Royal Canin Cat Food Review 2023: Guides, Analysis & Reviews

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 2023 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.

Reviewed Royal Canin Cat Foods

1. Royal Canin Kitten Dry Cat Food
2. Royal Canin Mother and Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse
3. Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
4. Royal Canin Indoor 7+ Dry Cat Food
5. Royal Canin Savor Selective Dry Cat Food
6. Royal Canin Adult Instinctive Wet Cat Food
7. Royal Canin Intense Beauty
8. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive
9. Royal Canin Urinary SO Cat Food

1. Royal Canin 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.

The first five ingredients in this pet food are dehydrated poultry protein, rice, vegetable protein isolate, animal fats, and maize flour.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Healthy, beautiful kittens. Royal Canin Kitten has been great for many young kittens. A lot of cat parents raved that their kittens grew up to be very healthy, energetic, and had soft, shiny coats.

Kittens love it! This cat food is quite popular with your kitties. They love the flavor, and the kibble shape and size make it easier for them to munch on this kibble. A few reviews state that that some kittens refuse to eat any other cat foods.

Cons

Grains. Some cat food reviews state that this product has mostly grains and corn, instead of protein. These buyers do not agree that this product is good for kitties due to the by-product ingredients and the high carbohydrate content.

Conclusion

Royal Canin Kitten has received a lot of good food reviews from owners of kittens who grew up on this kibble. They attribute their kittens’ good health and high energy to this product. However, based on some cat food reviews, others do not agree due to the fact that it contains grains and is high in carbohydrates.

2. Royal Canin Mother and Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse 

Mother and Babycat 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.

The first five ingredients are: meat and animal derivatives; cereals; oils and fats; derivatives of vegetable origin; and milk and milk derivatives.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Great for weaning baby kitties. Weaning kittens from milk is a breeze with this soft, fluffy mousse. They love the taste, and the texture makes it easy for them to eat with ease.

Healthy weight. Kittens who have been weaned with this wet cat food were able to gain visibly healthy weights. This product has been great for kitties who are struggling to gain weight.

Cons

Pricey. While very nutritious and effective in weaning baby cats, this mousse variant is on the expensive side. The good news is, kittens can always be transitioned to a different product after weaning successfully.

Conclusion

Mother and Babycat mousse is effective in transitioning kittens from nursing or bottle-feeding to solid cat foods. The taste and texture are appealing to them, and it is easy to chew and digest. Though quite pricey, many cat parents believe that kittens who were fed this wet food were able to gain healthy weights and grow healthy coats.

3. Royal Canin Indoor Adult 

Indoor Adult 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.

The first five ingredients are maize, dehydrated poultry protein, rice, vegetable protein isolate, and wheat.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Helps with weight management. Many overweight kitties who have been switched to this Adult Indoor kibble were able to shed their extra weight. Even cats who needed to gain weight gained a healthy amount when fed with this product.

Fresher litter boxes. This product is effective in decreasing the amount of stools in the litter box. There is less odor from the litter box compared to before they were fed with this indoor recipe.

Cons

Grains. This is another product from the cat food brand that gets feedback regarding the amount of grains that go in it. Many believe that as obligate carnivores, kitties do not really need grains and other carbs in their diet.

Conclusion

Indoor Adult has given good results for indoor kitties who need help managing their weights. The kitties were able to shed the excess weight, and have become more active. The odor from the litter box was vastly improved with fewer, less smelly stools.

This pet food has been criticized in various cat food reviews for its grain content. However, it is worth mentioning that the foundation of the company is built on a cereal-based recipe that has been proven to improve the health conditions of pets in France in 1968.

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.

Indoor 7+’s first five ingredients are corn, barley, wheat, chicken meal, and corn gluten meal.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Easy to digest. Senior kitties who have been enjoying having Indoor 7+ for their meals have been showing signs of healthier digestion. Several cats who were previously throwing up their meals have stopped doing so since being switched to Royal Canin Indoor 7+. The kibbles are small enough for senior teeth, according to some reviews.

Healthy skin and coat. Many senior kitties have seen a noticeable improvement in their skin and coat. Some who previously had rough hair and some flaky patches of skin now have soft fur and improved skin condition as a result of eating this recipe. Hairballs have also been significantly reduced.

Cons

Kibbles are had to chew. A few customers find that their older cats are having a hard time chewing the kibbles. They are a bit too large or hard for their older kitties.

Conclusion

The health benefits from Indoor 7+ has been enjoyed by many senior cats. It has given them softer skin and coats, and the hairballs have been reduced. Some find the kibbles easy to chew and digest, while others feel that it is too hard and too large for a product made for older cats.

