Choosing the right dog food is crucial for your pet’s health, energy, and longevity. Many premium brands like Royal Canin dog food review often promise breed-specific nutrition and superior quality, but a closer look at ingredients reveals potential issues like maize, wheat, and unclear labeling. As a pet care expert with years of experience advising dog owners, I’ve analyzed these top brands—Royal Canin, Hills Science Plan, and Burns—to help you make informed decisions. This review breaks down their ingredients, highlighting contentious fillers that could lead to allergies, digestive problems, or skin issues in dogs.
The decision in the end is yours on what you feed your dogs
The Big Players in Pet Food Manufacturing
The pet food industry is dominated by a few giants: Mars (Pedigree, Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved), Nestle (Bakers, Purina), Colgate-Palmolive (Hills Science Plan), and Procter & Gamble (Iams, Eukanuba). These companies control the market through massive advertising, vet sponsorships, and incentives. While their marketing hypes health benefits, ingredients often include cheap cereals that experts question.
In the UK, labeling lacks transparency compared to the US—no full additive lists or percentages. This opacity hides practices like “grain splitting,” where maize or wheat is listed separately (e.g., maize + maize flour) to push meat higher on the list. Vets frequently recommend these brands due to sponsorships, but as canine nutritionists note, cereal-heavy diets can cause flatulence, skin odors, and intolerances. Always read labels carefully, as “premium” doesn’t guarantee quality.
Royal Canin: Premium Price, Questionable Ingredients?
Royal Canin markets breed-specific formulas, claiming tailored nutrition for breeds like Labradors or Chihuahuas. However, no solid evidence supports breed-specific needs beyond kibble size. Most varieties contain similar bases: dehydrated poultry protein, maize, wheat, and more.
Take Royal Canin Medium Adult (£57.99 for 15kg): Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Maize, Maize Flour, Wheat, Wheat Flour, Animal Fats, Pork Protein, Hydrolysed Animal Proteins, Beet Pulp, Fish Oil, Yeasts, Minerals, Hydrolysed Brewer’s Yeast, Artificial Preservatives, Antioxidants.
- Maize (Corn): Hard to digest for dogs, linked to allergies and intolerances. Nutritionists recommend avoiding it entirely.
- Wheat: Cheap filler causing gluten sensitivities, skin/coat issues, and dental problems.
- Hydrolysed Animal Proteins: Processed with acids/enzymes, potentially forming MSG (undeclared flavor enhancer). Source unknown—could be low-quality parts.
- Antioxidants: Often BHA (E320) or BHT, suspected carcinogens; potassium sorbate irritates skin/eyes.
Grain splitting masks the true order: likely maize/wheat dominate over poultry. Consumer reviews (324 on one site) report horrors, with vets tied via Royal Canin Veterinary Diets. At this price, it’s not super-premium.
Royal Canin is it really a premium dog food?
Positive? Attractive packaging. But unclear poultry sourcing and artificial additives raise red flags. For better options, seek named meats and grain-free formulas.
The truth is out there
Hills Science Plan: Science or Sales Pitch?
Hills Science Plan appears in vet clinics, implying scientific backing—especially for skin sensitivities. Yet, Hills Science Plan Adult Advanced Fitness Large Breed (£50.49 for 12kg) lists: Maize, Wheat, Chicken (26%) and Turkey Meal (total poultry 39%), Animal Fat, Digest, Maize Gluten Meal, Vegetable Oil, Minerals, Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Vitamins, Trace Elements, Taurine, Cartilage Hydrolysate, Crustacean Shell Hydrolysate, Beta-Carotene. Preserved naturally.
- Maize/Wheat/Maize Gluten Meal: Fillers topping the list; gluten meal boosts “protein” cheaply but causes hyperactivity/skin issues in sensitive dogs.
- Animal Fat/Digest: Unspecified sources; digest from hydrolysis, criticized as unnatural.
- Smaller bag size for the price.
Why recommend for allergies with grains? A 2019 recall for excess Vitamin D risked renal failure/death—government alerts confirmed affected batches. Reviews (404 complaints) include tragic cases, like a Pomeranian dying from seizures after eating recalled Prescription Diet.
The truth is out there
No artificial preservatives is a plus, but grains undermine claims.
Burns: From Ethical Roots to Maize-Heavy?
Burns started ethically, avoiding poor ingredients. But Burns Choice Chicken and Maize (£41 for 12kg) is 71% Whole Grain Maize, 17% Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Oil, Seaweed, Vitamins/Minerals.
Maize dominates—called “chicken feed” for cheapness. Hypoallergenic claim? Unlikely, as maize triggers intolerances. Other Burns lines heavy on rice (67% brown, some white)—starch-poor nutrition, linked to coprophagia/weight loss.
White rice loses bran’s nutrients (magnesium, fiber, protein). Founder John Burns defends maize citing a pro-corn vet (tied to Iams), but dogs’ short guts suit meat/fat, not carbs. kibble needs starch for processing, not nutrition.
Is Maize and Rice really the best food for this young puppy?
Rates 2.9/5 on pet food sites. Ethical past, but profit-driven now?
Why Ingredients Matter: Expert Insights
“When food is difficult to metabolise, not only is it robbing the body of vital nutrients, it is robbing the body of energy as well.” – Lisa S. Newman, N.D., PhD (2007).
Grains waste energy on digestion, per nutritionists. Vets’ ties (sponsorships) bias recommendations. Dogs dying younger? Linked to poor diets, over-vaccination.
Is Your Dog Food Causing Problems
Feed named meats, avoid grains. Check treats too—many match these brands’ issues.
Conclusion: Choose Wisely for Your Dog’s Health
Royal Canin, Hills, and Burns charge premium prices for fillers like maize/wheat that risk allergies, digestion woes, and worse. Demand transparent labeling; opt for grain-free, human-grade meats. Consult independent vets; test on your dog.
Prioritize your pet’s vitality—read labels, research, and share this Royal Canin dog food review with fellow owners. Explore natural air-dried treats for balance.
References
- Bakers and Pedigree Review
- Royal Canin Consumer Reviews
- Dog Food and Behaviour
- Dog Treats and Obesity
- Hills Recall Alert
- Hills Reviews
- Veterinary Profession Concerns
- Dogs Dying Earlier
- All About Dog Food: http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
- Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/012647.html
© Updated 2025 | Pet Care Expert Insights
