Royal Canin Information
Royal Canin is one of the world’s most recognizable pet food brands and is seen on shelves all around the world. Royal Canin is often best known for its huge range of breed-specific recipes, which most pet food brands do not produce.
Royal Canin is owned by Mars Petcare which is a huge pet food conglomerate. This conglomerate owns several other major pet food brands such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Iams, Nutro, and Eukanuba.
Royal Canin products are produced at several Royal Canin facilities across the United States. Based on our research, Royal Canin does not outsource any of its production to 3rd party manufacturers.
In the United States, Royal Canin is sold at thousands of pet food retailers across the country as well as at thousands of small veterinary practices. In addition to a large physical presence, Royal Canin can be purchased from several pet food websites such as Chewy and Petflow.
Royal Canin Product Range
Dog Food
Royal Canin has a truly enormous range of dog food products. This range is a mix between dry dog food recipes and wet/canned dog food recipes.
Royal Canin produces a substantial range of breed-specific recipes. This includes formulas for breeds such as Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, along with many more.
Royal Canin also produces some generic recipes for certain health problems. This includes recipes for sensitive skin, digestive care, and joint care. These generic recipes do not need to be prescribed by a veterinarian.
In addition to this, Royal Canin produces a huge range of veterinary recipes that are designed to be prescribed by a veterinarian to dogs with severe health problems.
Cat Food
Royal Canin’s cat food range is noticeably smaller than their dog food range which is in stark contrast to some of their competitors like Hill’s Science Diet or Purina Pro Plan.
This cat food range includes a mix of dry cat food and wet/canned cat food. There are a number of specialized recipes within this range, including recipes for Kittens, Senior cats, Indoor cats, and cats with specific health issues like hairball or weight management.
Royal Canin is one of a very small number of cat food brands to produce breed-specific cat food, such as recipes for Bengal cats, Siamese cats, and Persian cats.
Royal Canin Nutrition
Dog Food
The nutrition provided by Royal Canin recipes varies tremendously, given their massive product range. Some recipes provide nutrition that is above-average when compared to other brands, while some recipes provide nutrition that is below-average.
On the whole, Royal Canin recipes provide nutrition that is average which includes average proportions of protein and fat and somewhat large proportions of carbohydrates.
Below is an example of the nutrition provided by a Royal Canin dry dog food recipe.
However, it is important to note that many Royal Canin recipes are for dogs with specific health issues. For recipes like these, the nutritional profile is less important in comparison to the health issue, and so this should be taken into consideration when considering them.
If you would like to learn more about canine nutrition, we highly recommend you check out our Dog Food Guide.
Cat Food
The same concepts apply to Royal Canin cat food recipes, with their nutritional profile varying tremendously between product types and specialized recipes.
Royal Canin cat food provides nutrition that is generally average when compared to other brands. This average nutritional profile consists of moderate proportions of protein and fat and a somewhat large proportion of carbohydrates.
It is critical that cats consume a high proportion of animal-based protein and fat as they are obligate carnivores and thrive on a diet with minimal plant matter.
However, many of Royal Canin’s recipes are for specific health issues, and the nutrition offered by these recipes is secondary to their other benefits.
If you would like to learn more about feline nutrition and what an Obligate Carnivore is, then be sure to check out our Cat Food Guide.
Royal Canin Ingredients
High-Quality Meat & Fish Ingredients
- Chicken
- Pork
- Salmon
- Whitefish
- Rabbit
- Venison
- Kangaroo
Given their huge product range, Royal Canin uses a surprisingly small list of meat and fish ingredients. The vast majority of their recipes utilize Chicken, Pork, or a mixture of the two.
Regardless, Chicken and Pork are both high-quality meat ingredients and can act as a dense source of animal-based protein and fat.
However, some specialized recipes from Royal Canin for digestive issues utilize uncommon and rare meat ingredients like Rabbit, Venison, and Kangaroo.
These ingredients are used as pets are unlikely to have been exposed to them, and hence there is a smaller chance of an adverse reaction.
You can read more about how and why these ingredients are used in our article Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods Guide.
