Royal Canin Dog Food Review
Table of Contents
About Royal Canin
Royal Canin stands out as a top choice for pet food globally, serving both dog and cat owners. Yet, when it comes to cats, the brand’s reputation isn’t quite as shiny as it is for their canine offerings.
First, find out how the company became established and so well-known among dog food brands.
Royal Canin’s founder was Dr. Jean Cathary, a veterinarian surgeon from France. Cathary treated canine patients with skin and coat health issues by using homemade, grain-based dry food. After his products’ success in helping dog owners achieve a positive result, he started the company in 1968.
While breeders were initially the main clientele of Royal Canin, the company quickly expanded and distributed its products across Europe. In 1972, Guyomarc’h Group bought the company and pushed it forwards in research and product development.
Guyomarc’h Group was later bought up by Paribas Bank in 1990. Many additional changes and updates were implemented during this time, and some impressive advances in dog food science were made.
Mars, Incorporated bought the company in July 2001 and have remained the owners ever since. Known as one of the biggest and best-known dog food, Royal Canin has then been receiving praiseworthy recommendations from veterinarians.
Royal Canin’s product line is formulated based on extensive scientific research carried out in labs worldwide. This ensures a reasonable option for dog owners looking for a quality choice for their dog’s nutritional needs, protein sources, and skin and coat maintenance.
The Royal Canin pet treats products can be found in all local pet stores and purchased in some online markets. However, unlike many inferior brands, it is also often stocked in vet surgeries. Some of their products, such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, require an explicit prescription by a vet.
About Royal Canin’s Dog Food Products
Royal Canin is one of the critically acclaimed global leaders when it comes to pet health nutrition. A famous brand that offers dry and wet dog food alternatives guarantees your pups star-quality and safe treats.
They have various dog foods made explicitly for different dog breeds or dogs with health issues. Because of its variety in a dog food product, reviews vary from low to high score ratings. Although on average, Royal Canin products receive a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
Their therapeutic dog food line, which includes the Royal Canin Breed Health and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet products, isn’t usually rated as part of the brand review. These products are specialized recipes for specific purposes and health complications, often only prescribed by vets.
Why Do Veterinarians Recommend Royal Canin?
Royal Canin dedicates time and financial efforts to researching proper, breed-specific nutrition and considerations for medical symptoms. This research is poured into their Royal Canin Breed Health and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet ranges.
This dedication is why they have grown so large as a business, not only in the United States but across the whole world.
Product Variety
The band’s repertoire features a diverse selection of products. These include:
+ Canine foods (both wet and dry kibble options),
+ Dog food for adults,
+ Carefully crafted senior dog food formulas,
+ While Royal Canin Breed Health specific diets for your Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, etc. and;
+ The brand’s Therapeutic Veterinary Diet formulas made to treat specific health issues or complications.
Reading different reviews of the products that Royal Canin offers will help you understand and determine which dog food product is best for your furry pal.
This Royal Canin dog food review will provide you with the essential info regarding the different possibilities offered. We will explore their nutritional value, what you get for your money, and whether or not there have been any Royal Canin recalls.
Find out if this brand is good for your dog!
What Are the Ingredients in Royal Canin Dog Food?
Looking at the ingredients is the best way to determine whether dog foods are suited for your dog or not. Packagings can cause misinformation about what components are inside a product.
But, checking the product’s ingredients will give you the right information you need. For example, most Royal Canin products contain a meat meal, like rice chicken meal, a great ingredient for canine food.
The chicken meal contains approximately 300% more pure protein than a chunk of fresh chicken, meaning your dog gets a satisfying amount of protein.
Another noteworthy ingredient is brewers rice—very beneficial for your pet dogs with digestive issues. This ingredient is a source of vitamins like protein, iron, calcium, potassium, protein, and vitamin B6.
Also, they use ingredients such as soya oil and fish oil. Soya oil is great for dogs with soya intolerance. Fish oil helps prevent itchy and flaky skin, promoting a healthy and silky coat for your canines.
