Royal Canin Ultamino Dry Dog Food Review: Recalls, Pros, Cons, and More

Written by Alan Lemus
Updated: July 11, 2022
© Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock.com

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Best forProduct
Best for Digestive IssuesRoyal Canin Canine Ultamino Dry Dog Food, 19.8 lb

With quality in mind, Royal Canin Ultamino presents a very good option for pet owners who are looking for the right food for their pets. After all, Royal Canin collaborates with veterinarians to formulate recipes and foods with high nutritional value to help pets who are suffering from illnesses or any form of sensitivities.

Food sensitivity is one of the common problems faced by pets, and with this case even posing a serious threat to the health of pets, it becomes a responsible choice to pick the right food for your pet. While they have quite a lot of options to choose from, including for cats, the Royal Canin Ultamino Dry Dog Food is a good choice for dogs with digestive issues. The ingredients, even though slightly controversial, are of the highest quality, and everything is simply just impressive, with the food ranking among the best dog foods we’ve encountered.

Summary

Royal Canin has been in the business for quite a long time now and, as mentioned above, they’ve got several food options all serving different pets. 

However, their veterinary brand of food is what seems to always be the catch, with the Royal Canin Ultamino Dry Dog Food being one of their best options in that category. Ultanimo is loaded with several nutrients which are distributed across a long list of ingredients. While some of these ingredients, like vegetable oil, powdered cellulose, and hydrolyzed poultry by-products aggregate might be controversial, they can still be considered one of the highly recommended options for you, especially if your dog is struggling with chronic digestive issues, mainly with proteins. 

Judging by their strategy of collaborating with veterinarians to develop their dog food recipes, there can actually be no doubts regarding the quality of the food, and even going by the reviews on Amazon, Chewy, and Petco, the food is surely one to consider. If allergies, sensitivities, digestive issues, and stomach problems are on a list of things your dog is suffering from, then you should definitely give the Ultamino a try.

Royal Canin Ultamino Benefits and Features

Aside from just helping to provide a good option to tackle any form of digestive issues that your dog might be suffering from, Royal Canin Ultamino also has a range of other benefits that all center around supporting your dog’s health.  A breakdown of the Ultanimo’s benefits includes;

  • It helps to reduce skin reactions that may be due to sensitivities to common proteins found in adult dog foods.
  • It helps to break down protein extensively so that it minimizes the risk of a reaction.
  • It contains specific nutrients that reinforce the skin barrier and help support healthy skin in dogs with sensitive skin and skin irritations.
  • It contains a blend of fibers that support digestive health.
  • It contains nutrients that are great for a dog’s overall health.

Royal Canin Ultamino Pros and Cons

ProsCons
An extensive breakdown of protein.The main ingredients are grain and by-products, with very little meat.
Extremely easy to digest.There have been complaints about the food causing bad breath.
Contains high levels of B vitamins and amino acids.It is expensive.
Can be used for long-term diet plans.
Helps to improve skin and coat.
Clinically tested

Where is Royal Canin Ultamino Made?

Like many of the other products from Royal Canin, the Royal Canin Ultamino is manufactured in multiple factory locations around the world under the ownership of Mars Inc. Royal Canin has factories in several locations including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Russia, China, South Africa, and a couple of other countries. The company also owns several research facilities around the world where they employ full-time veterinary nutritionists to help in the formulation of their foods.

The company was founded in 1968 by a French Veterinarian named Dr. Jean Cathary, but in 2001, the company was purchased by Mars, Inc., which is believed to be the number one pet food company in the world.

Royal Canin Ultamino Ingredients

The first ingredient on the Royal Canin Ultanimo’s ingredient list is corn starch.  Corn starch is said to be derived from the endosperm of a corn kennel, and it is even the corn starch that is used as a binder in the kibble. While this is one of the ingredients with the highest quantity in dog food, the issue of corn in dog food has been one that has drawn a lot of controversies.

However, with the Royal Canin Ultamino, there’s not too much to look at, considering that most pet owners find no problem with the food. Next on the ingredients list is hydrolyzed poultry by-products aggregate. This is otherwise known as what is called a highly processed “feather meal.” The source is directed under the conditions for hydrolysis to help break down the protein source to the amino acid level, which then aims to make the protein easily digestible. 