Select Royal Canin recipes make use of organ meat ingredients such as Pork Liver. Organ meat such as this can greatly enhance the flavor of a recipe and boost the levels of beneficial vitamins and minerals that may be in short supply.
Other Notable Ingredients
Royal Canin makes extensive use of grain ingredients in its recipes, including Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Corn Gluten Meal, and Wheat. Grain ingredients, including these, are extremely controversial additions to pet food recipes, with many pet owners refusing to feed their pets grains.
However, there are also strong supporters of the use of grains, especially among those who feed food from large brands like Royal Canin or Purina.
Regardless of your perspective, these grain ingredients are a reliable and dense source of carbohydrates, plant-based protein, fiber, and more.
Brewers Rice is a grain by-product and can be a controversial inclusion. It is a leftover product from the brewing process and can best be described as imperfect or broken rice kernels. While many of the big pet food brands support its use, many others feel like it is a low-quality addition to pet food.
You can learn more about Brewers Rice in our article Brewers Rice In Dog Food.
Chicken Fat is a regular addition to pet food recipes from a huge number of brands across the price spectrum. It is added as it can enhance the flavor of the recipe and boost the overall levels of animal fat. Chicken Fat is often chosen over alternatives thanks to its low cost.
If you are interested in reading more about Chicken Fat, then head on over to our article Chicken Fat In Dog Food.
Beet Pulp is one of the most common minor ingredients to be found in pet food, and it is included as a source of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can be a critical component of a dog’s diet to ensure they keep regular digestion and stools.
Outside of this fiber content, Beet Pulp provides very little meaningful nutrition. If you would like to learn more about Beet Pulp, then be sure to read our article Dried Beet Pulp In Dog Food.
Powdered Cellulose is an extremely controversial ingredient to be found in pet food. In short, Powdered Cellulose is pure fiber that is sourced from plant material.
While fiber is an important part of a dog’s diet, the source of this fiber is what concerns many as Powdered Cellulose can be extracted from waste products from agriculture and industry.
Read more about this controversial addition in our article Powdered Cellulose In Dog Food.
Guar Gum and Carrageenan are found in Royal Canin wet/canned food recipes, and both of these ingredients are used as binding agents.
Binding agents are found in wet pet food recipes to help give the food a consistent texture and appearance. Outside of this function, they do not provide significant nutrition.
If you would like to understand more about Carrageenan and where it comes from, read our article Carrageenan In Dog Food.
Royal Canin Animal Testing
While specific information is limited, it is clear that Royal Canin participates in a huge quantity of testing and feeding trials.
Along with Purina and Hill’s, Royal Canin is one of the world leaders in research and development. They have taken part in countless studies, and this research strongly contributes to their formulation process.
While Royal Canin claims their trials and testing are not invasive or cruel, there are some in the industry who disagree.
We strongly believe that laboratory or invasive testing of animals is a cruel and outdated practice. We hope that in the future, it will be eliminated.
Royal Canin Recalls
Based on our research (FDA, AVMA, DogFoodAdvisor), Royal Canin is not a recall-free brand as their products have been recalled in the past.
However, the last recall we could find information on was during 2007, which does mean that Royal Canin has been recall-free for over a decade, which is a notable achievement.
April + May 2007 Melamine Contamination – Many brands across the industry, including Royal Canin, were affected by a recall in relation to Melamine contamination.
Melamine is an industrial chemical and is not an appropriate ingredient to find in pet food recipes. This Melamine contamination was due to the sourcing of ingredients from non-US sources such as China. Most commonly, these ingredients were Wheat Gluten or Rice Protein concentrate.
This contamination was discovered after another pet food brand conducted feeding trials for its recipes, and a total of 14 dogs and cats died, mostly from kidney failure.
A variety of Royal Canin recipes were affected by this recall, including both dry dog food recipes and dry cat food recipes. You can find the full list below.
