Royal Canin Weight Control Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons, and More

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: October 8, 2022
© Vera Reva/Shutterstock.com

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Royal Canin Dog Food is a well-known pet food company that has produced a range of veterinarian-approved diets that address certain health conditions in dogs. Weight difficulties are one of the most prevalent problems with dogs. Royal Canin created a weight control dog food to alleviate the associated concerns.

Summary

Royal Canin Weight Control Food comes with a long list of benefits and drawbacks. Nevertheless, in order to cast some light on the matter, we’ll give some honest facts about the brand and their product that will assist you in making the best option for your dog. 

We’ll go through topics like the ingredients, the food’s scientific purpose, warnings, and so much more. We’ll also discuss the nutritional benefits and if this alternative is worth the money. Continue reading to learn more about Royal Canin Weight Control Food!

Our Top Pick
Royal Canin Medium Weight Care Dry Dog Food
  • Comes in a variety of flavors
  • Vet recommended
  • Added vitamins and minerals
  • Encourages a healthy weight
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Royal Canin Weight Control Food Benefits and Features

  • It’s available in a variety of flavors
  • Vets recommend it and often prescribe this food
  • Supports gastrointestinal health 
  • Vitamins and minerals provided 
  • Encourages a healthy weight

Royal Canin Weight Control Food: Pros & Cons

PROS:

  • Dogs love the flavors
  • It comes in both kibble and wet canned food
  • There are tons of vitamins and minerals in each bite
  • Protein keeps your dog full for longer

CONS:

  • A prescription is required. 
  • Not budget-friendly
  • Has questionable ingredients
  • Lacks probiotics 

Where is Royal Canin Weight Control Food Made?

Royal Canin is presently owned by Mars Petcare, but it has gone through a couple of other companies since its founding in the 1960s. Dr. Jean Cathray, a veterinarian, created the first brand in France. 

Dr. Cathary invented the first formula in 1968, and since then, he has devised hundreds of formulations that address individual needs according to breed, weight, maturity, or specific diet. 

The corporation has offices all around the globe, but the one in the United States is in Missouri, just north of St. Louis. The components are acquired from across the world, however, many originate from farms in the midwest.

Royal Canin Weight Control Food Ingredients

Aside from the health benefits already stated, this mixture provides a lot of other advantages. Omegas, vitamin D, B, and E, antioxidants, fish oil, EPA, DHA, and other mixed minerals, for example, are all included in the recipe. These components help with immunological support, skin and coat health, bone strength and mobility, and a variety of other things. 

However, certain elements are missing or of dubious quality. As previously stated, the cost is significant given the large number of low-cost fillers utilized. The fact that certain substances are employed for a clear objective does not negate their potential disadvantages.

  • Protein: One of the most essential nutrients in your dog’s diet is protein. To keep your pet active and healthy, it’s advised that they eat at least 18% of their regular diet. 
  • Fiber: The fiber content of a food will give you an idea of how easy it will be for your dog to digest it. They may become bloated if they eat too little. It might cause diarrhea if consumed in excess.
  • Calories: Because the daily consumption is depending on your pet’s weight, here is where the largest variation occurs. Your dog, for instance, should eat 30 calories for every pound of body weight.
  • Fat: The fat level of your dog’s food is often underestimated, yet it is crucial. Fat is frequently converted into energy, and it also has additional health advantages. The optimum percentage range is between 10% and 20%. 

Which types of dog is Royal Canin Weight Control Food best suited for?

As you can tell by the name of the food, dogs that struggle with a few extra pounds can benefit from a change in their diet. The most common breeds that have a hard time staying within a healthy weight range are:

Royal Canin Weight Control Food Recalls

Each pet food brand’s recall experience is extremely vital to consider. When researching a product, you want to be sure that the manufacturer isn’t frequently recalling items due to recurring problems. Long-standing companies, on the other hand, have had their share of recalls in the past. 

Royal Canin, in this example, has been in operation for almost 50 years and has had three issues in the United States. Two of them occurred in 2009 when over 20 of their formulae were voluntarily recalled due to the Melamine issue.

