PetScored

Hill's Science Diet · Dry dog food

Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe

Source-backed adult maintenance kibble with AAFCO feeding-test language, official calorie data, and retailer package/GA capture. Watch-outs are chicken and egg exposure, pea ingredient presence, partial Brand Trust, price freshness, and Hill's historical canned-dog-food recall/warning-letter context.

Last reviewed April 2026AdultKibblePartially verified

By the PetScored Editorial Team. Every sub-score below links to the sources and rules behind it - see the full trail under the score.

Kibble (dry): well-established. The most-studied format. Deepest evidence base, lowest cost per calorie. The evidence on this format ›

Strengths

  1. Nutrition Fit 9.0 / 10AAFCO adequacy clears the rubric and dry-matter protein and fat land in the bands we expect.
  2. Brand Trust 8.8 / 10WSAVA-style signals (named nutritionist, manufacturing control, recall posture) verified from primary sources.
  3. Low sensitivity risk 9.0 / 10Few of the most-named adverse-reaction trigger ingredients high on the label.

Watch-outs

  1. Common triggers on the labelSkip if your dog avoids chicken, egg, peas. We surface this regardless of sub-score.
  2. Value 2.0 / 10Cost per 1,000 kcal is above the category median. Cheaper options exist with comparable nutrition.
  3. Partially verified source confidenceSome label or pricing fields rely on retailer-mediated capture rather than the manufacturer source. See evidence notes below.

Buyer read

Dog food rubric

What should you take away?

Looks promising, with a few checks still worth making.

For Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe, the main watch-outs are: the estimated cost per calorie is high compared with similar foods. This is an evidence read, not a medical recommendation.

9.0
Nutrition FitAAFCO fit, calories, and dry matter protein/fat ranges.

30%of rating

8.8
Brand TrustWSAVA-style signals, recall mapping, and source confidence.

25%of rating

7.0
Ingredient ClarityNamed sources and label specificity.

15%of rating

9.0
Sensitivity RiskPopulation-level common allergen exposure.

15%of rating

2.0
ValueEstimated price per 1,000 kcal within category.

15%of rating

The composite rating is the weighted average of these five sub-scores - each row’s share of the total is the percentage at right.

vs. Dry dog food

How this scorecard reads against its category.

Solid bar is this product. Hollow tick mark is the average across 108 peers in the same category. Same rubric for both, no weighting tricks.

Nutrition Fit9.0+1.4 vs avg
Brand Trust8.8+1.9 vs avg
Ingredient Clarity7.0+1.1 vs avg
Sensitivity Risk9.0near avg
Value2.0-3.9 vs avg

Score math

How PetScored got there.

Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.

Show the trail
Nutrition Fit9.0
30% of total score
7 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Nutrition Fit is reconstructed from deterministic dog-food v1 rules using the currently available fixture fields.

AAFCO statement matches declared life stageA verified AAFCO adequacy statement earns points only when it matches the declared life stage.
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.+3.0A
Feeding trials substantiate adequacyFeeding-trial language receives additional credit because it is stronger evidence than formulated-to-meet language.
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.+1.0A
Protein dry matter basis in rangeProtein is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 18-35%.
22.2%+2.0A
Fat dry matter basis in rangeFat is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 5.5-20%.
14.4%+2.0A
Calcium and phosphorus listedThis can earn credit once the nutrition panel stores calcium and phosphorus fields from a verified source.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0B
Calorie statement presentA calorie statement is needed for value, feeding-cost, and cross-format comparison work.
391 kcal/cup+1.0A
Large-breed puppy statementThis rule is not applicable unless the product is marketed for large-breed puppies.
not applicable0.0A
Brand Trust8.8
25% of total score
1 scoring rule(s)14 context item(s)seed in use

Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.

