Why Breed-Specific Dog Food Matters: Royal Canin Dog Food Review

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No two dogs are the same, which is why choosing the right diet for your pup is such an important decision. And that’s especially true for breed-specific dog food options, such as the Breed Health Nutrition line from Royal Canin dog food.

The activity level, size, and metabolism of a Chihuahua differ from those of a Labrador Retriever. That’s why Royal Canin offers breed-specific dog food designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of various breeds.

If you’re interested in dog food tailored to fit the unique nutritional needs of your dog’s breed, here’s some help. We’ll provide tips and insights so you can select the right breed-specific diet to help your dog thrive.

Why Breed-Specific Dog Food is Important

Breed-specific dog food can provide the right balance of nutrients to fit a dog’s specific needs. But that’s not all. Royal Canin’s Breed Health Nutrition formulas also consider each breed’s size, shape, musculature, and characteristics.

For example, with their short, flat snouts, French Bulldogs may find some traditional kibble difficult to pick up and chew. Royal Canin offers kibble designed for the breed’s jaw shape and size, making it easier for French Bulldogs to eat and digest.

To accommodate sensitive German Shepherd stomachs,  Royal Canin has a fiber-rich German Shepherd formula that promotes healthy digestion. Royal Canin includes EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

Specialized diets that address breed-specific sensitivities can support your dog’s overall health and wellness.  And it’s never too early to start. Just as no two dogs are the same, puppy nutritional needs vary by breed. Pet parents can choose from Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Food to Golden Retriever Puppy Food, and plenty of breed options in between.

Breed-Specific Benefits: What to Look For In Dog Food

When selecting a food made for your dog’s breed, consider these factors:

Nutritional Needs

Different-sized dogs have different energy requirements as they mature at different rates. Smaller dogs tend to enter adulthood around ten months of age, and larger dogs tend to reach adulthood around 15 months. Calories and nutrients will vary based on their individual needs.

Does the amount and type of carbohydrates align with your dog’s needs? Look for a dog food that offers the right protein requirements. Metabolism and size matter when choosing dog food. For example, some dogs need protein for muscle maintenance, while others may not need as much protein.

Why Kibble Shape and Size Matters

Dog breeds differ in many ways, and smaller breeds can benefit from eating kibble that adapts to their jaw size. This allows for easier chewing and can support dental health.

Enhancing Digestibility

Formulas with highly digestible proteins and fibers may help support a healthy digestive system and may help minimize certain issues like gassiness, bloating, and diarrhea.

Good Health Through Specialized Nutrition

Does the food include specific nutrients to support your breed’s health? The Bulldog diet includes a blend of highly digestible protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. This may help reduce intestinal fermentation, which could lead to unpleasant odors. Does the food contain glucosamine or chondroitin to help support healthy joints? This matters if you have a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever, for example.

Targeting Specific Life Stages

Puppies have higher energy and nutritional needs. Older dogs may need food to support digestion and cognitive function in later years.

Optimal Weight Management

Look for breed-specific dog foods that help maintain optimal weight. Breeds prone to weight gain, such as Bulldogs or Labrador Retrievers, may thrive on a specialized diet. Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds tend to gain unwanted weight.

Veterinarian Recommendation

It’s always a good idea to talk to your dog’s veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. Choose a food that aligns with your veterinarian’s recommendations.

How Breed-Specific Diets Work

Ask any pet parent what they’d like from their dog. Most will tell you a long, happy life. Royal Canin’s breed-specific dog food is a popular choice for many pet parents.

For example, Royal Canin includes taurine, EPA, and DHA to support the heart health of Boxer dogs. They also include precise protein content for muscle support, and the addition of L-carnitine supports weight.

Known for their wooly coats, Poodle coats remain soft thanks to a properly balanced diet with EPA and DHA fatty acids from fish oil to support healthy skin and coats. The Poodle Adult formula helps support the breed throughout its lifetime and into maturity. It has a selection of nutrients to maintain health and vitality.

Consult with your pet’s veterinarian for specific concerns or questions.

Is Royal Canin a Good Dog Food?

Established in 1968 by a veterinarian, Royal Canin has been feeding dogs for over 50 years. Based on extensive veterinary and scientific research, Royal Canin ensures balanced nutrition. The brand considers the needs of dogs throughout their lives. What works at puppyhood differs from their adult or senior formulas.

They launched their first breed-specific dog food in 2002. At facilities worldwide, ongoing in-depth audits of their supplies are a must. Shipments are checked before entering the production center to ensure safety and quality.

All incoming raw materials are 100 percent fully traceable, ensuring the origin of raw materials is available for the product’s shelf life. Royal Canin values sustainability. Their guiding pillars of pet, planet, and people are at the heart of all they do.