The final recall occurred in 2006 as a result of elevated vitamin D3 levels. Six items from their dog and cat ranges have been recalled. Aside from that, none of the other recalls were located in the United States or manufactured there.

Royal Canin Weight Control Food: Where to Buy

If your dog needs to watch their weight and Royal Canin sounds like something you’re willing to try, here is where you can buy it:

Our Top Pick
Royal Canin Medium Weight Care Dry Dog Food
  • Comes in a variety of flavors
  • Vet recommended
  • Added vitamins and minerals
  • Encourages a healthy weight
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Royal Canin Weight Control Food Specs

Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors to consider when it comes to this popular weight control dog food! 

Availability

Royal Canin is available to purchase on many different websites and in stores such as Petco. While it’s widely available, you will need a prescription from your veterinarian in order to buy it. This isn’t too much of an issue for the majority of dog parents, but it does put in an extra step that may be inconvenient to some. 

Ingredients

Because they contain questionable ingredients like maize (corn), hydrolyzed animal protein, and animal by-products, the elements in the dog food are not as high-quality as others with a comparable price tag. 

These substances aren’t very healthy for dogs, and hydrolyzed animal proteins don’t specify which portions of the animal they came from. These ingredients are more commonly found in lower-cost, lower-quality dog diets, and because Royal Canin is a more costly brand, their pricing doesn’t fully reflect their contents.

Price

The biggest complaint people have, and rightfully so, about Royal Canin products, is that they’re overpriced. Dogs are already expensive to care for and most of Royal Canin’s kibble is around $90 – $120 per bag of food. 

This also raises eyebrows when you look at the ingredients. Most people would figure if they’re paying nearly $100 for a bag of dog food that it would have the best of the best ingredients. Royal Canin could improve on both of these aspects on all of their products.

Breed-Specific Food

Aside from the formula mentioned previously, Royal Canin has also produced a range of dog food tailored to certain breeds. There are over 20 purebred recipes to pick from, and each recipe takes its weight, size, inherent health concerns, and other factors into mind. 

Something to keep in mind is that the meals in this line are designed specifically for purebred dogs. One of the “size” recipes is usually best for mixed puppies. The “breed” line is also divided into age groups. You may get German Shepherd Senior Food or Puppy Chihuahua meals, for instance. 

Royal Canin Weight Control Food vs. American Journey

To give you an idea of how Royal Canin compares to a similar brand, take a look at this handy chart comparing it with American Journey. 

AttributesRoyal CaninAmerican Journey
Price24-pound bag is around $8624-pound bag is around $45
First 5 ingredients Corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, barley, and wheat glutenDeboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Peas
Prescription neededYesYes

Bottom Line

Overall if your four-legged friend needs to lose some weight, talk with your vet to see if Royal Canin Weight Control is right for them. Pet owners who have already tried it seem to love it and with the long history of trusted, high-quality products, you might too! It’s packed with plenty of protein to keep your dog full, help to build strong muscles, and prevent overeating.

About the Author

When she's not busy playing with her several guinea pigs or her cat Finlay Kirstin is writing articles to help other pet owners. She's also a REALTOR® in the Twin Cities and is passionate about social justice. There's nothing that beats a rainy day with a warm cup of tea and Frank Sinatra on vinyl for this millennial.

Royal Canin Weight Control Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons, and More FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What makes Royal Canin so unique? 

Niacin, biotin, and riboflavin are among the B vitamins included in the diet. Minerals including zinc proteinate and zinc oxide are also present. These vitamins and minerals are extremely beneficial to your dog’s general health.

Why do veterinarians recommend Royal Canin?

Royal Canin is highly recommended by veterinarians since it employs a veterinary nutritionist who ensures that the food’s components are of the highest quality and that the meal is properly balanced to meet the demands of the dog.

Can you tell me if Royal Canin dog food is produced in China? 

In 2011, it was renamed Royal Canin, and it now produces both wet and dry pet food. The twelfth production plant for Royal Canin was completed in Shanghai, China, by the end of 2009.

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