Who owns Royal Canin dog food

Best and worst dog food brands

There are hundreds of dog food options available, from dry to grain-free to raw, but which ones will have your furry friend licking the bowl clean?

We surveyed 2,304 dog owners about the pet food they buy to uncover the brands that customers (and their dogs) love and which offer the best value for money.

See how brands such as Burns, Harringtons and Royal Canin are rated by customers, as well as supermarket options from the likes of Aldi and Lidl.

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Dog food brands rated

Our top-scoring dog food brand achieved an impressive customer score of 82%, and five-star ratings for how much pets liked it, as well as their wellbeing when eating it.

At the other end of the scale, two brands scored less than 60%, with just two stars out of five each for how healthy the dog seemed when eating food from that brand.

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Make sure your furry friend is covered see our guide to the best pet insurance for your dog

How to choose the best dog food for your pet

Deciphering all the pet nutrition information on the internet can seem like an impossible task. It can range from confusing to completely contradictory.

We spoke to real pet nutrition researchers to understand what actually matters. Good news: it isnt as complicated as it seems.

The most important part of choosing a food is actually monitoring your pet, said Dr Teresa Hollands, senior lecturer in veterinary nutrition at the University of Surrey. If you're feeding your pet a particular brand of food, and they have plenty of energy and seem well in themselves, then you are on the right track.

Dr Nigel Kendall, lecturer in nutrition at the University of Nottingham, agreed: If your pet is on completely the wrong diet, then there will be physical signs.

Signs that your pet is eating a nutritious diet, and the right food for their needs, include:

• good overall health
• plenty of energy
• good sleeping habits
• regularly passing firm stools
• maintaining a healthy weight.

Also a cat owner? See our guide to thebest and worst cat food brands

How to feed your dog the best and healthiest diet

As well as choosing the right food, you can also maximise the nutritional value of your pets diet by feeding them in the right way.

We spoke with Dr David Gardner, professor of physiology at the University of Nottingham, to find out more:

Choosing a complete food

Start by making sure you are feeding your pet a complete food, he said. Thats really important, but it isnt always clearly labelled.

Complete foods are designed to give your pet all the nutrients they need, so you can feed them the same thing every day without causing a nutritional imbalance or deficit.

Weighing your pet food

David also highlighted the importance of weighing your pets food every time you feed them.

Remember, you may not notice that you're overfeeding your pet if you increase the size of their feed very slightly each day.

Varying your pet food

If you want to take additional steps to ensure your pet is getting the best nutrition, David also suggested varying the food you give them, provided that this doesnt upset their stomach.

These changes could be as small as varying the flavour of food that you give to your pet.

If you buy a bag of lamb dog food one month, try the chicken next time, David suggested.

If you do want to try changing the type or brand of your pet food, remember to do so gradually. Your pet's meal should be no more than 25% new food for the first couple of days, increasing over the course of a week.

Dogs can be fussy, so know that varying your pet food is not essential. The main thing is that they eat and enjoy their food and that it's nutritionally complete.

Best dog harnesses see our pick of the best and worst as tested by dog owners

Is wet or dry dog food better?

Both wet and dry foods can be nutritionally complete, meaning that they should contain all the nutrients your pet needs. That means there is no significant advantage to either food type.

David recommended feeding your pet a mixture of wet and dry food.

Evidence suggests that there are slight differences in the nutritional composition of wet and dry food. That means you are going to cover more nutrients if you mix them together.

If you want to feed your dog exclusively one type of food, then wet food does tend to be more appealing. However, it is often more expensive and it can predispose pets to dental disease.

In contrast, dry food is beneficial to dogs teeth and gums, and it is usually easier and cheaper to use and store. Just make sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water, as they will not be getting hydration from their food.

Best food and drinkwe've rated the tastiest food for humans too. Discover our top picks, from chicken soup to red wine

Can dogs be vegan?

Yes, provided you are careful about the type of food you give them.

There are commercial dog foods available that are vegetarian or vegan and nutritionally complete.

Some people may want to prepare homemade vegetarian or vegan meals for their dog, which is not typically recommended by experts.

This is because evidence suggests that homemade food (including meat-based diets) is typically not nutritionally complete even when people follow recipes labelled as such.

Is raw food good for dogs?

Raw pet food has become more popular over the past few years, especially for dogs, but experts don't generally recommend it.

I would not recommend a raw food diet due to the risk to human health, says Dr Heather Bacon, dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire.

Bacteria present in raw meat can include salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and E-coli. These cause significant illness in humans and animals, particularly young, old and immune-compromised individuals.

These can be spread around the house during food preparation and eating. They can also be passed from animals to humans if your pet kisses your face after eating.

All of these bacteria are destroyed when meat is correctly cooked.

How much should my dog weigh?

According to a 2022 survey by UK Pet Food, 50% of dogs (and 43% of cats) are overweight or obese.

Your pet being overweight can have a huge impact on its quality of life, including limiting their ability to exercise or sleep properly. According to the RSPCA, it also predisposes them to illness including:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• cancer.

How to if tell your dog is overweight

Dr Teresa Hollands recommends an easy method for checking your pets weight.

Create a fist with your hand, and feel your knuckles with your fingers, she said. If your pets ribs feel like that, they are underweight.

Then lay your hand flat, and feel your knuckles again. If their ribs feel like that, they are the perfect weight.

Finally, keep your hand flat, turn your hand over, and run your fingers over the pads on your palm at the base of your fingers. If their ribs feel like that, they are overweight.