This dog food company mainly offers plant-based pet edibles. Therefore, it becomes questionable whether the protein content is as high as the brand wants you to believe.
However, a lower protein content does not necessarily mean that the food is of questionable quality, as many dogs with health conditions require a lower protein diet to thrive.
Corn as a Filler Ingredient in Dog Foods
Corn is another questionable ingredient found in many of their recipes. It is known to be a cheap filler with little to no nutritional value for a dog’s diet.
The canine body can’t process meal corn and, while it isn’t dangerous or harmful for them to eat it, they are unlikely to gain any nutrients from it.
Why do dog food businesses continue to use meal corn in their dog food? Usually – and unfortunately – to fill out the content without having to spend too much money.
Filler ingredients like this make it harder to achieve a low-fat diet for your dog, especially one with digestive issues.
Royal Canin’s Dog Food Reviews
Fallible and filler ingredients are a few reasons why Royal Canin’s dog food review only scores around 3 to 5 stars. As seen on both of their puppy reviews and adult reviews, Royal Canin products are proof of this.
It is worth considering that these lackluster reviews may not reflect the quality of all of the ingredients involved, simply their reliance on fillers.
For dog food, Royal Canin is much better than most grocery store brands. However, their food ratings remain somewhat lower than expected due to these fillers and animal by-products’ occasional presence.
Is Royal Canin a Good Dog Food?
Royal Canin is a credible choice for dog food, considering the high-quality ingredients in them.
Still, to ensure your pup’s overall wellbeing, you must be aware of the reduced protein levels. Make sure the nutritional composition is agreeable to your dog’s needs.
A veterinarian could prescribe your dog a Veterinary Diet blend. This diet type is a common prescription for canines with kidney problems, liver issues, digestive issues, heart failure, and more.
Dog foods contain a carefully balanced diet that could help slow down the advance of a disease or physical condition.
Royal Canin’s Dog Food Recall History
Being informed about the recall history of pet food companies is important in understanding the brand itself. Royal Canin’s recalls have been issued three times at the time of writing, with the last recall in 2007.
First Recall
The first recall was on the 2nd of February, 2006. It involved veterinary diet foods for dogs and cats that contained unusually high levels of vitamin D3.
Because of this, the decision to recall a total of six dog and cat meal products followed.
Too much vitamin D3 can become a problem and pose a threat to a dog’s health. However, given no further information at the time, there were no serious consequences indicated.
Second Recall
April 19, 2007, was the date of the second recall. The discovery of a melamine derivative from the rice protein concentration used in dog foods led to the recall of eight products.
Even so, no reports of any dogs having fallen ill during the time leading up to the official recall. The source gave no other specifics.
Third Recall
Issued on May 11, 2017, they experienced their third recall for the company. The reason was traces of melamine were found during a routine call procedure.
The contamination spearheaded the recall of eight of the brand’s Sensible Choice dry dog food goods as a safety measure along with seven cat foods. Speaking of cat food, find out whether or not your dog can eat a cat food as an alternative.
Tainted rice protein concentrate from China is believably the cause of the contamination. Later on, they released a statement saying they would no longer be using Chinese vegetable protein.
Recalls are not necessarily damning evidence against a company. A brand willing to take the PR hit to put your animals’ safety first is usually an encouraging sign.
Furthermore, the occurrence of recalls without mass animal sicknesses or fatalities is often proof of stringent testing and sampling procedures.
Which Dogs Can Eat Royal Canin Dog Food?
Have you ever read a Royal Canin product review specified for puppies, adult dogs, or senior dogs? If the answer is yes, you already know that this brand offers a hugely wide selection of products.
They produce canine food for all life stages, for specific breeds, and for any health conditions your pup has.
The Royal Canin puppy dry and wet food options are suited to the needs of a growing puppy. They contain adjusted levels of protein, calcium, fiber, carbohydrates, and more. Dogs’ nutritional needs vary with conditions as they age.
Thanks to these scientifically optimized formulas, puppies can safely enjoy food from this brand tailored to their specific health and nutritional needs. You can find their canned puppy food or puppy kibble in most pet stores or online.
What’s more? They also offer an impressive selection of adult dog foods. These are available based on the size of your dog.
They also have specific dog foods for both small and large breeds, diet kibbles for those canines who need to lose weight, as well as canned and dry options, and many more.
There are also senior dog food options for dogs over the age of seven to ensure our golden oldies get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong.
As if this was not enough, they also have a large selection of therapeutic dog foods. Only to be recommended by a veterinarian for illness and disease control.
In fact, in the United States, you usually need veterinary authorization before you can purchase these products. It may not be the case in other countries, but dog owners should still only use the product after a licensed veterinarian’s approval.
Comments found in reviews for the company’s dog food all agree on one thing: you can find a Royal Canin product for every dog.
Best Royal Canin Dog Foods
1. Royal Canin Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
+ Fish oil content contains Omega-3 fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin.
+ Small, easy digested kibble-size for your small breed.
+ Formulated to appeal to the fussy nature of those smaller or toy dog breeds.
+ Lean chicken fat aids cognitive development.
+ Contains amino acids such as l-carnitine.
+ Low-fat content and high energy levels are perfect for small breed dogs.
+ Includes fiber-rich ingredients like beet pulp and brown rice.
Cons:
– Contains corn
Nutrition Information:
| Calories/cup | 359 kcal/cup |
| Fiber | 3.4% max |
| Fat | 14.0% min |
| Protein | 25.0% min |
| Moisture % | 10.0% max |
2. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Yorkshire Terrier Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
+ Fish oil, Omega-6, and Omega-3 fatty acids, alongside biotin, maintain a beautiful Yorkie coat
+ Anti-aging formula that contains Vitamin C, DHA, and EPA
+ Aromatically designed to be irresistible, making it a good choice for fussy eaters
+ Unique dry dog food kibble formulated specifically for Yorkies
+ Fiber-rich with beet pulp, brown rice, and brewers rice
+ Reduces tartar build-up and includes chicken fat for energy source
+Contains l-carnitine perfect for dogs suffering from heart complications
Cons:
– Not for picky eaters
Nutrition Information:
| Calories/cup | 338 kcal/cup |
| Fiber | 5.0% max |
| Fat | 16.0% min |
| Protein | 26.0% min |
| Moisture % | 10.0% max |
| Omega-3 | 0.56% min |
| Omega-6 | 3.19% min |
| Glucosamine | 350 mg/kg min |
3. Royal Canin Size HeaIth Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
+ Contains prebiotics and antioxidants that support the immune system.
+ DHA and EPA from fish oil maintain optimal coat health.
+ Balanced fiber content including brewers rice and beet pulp aids digestion.
+ Palatable kibble design encourages thorough chewing.
+ The natural flavors are tailored for a high-energy lifestyle.
+ Lean chicken fat promotes brain growth.
Cons:
– Not always available
Nutrition Information:
| Calories/cup | 340 kcal/cup |
| Fiber | 3.2% max |
| Fat | 12.0% min |
| Protein | 23.0% min |
| Moisture % | 10.0% max |
| Omega-3 | 0.39% min |
4. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
Pros:
+ The kibble shape is designed specifically for German Shepherd snouts.
+ Easily digested proteins, alongside fibers like brewers rice and dried plain beet pulp that aids digestion, and optimal stool quality.
+ DHA and EPA that comes from fish oil for the healthiest coat possible.
+ High glucosamine and chondroitin make this suitable for large breed German Shepherd joints.
+ Contains lean chicken fat to encourage and stimulate brain growth.
+ Nutritionally tailored to the needs of giant breed dogs.
Cons:
– Huge kibble size
Nutrition Information:
| Calories/cup | 321 kcal/cup |
| Fiber | 5.5% max |
| Fat | 17.0% min |
| Protein | 22.0% min |
| Moisture % | 10.0% max |
| Glucosamine | 743 mg/kg min |
See more food for German Shepherds here.