5. Royal Canin 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.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Passed the picky cat test. This product is loved by certified finicky kitties! They seem to enjoy the dual flavor and texture that the kibbles offer. Many cat owners who tried Savor Selective did not have any trouble transitioning their cats to this kibble at all.

Healthy weight, shiny coat. This is another product that has received great feedback for giving soft, shiny fur. The finicky cats who tried Savor Selective were also able to maintain healthy weights. No more pot bellies from gorging on lower quality products.

Cons

Pricey. This product is more expensive than your average kibble. This is the slightly higher price that owners of finicky kitties have to pay to get them to try this dual flavor and texture kibble. Some customers are also not too pleased that the price gets higher for a kibble that contains ingredients like, corn, brewer’s rice, and wheat gluten.

Conclusion

Overall, the Savor Selective dry food is a good kibble to try for very picky cats. The cats get two types of flavors and textures in one bag. It has received raved reviews from owners of known finicky kitties.

Like other Royal Canin cat food products, cats who have been eating this have shown improvements in their skin and coat. While a bit expensive, some find that it is worth finally finding dry food that their cat would eat.

6. Royal Canin Adult Instinctive 

Adult Instinctive – Thin Slices in Gravy 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.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Cats love it. Kitties can’t get enough of this wet cat food. It is rich in flavor and packed with nutrients essential to adult cats’ health.

Perfect slices. The thin slices in gravy is just the right size, according to cat parents. The texture is loved by cats, and they enjoy the hydrating gravy.

Cons

Recipe change. Some customers have complained that the new formula of the Adult Instinctive is not as good as it used to be. They find that the new recipe has a much stronger smell compare to the previous formula.

Conclusion

The Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy, is pretty much your average wet cat food. Cats do enjoy the taste and the texture of this product. The gravy is quite popular too. However, cat parents who have been buying this product has noted that the new recipe is just not an improvement from its predecessor.

7. Royal Canin Intense Beauty 

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.

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

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Better skin and fur. Cats who have been given Intense Beauty wet cat food regularly have grown soft, silky fur. Some who had skin problems such as itchy, flaky skin and bald spots have also shown significant improvements.

Hairball control. Intense Beauty helped reduce the number of hairballs for many cats. Some have even completely eradicated hairballs since they started eating this wet cat food.

Cons

Pricey. Beauty comes with a price – a slightly hefty one, according to some buyers. While many cat owners who have seen their cats’ skin conditions clear up with this food would gladly purchase Intense Beauty, some feel that the it is too expensive.

Conclusion

The Intense Beauty wet cat food has been recommended by many vets for cats who have skin and coat issues. Based on numerous feedback from cat owners, their kitties’ skin and coats have shown significant improvement after being fed Intense Beauty regularly. While too expensive for some, others find good value in it for the results that it can deliver.

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.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Resolved various digestive issues. From vomiting to gastroenteritis, this wet food has helped improve or resolve such issues for numerous cats. Cats who previously turned their noses at prescription food, liked this canned food.

According to some cat food reviews, cat parents have even used this a substitute for more expensive prescription food for urinary problems. This may be one of the best cat foods in the market for digestive health.

Kitties love it. This wet food product is loved by many cats who had been suffering from digestive conditions such as diarrhea, megacolon, and other gastrointestinal issues. It is rich and meaty with ingredients such as chicken and pork by products and pork liver.

Cons

Strong smell. A few cat food brand reviews state that the smell of this wet cat food product is too strong for their liking.

Conclusion

This wet cat food is effective resolving various digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and many others. Some also find it suitable as a more affordable substitute for prescription food for digestive conditions.

As one of the more expensive cat food brands, many cat parents are confident that this pet food is worth the price for the relief it gave their poor suffering kitties.

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. Royal Canin Urinary SO 

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.

The first five ingredients in this pet food are rice, wheat gluten, dehydrated poultry protein, maize flour, and animal fats.

Guaranteed Analysis

Pros

Helps restore urinary health. Cats who have been suffering from urinary tract crystals, infections, and other related conditions have shown a good amount of improvement since switching to this food. Many of their owners now mix their cats’ usual food with Urinary SO as a preventive measure to keep the conditions from recurring.

Cons

Expensive. This vet range dry food product is sold at a much higher price point than the average urinary care cat food.

Conclusion

While it costs more, many cat parents swear by Urinary SO and its efficacy in resolving various urinary conditions. Vets have even recommended mixing some of this kibble with their usual cat food to prevent the crystals and other urinary issues from coming back.

Summary

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.

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 Royal Canin a good cat food 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.