Royal Canin Cat Food Review 2024

Royal Canin is one of the biggest names in the pet food industry, with over 55 years in the business. It's a global brand that has gained recognition for its breed and health-specific pet foods, including recipes available through prescription only. But is Royal Canin good for your cat? 

Wag! gives Royal Canin cat food 2.5 out of 5 paws up. It misses out on a higher rating due to its use of animal by-product meals and the large quantities of grains in its dry foods. Royal Canin deserves some praise for its breed and health-specific foods, which can help manage certain health conditions.

Keep scrolling for a comprehensive review of Royal Canin cat food, where we cover different product ranges, recalls, FAQs, and more!

Royal Canin has an extensive cat food range, with 32 wet and 25 dry food varieties, catering to different health needs, age groups, and breeds. 

Royal Canin also has a Veterinary Diet range, which includes over 20 prescription-only wet and dry food varieties, as well as a selection of prescription-only treats.

All Royal Canin non-prescription cat foods are "complete and balanced," meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile guidelines for all life stages, maintenance (adults), and growth (kittens). Royal Canin Veterinary Diet treats are for supplemental feeding only.

Royal Canin breed-specific cat foods

Dry cat foods

Royal Canin produces breed-specific recipes for six purebred cat breeds. Despite each recipe being breed-specific, the top five ingredients are similar: a combination of chicken by-product meal, wheat gluten, wheat, chicken fat, and corn gluten meal. Brewer's rice and corn are also common top five ingredients. 

Animal by-product meal is one of the worst quality primary protein sources you'll find in cat food. Each recipe is grain-inclusive, with wheat, corn, and brewer's rice among the top five ingredients. Grains are considered filler ingredients because they're a cost-effective way of bulking up cat food without providing the best nutritional value.

One positive of these recipes is they do cater to some breed-specific needs. The Persian recipe includes a special blend of fiber to help reduce hairballs. The American Shorthair recipe has carefully balanced fat, protein, and fiber levels to help prevent obesity. 

Royal Canin shapes these kibbles to suit the jaw structure of purebred cats. Royal Canin Persian kibble is almond-shaped, making it easier for brachycephalic cats to hold and chew.

Royal Canin breed-specific dry cat food recipes contain an average of 34.3% protein as dry matter, which is average for dry cat food. Each recipe has an average of 19.3% fat of dry matter, which is above average for dry cat food.

Royal Canin breed-specific dry cat food varieties:

• American Shorthair
• Maine Coon
• Maine Coon Kitten
• Bengal
• Persian Adult
• Persian Kitten
• Siamese
• Ragdoll

Wet cat foods

You'll find only two canned breed-specific wet foods on the market for Maine Coons and Persians.

These recipes are of higher quality than Royal Canin's dry food offerings, with quality cuts of meat within the top five ingredients. That said, pork by-products are also a top three ingredient, which consist of low-quality animal parts that aren't fit for human consumption.

Royal Canin breed-specific wet cat food contains 41.45% protein as dry matter, which is above average for wet cat food. They also have an average of 18.9% fat as dry matter, which is above average.

Royal Canin breed-specific wet cat food varieties:

• Main Coon Adult Thing Slices in Gravy
• Persian Adult Loaf in Sauce

Royal Canin age-specific cat food

Dry cat foods

Royal Canin's age-specific cat foods are of a similar or worse quality than its breed recipes. Some varieties, like Indoor 7+ and Savor Selective, list several grains (corn, barley, wheat, or brewer's rice) above an animal protein source. Grains are a fiber and protein source but shouldn't be the top ingredient in cat food. Most other recipes list chicken by-product meal as the top ingredient.

Royal Canin Kitten recipes are high in antioxidants and vitamins E and C for immune support and healthy growth. The Kitten Spayed/Neutered recipe is low in fat and balanced with calcium and phosphorus to prevent weight gain and support growth.

