Feed manufacturer Royal Canin: Poland vs France or debunking one myth

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Manufacturer information

Royal Canin began working on pet food in 1967 . Its founder, Jean Katari, created the first mixture. Today, 10 production facilities operate under this brand in different countries, and the products are very popular.

The manufacturer assures that one of the secrets is the production of the already ordered volume of feed; almost nothing is stored in warehouses, that is, the factories supply the freshest feed possible.

It is also stated that the products are taken only from suppliers proven over the years, and production technologies in Russia do not differ from French ones, which also guarantees the highest quality of the product. Careful analysis of the produced food and constant cooperation with the Research and Development Center help improve the recipes.

Feed range

Royal Canin food products are distinguished by a wide range of options, as well as developed diets for individual breeds.

The division of food is done primarily according to the age of the pets. Lines for puppies and adults are presented.

Royal Canin offers a wide selection of diets for feeding up to a year:

• Starter for babies up to 2 months. They are also suitable for bitches during pregnancy and lactation.
• Puppy is suitable for feeding from 2 to 8-10 months.
• Junior is intended for pets from 8 to 18/24 months.

There are also Active for hyperactive kids.

The price of puppy food ranges from 1,100 to 1,350 rubles per bag weighing 3 kg.

For adult pets, the choice of assortment is also quite extensive:

• Adult (for adult pets without health problems);
• Exigent (for picky pets who are selective about the food offered);
• Light weight care (for pets prone to gaining excess weight);
• Dermacomfort (for animals with skin problems);
• Digestive care (for pets with unstable gastrointestinal tract function).

The cost of adult feed is from 1,000 to 1,400 per 3 kg.

Each of the foods for both puppies and adults is presented in different weight categories:

• mini;
• medium;
• maxi;
• giant.

In addition to this variety, the manufacturer offers ready-made diets designed for the following breeds:

• Golden retriever;
• Shih Tzu;
• French Bulldog;
• pug;
• chihuahua;
• Jack Russell;
• English bulldog;
• Yorkshire Terrier;
• Labrador;
• Dalmatian;
• poodle;
• boxer;
• dachshund;
• miniature schnauzer;
• and others.

For sterilized animals, only one type of food is available for decorative breeds weighing up to 4 kg - X-small sterilized . It costs around 550 rubles for 1.5 kg . The rest of the food for castrates in the veterinary line.

A separate type of diet has also been developed for small pets that are not walked. Indoor food reduces the odor and amount of feces. Cost – 1,150-1,400 per 3 kg.

For dogs with increased stress, Royal Canin offers 2 options:

• Agility large dog (for pets weighing more than 10 kg and short-term activity);
• Endurance 4800 (for pets with constant physical activity).

These feeds will cost about 4,300 per 15 kg.

Wet food is presented in a smaller range and is divided according to the age of the animals:

• Starter (for babies up to 2 months);
• Junior (for puppies of small breeds weighing up to 10 kg);
• Adult beauty (for adult pets);
• Adult light (light version for adults);
• Mature (for older pets over 8 years old).

A separate wet food diet is offered for urban dogs that are exposed to increased levels of pollution - Urban.

The cost of wet food starts from 80 rubles per 200 g jar.

In addition to basic diets, Royal Canin offers veterinary lines of food for pets with acute problems:

• Satiety (diet for controlling excess weight);
• Renal (diet for dogs suffering from kidney disease);
• Hypoallergenic (for pets with allergies and intolerances);
• Urinary (therapeutic diet for animals with diseases of the urinary system);
• Gastro intestinal (diet for dogs with gastrointestinal disorders);
• Dental (diet to maintain oral hygiene);
• Mobility (for pets with musculoskeletal disorders);
• Hepatic (diet for dogs with liver abnormalities);
• Skin care (against hair loss);
• Diabetic (for diabetic dogs);
• Cardiac (diet for animals with heart problems);
• Neutered (for sterilized dogs).

The price of medicinal feed varies from 4,600 to 5,900 rubles per 12 kg.

The Royal Canin food range is one of the widest. Here the owner can choose the option that is most suitable for his pet. Diets tailored to the requirements of each breed are unique. No other dog food manufacturer offers this.

In addition to differences in breeds, the brand’s technologists have developed nutritional options for different age periods, activity levels and even living conditions. Here are therapeutic diets for dogs suffering from a variety of problems - from allergies to diabetes.

Review of Royal Canin products

“Diets are created depending on the needs of the animal, its breed, age, and health status. For example, in dachshunds, due to a breed-specific genetic disorder in the formation of cartilage tissue, the spine is subjected to significant stress. An overweight animal can further complicate the situation. Therefore, food for such animals must contain substances that help maintain healthy bones and joints, and also help maintain normal body weight. And, for example, for pets who often attend exhibitions, special diets have been developed that help them adapt to new conditions and more comfortably endure the road and noisy events. At the same time, for animals prone to allergies, there are hypoallergenic diets, such as Anallergenic. Thus, it is possible to select the most individualized nutrition for each cat or dog,” explained Yulia Romanishina.

