Royal Canin Cat Food Review
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Why Should You Trust This Review?
- I am a certified pet nutritionist
- I’ve been a cat mom for 30 plus years
- I have volunteered at cat shelters for over 15 years
- I did 48 hours of research on this cat food brand
About Royal Canin Cat Food
Royal Canin is one of the most frequently recommended brands by veterinarians for both general use and veterinary issues. Their story begins back in the 1960’s with a veterinary surgeon named Jean Cathary. Cathary created a cereal-based cat food recipe helped alleviate the skin and coat issues plaguing animals in her village in France.
Royal Canin currently sells over 100 different varieties of cat food and many of their products are formulated for specific health issues like urinary tract health or digestive care. Royal Canin is also one of a few cat food brands that offers recipes marketed for specific cat breeds like Ragdolls, Bengals and Maine Coons.
Royal Canin also offers several recipes that are formulated for specific life stages, body sizes, as well lifestyles as well. Their cat foods are available in dry and wet, which offers many textures and consistencies.
Royal Canin sources ingredients from around the world and doesn’t release information about countries of origin or specific suppliers. Their products are manufactured in company-owned manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, Russia, China, South Africa, Argentina, Poland, and the UK. All of these manufacturing facilities are owned by Mars, Incorporated and employ full-time veterinary nutritionists to assist in the formulation of their foods.
Royal Canin Cat Food Sourcing And Manufacturing
| Parent Company/ Owned by | Mars Petcare |
| Company Net Worth | 37 Billion |
| Dry Food Manufactured | Franklin, Tennessee |
| Wet Food Manufactured | Franklin, Tennessee |
| Number of Recipes | 88 |
| FDA Approved | Yes |
Recall History
2006 – The Royal Canin company issued a recall of several cat food products due to excess levels of vitamin D3. This recall affected products that were sold purely by veterinarians. It was reported many cats became sick after eating this food.
2007 – Royal Canin announced the voluntary recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog foods and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products.
Top 5 Recipes Reviewed And Analyzed
#1 Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 27% Min
- Crude Fat 15% Min
- Crude Fiber 5.7% Max
- Moisture 8% Max
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Corn, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten, Natural Flavors, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Rice Hulls, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Vegetable Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Grain Distillers Dried Yeast, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Pyrophosphate, Psyllium Seed Husk, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Egg Product, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Taurine, Trace Minerals [Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid
To better understand the Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food recipe, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Chicken meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Meal is a concentrated form of meat that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram it is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Chicken Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Chicken but in higher concentrations.
Corn may provide some beneficial nutrients to cats, but is not biologically appropriate. Corn is difficult to digest and pales in comparison to animal protein. Corn used as the primary ingredient in cat food is an inexpensive source of calories.
Brewers rice offers very little nutritional value. The only nutrition that Brewers Rice does offer is carbohydrates which cats do not need.
Corn Gluten Meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
Wheat is a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Currently there is no conclusive evidence that shows whole grains are harmful to the general cat population. However a small percentage of cats may have sensitivities to grains.
#2 Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 32% Min
- Crude Fat 13% Min
- Crude Fiber 8.4% Max
- Moisture 8.0% Max
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Corn, Brewers Rice, Rice Hulls, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Wheat, Wheat Gluten, Pea Fiber, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Grain Distillers Dried Yeast, Vegetable Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Oil, Psyllium Seed Husk, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Pyrophosphate, Fructooligosaccharides, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Monocalcium Phosphate, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], Taurine, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid
To get a better understanding of this Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Cat Food, we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Chicken meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Meal is a concentrated form of meat that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram it is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Chicken Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Chicken but in higher concentrations.
Corn may provide some beneficial nutrients to cats, but is not biologically appropriate. Corn is difficult to digest and pales in comparison to animal protein. Corn used as the primary ingredient in cat food is an inexpensive source of calories.
Brewers rice offers very little nutritional value. The only nutrition that Brewers Rice does offer is carbohydrates which cats do not need.
Rice Hulls is an inexpensive by-product of human food processing, serving as a source of fiber that is considered a filler ingredient.