Indoor recipes have balanced fat and protein levels and are designed to reduce hairballs. Recipes for cats in their twilight years have balanced phosphorus levels for renal health.

Royal Canin age-specific dry cat food recipes contain an average of 32.6% protein as dry matter, which is average for dry cat food. These recipes have an average of 15.7%, which is near average.

Royal Canin age-specific dry cat food varieties:

• Mother & Babycat
• Kitten
• Kitten Spayed/Neutered
• Indoor Adult
• Indoor 7+
• Aging Spayed/Neutered 12+
• Savor Selective

Wet cat foods

Royal Canin formulates its age-specific wet cat food to keep your feline happy and healthy at all life stages. Aside from water sufficient for processing, common top ingredients in these recipes include chicken, pork by-products, chicken by-products, and chicken liver.

Each formula is similar to its age-specific dry cat food counterpart. For example, Aging 12+ recipes contain controlled phosphorus levels to prevent kidney disease and omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health. 

Adult Indoor has a careful balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to prevent weight gain and improve stool quality. Adult Instinctive is Royal Canin's closest recipe to traditional cat food without catering to specific health needs.

Royal Canin age-specific wet cat foods contain an average of 51.8% protein as dry matter, which is above average for wet cat food. They also have an average of 13% fat as dry matter, which is average for wet cat food.

Royal Canin age-specific wet cat food varieties include:

• Mother & Babycat
• Kitten
• Indoor Adult
• Indoor 7+
• Adult Instinctive
• Instinctive 7+
• Aging 12+

Royal Canin Care and Health cat foods

Dry cat foods

As with the rest of Royal Canin's dry foods, either chicken by-product meal or grains are the top ingredients in most health-specific recipes. Some recipes like Weight Care and Fit and Active list chicken meal as the top ingredient, which is slightly higher quality than by-product meal. 

Royal Canin backs up its health-specific recipes with internal studies. For example, Royal Canin Urinary Care dry food is said to improve urinary health in 10 days.Royal Canin states that 90% of pet parents who fed their cat Hair & Skin dry food observed better skin and hair health after three weeks. 

Royal Canin health-specific dry cat foods contain 34.5% protein as dry matter on average, which is average for dry cat food. These recipes have 14.5 fat as dry matter, which is about average.

Royal Canin health-specific dry cat food varieties include:

• Fit and Active
• Urinary Care
• Digestive Care
• Dental Care
• Sensitive Digestion
• Weight Care
• Appetite Control
• Hairball Care
• Indoor Long Hair
• Hair & Skin Care

Wet cat foods

Royal Canin health-specific wet cat foods are very similar to Royal Canin's other wet food recipes, made mainly from pork or chicken organs and meat by-products.

As with its health-specific dry foods, Royal Canin backs up its claims of the benefits of its recipes with internal studies. For example, Royal Canin states there's a 19% improvement in stool quality in cats fed its Digestive Care recipes after ten days. 

Its Feline Weight Care and Appetite Control Care contain just 9% fat, making them a good choice if you're trying to manage your cat's weight.

Royal Canin health-specific wet cat foods contain 47.8% protein as dry matter, which is above average. They also have an average of 10.4% fat as dry matter, which is average.

Royal Canin health-specific wet cat food varieties:

• Spayed & Neutered
• Appetite Control Care
• Feline Weight Care
• Urinary Care
• Hairball
• Weight Care
• Digestive Carex
• Hair & Skin

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat foods

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet are prescription-only wet and dry cat food recipes to treat felines with diagnosed health conditions. You'll need authorization from a vet to order Royal Canin Veterinary Diet recipes.

The overall ingredient quality is similar to Royal Canin's main line of wet foods, with animal by-products and grains as the top ingredients. While these foods may not have the best quality ingredients, they're prescribed by vets and can be highly beneficial to your cat's long-term health. 

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat foods may not meet AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines as they're prescribed for specific health conditions. For example, Urinary SO recipes have controlled magnesium levels to help prevent and dissolve kidney stones.