Date Codes between July 28, 2007, and April 30, 2008:
- Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice Adult dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice Reduced dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Lamb and Rice Reduced dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice Puppy dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Natural Blend Adult dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Natural Blend Senior dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Natural Blend Puppy dry dog food
- Kasco Chunks dry dog food
- Kasco Hi Energy dry dog food
- Kasco Maintenance dry dog food
- Kasco Mealettes dry dog food
- Kasco Mini Chunks dry dog food
- Kasco Puppy dry dog food
- Kasco Cat dry cat food
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Early Cardiac EC 22 dry dog food
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Skin Support SS21 dry dog food
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Hypoallergenic HP23 dry cat food
- Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior dry dog food
- Sensible Choice Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult dry dog food
February 2006 High Levels of Vitamin D – This recall was more specific to Royal Canin and affected wet/canned dog food that was sold via veterinary clinics. This recall was due to excessive levels of Vitamin D3 in certain batches of food.
Excessive levels of certain vitamins or minerals can cause pets harm which is why it is critical that they are closely monitored and adjusted.
Some in the industry praised Royal Canin for their transparency and proactiveness around this recall and stated that other less reputable pet food companies might not have been so transparent.
You can find the recipes affected by this 2006 recall below:
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO dog food, 13.6 oz. cans, Codes 511A/B and 521 A/B, best by March 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO dog food, 13.6 oz. cans, Code 525A, best by June 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Low Fat LF dog food, 13.6 oz. cans, Code 526A/B, best by June 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Calorie Control CC in Gel dog food, 12.7 oz. cans, Code 515B, best by April 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Calorie Control CC in Gel dog food, 12.7 oz. cans, Code 528A, best by July 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Sensitivity VR cat food, 5.8 oz. cans, Code 518A, best by May 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Calorie Control CC cat food, 5.8 oz. cans, Code 449A, best by November 2006
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Calorie Control CC cat food, 5.8 oz. cans, Code 451A, best by December 2006
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Calorie Control CC cat food, 5.8 oz. cans, Code 515A, best by April 2007
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal LP cat food, 3 oz. pouches, Codes 519B and 522B, best by September 2006
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal LP cat food, 3 oz. pouches, Code 526A, best by October 2006
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Renal LP cat food, 3 oz. pouches, Codes 541A and 543A, best by February 2007
Despite Royal Canin’s recent recall-free record, we always suggest that pet owners remain vigilant of any future recalls of Royal Canin or any other pet food brand to ensure their pets remain healthy and safe.
Best of Royal Canin
Royal Canin Sporting Life Trail 4300 Review
As we mentioned earlier, many of Royal Canin’s recipes are breed-specific or specific to a health problem. Therefore we’ve recommended one of our favorite Royal Canin generic recipes, which is best suited to working dogs or those that are very active.
This recipe includes a very high proportion of protein and fat compared to most Royal Canin recipes, and this is thanks to a large portion of Chicken By-Product Meal.
Chicken By-Product Meal is made by taking some of the less desirable cuts and parts of a Chicken, processing it to produce a nutritionally dense ingredient. While many disagree with its use, supporters of Royal Canin would argue that dogs would naturally eat food such as this.
The recipe uses a large range of grain ingredients such as Brewers Rice, Corn, Wheat, and more. These grain ingredients are present to provide nutrition in the form of carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins and minerals.
Royal Canin Featured Articles
Best WSAVA Approved Dog Food – The WSAVA guidelines on dog food are gaining popularity and are being heavily discussed among dedicated pet owners.
Royal Canin is one of the core five brands that meet the WSAVA guidelines, which is why they earn themselves a deserved place in this article. This article out to see why Royal Canin meets the criteria and which other brands feature.
Best Dog Food With Kangaroo – Kangaroo meat is a rare addition to pet food recipes, but it is typically used in recipes for dogs with severe health issues like allergies or sensitivities.
This is as most dogs are unlikely to have been exposed to Kangaroo meat before. This trend holds true for Royal Canin, who has a veterinary diet recipe that utilizes Kangaroo meat as an ingredient. Check out this article to see what other brands utilize Kangaroo.
Best Cat Food In South Africa – While many of the smaller North American brands have yet to expand abroad, the big pet food brands like Royal Canin have branched out all over the world.