Corn Gluten Meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
#3 Royal Canin Weight Care Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 40% Min
- Crude Fat 16% Min
- Crude Fiber 6% Max
- Moisture 10% Max
- Taurine 0.16% Min
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Pea Fiber, Wheat Gluten, Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Natural Flavors, Brewers Rice Flour, Brewers Rice, Wheat, Chicken Fat, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Oil, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Psyllium Seed Husk, Calcium Carbonate, Vegetable Oil, Choline Chloride, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Taurine, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid
Here we analyzed the first five ingredients to get a better understanding of what is included in this Royal Canin Weight Care Dry Cat Food.
Chicken meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Meal is a concentrated form of meat that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram it is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Chicken Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Chicken but in higher concentrations.
Pea fiber is a vegetable protein, not animal protein that your cat’s body requires. Pea protein can be used to boost the protein content of the food cheaply.
Corn may provide some beneficial nutrients to cats, but is not biologically appropriate. Corn is difficult to digest and pales in comparison to animal protein. Corn used as the primary ingredient in cat food is an inexpensive source of calories.
Brewers rice offers very little nutritional value. The only nutrition that Brewers Rice does offer is carbohydrates which cats do not need.
Corn Gluten Meal does contain protein but not the kind of protein that cats digest very well. Cats have to eat twice as much corn to get the same amount of protein that they would from animal proteins.
#4 Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 10% Min
- Crude Fat 6.5% Min
- Crude Fiber 1.7% Max
- Moisture 78.5% Max
Ingredients
Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken By-Products, Chicken Liver, Pork Liver, Chicken, Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil, Powdered Cellulose, Pork Plasma, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Flour, Egg Product, Natural Flavors, Fish Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Guar Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Vitamins [L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Sodium Carbonate, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Magnesium Oxide
To get a better understanding of this Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Renal Support D Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food we analyzed the first 5 ingredients.
Water Sufficient for Processing means water was necessary for the complete processing of the product and is required to be listed by the FDA. Basically it means there was no more water added (as filler) than was necessary.
Chicken by-products include clean and nutrient-rich organ parts such as lungs, brain, spleen, liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines. They can provide a good source of animal protein and fat in your cat’s diet depending on the quality.
Chicken liver contains high amounts of premium protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals and is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids.
Pork liver is also known to be a rich source of vitamin A. The addition of liver to food can supply the required vitamin A for cats.
Chicken is a good source of protein, low in fat, low in sodium and is a low-carb food.
#5 Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Morsels in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein 8.5% Min
- Crude Fat 2.0% Min
- Crude Fiber 1.75% Max
- Moisture 82.5% Max
Ingredients
Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Chicken Liver, Chicken By-Products, Wheat Gluten, Wheat Flour, Natural Flavors, Modified Corn Starch, Pork Plasma, Powdered Cellulose, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Fish Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Guar Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Taurine, Sodium Bisulfate, Dl-Methionine, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Choline Chloride, Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.)
Here we analyzed the first five ingredients to get a better understanding of what is included in this Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Morsels in Gravy Wet Cat Food.
Water Sufficient for Processing means water was necessary for the complete processing of the product and is required to be listed by the FDA. Basically it means there was no more water added (as filler) than was necessary.
Pork by-products are the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially de-fatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. These parts provide calcium and phosphorus.
Chicken liver contains high amounts of premium protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, trace minerals and is an amazing source of omega 3 and six fatty acids.
Chicken by-products include clean and nutrient-rich organ parts such as lungs, brain, spleen, liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines. They can provide a good source of animal protein and fat in your cat’s diet depending on the quality.
Wheat gluten is a substitute for high-quality protein sources in pet food. Many pet food manufacturers add cheap grain products like wheat gluten to cat food as filler, to save on cost.
Is Royal Canin Good Cat Food?
Looking at the ingredients, Royal Canin is a below average cat food that includes questionable fillers, artificial colors & flavors, and animal by-products. The carbohydrates are below average while the protein levels are above other dry cat foods on the market today.
When looking at the dry food ingredients there are some fillers within the first 5 ingredients, which offer a cat little to nothing nutritionally. In addition to that there many low-quality grains, low animal protein content, inclusion of wheat, by-products, and meals too high on list.
While the canned or wet food recipes are better than the dry food, they are not great. When compared to other wet and canned cat food brands the protein is a bit lower. Also, there are by-products, vegetable oil, wheat, corn and other fillers high on the ingredient list of most recipes.
Where Is Royal Canin Cat Food Sold?
Royal Canin cat foods are available in most pet store chains and pet food specialty stores, although recipes may vary. You can also purchase Royal Canin online through Chewy, Amazon and various pet food retailers.
