Royal Canin is a prominent name in the pet food industry, often recommended by veterinarians for both general and specialized dietary needs. This review delves into Royal Canin’s offerings, examining its product variety, ingredient quality, price point, and customer reception to provide a comprehensive overview for cat owners.
The Cats.com Standard: Evaluating Royal Canin
Our evaluation grades Royal Canin based on six key criteria: species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history.
- Species-Appropriateness: 6/10
- Ingredient Quality: 5/10
- Product Variety: 9/10
- Price: 6/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 5/10
Overall, Royal Canin receives a C grade with a score of 6.3/10. While it excels in product variety and offers veterinary diets known for addressing specific health conditions, regular feeding options could be more carnivore-appropriate and less expensive.
Understanding Royal Canin Cat Food
Brand History and Philosophy
Founded in the 1960s by French veterinarian Jean Cathary, Royal Canin began as a solution to common pet health issues. Cathary experimented with cereal-based recipes to improve skin and coat conditions in local animals, leading to the creation of “Royal Canin” and a shift into the pet food business. The brand pioneered dry pet food in France and was among the first European companies to utilize an extruder. Acquired by Mars, Incorporated in 2001, Royal Canin is now a global entity with a strong veterinary recommendation, focusing on a nutrient-centric approach to pet nutrition rather than solely on specific ingredients. They emphasize that “we need to focus on the nutrients our pets need for optimal health, not on the ingredients.”
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Royal Canin sources ingredients globally without disclosing specific origins or suppliers. Their products are manufactured in company-owned facilities across various countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, and China. These facilities operate under the Mars, Incorporated umbrella, and the company employs full-time veterinary nutritionists at its research centers to aid in food formulation.
Recall History
Royal Canin has experienced three recalls in the past 15 years. Notably, a 2007 recall involved several dry dog and cat food products due to trace amounts of a melamine derivative found in rice protein concentrate. Earlier that year, other products were recalled for melamine contamination. In 2006, a recall was issued for cat and dog food products containing excessive levels of vitamin D3, which led to several pets becoming ill.
Royal Canin Cat Food Product Range
Royal Canin offers an extensive selection of over 100 cat food varieties. While standard recipes are available, many products are specifically formulated for health issues such as urinary tract or digestive care. The brand is also unique in offering formulas tailored for specific cat breeds like Persians and Maine Coons, as well as catering to different life stages, sizes, and lifestyles. Their offerings include both wet and dry food options with various textures.
Top Reviewed Royal Canin Recipes
Here’s a closer look at three notable Royal Canin recipes:
Feline Urinary Care Adult Dry Cat Food
This dry food is part of Royal Canin’s “Care” line, designed to support urinary tract health by balancing minerals and encouraging water intake. However, as a dry food, it inherently lacks the high moisture content beneficial for urinary health. The primary ingredients include corn, wheat gluten, and chicken meal, with a significant portion of plant-based ingredients. Despite its limitations for a carnivore’s diet, it can be a viable option for cats with recurrent urinary tract issues and does not require a prescription.- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Egg Product, Fish Oil
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Corn, Wheat Gluten, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat
- Pros: Palatable for cats, may assist with urinary tract disease, no artificial colors or flavors.
- Cons: Low moisture content, high in carbohydrates, predominantly plant-based ingredients.
Digest Sensitive Chunks in Gravy Canned Cat Food
This wet food is formulated for cats with sensitive digestion, featuring a chicken and pork-based composition. It aims to support digestive function and reduce fecal odor through highly digestible proteins. However, the ingredient list includes by-products and plant-based components like wheat flour and wheat gluten. While primarily meat-based, the presence of these ingredients and its price point, partly due to its pouch packaging, make it a moderate-quality option.- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Pork Liver, Pork Plasma
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Wheat Flour, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten
- Pros: Mostly animal-based ingredients, may aid digestive health, generally well-liked by cats, free from artificial colors and flavors.
- Cons: Relatively high in carbohydrates, contains animal by-products.
Feline Health Nutrition Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy
This non-prescription wet food is designed for healthy adult cats, aiming for an optimal balance of macronutrients to support palatability and complement kibble. The meat slices are a blend of by-products and cuts from pork, chicken, and salmon. Other ingredients include wheat flour, wheat gluten, and carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickener that has raised concerns regarding inflammation and potential carcinogenicity. On a dry matter basis, this food is high in protein, relatively low in fat, and moderate in carbohydrates, but the inclusion of carrageenan is a notable drawback.- Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Liver, Pork Liver, Salmon, Pork Plasma
- Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Powdered Cellulose, Modified Corn Starch, Carrageenan
- Pros: Mostly animal-based ingredients, relatively low carbohydrate content, no artificial colors or flavors.
- Cons: Expensive, contains carrageenan, includes wheat gluten.
Customer Experiences and Pricing
Royal Canin is a widely recognized and respected brand, frequently recommended by veterinarians. Many customers report positive experiences, with their cats enjoying the food. However, some recent customer complaints have surfaced regarding the Urinary SO recipe, with owners reporting digestive distress, vomiting, and lethargy in their cats after consuming it. While Royal Canin maintains its products are safe and has not identified any quality issues, these reports warrant caution, though they remain inconclusive.
The cost of Royal Canin cat food varies by product. Generally, it is priced higher than brands with similar ingredient lists, partly due to its strong veterinary endorsement and reputation for specialized diets. For instance, the Urinary SO dry cat food can cost around $0.70 per ounce, with daily feeding costs approximating $0.90 for an average cat. Wet food options can be similarly priced or even higher, with some non-prescription diets being more expensive than veterinary-specific ones.
Conclusion: Is Royal Canin a Suitable Choice?
Royal Canin appeals to those who prioritize nutrient analysis over specific ingredient sourcing. While their veterinary and specialized diets can be beneficial for cats with specific health issues, their general nutrition formulas, often high in carbohydrates and plant-based ingredients, may not be ideal for obligate carnivores. The brand’s focus on nutrients, while valid to some extent, doesn’t fully compensate for ingredients that are less species-appropriate. For cats with chronic health problems that may necessitate specialized diets, Royal Canin can be a solution. However, for general nutrition, it is often considered overpriced and potentially less nourishing than simpler, meat-based, hydrating diets that might have prevented some of these health issues initially.
Royal Canin cat food is available through pet specialty retailers, veterinary hospitals, and online platforms like Chewy and Amazon. You can use their store finder to locate a retailer near you.