Brand Trust signal record pending verificationBrand Trust requires source-backed evidence for nutrition staff, manufacturing, recalls, research, and transparency. The seed score remains visible until those signals are verified.
partially_verified; 8 source(s) capturedcontextSeed
Named qualified nutritionistA publicly named qualified nutritionist earns Brand Trust credit when the source record verifies it.
verified_truecontextA
Owns primary manufacturing facilitiesOwnership or direct operation of primary manufacturing earns credit when verified from brand or facility sources.
verified_truecontextA
Current feeding-trial evidenceCurrent AAFCO feeding-trial evidence earns Brand Trust credit when it is tied to the product or line.
verified_truecontextA
Publishes peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed product or nutrition research earns credit when verified.
verified_truecontextA
Complete nutrient analysis availableComplete nutrient analysis availability earns credit when source-backed. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
No FDA recall in past five yearsRecall credit requires verified matching against FDA recall/enforcement records.
verified_truecontextA
No FDA Class I recall everClass I recall history must be source-matched before credit is awarded. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Country-of-origin sourcing publishedPublished sourcing information earns partial Brand Trust credit when verified.
verified_truecontextB
Same ownership for 10+ yearsOwnership stability earns limited heuristic credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextC
Active FDA warning letterActive FDA warning letters reduce Brand Trust when verified and relevant. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Cannot identify qualified nutritionistIf research cannot identify a qualified nutritionist anywhere, Brand Trust is reduced. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Unknown Brand Trust signalsUnknown Brand Trust signals are shown as research debt. They do not change the score until source verification is complete.
5 unresolved signal(s)contextSeed
Brand Trust seed subscorePrototype score imported from the seed fixture. This keeps the public page auditable while verified rule events replace seed values.
8.8 / 10+8.8Seed
Source confidence visibleConfidence is shown beside the score so prototype, single-source, verified, stale, and conflict records are not treated the same.
Partially verifiedcontextSeed
Ingredient Clarity7.0
15% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Ingredient Clarity is reconstructed from named-source and label-specificity rules.

Animal protein sources named in top 10Named species such as chicken meal or salmon count as clearer than generic terms such as meat meal or poultry by-product meal.
chicken | chicken meal | chicken fat | egg product | chicken liver flavor+3.0B
Fat sources named in top 10Named fats, such as chicken fat or salmon oil, are clearer than generic animal fat.
chicken fat+2.0B
Grain sources are specificSpecific grains such as rice, barley, oatmeal, or sorghum earn clarity credit. Generic grain terms do not.
brewers rice | cracked pearled barley | brown rice | oat fiber+1.0B
Preservatives explicitly namedExplicit preservative language earns clarity credit because the label tells readers what is preserving the fat or formula.
mixed tocopherols for freshness+1.0A
Country of manufacture statedThis can earn credit once the product source record stores a verified made-in or country-of-manufacture statement.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Manufacturer identifiableThis can earn credit once the source record identifies the manufacturer from a verified product page or label.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Co-packer or facility disclosedThis can earn credit once the product or brand source record publicly discloses the facility or co-packer.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Ingredient splitting high on labelRelated starch or pulse ingredients high on the label are flagged for transparency. This is not treated as proof of harm.
rice: brewers rice | brown rice0.0C
Sensitivity Risk9.0
15% of total score
9 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.

Sensitivity baselineSensitivity Risk starts at 10 and adjusts for common exposure patterns. It is not a prediction for an individual dog.
10 / 10 before ingredient exposure adjustments+10.0A
Beef or beef-derived ingredient in top 5Beef exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score because beef is commonly reported in canine food-reaction studies.
chicken | brewers rice | chicken meal | yellow peas | cracked pearled barley0.0A
Dairy ingredient anywhereDairy exposure is counted anywhere on the label because even lower-position ingredients may matter for sensitive dogs.
chicken | brewers rice | chicken meal | yellow peas | cracked pearled barley | chicken fat | brown rice | egg product | oat fiber | chicken liver flavor | flaxseed | lactic acid | soybean oil | potassium chloride | dried beet pulp | iodized salt | choline chloride | calcium carbonate | vitamin e supplement | l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate | niacin supplement | thiamine mononitrate | vitamin a supplement | calcium pantothenate | biotin | vitamin b12 supplement | riboflavin supplement | pyridoxine hydrochloride | folic acid | vitamin d3 supplement | taurine | ferrous sulfate | zinc oxide | copper sulfate | manganous oxide | calcium iodate | sodium selenite | mixed tocopherols for freshness | natural flavors | beta-carotene.0.0A
Chicken or chicken-derived ingredient in top 5Chicken exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score as a population-level sensitivity flag.
chicken | brewers rice | chicken meal | yellow peas | cracked pearled barley-1.0A
Wheat or wheat gluten in top 5Wheat exposure in the top five ingredients is flagged without implying the food is unsafe.
chicken | brewers rice | chicken meal | yellow peas | cracked pearled barley0.0A
Lamb in top 5Lamb receives a smaller exposure adjustment under the current dog-food rubric.
chicken | brewers rice | chicken meal | yellow peas | cracked pearled barley0.0A
Multiple common sensitivity ingredients in top 5Multiple common exposure families high in the ingredient list receive an additional small adjustment.
1 of beef, dairy, chicken, wheat detected0.0B
Hydrolyzed protein primary dietHydrolyzed-protein diets can receive credit when hydrolyzed protein is a primary ingredient.
not detected0.0A
Single novel protein sourceA single novel animal protein can receive credit, but marketing claims alone do not count.
not detected0.0B
Value2.0
15% of total score
3 scoring rule(s)2 context item(s)

Value is reconstructed from package size, price, kcal density, category median, and quality caps.

Package weight parsedPackage weight is parsed from the product fixture so price can be normalized before scoring.
13.61 kgcontextC
Cost per 1,000 kcal calculatedValue uses calories rather than package price alone, because calorie density changes how long a bag lasts.
USD 1.79contextC
Category relative price bandThe base Value score comes from cost per 1,000 kcal relative to the product category median.
179% of Mass premium dry median+2.0C
Nutrition Fit value capA low Nutrition Fit score caps Value so a cheap food is not over-rewarded when core nutrition evidence is weak.
Nutrition Fit 9.00.0C
Brand Trust value capA low Brand Trust score caps Value so price does not overpower weak manufacturer/source signals.
Brand Trust 8.80.0C

Ingredients

Parsed label

Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley, Chicken Fat, Brown Rice, Egg Product, Oat Fiber, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Potassium Chloride, Dried Beet Pulp, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Mixed Tocopherols For Freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

Sensitivity flags

May matter for individual dogs

chickeneggpeasnatural flavors

These flags reflect population-level prevalence of commonly reported canine food allergens in the published literature (Mueller and Olivry 2016), not a prediction that this dog will react. Read how we score this in the dog food rubric and the medical disclaimer.

Why partial?

Source caveats on this scorecard.

These notes explain what the current sources can and cannot support. Missing or unresolved evidence is not scored as a product defect.

Retailer-sourced fields

Some displayed label, nutrition, calorie, price, package, or availability fields come from retailer pages. They are usable for beta, but can change and are not treated as manufacturer/package verification.

Regulatory history disclosed

Brand-level recall or enforcement history is shown as context after source matching and manual disposition. It is not treated as a defect in this product unless the source match is product- or SKU-relevant.

Warning-letter export gap

The current warning-letter table may have been checked, but full export or archive coverage is still incomplete. Unknown status stays unknown, not false.

Data status

Checks passed; published on partial-source data.

This scorecard passed our publication checks. The data is still partial-source, so unresolved Brand Trust and warning-letter gaps stay visible.

Each open gap below closes by capturing a source, not by assumption.