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Feed composition overview

• The composition of almost all Royal Canin food starts with a meat ingredient. The percentage of protein is about 25%, which is within the normal range. But in super-premium food the amount of protein could be higher.
• Rice primarily serves as carbohydrates . It is easily digestible and has sufficient nutritional value.
• Next on the list of ingredients are corn and wheat - the most useless components of feed, which are almost not absorbed by the body. Dogs are most often intolerant to them. I would not like to see them in food of this level.
• Next come animal fats (about 14%). Their origin in the composition is not disclosed. The presence of unknown ingredients in the food is also not very welcome by veterinarians.
• A complex of useful microelements, fatty acids and antioxidants is also added to the composition - this is a definite plus.

So we can say that Royal Canin food has a rather poor composition. There are practically no fruits and vegetables in them, which gives a low fiber content (1.5%). The amount of proteins and fats is within the permitted limits, but for premium food these are low coefficients.

Royal Canin products – the goal of quality food

The company has always strived to ensure that Royal Canin diets solve 4 key problems:

1. Energy supply: the scientifically proven content of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the feed not only satisfies the need for food, but also restores the energy supply in the animal’s body.
2. Development of muscle mass and body condition: Amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fatty acids are needed to develop muscle tissue and maintain good body condition of the animal.
3. Maintaining health: the correct ratio of nutrients affects the maintenance of the animal's normal condition. After all, an excess or incorrect ratio of minerals can lead to the development of urolithiasis, and excess calories can lead to excess weight.
4. Special cases: In some situations, it is important to reduce certain amounts of substances to maintain health or stabilize a condition. For example, controlling phosphorus levels is vital for animals with chronic renal failure.

Advantages and disadvantages

A detailed analysis of the range and composition allows us to identify the pros and cons of Royal Canin dog food.

Advantages

The advantages of feed can be safely attributed:

• a wide range of food, divided by breed, age of pets and their individual needs;
• availability of therapeutic diets for dogs with acute diseases;
• the presence of vitamins and microelements in the composition;
• not very high cost for the super-premium level;
• Available for purchase in almost all pet stores.

Flaws

The disadvantages include:

• low level of protein component;
• presence of ingredients of questionable quality and unknown origin;
• low fiber content.

The history of the creation of the first diet

The authorship of the first Royal Canin diet belongs to a veterinarian from the south of France - Jean Katari. While observing dogs, he noticed a certain pattern associated with skin diseases in German Shepherds. As a qualified doctor, Katari tried to help the animals with medications, but the disease returned as soon as the course of treatment ended. The diet of animals in the 60s was not varied and consisted mainly of table scraps, which did not always meet the needs of dogs.

“Cats and dogs perceive taste differently than humans. In addition, treats and leftovers from our table do not make the animal’s diet balanced,” expert Yulia Romanishina, a doctor of veterinary medicine, explained this situation.

This made Katari think that the right diet could be the best medicine for pets. So a veterinarian from the south of France created his first diet for dogs, thanks to which shepherd dogs no longer suffered from eczema.

Reviews from veterinarians and buyers about the food

Dog owners and veterinarians often share their opinions about the pet foods they use.

Owner reviews:

• Alexander, dachshund owner:

“My dog ​​has been eating this food for several years. Sometimes I change it to Pro Plan. He eats both with pleasure; I have no complaints about both foods and no reason to complain. It is clear that the composition of Royal Canin is not the ultimate dream, but I am satisfied with its price, appearance and condition of the baby’s body. The dog looks healthy, active, and not overweight.”

• Tatyana, pug owner:

“I have a sad experience feeding my pug Royal Canin. We started giving it on the doctor's advice. And within a week a terrible reaction appeared - acne and itching on the face, ears and stomach. Veterinarians claimed that the reason was not the food, since it was proven and good. After reading the forums, I was horrified. The more I studied the composition, the more I realized that I was allergic to the food. I replaced it, and the acne went away immediately. I talked to the owners of other pugs, many faced the same situation.”

Reviews from veterinarians:

• Pavel Viktorovich, veterinarian:

“Royal Canin food is interesting from the point of view of the large number of options and the presence of a veterinary line. The manufacturer offers unique diets adapted for different breeds and diseases of animals. I recommend medicinal foods for various stages of obesity, heart and kidney problems.

The composition of the feed is quite poor, although it is considered balanced. When feeding these foods, I always recommend adding vitamin complexes and supplements.”

Owner reviews from forums: