Royal Canin For Cats And Kittens, Spayed Animals: Review, Composition Of Royal Canin, Assortment, Pros And Cons, Medicinal Line Of Feed

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Food "Royal Canin": types, composition and reviews of buyers and veterinarians

Royal Canin food is popular among cat and cat owners because of its reasonable price-quality ratio. The manufacturer produces several product lines, including dietary rations for unhealthy animals. Depending on the composition of the feed, companies are classified as premium or super premium, and therefore may not be suitable for daily nutrition.

Content

• 1 Review of Royal Canin feed

• 2 Types of feed

  • 2.1 Pate for kittens "Royal Canin"
  • 2.2 Therapeutic feed line
  • 2.3 Royal Canin feed for neutered and neutered animals
  • 2.4 Other species

• 3 Analysis of the composition of the feed "Royal Canin"

  • 3.1 Everyday food
  • 3.2 Medicated feed
• 4 Advantages and disadvantages of Royal Canin feed
• 5 Is Royal Canin suitable for all cats?
• 6 Feed cost and point of sale
• 7 Comparison of feeds "Proplan" and "Royal Canin"
• 8 Reviews of pet owners and veterinarians

Royal Canin feed review

Royal Canin was founded in 1967 in France. Currently, production is carried out in several countries, including Russia. In 2002, the company was acquired by the Mars Corporation and joined the Masterfoods division.

Most of the daily feed is premium. Such products are not used for permanent nutrition due to the low content of animal proteins. Cats are predators, so an excess of cereals can cause them allergies, deterioration of coat quality, metabolic disorders and a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system.

Distinctive logo on Royal Canin dry and wet food packaging

Medicinal feeds are mainly of the super premium class. They can be included in the diet on an ongoing basis, but this should be done with caution and only after consulting a veterinarian. The balance of nutrients and additional ingredients are selected taking into account the characteristics and needs of unhealthy animals, therefore, in a pet without pathologies, the product may cause a deficiency or excess of certain compounds. This will lead to the development of diseases. Often, medicinal feeds are used in courses due to the peculiarities of the composition and course of pathologies.

The key advantages of Royal Canin products are a wide range of products and an individual approach. The company produces many types of food for representatives of different breeds and age categories. When choosing ingredients and their proportions, the pet's lifestyle is taken into account, which helps to avoid exhaustion or obesity. Depending on the breed, the company may include additives in the composition to improve the condition of the coat, heal joints, prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions, etc.

Types of feed

Royal Canin products differ in composition, class, purpose and consistency. Among the therapeutic, preventive and daily feeds, there are ready-made dry rations, pates and pouches.

Pate for kittens "Royal Canin"

Babycat Instinctive Pate is suitable for kittens up to 4 months old. The feed is used for a smooth transition from breast milk to regular food. The composition was selected by the manufacturer, taking into account the possible problems of this age category. The delicate consistency of the pate and the high percentage of moisture prevents dehydration and digestive disorders. In terms of nutrient content, the food is close to cat's milk, which allows you to avoid improper development of internal organs and systems. The manufacturer claims that the product contributes to the active formation of immunity. This is especially important during the transition to a new diet, since the kitten loses the source of protective antibodies along with breast milk.

The pate has a thick consistency

One can of pate weighs 195 g. The daily rate depends on the age and weight of the animal. Large kittens at 12 weeks are given up to 1.75 cans. At a standard weight, one pack is enough for an 8-week-old pet. Kitten pate is allowed to be given to adult pregnant or lactating cats to meet the daily need for vitamins and minerals.

Banks are equipped with special rings that facilitate the opening process

It contains the following ingredients:

• meat and meat products,
• cereals,
• vegetable protein extract,
• plant products,
• milk and dairy offal,
• oils and fats,
• minerals,
• yeast,
• carbohydrates.

It contains nutritional supplements: vitamin D3, iron, iodine, manganese, copper and zinc. The percentage of proteins is 10.5%, fat is 5.5%.

When my cat gave birth, it became necessary to select products for the first complementary foods. I decided to immediately transfer the kittens to ready-made rations, because I did not know the preferences of the future owners. Royal Canin turned out to be one of the few companies involved in the production of pates for complementary foods. Despite the mediocre composition, I chose their products because of the sparing effect on the digestive tract of animals and the absence of problems during the transition. There are no flavors in the food, but the kittens and the cat eagerly ate the pate. Its consistency is compressed, not friable, so the product is consumed sparingly. I had to first add a little water to make it easier for the kittens, then this need disappeared. No side effects were noticed when switching to pate. Later, it was also possible to teach kittens to dry food without any problems.