In South Africa, there are limited options in the cat food market, but Royal Canin is a reliable option which earns it a place in this article.
Royal Canin Full Product Range
Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Large Weight Care
Labrador Retriever Puppy
X-Small Aging 12+
X-Small Adult 8+
German Shepherd Adult
Dachshund Puppy
French Bulldog Puppy
Large Comfort Care
Giant Puppy
Giant Junior
German Shepherd Adult 5+
Yorkshire Terrier Adult 8+
Jack Russell Terrier Adult
Bulldog Puppy
X-Small Weight Care
Large Dental Care
Medium Digestive Care
Small Dental Care
Giant Adult
Medium Dental Care
Miniature Schnauzer Puppy
Medium Puppy
Small Digestive Care
Sporting Life Trail 4300
Rottweiler Adult
Poodle Puppy
Bulldog Adult
Bichon Frise Adult
Jack Russell Terrier Puppy
Large Digestive Care
Large Sensitive Skin Care
Large Aging 8+
Beagle Adult
Poodle Adult
Maltese Adult
Small Sensitive Skin Care
Boxer Puppy
Small Indoor Adult
Boxer Adult
Large Adult 5+
Labrador Retriever Adult
Medium Adult 7+
Cavalier King Charles Puppy
Cavalier King Charles Adult
Large Joint Care
Chihuahua 8+
German Shepherd Puppy
Dachshund 8+ Adult
Shih Tzu Adult
Shih Tzu Puppy
Yorkshire Terrier Puppy
Large Puppy
Dachshund Adult
Golden Retriever Adult
Great Dane Adult
Miniature Schnauzer Adult
French Bulldog Adult
Medium Sensitive Skin Care
Small Aging 12+
Small Comfort Care
Small Starter Mother And Babydog
Small Adult
Setter Adult
Medium Comfort Care
Small Weight Care
Yorkshire Terrier Adult
Medium Aging 10+
Medium Adult
Large Adult
Golden Retriever Puppy
Dalmatian Adult
Chihuahua Adult
X-Small Adult
Poodle 8+ Adult
Medium Weight Care
Small Puppy
Small Adult 8+
Small Indoor Senior
Small Indoor Puppy
X-Small Puppy
West Highland White Terrier Adult
Rottweiler Puppy
Pug Puppy
Small Coat Care
Pug Adult
Cocker Spaniel Adult
Chihuahua Puppy
Pomeranian Adult
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein Adult KO
Veterinary Diet Weight Control Large Dog
Veterinary Diet Ultamino
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PW Moderate Calorie
Veterinary Diet Satiety + Hydrolyzed Protein
Veterinary Diet Select Protein Adult PV
Veterinary Diet Renal Support A
Veterinary Diet Mature Consult
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Puppy
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein KO
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PW
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR
Veterinary Diet Vegetarian
Veterinary Diet Weight Control Small Dog
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PW Large Breed
Veterinary Diet Weight Control
Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Small
Veterinary Diet Urinary UC
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO + Satiety
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Moderate Calorie
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Small
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO
Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO + Hydrolyzed Protein
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Aging 7+
Veterinary Diet Dental Small Dog
Veterinary Diet Dental
Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein PS
Veterinary Diet Skin Support
Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PD
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal High Fiber
Veterinary Diet Multifunction Renal Support + Hydrolyzed Protein
Veterinary Diet Mobility Support JS Large Breed
Veterinary Diet Mature Consult Small Dog
Veterinary Diet Renal Support F
Veterinary Diet Early Cardiac
Veterinary Diet Renal Support S
Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Weight Management
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie
Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Weight Management
Veterinary Diet Hepatic
Veterinary Diet Calm
Veterinary Diet Mobility Support JS
Veterinary Diet Glycobalance
Wet Dog Food
Poodle Adult Loaf In Sauce
