Royal Canin Cat Food Review: 10 Best Formulas for Every Cat’s Needs

Royal Canin is one of the most respected brands in the pet food industry. For 50 years, it has established itself as one of the leaders in specialized nutrition for pets of different life stages and health requirements.

It is well-known for creating breed-specific products for purebred cats and dogs. We’ve created this 2025 Royal Canin cat food review to help you find the best cat food for your kitty.

Created by French veterinary surgeon Jean Cathary in 1968, the brand was inspired by pets who suffered from various health conditions, especially those that affect their skin and coats.

Cathary developed a cereal-based recipe which effectively alleviated the pets’ problems. The company is now owned by Mars, Inc.

In the 1990s, chairman Henri Laguarde implemented core policies in the company’s operations. The policies dictate that the physiology and biology of pets should be studied to increase their knowledge.

The second policy states that all products must be able to address a pet’s specific needs. This comes with mandatory instructions saying, “no veterinarian or university should be able to refute any of Royal Canin's nutritional arguments”.

The third dictates that animals and their nutritional needs are to be treated with “knowledge and respect”, and not be humanized.

Royal Canin Cat Food Reviews

Royal Canin cat food products are divided into two main lines: Vet Range and Retail Range. Both product lines have sub-categories according to age, health requirements, or activity level.

The Retail Range also has breed-specific products tailored to meet the unique requirements of certain feline breeds. Below is a review of company’s top-rated wet and dry cat food products available on Chewy sites.

1. Feline Health Nutrition Kitten

Specially formulated for the second stage of kittenhood, this product is recommended for kittens aged 4 months to a year old. In this phase, their growth slows down, but their digestive and immune systems continue to develop.

This kibble for kittens contains a complex of antioxidants with vitamin E to help strengthen their immune system.

Digestive health is supported by highly digestible protein and prebiotics.

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2. Royal Canin Mother and Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse 

This Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce is developed for the needs of baby kittens aged 1 to 4 months, and mother cats who are pregnant or nursing.

The soft mousse texture helps kittens transition from milk to solid food. It also has DHA to support brain development starting from the womb and continuing throughout the mother cat’s gestation.

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3. Feline Health Nutrition Indoor

This kibble is designed to meet the needs of healthy indoor kitties aged 1-7 years old. An optimal blend of fibers helps prevent hairballs.

The highly digestible protein increases the digestibility of nutrients for lesser stool amounts.

Its controlled calorie content helps them maintain a healthy weight despite lessened activity.

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4. Royal Canin Indoor 7+ 

This Royal Canin product is specially made for healthy indoor kitties aged 7 years and older.

It contains ageing support with antioxidants to combat cell ageing; omega 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat; and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

It also has an adapted phosphorus level to help support renal health.

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5. Feline Health Nutrition Savor Selective

Savor Selective dry food is designed specifically for picky cats. It has two different formulas with unique flavors and textures.

It is enriched with biotin, omega 6 fatty acids for healthy, beautiful coats. This product is recommended for fussy felines aged 1 to 10 years old.

The first five ingredients are corn, brewers rice, chicken meal, chicken fat, and wheat gluten. Corn gluten meal is also included as an additional source of protein.

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6. Feline Health Nutrition Instinctive

Adult Instinctive is a soft wet cat food for kitties aged 1 to 7 years old.

According to the Brand, it is formulated to match the nutritional profile instinctively preferred by adult cats.

Not only does it help maintain a healthy weight, it also supports the urinary system.

The first five ingredients are water sufficient for processing, pork by-products, chicken by-products, chicken liver and pork liver.

It also includes salmon, wheat gluten, pork plasma and powdered cellulose among others.

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7. Royal Canin Hair and Skin Care 

Intense Beauty has high levels of omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids to help promote a beautiful coat and healthy skin.

It is also designed to help maintain a healthy weight and urinary system. This canned cat food comes in two textures: loaf in sauce and slices in gravy.

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8. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive 

The Digest Sensitive is specially formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs. It is made to be highly digestible, and includes carefully selected nutrients that help reduce stool odor. This recipe also promotes health urinary traction through a reduced concentration of minerals.

The first five ingredients are water sufficient for processing, chicken by-products, pork by-products, and pork liver.

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Veterinary Diet Cat Food Review

Royal Canin is one of the most well-known pet food brands to offer highly specialized food that target specific medical conditions from urinary tract issues to diabetes, allergies, and many others. These products come in both wet and dry variants.

9. Urinary SO Morsels in Gravy 

Urinary SO cat food is a complete dietetic food for felines. It is specially formulated to dissolve struvite stones and prevent recurrence through its urine acidifying properties and low level of magnesium.

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10. Renal Support S 

This is a savory, energy-dense dry cat food designed for adult cats with kidney issues.

Formulated under veterinary supervision, it stimulates appetite with its palatable aroma and square-shaped kibble, which can be mixed with other Renal Support options.

It supports kidney health with low phosphorus, targeted protein, fish oil fatty acids, and antioxidants, making it ideal for cats with reduced appetites.

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Has Royal Canin cat food ever been recalled?

Yes. In 2006, Royal Canin issued a recall of some of their cat and dog food products due to excessive levels of vitamin D3.

Is this a good brand?

If your cats are suffering from health issues, we think that Royal Canin is definitely worth a try, though it is always best to consult your vet first. The brand has received numerous comments about how cat owners were able to find the right products to help resolve their kitties’ conditions.

It may be quite expensive if you have multiple feline friends in your care. However, if you are looking for grain-free products for your feline friend, their products may not be for you.

Takeaway

Royal Canin is one of the most respected, and maybe even expensive cat food brands available globally. It is quite common to find their products at the vet’s office, or at pet specialty stores, and is also often recommended by vets. Known to offer highly specialized products that target the specific needs of cats with medical conditions, or even those of specific breeds, it is quite easy to find a suitable product with the nutrients your cat needs.

One of the company’s core policies come with mandatory instructions saying, “no veterinarian or university should be able to refute any of Royal Canin's nutritional arguments”. However, the cat food brand is often criticized for their products’ ingredients. Some believe that as carnivores, cats do not need huge amounts of grain in their diet.

Of all the products we reviewed, none of them have protein as the first ingredient. Most of the kibbles contain ingredients such as wheat gluten, corn gluten meal, maize flour, powdered cellulose, and other ingredients that are usually criticized as not beneficial to feline health.

Based on some cat food reviews, animal by-products are also another issue that some have with company. They feel that for their prices, they should at least contain only real meat without any by-products.

Good results speak for themselves. Despite all the ingredient criticism, many attribute the success of treating their kitties’ various urinary, skin and coat, and digestive issues to feeding them with specific Royal Canin products. After all, the cat food brand was built on the effectivity of a cereal-based food to treat existing pet health issues.