Therapeutic feed line

There are several types of medicated feed. Diet food can be used for the following diseases:

1. Food allergy. To improve the condition of the pet, dry food Hypoallergenic DR25, Anallergenic AN24 or Sensitivity Control SC27 is prescribed, as well as Sensitivity Control spiders. They contain starch instead of whole grains, so they are less likely to cause intolerances. Hypoallergenic DR25 additionally contains prebiotics to help improve digestion and prevent diarrhea.

   

   With increased sensitivity, wet food is better than dry food due to the absence of the traumatic effect of solid granules on the intestinal walls and a less dense consistency of feces

2. Renal failure The animal's diet includes Renal pates or pouches, as well as Renal RF23, Renal Select RSE24 or Renal Special RSF26 dry food. Additionally, these products can be used to prevent the formation of calculi in urolithiasis. The medicated food reduces the burden on the kidneys due to its low protein and sodium content. To eliminate calculi and prevent the formation of new ones, Urinary S / O pates and spiders, Urinary S / O LP34 dry foods and Urinary S / O High Dilution 34 are used. by smell. In these medicinal feeds, the content of sodium and magnesium is reduced. These are the minerals found in struvite stones. With a low level of saturation of urine with trace elements, calculi are formed more slowly. Wet spiders accelerate the removal of sand and small stones due to increased urination. It also helps control and adjust the pH of the urine.
3. Digestive disorders. Prescribe Gastro Intestinal pouches, Gastro Intestinal GI32 dry food or Gastro Intestinal Moderate Calorie GIM32 (reduced calorie product). Fiber Response FR31 is also available with a higher fiber and plant fiber content, but is only used for constipation.
4. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Cats are fed Mobility MC28 dry food. For prophylaxis, the product is used after surgery if there is a risk of deterioration of the condition of the joints and a decrease in their mobility. The composition contains such specific additives as extract of New Zealand green-lipped mollusk, hydrolyzate from crustacean shells and hydrolyzate from cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin help prevent damage to bones and joints during movement.

5. Liver dysfunction. Hepatic HF26 dry food is prescribed. It has a high calorie content. This helps to maintain the health of the pet and prevent exhaustion during exacerbations.

   

   Hepatic dry food contains less copper than analogs, as a result of which the load on the liver is reduced

6. Diabetes. Cats are fed Diabetic DS46 dry food or Diabetic spiders. To draw up a diet and a course of therapy, the glucose level is monitored on a schedule. The feed contains more protein and less fast carbohydrates (starch). This prevents spikes in blood sugar levels. The composition includes grains with a relatively low glycemic index: corn and barley. Additionally, psyllium seeds are used as a source of fiber, which prevents bouts of hyperglycemia. The food has a moderate calorie content (387 kcal for dry granules and 71 kcal for spiders). This helps to normalize weight and avoid the development of insulin resistance associated with obesity.
7. Anorexia. For quick recovery and maintenance of optimum condition, animals are fed with Recovery pate. It contains an increased amount of calories and is convenient for tube feeding. Due to the specific smell, even fastidious pets eat food.
8. Stress. Calm CC36 dry food is prescribed. With excessive excitability of the psyche, the diet helps prevent the occurrence of digestive disorders, skin diseases and exacerbation of chronic pathologies on a nerve basis. The product contains peptide casoselin and tryptophan, which accelerate the adaptation of the body to new conditions and normalize the activity of the central nervous system. To improve skin condition and prevent flaking, a complex of choline, histidine, pantothenic acid and nicotinamide is used. Beet pulp improves digestion, stimulates peristalsis and removes remaining food particles from the intestinal wall. Prebiotics prevent the development of diarrhea.

Medium sized feed pellets to prevent rapid ingestion by cats

Officially, products for elderly animals are included in the list of medicinal feeds, but formally they are classified as preventive diets.

You can not independently prescribe medicated feed to your pet or interrupt the course without the permission of the doctor. There are several types of dietary products. With the same type of disease, they can harm or improve the condition of the animal. For example, in case of urolithiasis, the structure of calculi is of key importance. Medicinal feeds have contraindications that must be taken into account in the presence of background diseases or the development of complications. Depending on the condition of the pet or the form of the pathology, the product can be used in courses or on an ongoing basis.

When my cat had cystitis, the veterinarian advised using Urinary to relieve symptoms and speed up the elimination of bacteria. Of course, the spiders were preferable. They contain water. When eating dry food, the cat consumes less liquid, so the body is forced to save. The animal is less likely to visit the litter box, which causes bladder congestion. Under these conditions, bacteria multiply faster and damage mucous membranes. Spiders are less economical than dry food, but healthier for the cat. On the second day there was no blood in the urine. The cat began to visit the litter box less often due to false urges. A sharp relief came due to the complex therapy and the use of drugs, but I do not underestimate the role of dietary nutrition, because it increases the circulation of fluids and indirectly improves the effect of antibiotics.

Royal Canin food for neutered and sterilized animals

Products for neutered and neutered cats and cats have a number of distinctive features. In such a feed, the amount of salt is minimized and they try to replace it with other preservatives. This is due to the predisposition of castrated animals to the formation of calculi in the kidneys and bladder. Most diet foods contain fewer calories. After the operation and the disappearance of the reproductive instincts, pets become less active, therefore they consume few calories. With the same diet, this can cause obesity and an increase in the load on the musculoskeletal system. To prevent the development of diseases, the calorie content of the portions is reduced.

There are the following types of food for neutered and neutered pets:

1. Skin & Coat Formula pouches for animals with increased skin sensitivity. The composition contains ingredients and nutrients that help to increase the shine of the coat and make it softer: fish oil, unsaturated fatty acids, sunflower oil, as well as vitamins A and E. A complex of pantothenic acid, choline, niacin and histidine helps to create a protective lipid layer on the skin surface and prevent moisture evaporation. This reduces flaking and prevents irritation. Caloric content of 100 g of feed - 419 kcal.

   

   Skin & Coat Formula pouches are recommended to be included in the diet if you are prone to allergic itching and rashes

2. Dry food Skin Young Female for cats and Skin Young Male for cats with increased skin sensitivity up to 7 years. The list of ingredients that make up the products is identical, but the balance of trace elements, proteins, fats and carbohydrates differs depending on gender and anatomical features. Cat food contains more minerals but fewer amino acids. Calorie content - 382 kcal. In the composition of food for cats, the proportion of minerals is lower due to the narrower urethra and the difficult removal of sand and stones. Calorie content - 384 kcal.
3. Neutered Weight Balance spiders for animals up to 7 years old. Food is prescribed when there is a tendency to be overweight. The product contains a reduced amount of calories (71 kcal per 100 g) and causes a feeling of fullness faster.
4. Neutered Adult Maintenance spiders for neutered cats and cats up to 7 years old. This is the main product used for the prevention of calculus formation. It has no additional properties and can be used for everyday nutrition. This product is recommended to be given to healthy animals, since there are no additives in it that can cause hypervitaminosis in the absence of pathologies. The food is humid and reduces the saturation of urine, making the environment less suitable for calculus formation. The calorie content of the feed is 85 kcal.

5. Dry food Neutered Young Female for cats and Neutered Young Male for cats after castration up to 7 years. Nutrient balance varies by gender, just like Skin Young Female and Skin Young Male. The difference between the rulers lies in the absence of an increased concentration of vitamins. This prevents the onset of hypervitaminosis and reduces the nutritional value of the feed. The calorie content of the dry diet for cats is 361 kcal, for cats - 358 kcal.

   

   Cats have a wider urethra, which makes it easier to remove sand from their bodies, which allows them to include more minerals in their feed

6. Neutered Satiety Balance dry food for optimal health after castration or sterilization. The product is prescribed in most cases, if the animal does not have other diseases and tendency to be overweight. The food is completely sodium-free. Potassium sorbate is used to prevent spoilage. The feed does not contain additives that can provoke the development of hypervitaminosis in healthy animals.

It is recommended that you consult a veterinarian before using prophylactic feed. Depending on the pet's condition and needs, the product can be used in courses.

After spaying the cat, I temporarily transferred it to Neutered Adult Maintenance spiders. She has no problems with skin or being overweight. Access to the feed is usually open. The cat itself decides how much to eat, so I did not limit it in any way. The rest was removed, because it deteriorates. Pouches help not only prevent the development of urolithiasis, but also restore digestion and speed up recovery after surgery. Coarse dry food can cause injury to adjacent tissues and increase inflammation, so it is temporarily excluded from the diet. Wet food contains more water. This reduces the risk of developing cystitis after surgery as a result of fluid stagnation and swelling of injured tissues.

Other types

The company produces Satiety Weight Management SAT30 (pouches) and Satiety Weight Management SAT34 (dry rations) for weight management. They are used to reduce body weight and prevent it from gaining again. Sometimes foods are prescribed for type 2 diabetes. The food helps to build up the muscle corset, so it is recommended to combine the diet with physical activity.

Satiety Weight Management SAT30 contains the following components:

• meat and meat offal,
• cereals,
• vegetable by-products,
• eggs and egg products,
• minerals,
• sources of carbohydrates,
• molluscs and crustaceans.

Wet food contains vegetable fibers that swell and feel full when ingested

Satiety Weight Management SAT34 dry food contains the following ingredients:

• dehydrated poultry,
• vegetable fiber,
• tapioca,
• wheat gluten,
• corn gluten,
• Wheat flour,
• hydrolyzate of animal proteins,
• animal fats,
• minerals,
• chicory pulp,
• fish fat,
• psyllium shell and seeds,
• hydrolyzate from crustacean shell,
• extract of marigold erect,
• hydrolyzate from cartilage.

The calorie content of the product is 306 kcal.

A special substitute for cat milk Babycat Milk is produced for kittens. The product is used to feed animals if the mother for some reason has abandoned her duties or cannot fulfill them. The composition of the substitute is as close as possible to mother's milk. It contains enough fat for rapid weight gain and unsaturated fatty acids to improve central nervous system function. Amino acids and minerals (taurine, iodine, manganese, iron, zinc, etc.) contribute to the normal development of internal organs and tissues. There is no starch in the substitute and the proportion of milk sugar is reduced. This helps to avoid diarrhea and further dehydration.

The substitute is a powder that must be diluted with water. The manufacturer also produces dry food and spiders for kittens up to 1 year old. There are special products for different breeds: Maine Coons, British Shorthairs and Persian cats and cats.

Cat milk substitute is a light powder with a yellowish tinge

For adult animals, dry food and spiders are produced for different breeds. The line is wider than for kittens. There are products for Sphynx, Siberian, Siamese and Bengal cats. There is a preventive food for animals with sensitive digestion. You can choose a diet depending on the age of the pet or its activity level. The manufacturer produces food for the prevention of the formation of wool lumps in the digestive tract, the development of diseases of the oral cavity and the deterioration of the appearance of wool.

Analysis of the composition of the feed "Royal Canin"

To obtain an adequate assessment, it is necessary to analyze the composition of several types of feed: medical and everyday. The components differ depending on the needs of the animals, therefore it is incorrect to compare a therapeutic product with a standard one. The manufacturer's medicinal and daily feeds belong to different classes, which can cause confusion among consumers when choosing.

Everyday food

As an example, consider the composition of Indoor 27 dry food. The product includes the following ingredients:

• wheat,
• rice,
• dehydrated proteins of animal origin (poultry),
• vegetable protein isolate,
• flour from cereals,
• animal fats,
• vegetable fiber,
• hydrolyzate of proteins of animal origin (flavoring additives),
• minerals,
• soybean oil,
• yeast and fermentation by-products,
• fish fat,
• fructooligosaccharides,
• psyllium shell and seeds (0.5%).

At the top of the list are 2 types of cereals. In total, their share is much higher than the percentage of meat. The amount of proteins is brought to the norm not by animals, but by plant products, which is unacceptable in the case of cat food. The wording "dehydrated proteins of animal origin" raises doubts. This means that not only whole pieces of meat could be used in the process, but also industrial waste, internal organs, tumor tissues, etc. The lack of a specific variety also causes distrust. The bird in this case can be a chicken, duck, turkey or even a wild animal. For pet owners with allergies, it is important to know what kind of meat is in the feed.

The light color of the pellets indirectly indicates a low percentage of meat

After dehydrated animal proteins, the list is followed by other by-products derived from cereals: flour, fiber, isolate, soybean oil, etc. This is not the most suitable food for a cat. The presence of flavoring additives worsens the situation. Animals do not need them and can be harmful. Manufacturers most often add these ingredients to prevent cats switching to a different food. This forces customers to keep purchasing the product, even if they would like to change the animal's diet.

The advantages of the composition include the presence of dehydrated, rather than fresh, meat product. In the second case, the actual content of the ingredient would be even lower. The food contains additives such as fish oil, plantain seeds and yeast, which help to improve the digestion and condition of the pet's skin.

Healing feed

Let's consider the composition of Urinary S / O LP34 dry food. The following ingredients are used in the manufacture of the product:

• rice,
• wheat gluten,
• dehydrated poultry,
• corn flour,
• animal fats,
• corn gluten,
• hydrolyzate of animal proteins,
• wheat,
• minerals,
• vegetable fiber,
• beet pulp,
• fish fat,
• soybean oil,
• fructooligosaccharides (FOS),
• hydrolyzate of crustacean shell (source of glucosamine),
• extract of marigold erect (source of lutein).