Consult your vet if your cat has a chronic health condition and believe they could benefit from a Royal Canin Veterinary Diet recipe.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat food varieties:

• Hydrolyzed Protein (dry)
• Kitten Gastrointestinal (dry and wet)
• Adult Gastrointestinal (dry and wet)
• Gastrointestinal Fiber Response (dry and wet)
• Adult Calm (dry)
• Adult Dental (dry)
• Adult Weight Control (dry and wet)
• Renal Support (dry and wet)
• Feline Urinary SO (dry and wet)
• Urinary SO Moderate Calorie (dry and wet)
• Selected Protein (dry and wet)
• Adult Satiety Support Weight Management (dry and wet)
• Adult Glycobalance (dry and wet)
• Recovery (wet)

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat treats

Royal Canin also produces a line of prescription-only Veterinary Diet cat treats. These treats are specially formulated for health conditions diagnosed by veterinarians.

Take Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Treats, for example. These treats list hydrolyzed soy protein as a top ingredient to reduce skin and GI reactions in cats with food allergies and sensitivities.

These treats are made with similar ingredients to Royal Canin's cat kibble, including chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, corn, and chicken fat. They're low in calories at just 1.3 calories per treat.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat treat varieties:

• Adult Hydrolyzed
• Urinary
• Satiety
• Gastrointestinal
• Renal

What are the benefits of feeding your cat Royal Canin? Here are a few reasons why Wag! likes Royal Canin cat food.

Recipes for specific breeds, age groups, and health needs

From caring for your Persian pal to keeping your feline's fangs squeaky clean, Royal Canin has a wide range of cat foods to support specific health needs.

For example, Royal Canin enriches its breed-specific cat foods with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health. Most recipes incorporate probiotics and highly digestible proteins to help digestion.

Kitten formulas are high in antioxidants to give an immune boost. Its Dental Care dry food has a texture that helps polish your cat's teeth while they eat. Royal Canin formulates its urinary care wet foods to help your cat maintain a healthy mineral content in the urinary tract and prevent kidney and bladder stones.

Royal Canin may not be the best cat food available, but it may help you manage your feline friend's long-term health.

Prescription-only cat foods

Royal Canin has one of the most popular prescription-only cat food ranges on the market. Some of its recipes can be helpful in managing your cat's diagnosed health conditions.

For example, Selected Protein PR wet cat foods use rabbit as the primary protein source, which is a rare allergen for cats. Royal Canin uses hydrolyzed milk protein and L-tryptophan in its Adult Calm to help reduce fear and anxiety. 

Sustainability

Royal Canin is taking steps to become more sustainable. It works with its global partners to implement environmentally conscious farming and supply chain practices. It's committed to becoming 100% carbon neutral by the end of 2025, and one of its product ranges became certified carbon neutral in 2023.

Here are a few things to consider before you purchase Royal Canin cat food for your purring pal.

Animal by-product meals as primary ingredients

Most of Royal Canin's cat foods use animal by-product meals as a primary protein source.

Animal by-products are parts of an animal deemed waste after slaughter. It can include any part of the animal other than hooves, horns, and teeth, meaning it's unclear exactly what your cat is eating when foods include pork or chicken by-products. 

As they're highly processed and include low-quality cuts of meat, animal by-product meals are harder to digest and less nutritionally complete than fresh whole meat.

All recipes are grain-inclusive

Royal Canin dry cat foods are grain-inclusive. While grains are a good source of fiber for cats, they're generally filler ingredients that replace more expensive and nutritionally valuable ingredients like animal protein. Plus, grains are high in carbs, which cats don't naturally need. Carbs should be a minor energy source for cats.

Royal Canin uses brewers' rice in some recipes, a manufacturing by-product of rice milling and one of the lowest quality grains. Royal Canin wet cat foods contain no grains and are made primarily with animal protein, which suggests they're of higher quality. 

