Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy Kibble in a Smaller Bite Size

Product Description

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food delivers the same complete and balanced developmental nutrition as the standard puppy chicken and brown rice formula, but in a smaller kibble size designed for puppies that prefer or benefit from a more manageable bite. From gut health to brain development, muscle growth, and strong bones, this formula gives puppies of all breed sizes everything they need in their first year. ActivBiome+ Digestion, DHA from fish oil, high-quality chicken protein, and balanced minerals come together in a smaller kibble format that suits puppies who prefer a more manageable bite.

Benefits

• Smaller Kibble Size: The same complete puppy nutrition as the standard recipe, delivered in a smaller bite size that works well for puppies who find standard kibble too large or simply prefer a smaller piece.
• ActivBiome+ Digestion: A special prebiotic fiber blend supports the gut microbiome and promotes healthy digestion in growing puppies consistently throughout every daily feeding.
• Brain Development and Training Support: DHA from fish oil supports healthy brain development and cognitive function to help puppies stay sharp during training and learning throughout their first year.
• Lean Muscle Growth: High-quality chicken as the first ingredient provides complete protein to support healthy lean muscle development as puppies grow actively through their first year.
• Strong Bones and Teeth: Calcium at 1.54% and phosphorus at 1.26% dry matter are balanced to support healthy skeletal and dental development throughout the puppy's first year of life.
• Immune System Development: Vitamins C at 192 ppm and E at 564 IU/kg work together to support the healthy development of the immune system in growing puppies during daily feeding.
• For Pregnant and Nursing Dogs: Verified by AAFCO feeding tests for gestating and lactating adult female dogs as well as growing puppies up to 1 year old.

Variants

4.5 lb

12.5 lb

Ingredients

Chicken, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Oats, Pea Protein, Soybean Meal, Hydrolyzed Chicken Flavor, Ground Pecan Shells, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Iodized Salt, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Pressed Cranberries, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Tryptophan, Beta-Carotene.

Guaranteed Analysis

Calorie Content: 3747 kcal/kg | 393 kcal per cup (one 8 oz measuring cup contains 3.7 oz by weight).

How to Use

Recommended-Usage Chart

Disclaimer: Product information and usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. Always use products as directed on the label and consult your veterinarian before use if you have any concerns regarding your pet's health.

Directions for Use

• Adjust for Optimal Weight: Fine-tune daily amounts as needed to help the puppy maintain a healthy body weight throughout each growth stage, and consult a vet if the correct daily amount is unclear.
• Transition Over 7 Days: When switching to this food, slowly increase the new food while reducing the old over a full week to prevent temporary digestive discomfort.
• Fresh Water Always: Keep fresh drinking water available to the puppy at all times throughout the day alongside every daily meal.
• Review Portions at Every Vet Visit: A puppy's nutritional needs change as it grows through each age bracket, so confirming the correct daily amount at every routine checkup helps keep the feeding plan accurate and appropriate.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Puppies and Pregnant or Nursing Dogs Only: This formula is recommended for puppies up to 1 year old and for pregnant or nursing adult female dogs. It is not suitable for adult dogs, Adult 7+ dogs, or obese-prone dogs.
• Not for Large Breed Puppies: This small bites formula covers all breed sizes except large breed puppies expected to weigh 70 lbs or more as adults, who should be fed Hill's Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe instead.
  Update Portions as Puppy Grows: Daily amounts change meaningfully across the under-4-month, 4-to-9-month, and 10-to-12-month brackets, so reviewing and updating the daily serving at each stage helps prevent under or overfeeding throughout puppyhood.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Sensitivity on Transition: Moving to a new food too quickly may cause temporary digestive discomfort in some puppies, making the full 7-day gradual introduction important before fully replacing the previous diet.

Storage Information

• Store in Original Bag: Keep the food in its original bag after opening, as the bag provides a fat barrier that helps retain best flavor and freshness.
• Cool and Dry Environment: Store in a cool, dry place below 100°F (38°C) to prevent vitamin degradation and oxidation of fats that can lead to rancidity.
• Keep Packaging Away: Store the bag and all packaging safely out of reach of both pets and children at all times to prevent potential suffocation hazards.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between this Small Bites formula and the standard Hill's Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe?

Ans: The only difference between these two formulas is the kibble size. The Small Bites version is produced in a smaller kibble format for puppies that prefer or benefit from a more manageable bite size, while the formula, ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and caloric content are identical across both. Hill's highlights the small bites format as a great variety option for owners whose puppies prefer smaller pieces.

Q2: Is this Hill's puppy small bites food suitable for all breed sizes or just small breeds?

Ans: This formula is suitable for puppies of all breed sizes up to 1 year old, with the exception of large breed puppies expected to weigh 70 lbs or more as adults. Unlike the Puppy Small & Mini formula, which is specifically calibrated for breeds up to 25 lbs, this small bites formula uses the same nutritional profile as the standard puppy recipe and is appropriate for small, medium, and most breed sizes throughout puppyhood.

Q3: Why might a puppy do better on a smaller kibble size like this formula?

Ans: Some puppies, particularly very young ones just starting on solid food or those with smaller jaws, find smaller kibble pieces easier to chew, pick up, and swallow comfortably. Puppies that have previously been reluctant to eat standard-sized kibble sometimes respond more positively to a smaller bite. Owners who mix wet and dry food may also find the smaller kibble blends more easily into the stew or entrée during the transition period.

Q4: Does this puppy small bites formula support brain development the same way as the standard puppy recipe?

Ans:Yes, the formula is nutritionally identical to the standard Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe. DHA sourced from fish oil supports healthy brain development and cognitive function during the first year, and Hill's highlights both formulas as supporting brain development and training readiness. The only practical difference between the two is the kibble size.

Q5: Can I feed this small bites puppy formula to my pregnant dog?

Ans: Yes, this formula is verified by AAFCO feeding tests for both growing puppies and gestating or lactating adult female dogs. The feeding chart includes pregnancy-specific columns aligned to gestation weeks. The transition to this food should be completed gradually over 7 days when first introducing it during pregnancy, and the correct daily amount for the dog's weight and stage of pregnancy should be confirmed with a veterinarian.

Q6: How does this formula support the gut microbiome in puppies?

Ans: This formula contains ActivBiome+ Digestion, Hill's proprietary blend of prebiotic fibers designed specifically to support the gut microbiome and promote healthy digestive function in growing puppies. The prebiotic fiber sources in this formula, including ground pecan shells, flaxseed, dried beet pulp, and dried citrus pulp, help nourish beneficial gut bacteria as the puppy's digestive system develops and matures throughout the first year.

Q7: When should I transition my puppy from this small bites formula to a Hill's adult dry food?

Ans: This formula is recommended for puppies up to 1 year old. Once the puppy reaches approximately 12 months, transitioning to a Hill's Science Diet adult dry food appropriate for the dog's breed size is the right next step. For dogs that have been on this small bites formula and continue to prefer a smaller kibble, the Hill's Science Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe dry dog food is a natural adult alternative that maintains the small kibble preference into adulthood.