How does Royal Canin affect a dog
What, and how, to feed your pregnant dog
Nowthat your dog is pregnant, it's essential to provide herand her future litterwith the best start possible. Along with preparing your home and making sure she's comfortable, you should give her appropriate nutritional care that supports her health and the health of her puppies.
Giving pregnant mothers tailored nutrition during pregnancy can have a significant impact on the future well-being of the litter. For example, in astudyof pregnant Boston Terriers, those given folic acid supplements when in heat and during the start of their gestation had litters with fewer incidences of cleft palate. 1
Your dog, her behavior, and her feeding are likely to change during pregnancy, so here's what to look out for and how you can make sure you're giving her the support she needs.
Your pregnant dog's appetite and feeding schedule
At the very start of her pregnancy, your dog may suffer atemporary loss of appetite. This is very normal, and her appetite will return as her body cares for her growing litter.
With this in mind, it might be tempting to change her feeding schedule to fit in with her altered appetite. However, it's not a good idea to alter your pregnant dog's feeding times in this way. This approach can harm the dog and her future puppies because she isn't getting appropriate or consistent nutrition that can result in complications, such as difficulty giving birth. Instead, stick to herregular feeding schedulewith some specific changes to support the pregnancy.
Nutrition for pregnant dogs
After the fifth week of her pregnancy, your dog's energy needs will increase by 10% every week as the puppies develop. At the same time, her ability to eat can be constrained due to her physical transformation, so she's not able to take in or digest the nutrition she needs. The solution is totransition to an energy-dense foodwhich is high in energy.
In the final third of your dog's pregnancy, after 42 days, you canswitch entirely to a high-energy foodto support her in the final stages of the gestation. You should also increase the volume of this food by 10% each week until she gives birth, as she will need the extra nutrients and energy.
An important point to bear in mind is to give your pregnant dog anutritionally balanced foodwhich doesn't require her to take any supplements. Some of these that you might normally give to your dog, such as calcium, can interfere with normal vitamin and mineral regulation in her body during pregnancy, resulting in unwanted health complications.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)
Home Reviews Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)
By Mike Sagman
Updated: March 21, 2024
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Unrated
Which Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food is not rated due to its intentional therapeutic design.
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Canine Selected Protein product line includes 6 dry dog foods, each designed to help in treating food sensitivities that cause skin or digestive conditions.
Each recipe below includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein Adult PR was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein Adult PR
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Potato, rabbit meal, coconut oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, potato protein, natural flavors, vegetable oil, monocalcium phosphate, fish oil, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, dl-methionine, salt, potassium chloride, vitamins [dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), niacin supplement, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], taurine, trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, copper proteinate], rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 19% | 10% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 21% | 11% | 60% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 20% | 25% | 55% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The second ingredient is rabbit meal. Rabbit meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh rabbit.
The third ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.1
Because of its proven safety2 as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.
The fourth ingredient is hydrolyzed soy protein. Soy protein isolate is a highly refined form of soybean protein with a protein content of about 90%.
In this case, the soy protein has been hydrolyzed which means it has been broken down into its individual amino acid components.
Hydrolyzed protein is valued by veterinary professionals because of its proven and effective hypoallergenic properties.
The fifth ingredient is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
After the natural flavors, we find vegetable oil, a generic oil of unknown origin. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in any oil is nutritionally critical and can vary significantly (depending on the source).
Without knowing more, its impossible to judge the quality of an item so vaguely described. However, compared to a named animal fat, a generic vegetable oil cannot be considered a quality ingredient.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Royal Canin product.
With 4 notable exceptions
First, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
In addition, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the products ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.
So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, its important to consult your veterinarian.
With that understanding
Based on its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Canine Selected Protein looks like an average dry kibble.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 21%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 60%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 22% and a mean fat level of 11%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 59% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the potato and soy proteins, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a limited amount of meat.
Our Rating of Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein is a prescription dry dog food using a limited amount of named meat and named meat by-product meals as its dominant source of animal protein.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Royal Canin through April.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Get Free Recall Alerts
Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisors recall notification list.
More Royal Canin Brand Reviews
The following Royal Canin dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
Compare This Dog Food
How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
How your dog's diet affects their skin
Your dogs skin is the largest organ in their body and plays a vital role in protecting it against external damage. Your dogs diet has a big impact on whether their skin is healthy and functioning effectively.
Your dogs skin and coat
Your dog's skin and coat make up, on average, 12% of their body weight, and are important organs in their ongoing health and development. Their skin has three individual layers, each with a different function:
The top layer, or epidermis, provides a barrier to external irritants
The middle layer, or dermis, gives skin elasticity and resistance
The bottom layer, or hypodermis, is rich in fat cells and insulation
Your dogs skin provides critical protection against environmental factors and external parasites that could irritate your pet. Their skin also protects against water loss, regulates their body temperature and is responsible for housing the hairs of their coat. Your dogs skin, therefore, must be looked after carefully to help support their overall health.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food Review (Dry)
Home Reviews Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food Review (Dry)
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food Review (Dry)
By Mike Sagman & Julia Ogden
Updated: March 21, 2024
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Unrated
Review of Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food is not rated due to its intentional therapeutic design.
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal product line includes 5 dry dog foods, each designed to help in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat, barley, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp, chicken fat, salt, fish oil, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, psyllium seed husk, sodium silico aluminate, fructooligosaccharides, hydrolyzed yeast, taurine, vitamins [dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), niacin supplement, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], dl-methionine, choline chloride, l-lysine, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta l.), trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate], rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 20% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 22% | 5% | 65% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 12% | 65% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The second ingredient is chicken by-product meal, a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. Its made from whats left of a slaughtered chicken after all the choice cuts have been removed.
On the brighter side, by-product meals are meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The quality of this ingredient can vary, depending on the caliber of the raw materials obtained by the manufacturer.
The third ingredient is wheat. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.
The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
After the natural flavor, we find beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The eighth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. Thats because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals including humans.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isnt disclosed on the list of ingredients, its impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With 5 notable exceptions
First, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, this recipe contains fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener1 probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.
In addition, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
This recipe also contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
And lastly, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the products ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.
So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, its important to consult your veterinarian.
With that understanding
Based on its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal looks like an average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 22%, a fat level of 6% and estimated carbohydrates of about 64%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 25% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 52% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Which means this product contains
Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn gluten meal and dried yeast (contained in some recipes), this looks like the profile of a dry product containing a moderate amount of meat.
Our Rating of Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of named by-product meal as its dominant source of animal protein.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Royal Canin through April.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Get Free Recall Alerts
Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisors recall notification list.
More Royal Canin Brand Reviews
The following Royal Canin dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
Compare This Dog Food
How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