5. Royal Canin Size HeaIth Nutrition Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
Pros:
+ Designed to meet your puppy’s high-energy needs
+ Kibble designed with small mouths and fussy appetites in mind
+ Vitamin blends with natural flavors and antioxidants support your puppy’s developing immune system
+ Has fibers, like beet pulp, and prebiotics that supports healthy digestion
+Fish oil for your doggo’s heart health and silky coat
Cons:
– Contains chicken by-product meal
Nutrition Information:
| Calories/cup | 354 kcal/cup |
| Fiber | 3.3% max |
| Fat | 18.0% min |
| Protein | 29.0% min |
| Moisture % | 10.0% max |
Royal Canin Discount Coupons & Promo Deals
Many websites which sell dog food will run promotions, where they may offer top products from Royal Canin dry and wet dog food reviews at a lower price.
Sign up for newsletters from your favorite retailers to stay informed and keep an eye out for free shipping promotions and more.
Problems With Royal Canin Pet Foods
Unfortunately, there are also several reasons why Royal Canin’s dry food for pets is not the best choice for your doggo. Special attention to vitamin and nutrient content makes Royal Canin a good dog food choice, but some recipe content proves otherwise.
The following are why this company’s dog products may not be the rational option according to the dog food review.
Use of Animal By-Products
One of the problematic things that pet food brands use in their products is animal by-products. Multiple Royal Canin products have animal by-products, like a chicken by-product meal, in them.
Animal by-products are a source of low-quality protein, making them a bad ingredient for pet food. These meat by-products, such as a chicken by-product meal, should not be confused with regular meals.
Chicken by-product meal, for example, is often sourced from second-grade ingredients found in slaughterhouses. Chicken by-product meal can come from all sorts of nasty sources such as beaks, necks, intestines, and undeveloped eggs.
By-product sourcing’s unreliable nature means that they are not always the most sensible choice for those pet owners conscious of their animal’s health.
Prevalence of Corn-Based Ingredients
Often, product reviewers know that Royal Canin likes to use a large amount of corn in their recipes. It is a problem because dogs can’t properly process the corns, especially with high portions.
While this is not explicitly harmful, it isn’t helpful for your dog either. Corn represents a filler ingredient usually used to pad out a portion of food and make it more profitable.
Using corn as a filler ingredient isn’t the ethical behavior you would expect from a company supposedly passionate about dogs. Furthermore, filler content makes it harder to achieve an efficient and low-fat diet for your animal.
In addition to this, many of their recipes use corn gluten meals. While usually a helpful amino acid, a corn gluten meal isn’t the safest ingredient to feed our pups.
Feeding your doggo cornmeals can cause corn allergies, which is terrible news alongside the high corn content.
Conclusion
In terms of finding the perfect brand of dog food, Royal Canin is of acceptable quality. The truth is it’s significantly better than low-quality brands you might find at your local supermarket.
However, it is not one of the best brands available. This has to do with the high content of grains and fillers like corn, which aren’t necessarily bad but are also not ideal.
Some dogs would benefit from a diet with grains, especially in those cases where a veterinarian has recommended one of the therapeutic dog treat products to help manage a health condition.
One thing that is favorable about their products is variety. Whether you are looking for breed-specific food, a life-stage specific food, or food specifically tailored to help your dog fight off illness, they have it.
Their foods for particular breeds are all thoughtfully formulated to cater to all the aspects of health and nutrient that your unique dog will need. Their food blends for specific large breed dogs look after the joints and digestive tract, while their small and toy breed blends keep coats shiny and ensure tartar-free teeth.
Royal Canin is a good dog food with many years of experience in the business. They have proven their reliability in caring about your pet dogs and their well-being. Since many dog owners have used their products, it’s safe to say they are a trusted brand.
However, if you are looking for high-protein dog food or grain-free dog food, you might want to look at some of the other premium brands available.
