Hill's vs Royal Canin Dog Food (2026): 22 Formulas Compared
Buy Hill's for most dogs: Adult Chicken & Barley is $1.49 per 1,000 calories against $1.68 for Royal Canin Medium Adult, and all 11 Hill's dog labels carry AAFCO feeding tests (0 of 11 for Royal Canin). Choose Royal Canin for a weight-plan dog or a dog needing more protein (higher in 8 of 11 pairs).
Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6, Chicken & Barley
35 lb bag, $86.99. $1.49 per 1,000 calories. 23.8% protein (dry matter), 365 calories a cup, AAFCO feeding tests.
Royal Canin Medium Adult
40 lb bag, $109.99. $1.68 per 1,000 calories. 25.7% protein (dry matter), 340 calories a cup.
Which should I buy for my dog, Hill's or Royal Canin?
Look up your dog's size or need below. Every pair names the food that costs less per 1,000 calories at the bags we priced (14 to 40 lb; the bag size is in the table) and the one with more protein.
- Adult dog, medium: Hill's Adult 1-6 Chicken & Barley against Royal Canin Medium Adult. Hill's costs $0.19 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 1.9 points more protein.
- Small-breed adult: Hill's Adult 1-6 Small Bites Chicken & Barley against Royal Canin Small Adult. Hill's costs $0.47 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 3.9 points more protein.
- Large-breed adult: Hill's Large Breed Adult 1-5 Chicken & Barley against Royal Canin Large Adult. Hill's costs $0.47 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 3.0 points more protein.
- Puppy: Hill's Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice against Royal Canin Medium Puppy. Hill's costs $0.40 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 5.5 points more protein.
- Large-breed puppy: Hill's Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice against Royal Canin Large Puppy. Hill's costs $0.47 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 5.0 points more protein.
- Small-breed puppy: Hill's Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice against Royal Canin Small Puppy. Hill's costs $0.42 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 3.5 points more protein.
- Senior: Hill's Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice against Royal Canin Medium Adult 7+. Hill's costs $0.57 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 7.0 points more protein.
- Weight control: Hill's Adult Perfect Weight Chicken & Brown Rice against Royal Canin Medium Weight Care. Royal Canin costs $0.04 less per 1,000 calories. Hill's has 1.0 points more protein.
- Sensitive stomach and skin: Hill's Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken against Royal Canin Medium Sensitive Skin Care. Hill's costs $0.96 less per 1,000 calories. Hill's has 0.2 points more protein.
- Dental care: Hill's Adult Oral Care Chicken, Brown Rice & Barley against Royal Canin Medium Dental Care. Hill's costs $0.30 less per 1,000 calories. Hill's has 1.4 points more protein.
- Joint support, large breed: Hill's Adult Healthy Mobility Large Breed against Royal Canin Large Joint Care. Hill's costs $0.47 less per 1,000 calories. Royal Canin has 4.8 points more protein.
How do 22 Hill's and Royal Canin dog formulas compare, one for one?
11 Hill's Science Diet and 11 Royal Canin dry dog formulas, in 11 matched pairs. Protein, fat and carbs are on a dry-matter basis. Small screens can drag the table left and right.
| Brand | Formula | Protein, dry matter | Fat, dry matter | Est. carbs, dry matter | Calories a cup | Bag priced read November 11, 2026 | Per 1,000 calories | First ingredient | AAFCO basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult dog, medium | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult 1-6 Chicken & Barley | 23.8% | 15.0% | 53.8% | 365 | 35 lb: $86.99 | $1.49 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Adult | 25.7% | 13.4% | 48.2% | 340 | 40 lb: $109.99 | $1.68 | brewers rice | Formulated |
| Small-breed adult | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult 1-6 Small Bites Chicken & Barley | 24.0% | 15.1% | 53.6% | 365 | 35 lb: $86.99 | $1.49 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Small Adult | 27.9% | 15.6% | 43.9% | 359 | 30 lb: $99.99 | $1.96 | corn | Formulated |
| Large-breed adult | |||||||||
| Hill's | Large Breed Adult 1-5 Chicken & Barley | 23.8% | 15.0% | 53.8% | 365 | 35 lb: $86.99 | $1.49 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Large Adult | 26.8% | 16.8% | 43.9% | 360 | 30 lb: $99.99 | $1.96 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Puppy | |||||||||
| Hill's | Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice | 27.8% | 19.0% | 42.4% | 393 | 27.5 lb: $78.99 | $1.69 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Puppy | 33.3% | 20.4% | 32.9% | 410 | 30 lb: $109.99 | $2.09 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Large-breed puppy | |||||||||
| Hill's | Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice | 26.3% | 15.4% | 49.0% | 391 | 27.5 lb: $78.99 | $1.75 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Large Puppy | 31.3% | 15.6% | 40.0% | 349 | 30 lb: $109.99 | $2.22 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Small-breed puppy | |||||||||
| Hill's | Puppy Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice | 28.9% | 19.7% | 40.6% | 418 | 12.5 lb: $48.99 | $2.29 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Small Puppy | 32.4% | 20.1% | 34.2% | 349 | 14 lb: $65.99 | $2.71 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Senior | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice | 18.7% | 13.5% | 58.7% | 352 | 33 lb: $86.99 | $1.64 | chicken meal | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Adult 7+ | 25.7% | 13.4% | 47.8% | 315 | 30 lb: $109.99 | $2.21 | brewers rice | Formulated |
| Weight control | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Perfect Weight Chicken & Brown Rice | 28.8% | 11.2% | 42.9% | 298 | 25 lb: $92.99 | $2.57 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Weight Care | 27.8% | 10.0% | 39.4% | 256 | 30 lb: $109.99 | $2.53 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Sensitive stomach and skin | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken | 24.8% | 16.7% | 51.1% | 391 | 30 lb: $89.99 | $1.77 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Sensitive Skin Care | 24.6% | 16.8% | 46.1% | 373 | 17 lb: $79.99 | $2.73 | brewers rice | Formulated |
| Dental care | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Oral Care Chicken, Brown Rice & Barley | 24.7% | 15.8% | 43.8% | 272 | 28.5 lb: $89.99 | $2.03 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Medium Dental Care | 23.3% | 15.6% | 47.6% | 260 | 28 lb: $109.99 | $2.33 | corn flour | Formulated |
| Joint support, large breed | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Healthy Mobility Large Breed | 21.9% | 14.8% | 55.1% | 361 | 30 lb: $89.99 | $1.82 | chicken meal | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Large Joint Care | 26.7% | 14.4% | 41.6% | 314 | 30 lb: $109.99 | $2.29 | corn | Formulated |
Amazon prices as of 2026-11-11. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
To get cost per 1,000 calories we divide the bag price by the calories in the bag (pounds x 0.45359 x the label's calories per kilogram) and multiply by 1,000. Hill's protein, fat and carbs are the typical dry-matter values on its product pages; Royal Canin's are converted from its as-fed minimums, and its carbs are what is left after protein, fat, fiber, moisture and 8% ash. "Feeding tests" means the label says AAFCO animal feeding tests back the food; "Formulated" means it is formulated to meet AAFCO levels.
What do Hill's and Royal Canin cost per day for a dog?
Hill's Adult Chicken & Barley costs $1.74 a day for a 50 lb adult dog and Royal Canin Medium Adult $1.95, at the bags we priced and about 1,160 calories a day by our calculator. A cup of Hill's Adult holds 365 calories and a cup of Royal Canin Medium Adult 340, so that dog eats about 3.2 cups of Hill's or 3.4 cups of Royal Canin. Small bags of either brand run higher per calorie.
Royal Canin or Hill's for my cat?
