 of 9 matched
-
1 Chicken
Animal ProteinDescription
The dominant animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also high in iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
-
2 Derivatives Of Vegetable Origin
CarbsDescription
Derivatives resulting from the treatment of vegetable products, in particular cereals, vegetables, legumes, and oilseed.
Why Notice?
Unspecified plant products made of unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Without specifying the source, by-products and contaminated plant parts could be used to produce unnamed plant products.
-
3 Cereals
CarbsDescription
A mixture of grains such as corn, rice, and wheat, usually with a high content of carbs.
Why Notice?
An inexpensive filler with gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats. Made of unknown sources, its quality is highly questionable.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made of by-products / inferior food that are not suitable for consumption.
-
4 Various Sugars
CarbsDescription
A general term for added sugars with limited transparency.
Why Notice?
Added sugars provide calories but no nutritional benefit for pets.
-
5 Vegetable Protein Extracts
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Protein extracted from unspecified vegetables, including soy, corn, and wheat. It contains a high level of plant protein, which is often used to boost up the protein content of pet foods.
Why Notice?
Unspecified plant products made of unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Digestion Concern
A high level of plant-based protein is not easily digestible and offer much less biological value (less absorbed by the body) to pets compared to animal protein.
Uncertain/Risky
Without specifying the source, by-products and contaminated plant parts could be used to produce unnamed plant products.
-
6 Minerals
SupplementDescription
A general term for mineral supplementation, specific sources not identified.
-
7 Eggs
Animal ProteinDescription
It contains almost every nutrient the body needs. It also has the highest biological value (protein absorption) among other animal proteins.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
-
8 Egg Derivatives
Animal ProteinDescription
Refers to all egg by-products that might not be safe for human consumption.
Why Notice?
An inexpensive, low-quality animal protein source with low digestibility compared to normal muscle meats. By-products are often seen in inferior grade pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
It could include waste, contaminated parts, or anything that is not safe for consumption.
-
9 Oils And Fats
FatDescription
Fat extracted from unknown sources, made of unspecified plants or animal parts.
Why Notice?
Unspecified products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods..
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made of inferior, contaminated foods that are not safe for consumption.
Tips
- Some protein sources are less clear: Egg Derivatives appear near the top without a clearly defined animal source.
- Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Vegetable Protein Extracts may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Derivatives Of Vegetable Origin, Cereals, Various Sugars.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Derivatives Of Vegetable Origin, Cereals, Vegetable Protein Extracts, and 2 more have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible digestion triggers: Vegetable Protein Extracts have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High- Named 75%
- Unnamed 25%
Strong clarity: 75% of Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 25% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Unnamed
Animal Protein
Low- Animal 44%
- Plant concentrate 56%
Protein in Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 leans on plant signals: only 44% comes from animal sources, while plant-protein concentrates make up 56% and whole plant proteins 0%. Plant concentrates like pea or soy isolate are cheap protein boosters but lack the amino-acid profile pets need from meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant concentrate
Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 wet cat food Review
Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 is a solid mid-tier wet cat food at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. It has clear strengths alongside a few trade-offs worth weighing.
Best for
- Owners who want clearly named protein sources
- Pets avoiding gluten grains
Avoid if
- Your pet is allergic to eggs
- You're avoiding plant-protein concentrates like pea or soy isolate
- Your cat needs a strongly meat-led recipe
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 75% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Plant-protein concentrates appear in the top 10 ingredients: Vegetable Protein Extracts.
- Contains common allergens: Egg, Poultry.
- On a dry-matter basis: 42% protein, 21% fat, 28% estimated carbohydrates.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 good for cats?
Mostly — a solid mid-tier pick at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. Best paired with knowledge of your pet's needs.
Does Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 contain Dairy?
No — based on the ingredient list, Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 doesn't include Dairy or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid this allergen here.
Does Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 contain Egg?
Yes — based on the ingredient list, Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 contains Egg, so pets sensitive to Egg should generally avoid this product or consult a vet first.
Does Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 contain Legumes?
No — based on the ingredient list, Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 doesn't include Legumes or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Legumes can typically avoid this allergen here.
Does Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 contain Nuts?
No — based on the ingredient list, Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 doesn't include Nuts or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid this allergen here.
Is Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6 grain-free?
Yes — there are no grains in this recipe.
What are the main protein sources in Hill's Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner Adult 1-6?
The top animal proteins are Chicken, Eggs — clearly named, so you can verify the source.
Similar Products
View All
Science Diet Adult Chicken Recipe
★︎★︎☆︎☆︎☆︎ 2
Science Diet Adult 1-6 Chicken Recipe
★︎★︎★︎☆︎☆︎ 3
Science Diet Adult 1-6 Small Bites Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe
★︎★︎★︎★︎☆︎ 4
Science Diet Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
★︎★︎★︎☆︎☆︎ 3.5
Prescription Diet z/d Food Sensitivities
★︎★︎★︎★︎☆︎ 4
Chicken Mousse (Healthy Heart)
★︎★︎★︎★︎★︎ 5