Data
Partially verified
Last reviewed
April 2026
Stage
Public beta
Checklist
ready for public beta
Source record
partially verified
ManufacturercapturedRetailercapturedIngredientscapturedGAcapturedAAFCOcapturedBrand TrustpartialRecallcapturedWarningmanual reviewScorecaptured

Brand Trust evidence

Brand Trust source capture is in progress.

The brand signals captured so far are shown for auditability, but they do not change the product score until the record is verified.

Signal record
partially verified
Score basis
Seed value, pending verification
Unresolved signals
5
Conflicts
0
Brand sources
8

What we know

Captured from source records.

  • Manufacturer source supports ingredients, calories, AAFCO feeding-test statement, average nutrient dry-matter values, and available sizes.
  • Retailer source supports the 30 lb package price, guaranteed analysis, ingredients, calorie statement, and package context.
  • Wet/dry comparison uses dry matter basis from the captured moisture value.
  • Existing Hill's recall archive and 2019 warning-letter context remain attached at brand level.

Still unresolved

Not product defects.

  • The 2019 Hill's warning-letter record remains disclosed as historical brand-level regulatory history; active-warning-letter status is not marked resolved.
  • FDA warning-letter full-export coverage remains blocked by FDA export limitations.
  • Brand Trust signal record is partially verified, not complete.
  • Retail price can change and should be refreshed before public launch.
  • Official page gives average nutrient values; as-fed guaranteed-analysis fields are cross-checked from retailer label text.

Source record

Confidence is visible by design.

Manufacturer product page, retailer label/price record, and existing Hill's recall/warning-letter dispositions are captured. This packet is public-beta ready with historical canned-food regulatory history and price freshness disclosed.

Captured
April 30, 2026
Confidence
Partially verified
Sources
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley official product pagemanufacturer · captured 2026-04-30Manufacturer sourceControls displayed fieldsChewy Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe 30 lb product pageretailer · captured 2026-04-30Retailer sourceControls displayed fields
Evidence notes
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley official product pageOfficial Hill's page lists the Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley recipe, ingredients, 3732 kcal/kg, 391 kcal/cup, and adult maintenance feeding-test language.Chewy Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe 30 lb product pageRetailer page showed the 30 lb bag, $90.99 price, ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, and calorie statement used for beta scoring. Retail prices should be treated as refreshable.
Adequacy
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs.

Appears in

PetScored best-for lists this food is on

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Same category, within 1.2 composite

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Where to buy

Buying Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe

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FAQ

About Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe

What is the PetScored rating for Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe?

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe scores 7.6 out of 10 on the PetScored deterministic rubric. Strongest sub-score: Nutrition Fit. Weakest sub-score: Value. See the full sub-score breakdown and rule-event trail on the scorecard.

Is Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe good for dogs with food sensitivities?

Skip this food if your dog avoids chicken, egg, peas, natural flavors. These are common adverse-reaction trigger ingredients in published case series. If your dog tolerates these proteins, the sub-score reflects the population-level risk; individual dogs vary.

Is Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe AAFCO complete and balanced?

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe carries this AAFCO adequacy statement: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adu…" This is an adult-maintenance statement - not adequate for puppies, growth, or pregnancy. Feeding-trial substantiated, which PetScored credits as stronger evidence than formulated-only adequacy.

What life stage is Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe for?

Per the bag, Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe is intended for Adult (format: Kibble). Always cross-check the AAFCO statement on your actual bag, since recipes and life-stage designations can change between production runs.

How much does Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe cost per calorie?

Captured retailer price: $90.99 for a 30 lb bag bag, at 3732 kcal/kg. PetScored Value sub-score benchmarks cost per 1,000 kcal against the category median rather than the sticker price - see the Value detail on the scorecard.

See every Hill's Science Diet recipe we score, ranked ›

Related reading

How we read this label, and what we don’t penalize

This score is our opinion, formed by applying a published rubric to label and public source records, not a statement of objective fact and not veterinary advice. Label fields we cannot verify are marked by source confidence rather than assumed. See the methodology and medical disclaimer.