HILL'S · REVIEW
Hill's Young Sterilised Duck
Hill's Young Sterilised Duck scores 1.9/5 for ingredient quality — a dry food cat food with 32% protein targeting adult cats.
Poor
MiauMiau AI score · 1.9/5
AI ANALYSIS
What MiauMiau's AI actually sees
This is a grain-based kibble with corn as the first ingredient, which is inappropriate for an obligate carnivore. While the total poultry meal content (16%) and duck meal (4%) provide some animal protein, the high estimated carbohydrate load (47.9% DMB) from corn and the vague 'digest' additive are major nutritional concerns.
According to MiauMiau's analysis of over 5,000+ dry food products, Hill's Young Sterilised Duck scores below the dry food average.
Analyzed by MiauMiau's Nutritional AI · June 2026
This analysis is generated from ingredient and compositional data. It is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for health decisions.
Score breakdown
HOW IT COMPARES
Hill's Young Sterilised Duck vs. the category
Compared to the average dry food across 5,000+ products in our database.
Category avg: 2.7/5
Scores 0.8 points below the average dry food
OUR ASSESSMENT
What we like vs. what to watch
What we like
- Grain-free formula
- Nutritionally complete — suitable as a sole diet
- Named animal protein as the primary ingredient
What to watch
- Ingredient quality is below average
- Protein content falls short of optimal levels
- Contains notable filler ingredients
- Contains some controversial additives
- High carbohydrate content relative to protein
WHO IT'S FOR
Is this right for your cat?
Best for
Not ideal for
INGREDIENTS
What's actually in the bag
Top ingredients
- 01Corn; corn gluten meal; chicken and turkey meal (total poultry 16%); duck meal (4%); animal fat; minerals; fish oil; digest
Ingredients are listed by weight. The first ingredients make up the majority of the formula.
NUTRITION
The numbers
Guaranteed analysis
Dry matter basis
Dry matter basis removes water content for accurate comparison between wet and dry foods.
FULL LABEL
Every ingredient
Corn; corn gluten meal; chicken and turkey meal (total poultry 16%); duck meal (4%); animal fat; minerals; fish oil; digest
FAQ
Questions worth answering
Is Hill's Young Sterilised Duck good for cats?
According to MiauMiau's AI analysis, Hill's Young Sterilised Duck is a below-average dry food with a quality score of 1.9 out of 5. This is a grain-based kibble with corn as the first ingredient, which is inappropriate for an obligate carnivore. While the total poultry meal content (16%) and duck meal (4%) provide some animal protein, the high estimated carbohydrate load (47.9% DMB) from corn and the vague 'digest' additive are major nutritional concerns.
What is the protein content of Hill's Young Sterilised Duck?
Hill's Young Sterilised Duck contains 32% protein as listed on the label. On a dry matter basis, that's 34.04% protein. Dry matter basis is the fairest way to compare protein between wet and dry foods because it removes water content from the equation.
Is Hill's Young Sterilised Duck grain-free?
Yes, Hill's Young Sterilised Duck is grain-free. It does not contain wheat, corn, rice, or other grain ingredients. This can be beneficial for cats with grain sensitivities, though most healthy cats tolerate grains without issues.
How does Hill's Young Sterilised Duck compare to other dry food?
According to MiauMiau's database of over 5,000+ cat food products, Hill's Young Sterilised Duck scores 0.8 points below the average dry food quality score of 2.7. MiauMiau's AI evaluates ingredient quality, protein adequacy, filler content, and additive safety to generate each score.
Is Hill's Young Sterilised Duck suitable for kittens or senior cats?
Hill's Young Sterilised Duck is formulated for adult cats. If you have a kitten or a senior cat, look for formulas specifically designed for their life stage.
What are the main ingredients in Hill's Young Sterilised Duck?
The top 1 ingredients in Hill's Young Sterilised Duck are: Corn; corn gluten meal; chicken and turkey meal (total poultry 16%); duck meal (4%); animal fat; minerals; fish oil; digest. The first ingredient is a named animal protein (Corn; corn gluten meal; chicken and turkey meal (total poultry 16%); duck meal (4%); animal fat; minerals; fish oil; digest), which is a positive sign of quality. Ingredient order indicates proportion by weight, so the first ingredients make up the bulk of the formula.
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