Other ingredients like coconut oil and vegetable oil are also pretty great and also go further to make the kibble easy to digest, while also promoting skin and coat health. Though the specific kind of vegetable oil used is not mentioned, it is still believed to contain a very decent amount of useful fatty acids.

Also on the list is the natural flavor which represents a few natural products in the composition that is almost entirely processed.

Which Types of Dog Is the Royal Canin Ultamino Best Suited For?

The Royal Canin Ultamino Dry Dog Food is an ideal choice for dogs that have been suffering from chronic digestive issues or those with sensitivity problems. It is a prescription type of food and as such is only really recommended for dogs that are not well. If this sounds like your dog, then you shouldn’t hesitate to get this food. You can also choose to verify with your vet to be sure that it is the right one for your dog.

Royal Canin Ultamino Recalls

As of July 6, 2022, there have been no specific recalls for Royal Canin Ultamino. There have, however, been a few recalls of some of Royal Canin’s other pet foods over the years. In February 2006, Royal Canin recalled thousands of canned pet foods sold exclusively at vet clinics due to excessive amounts of Vitamin D3 found in the food. 

At the time, several dogs and cats were reported to have been ill, with a vitamin premix from a third-party supplier to take the blame for the problem. However, the handling of the issue was highly praised by several sections of the public. 

Also, in April and May 2007, specific varieties of Royal Canin dry dog and cat foods were recalled in the United States because of potential melamine contamination. At the time, there were also recalls for the same issue by Royal Canin in Canada and South Africa. 

Royal Canin Ultamino: Where To Buy

You can purchase this high-quality dog food through the following fine retailers:

Best for Digestive Issues
Royal Canin Canine Ultamino Dry Dog Food, 19.8 lb
  • Requires a veterinarian's prescription to purchase
  • Designed for dogs suffering from allergies, sensitivities, digestive issues, and stomach problems
  • Reduces skin reactions due to common proteins found in most adult dog foods
  • Contains a blend of fibers that support digestive health
  • Formulated with high levels of B vitamins and amino acids
Check Amazon

Royal Canin Ultamino Specs

Design

The Royal Canin Ultamino is actually well designed and packaged. The kibble size is also not too big and is of moderate size, though quite a number of people have complained about their dogs find it difficult to enjoy the food due to the size being a little bigger than normal. However, all its design features are top draw.

Safety

As the food is known to be a prescription food, it is best to visit or confirm with your vet if the food is the right option for your pet’s condition. While most of the reviews on the food’s safety have been extremely positive, there have also been a few that talk about some dogs rejecting the food, with others struggling with transitioning to the food.

Durability

The Royal Canin Ultamino Dry Dog Food, due to its dry nature, is able to last quite a while still in its pack. It is believed that the food can still be in perfect condition after two months, and while this is the case in most situations, it is highly not recommended to refrigerate it if you’re looking to preserve it.

Price

The price range is one that has proved to be really controversial, with the price for the Ultanimo being higher than what you’d have to pay for regular dog food. On Chewy, the price for a 19.8-pound bag is around $109, while the 8.8-pound bag sells for around $62. 

Aside from the price, one other major thing that seems to be a problem is the availability of dog food. Many customers have complained about how often the food runs out of stock, with even some top retailers also frequently not having the item.

Royal Canin Ultamino vs. Sundays Dog Food

While the Royal Canin Ultamino is among the best in the business, Sundays Dog Food represents a great all-natural kibble alternative for dogs with sensitivities. The dog food is also air-dried and is classified as human-grade dog food.

Everything used for its production is natural, with the food containing no anti-nutrients or any sketchy ingredients. Beef is one of the main ingredients in Sundays’ Dog Food, and while a few people might not like this for their dog, it is one of the best options to get. 

With Sundays providing an all-natural option for your dogs, there is quite a lot to desire about this particular food. However, you’re more likely to be recommended to get the Ultanimo than the Sundays’ Dog Food.

Bottom Line

With all that has been mentioned, it is quite clear that the Royal Canin Ultamino is certainly one of the best options you can get for your dog. The ingredients as well as the company’s emphasis on quality research for the formulation of their food speak volumes of how well you can expect quality from their food.

Up Next…

Take a look at some of our other dog food articles to make sure you’re getting the best for your pet.

Best forProduct
Best for Digestive IssuesRoyal Canin Canine Ultamino Dry Dog Food, 19.8 lb
About the Author

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

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