The same check for cats, with the 11 dry cat formulas we compared. Hill's Science Diet cat labels carry AAFCO feeding tests; Royal Canin's say "formulated to meet".
| Brand | Formula | Protein, dry matter | Fat, dry matter | Est. carbs, dry matter | Calories a cup | Bag priced read November 11, 2026 | Per 1,000 calories | First ingredient | AAFCO basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor adult cat | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult 1-6 Indoor Chicken | 36.1% | 14.8% | 34.0% | 327 | 15.5 lb: $63.99 | $2.61 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Indoor Adult | 29.3% | 12.0% | 43.8% | 325 | 15 lb: $67.99 | $2.83 | chicken meal | Formulated |
| Kitten | |||||||||
| Hill's | Kitten Chicken | 38.0% | 22.9% | 29.0% | 555 | 15.5 lb: $63.99 | $2.23 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Kitten | 36.8% | 17.3% | 32.5% | 367 | 14 lb: $73.99 | $3.05 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Hairball control | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult 1-6 Hairball Control Chicken | 34.0% | 18.6% | 31.8% | 321 | 15.5 lb: $67.99 | $2.65 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Hairball Care | 34.6% | 14.1% | 33.5% | 342 | 14 lb: $79.99 | $3.53 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Sensitive stomach | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin | 35.0% | 22.0% | 36.3% | 524 | 15.5 lb: $67.99 | $2.36 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Sensitive Digestion | 35.7% | 21.6% | 30.7% | 469 | 15 lb: $67.99 | $2.45 | chicken by-product meal | Formulated |
| Weight control | |||||||||
| Hill's | Adult Perfect Weight Chicken | 39.4% | 11.9% | 35.4% | 319 | 15 lb: $69.99 | $3.01 | chicken | Feeding tests |
| Royal Canin | Weight Care | 36.8% | 9.1% | 33.4% | 254 | 14 lb: $79.99 | $3.93 | chicken meal | Formulated |
Hill's Adult 1-6 Chicken, the everyday Hill's cat food with no Royal Canin twin, has 34.6% protein (dry matter) and 483 calories a cup. Cat bags priced: 4 lb, 15.5 lb, 15 lb and 14 lb.
Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 Chicken (cats)
4 lb bag, $22.99. $3.27 per 1,000 calories. 34.6% protein (dry matter), 483 calories a cup.
Royal Canin Indoor Adult (cats)
7 lb bag, $36.99. $3.30 per 1,000 calories. 29.3% protein (dry matter), 325 calories a cup.
Have Hill's or Royal Canin foods been recalled?
Both brands have recalls in the FDA records we keep, and none newer than 2019 (checked November 11, 2026). Full lists: Hill's recalls and Royal Canin recalls.
Hill's Science Diet: 3 recalls
- May 21, 2019: Canned Dog Food. Reason: potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D. (FDA notice)
- March 20, 2019: Expanded recall of canned dog food, many Science Diet varieties plus Prescription Diet. Reason: elevated levels of vitamin D. (FDA notice)
- January 31, 2019: Canned Dog Food. Reason: potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D. (FDA notice)
Royal Canin: 2 recalls
- May 11, 2007: Eight Sensible Choice dry dog foods and seven Kasco dry dog and cat foods (Royal Canin USA brands). Reason: trace amounts of a melamine derivative from imported rice protein concentrate. (FDA notice)
- April 19, 2007: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet dry foods (Canine Early Cardiac EC 22, Canine Skin Support SS21, Feline Hypoallergenic HP23) and Royal Canin Sensible Choice dry dog foods made with rice protein concentrate; other Royal Canin diets not affected. Reason: melamine derivative found in imported rice protein concentrate (2007 melamine event); no confirmed illnesses in pets. (FDA notice)
Who makes Hill's and Royal Canin?