Yorkshire Terrier Adult Loaf In Sauce
Puppy Loaf In Sauce
Puppy Loaf In Gel Tray
Starter Mother And Babydog Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Tray
Large Adult Pouch
Mature Adult In Gel
Joint Care Loaf In Sauce
Pomeranian Adult Loaf In Sauce
Pomeranian Loaf In Gravy Pouch
Large Puppy Pouch
Starter Mother And Babydog Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Can
Large Aging 8+ Pouch
Digestive Care Pouch
Medium Adult Pouch
Poodle Pouch
Comfort Care Pouch
Chihuahua Pouch
Boxer Adult Loaf In Sauce Canned
Labrador Retriever Adult Loaf In Sauce
Chihuahua Adult Loaf In Sauce
Mature 8+ In Gel Canned
German Shepherd Adult Loaf In Sauce
Beauty Adult In Gel Tray
Dachshund Adult Loaf In Sauce Canned
Weight Care Loaf In Sauce Canned
Shih Tzu Loaf In Sauce Canned
Sensitive Skin Care Loaf In Sauce Canned
Digestive Care Loaf In Sauce Canned
Coat Care Loaf In Sauce Canned
Sensitive Skin Care Pouch
Medium Aging 10+ Pouch
Dachshund Pouch
Coat Care Pouch
Golden Retriever Adult Loaf In Sauce
Adult Canned In Gel
Adult Beauty In Gel Canned
Small Adult Pouch
Small Aging 12+ Pouch
Medium Puppy Pouch
Small Puppy Pouch
Weight Care Pouch
Yorkshire Terrier Pouch
Puppy Canned
Comfort Care Loaf In Sauce
Adult Weight Care In Gel Canned
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PR Loaf
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Puppy Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PW Loaf
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Thin Slices And Gravy
Veterinary Diet Renal Support E Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Weight Management Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Morsels In Gravy
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PV Loaf
Veterinary Diet Vegetarian Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Loaf
Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO + Satiety Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Moderate Calorie Thin Slices In Gravy
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Aging 7+ Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Renal Support T Loaf In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Loaf
Veterinary Diet Recovery Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce
Veterinary Diet Hepatic Loaf
Veterinary Diet Mature Consult In Gel
Veterinary Diet Weight Control In Gel
Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf
Veterinary Diet Canine Gastrointestinal Loaf
Veterinary Diet Selected Protein PD Loaf
Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Indoor Adult
Kitten
Appetite Control Spayed / Neutered 7+
Indoor 7+
Fit And Active
Maine Coon Kitten
Maine Coon Adult
Bengal Adult
Hairball Care
Digestive Care
Aroma Selective
Kitten Spayed / Neutered
Oral Care
Indoor Long Hair
Ragdoll Adult
Weight Care
American Shorthair Adult
Appetite Control Spayed / Neutered
Mother & Babycat
Persian Adult
Siamese Adult
Protein Selective
Savor Selective
Sensitive Digestion
Hair & Skin Care
Urinary Care
Aging Spayed / Neutered 12+
Persian Kitten
Wet Cat Food
Spayed & Neutered Thin Slices In Gravy
Weight Care Loaf In Sauce
Intense Beauty Loaf In Sauce
Indoor Adult Morsels In Sauce
Indoor Adult Loaf In Gravy
Indoor 7+ Morsels In Sauce
Indoor 7+ Morsels In Gravy
Hairball Thin Slices In Gravy
Spayed & Neutered Loaf In Sauce
Persian Adult Loaf In Sauce
Maine Coon Adult Thin Slices In Gravy
Aging 12+ Thin Slices In Gravy
Instinctive 7+ Thin Slices In Gravy
Aging 12+ Loaf In Sauce
Digest Sensitive Loaf In Sauce
Kitten Thin Slices In Gravy
Intense Beauty Pouch
Weight Care Thin Slices In Gravy
Digest Sensitive Pouch
Intense Beauty Thin Slices In Gravy
Mother And Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce
Digest Sensitive Thin Slices In Gravy
Adult Instinctive Thin Slices In Gravy
Adult Instinctive Pouch
Adult Instinctive Thin Slices In Gravy
Weight Care Pouch
Indoor Adult Morsels In Gravy
Kitten Loaf In Sauce