The disadvantages are the same as with the daily food: too many cereals and no type of meat specified. However, the composition does not include dehydrated proteins, but the whole product. This improves the overall quality of the feed. The proportion of additives has been increased in the product. Beet pulp is present, which helps to cleanse the intestines of food debris. Mineral substances indirectly prevent exacerbation of urolithiasis and normalize metabolism. Glucosamine strengthens joints.

Medical food facilitates kidney function, but does not satisfy the daily need for nutrients, so it is advisable to use it in courses if necessary

There are fewer complaints about the small proportion of animal proteins in the medicinal feed, since the product is intended for pets with an unhealthy excretory system. Amino acids would theoretically increase the burden on the kidneys. However, in reality, there is still no consensus on the harm of animal proteins to the excretory system. My veterinarian is of the opinion that the use of cereals will not help a sick cat, since they are included in the natural diet of predators only in a semi-digested form (from the stomachs of prey) and in small quantities. Perhaps plant food increases the load on the body, but when switching to medicated food, there is a decrease in symptoms, an increase in remission periods and an improvement in the general condition of the cat. In this case, the facts speak for themselves.

Advantages and disadvantages of Royal Canin feed

The disadvantages of feed include the following factors:

1. No percentage of components. The buyer does not have accurate information about the amount of meat and other additives in the feed and can only guess about the true state of affairs from the position of the components in the list. Percentages and exact numbers are only given for certain therapeutic ingredients and minerals.
2. Low animal protein content. Cats are predators. They need meat more than cereals.
3. Use of substandard ingredients. In most cases, the manufacturer does not include whole grains in the composition, but flour and crushed parts. The same goes for meat: dehydrated proteins, offal, or "poultry" may be on the list.

The advantages of the products include a wide range, the presence of therapeutic additives and a balanced composition for unhealthy animals. Diet food helps to relieve pets with kidney, gastrointestinal or joint diseases. Low-calorie foods allow you to reduce the weight of the cat if the recommendations are followed. Medicated feeds are among the best on the market for ready-to-eat rations.

There is even a line of special treats that can be given to animals with health problems.

I like the manufacturer's specialized and healing products. A milk substitute will help if your cat gets sick after giving birth. Spiders and pates will reduce the stress on the gastrointestinal tract and prevent damage to adjacent tissues after surgery. Diet foods will strengthen joints and help improve skin condition. But I never buy everyday products because of the excess of cereals. For the same price, you can find a better food or buy a cheaper premium product with a similar composition. Holistic foods are best for cats to maintain their health, but they are more expensive.

Is Royal Canin suitable for all cats?

The compatibility of Royal Canin depends on the variety. Medical products are suitable only for unhealthy animals. In the absence of diseases, food can provoke metabolic disorders and the development of pathologies. The daily diet is suitable for all healthy cats. It is forbidden to give such food to sick pets due to the poor composition.

Due to the wide range of products, everyone can choose a compatible product. However, for constant feeding, the use of preventive or daily ready-made rations "Royal Canin" is not recommended due to the unsuitable balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for cats.

Feed cost and point of sale

The cost of a product depends on its type (therapeutic, prophylactic or everyday), consistency (pouches, pates or dry food) and the size of the package. You can get ready-made rations at most pet stores.

A few examples:

1. A small package (400 g) of dry food for adult kittens up to 12 months costs 250-300 rubles. The price of a large bag (10 kg) is about 5000-6000 rubles.
2. 400 g of dry food to prevent the formation of tartar costs 300–350 rubles. The price of a large package (8 kg) is 5000–5500 rubles.
3. A spider (100 g) for cats with digestive disorders costs 60–80 rubles.

Comparison of feeds "Proplan" and "Royal Canin"

Pro Plan products are less suitable for sick animals. The range of food contains preventive diets that avoid the onset of symptoms with sensitive skin, a tendency to diseases of the oral cavity and allergies, but there are no complete dietary products. In the composition, meat products often occupy the first positions, but they are presented fresh. The percentage of water evaporated during the preparation of the feed is not taken into account, which leads to a misconception on the part of the buyer.

Replacing Royal Canin with Pro Plan everyday products is impractical due to the lack of a fundamental difference in composition

There is practically no difference between daily feeds. The Royal Canin treatment line is much better.

Reviews of pet owners and veterinarians

It is advisable to use Royal Canin only in the treatment of diseases. In other cases, it is recommended to consider foods with the best composition. Mars products are indispensable in the treatment of pathology and to stabilize the condition of animals, but everyday food cannot be systematically used.