Hill's Pet Nutrition, maker of Science Diet, is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive Company (“It is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive.” source). Royal Canin is owned by Mars, Incorporated (Mars Petcare) (“Royal Canin is a division of the American group Mars Inc.” source).
Do Hill's and Royal Canin meet the WSAVA guidelines?
We show four of the five WSAVA questions for each brand. Hill's answers yes to 4 of them and Royal Canin to 3. Hill's scorecard, Royal Canin scorecard and all brands.
Hill's Science Diet
“of the 94 diplomates in the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Hill's employs four, along with two veterinarians who are residency-trained in clinical nutrition.” source
“Additionally, all finished products are physically inspected and tested for key nutrients prior to release to help ensure your pet gets a consistent product bag to bag.” source
179 PubMed papers (animal/pet filtered) list Hill's Pet Nutrition in an author address; we checked 179 and 178 really name the company. A floor, not a total. source
167 of 212 labels we checked carry an AAFCO feeding-trial substantiation statement. source
Royal Canin
“Formulations are developed by a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists, Ph. D. nutritionists, and Royal Canin associates with a Masters degree in small animal nutrition.” source
“A network of state-of-the-art laboratories across the world conduct detailed analyses on all ingredients and finished products from our manufacturing sites.” source
195 PubMed papers (animal/pet filtered) list Royal Canin in an author address; we checked 195 and 189 really name the company. A floor, not a total. source
“The vast majority are validated and compliant with AFFCO and FEDIAF nutrient profiles and/or feeding trials, where these are the most relevant nutritional regulators.” source
Questions owners ask about Hill's and Royal Canin
Royal Canin or Hill's for my cat?
Across the 5 cat formula pairs below, the Hill's bag is lower per 1,000 calories in 5 and the Royal Canin bag in 0. Hill's Adult Indoor is $2.61 against $2.83 for Royal Canin Indoor Adult, and Hill's Kitten is $2.23 against $3.05. All 6 Hill's cat labels here carry AAFCO feeding tests; the 5 Royal Canin cat labels say "formulated to meet".
Which is cheaper, Hill's or Royal Canin?
Across the 11 dog formula pairs where we priced both bags, the Hill's bag is lower per 1,000 calories in 10 and the Royal Canin bag in 1. The gap runs from $0.04 in the weight control pair to $0.96 in the sensitive stomach and skin pair. Bag size matters: the 15 lb Hill's Adult bag costs $2.08 per 1,000 calories, so the 35 lb bag costs less per calorie.
Is Hill's or Royal Canin better for puppies?
Hill's Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice has 27.8% protein on a dry-matter basis, 393 calories a cup and costs $1.69 per 1,000 calories; Royal Canin Medium Puppy has 33.3%, 410 calories a cup and costs $2.09. For large breeds the pair is Hill's Puppy Large Breed (26.3%, $1.75) and Royal Canin Large Puppy (31.3%, $2.22). Hill's puppy labels carry AAFCO feeding tests; Royal Canin's say "formulated to meet" AAFCO levels.
Do Hill's and Royal Canin meet WSAVA guidelines?
WSAVA offers owners a short list of questions, not an approved-brand list. Of the four we show, Hill's earns four yes answers and Royal Canin three; each answer, with its quote and source, sits in the WSAVA section above.
More: Pro Plan vs Royal Canin vs Hill's vs Blue Buffalo · alternatives to Royal Canin · which Royal Canin puppy food · dog food cost calculator.
Sources
- Hill's labels: the Hill's Science Diet product pages at hillspet.com, as stored in our dog and cat food data (Adult Chicken & Barley is one example).
- Royal Canin labels: the Royal Canin US product pages at royalcanin.com, as stored in our data (Medium Adult is one example).
- Prices: Amazon's product API, for bags sold by Amazon.com, matched by title to the formula and bag size.
- Recalls: the FDA notices linked in the two recall lists above.
- WSAVA questions: Selecting a pet food for your pet; the source for each answer sits beside it in the cards.