Physical signs that your dog is overweight

• Very thin(more than 20% below ideal body weight) Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen (in short-haired pets), obvious loss of muscle bulk, no fat can be felt under the skin.
• Underweight (10-20% below ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones easily seen, obvious waist and abdominal tuck, very little fat can be felt under the skin.
• IdealRibs, spine and hip bones easily felt, visible waist and abdominal tuck, small amount of fat can be felt.
• Overweight(10-15% above ideal body weight): Ribs, spine and hip bones are hard to feel, waist barely visible, broad back, layer of fat on belly and at base of tail.
• Obese (more than 15% above ideal body weight)Ribs, spine and hip bones extremely difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat, no waist can be seen and belly may droop significantly, heavy fat pads on lower back and at base of the tail.

How we rated dog food brands

To uncover the best and worst dog food brands, in July 2023 we surveyed 2,304 Which? members who had bought dog food recently, and asked all about their experiences with their chosen brand.

We asked them to rate the brand on various attributes including value for money, how their dog responded to the food, and its perceived wellbeing on the food.

Overall customer scores are based on how satisfied customers were with the brand overall and whether or not they would recommend it.

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Where Is Royal Canin Dog Food Made?

There are different types of dog foods on the market today.

Some are better than others and some are just plain awful.

Worse still, some contain toxic ingredients that might make your pup sick.

Some harmful ingredients for dogs include avocado, alcohol, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and macadamia nuts.

So, how do you avoid foods that are not safe for your dog?

Well, there are many things to look out for but where the food is made is of prime importance.

For instance, some countries may not have safety guidelines that manufacturers are required to abide by, and that can impact the quality of their products.

So, Where Is Royal Canin Dog Food Made?

This company started in Royal Canin in France back in 1968 and is still headquartered there to date.

It has however spread its wings overseas and is now on almost every continent.

In the United States, it is headquartered in St. Charles Missouri, where they have a major manufacturing plant for US and Canadian markets.

They also have another factory in South Dakota and have lots of offices spread out across America.

If you buy Royal Canin dog food in America, there is a very good chance that it has come from the Missouri or South Dakota factories.

However, you can rest easy knowing that either way, all their pet food is made to adhere to the strict nutritional and safety guidelines irrespective of where they are manufactured.

The company has always had a focus on providing high-quality food for dogs and cats.

The company was founded by Dr. Cathary based on focusing on the pet and continuously studying pets to understand what they need before making a product for them.

This approach to engineering products that are aimed at meeting the needs of pets is what has really set it apart from its competition.

Who Owns Royal Canin Dog Food?

Royal Canin dog found was founded by Dr. Cathary in 1968.

Dr. Cathary had a desire to create a pet food company that relied on science to make food products that are safe, healthy, and relevant.

Today, the Royal Canin dog food headquarters in France is home to some 160 dogs and 180 cats as a way of reminding the staff to interact with their customers on a day-to-day basis.

What started as a private company owned by Dr. Cathary is now a huge conglomerate that is a subsidiary of Mars Petcare.

Mars Petcare is one of the biggest pet food companies in the world.

It is incorporated in America and is known for other famous brands like Snickers, M&Ms, and Galaxy.

What Ingredients Are Used In Royal Canin Dog Food?

The company uses a variety of different ingredients in its food products.

These include maize flour, Maize, Wheat, Wheat Flour, Animal Fats, Hydrolyzed Animal Proteins, Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Yeast, Soya Oil, Minerals, Antioxidants, Fish Oil, and Beet Pulp.

The ingredients are typically mixed to achieve foods that have a balanced diet with a protein content of 25%, fat content of 14%, fiber content of 1.3%, moisture content of 8%, and ash content of 6.1%.

Additionally, some nutritional additives may be incorporated, including Vitamins (A, and D3) and minerals (iodine, manganese, selenium, and zinc).

Is Royal Canin Dog Food Made In China?

In 2009, Royal Canin dog food opened its 12th manufacturing plant in Shanghai China.

This was a move to help the company keep up with the growing demand for its products in Asia.

With this new factory, the company now had a manufacturing plant on almost every continent except Africa and Antarctica.

The entrance of Royal Canin dog food in China has helped the pet industry in the region because of the ethical focus of the company.

For instance, the company has partnered with Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau and other industry stakeholders to champion better handling of rescue pets to make the region more pet friendly.

Additionally, all the pet food manufactured at the Shangai facility adheres to the stringent quality standards that have to be met at all plants.

Is Royal Canin A Good Dog Food?

The quality of the ingredients used, the manufacturing process, safety standards, and the commitment to meeting pet nutritional needs have all contributed to making Royal Canin good dog food.

Additionally, the different products are designed to meet the specific needs of different dogs.

This means that there is a food product for almost every dog irrespective of their age, size, or breed.

For instance, some of the products are designed for toy breeds, small breeds, medium breeds, large breeds, and giant breeds.

Others are meant for pregnant or nursing dogs while others are meant for specific health conditions like sensitive stomachs, joint problems, and skin allergies.

Summary

In summary, Royal Canin dog food is made with a lot of care and attention to detail.

The company has a rich history dating back to 1968 when it was founded and has grown to become one of the biggest pet food companies in the world, thanks to its commitment to making products that are safe and healthy for pets.

Royal Canin is a good dog food because of the quality of ingredients used, the manufacturing process, safety standards, and the commitment to meeting pet nutritional needs.

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