Lack of protein variety

Royal Canin uses chicken and pork almost exclusively in its cat food recipes. As a result, Royal Canin isn't suitable for fussy felines who don't like chicken and cats with chicken allergies or sensitivities.

Pricey

Royal Canin non-prescription cat foods are expensive, considering the quality of their ingredients. At the time of writing, a 15-lb bag of Royal Canin Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food costs $67.99 on Chewy, at $4.54 per lb.

By comparison, an 11-lb bag of Tiki Cat Indoor Health Chicken & Turkey Meal Dry Cat Food costs $39.89 on Chewy, at $3.33 per lb. Tiki Cat is a better quality cat food, too, with unprocessed chicken meat as the top ingredient.

It's worth noting that Chewy Autoship can reduce the cost of both foods by up to 35%.

"The breeder said that when they tried to very her diet she'd always got the runs so we've kept to this diet, only changing from kitten food to adult cat food. Also our excellent vet said that was a very good brand."

"My cat did not like this. He sniffed it and looked up at me like what is this?!? On top of that, it has the worst smell. I threw it out within 5 minutes because my cat hated it and I couldn't stand the smell."

"Does not have the best ingredients. My cats enjoy the taste but definitely leading one cat to gas (due to the grain additives). Won't be repurchasing as a lot of the ingredients contain by-products and isn't as meat focused as I would want/ expect."

French veterinarian Jean Cathary created the first Royal Canin pet food for dogs in 1968. He registered the "Royal Canin" trademark that same year. 

In 1972, Cathary sold Royal Canin to the Guyomarc'h group, a family-run animal feed company started by Jean Guyomarc’h in 1954. In the 1990s, Paribas Affaires Industrielles (BNP Paribas) purchased the Guyomarc'h group.

Royal Canin launched its RCFI range of dry cat foods in 1994, distributed through vets and breeders. At the time, most pet food companies produced only wet cat foods that were sold through grocery stores.

In 1998, Royal Canin published the Royal Canin Cat Encyclopaedia, covering everything from individual breeds to world-famous cat shows. Royal Canin began manufacturing its first breed-specific food for Persian cats a year later. 

Mars Inc. purchased BNP Paribas' stake in Royal Canin in 2001. Mars Inc. is a conglomerate that owns numerous pet food brands, including Acana, Iams, Sheba, Nom Nom, and Cesar. The following year, Royal Canin launched its first breed-specific dog food. 

Royal Canin created its first wet cat food line in 2009 and set up its first factory in Asia—one of nine worldwide. Fun fact: Royal Canin has a factory on every continent except Antarctica. In 2016, Mars, Inc. established a brand partnership between Eukanuba and Royal Canin.

Royal Canin has issued several cat food recalls in its history.

In February 2006, Royal Canin recalled 12 batches of Royal Canin Veterinary Diet cat foods due to excessive vitamin D content. 

On April 19, 2007, Royal Canin issued a recall for its Veterinary Diet Feline Hypoallergenic HP23 dry cat food due to a melamine derivative in its rice protein concentrate. Several dry dog foods were also included in this recall.  

On January 23, 2023, Royal Canin recalled over 3,000 bags of its Veterinary Diet Feline Renal Support F because some bags were mislabelled and contained a different product.

Royal Canin is one of the most popular cat food brands on the market, but it doesn't quite meet our high standards. Here are a few alternative top-rated cat food brands worth checking out!

• Open Farm - Made with human-grade produce and humanely sourced meat, Open Farm is the real deal.

• American Journey - Made by Chewy, Wag! ranks American Journey as one of the best budget-friendly cat food brands.

• The Honest Kitchen - The original human-grade pet food brand, The Honest Kitchen goes above and beyond to provide pets with the highest quality food.

If you're looking for even more premium cat foods, here are a few of Wag!'s top-rated round-ups!

• Best Dry Cat Foods
• Best Wet Cat Foods
• Best Budget-friendly Cat Food
• Best Cat Food for Kittens
• Best Cat Food for Senior Cats