Royal Canin’s headquarters in the United States are in St. Charles, Missouri. Its manufacturing facilities are in Missouri and South Dakota. All its wet and dry formula comes from company-owned plants in the United States.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dog Food Reviews

To better understand how Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition diets help dogs, we took a deep dive into three of their popular offerings:

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for French Bulldog Adult Formula

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for German Shepherd Adult Formula

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Chihuahua Puppy Formula

Here’s what we discovered with our Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition dog food reviews.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for French Bulldog Adult Formula

French Bulldogs are playful, smart, and part of the American Kennel Club’s non-sporting group. To accommodate their short muzzle and jaw shape, Royal Canin’s French Bulldog dog food contains small, curved kibble pieces. Frenchies will find these breed-friendly pieces easier to pick up and chew.

The small but stocky breed has powerful muscles. As such, Royal Canin’s Frenchie-specific food helps maintain muscle mass.

Regular cleaning of a French Bulldog’s deep facial folds and ears is a must. Pet parents will appreciate the exclusive complex of nutrients like EPA and DHA to help maintain skin health.

Let’s face it: Frenchies have a reputation for passing gas. Royal Canin’s odor reduction formula helps reduce intestinal fermentation, which means less bad stool odor and flatulence. Healthy digestion is important for all breeds. The balance of fiber content and high-quality carbohydrate sources helps cut down on gas.

If your French Bulldog is a picky eater, it’s time to rejoice. The tasty kibble is enticing and easy to chew.

The Adult formula is designed for French Bulldogs over 12 months old. Start Frenchie puppies between 2 and 12  months old on Royal Canin French Bulldog puppy dog food.

Key Benefits

• Easy-to-chew pieces designed for a Frenchie’s brachycephalic jaw.
• Precise protein content and L-carnitine to support healthy muscles.
• High-quality carbohydrates for healthy digestion
• Helps decrease not-so-cute Frenchie flatulence, aka gas.
• Exclusive nutrients to support healthy skin.
• Two formulas of French Bulldog dog food: puppy and adult.
• Available in several sizes to save trips to the store.
• Can be served with Royal Canin wet dog food for added hydration and palatability.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for German Shepherd Adult Formula

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is confident, courageous, and a member of the American Kennel Club’s herding group. Unlike the French Bulldog, the German Shepherd has a long, strong muzzle. Royal Canin’s German Shepherd dog food’s kibble is designed to fit their mouths. And the texture encourages them to chew before swallowing.

When it comes to skin and coat, Royal Canin knows dogs. By combining quality nutrients with EPA and DHA, German Shepherds benefit. Royal Canin knows the lively temperament of the GSD means hard-working joints. They also consider the bone and joint health of this very active breed. The food includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy cartilage and more.

Each nutrient in this formula helps your larger breed thrive. German Shepherds can have poorer stool quality than other breeds. Royal Canin’s German Shepherd dog food includes the right combination of proteins and fibers for this reason.

Start with the Royal Canin German Shepherd large breed puppy food for GSDs between 2 and 15 months old. When your dog turns 15 months old, graduate from puppy food to the adult formula.

Key Benefits

• The kibble shape and texture are made for a German Shepherd’s long, strong muzzle and teeth, which encourages them to chew.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin are added to support bones, joints, and cartilage.
• EPA and DHA from fish oil support the skin barrier with essential nutrients.
• Proteins and fibers to promote stool quality.
• Available in puppy, adult, and senior German Shepherd food for lifelong nutrition.
• Several sizes are available for convenience to the pet parent.
• Can be served with Royal Canin canned food for German Shepherds for added hydration and palatability.

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Chihuahua Puppy Formula

The American Kennel Club describes Chihuahuas as graceful, alert, and saucy. The diminutive dog belongs to the Toy group. Whether your Chihuahua has a deer head, apple head, fawn, or teacup, Royal Canin helps it thrive.

Since Chihuahuas have tiny mouths and jaws, Royal Canin’s breed-specific formula accommodates this. Each piece is small and designed for the Chihuahua’s mouth, allowing them to easily pick up food.

The addition of EPA, DHA, and biotin benefits both long- and smooth-haired Chihuahuas. This small breed has a common stool odor. Royal Canin’s Chihuahua dog food includes the right fiber content and digestible proteins for little dogs.

Should your Chi be a picky eater, fret not. The exceptional aromas and flavors satisfy even the fussiest pups.

Start your Chihuahua on Royal Canin’s breed-specific puppy food. Graduate to adult and senior for older dogs.

Key Benefits

• The kibble shape and texture made for a Chihuahua’s small mouth and teeth.
• Helps reduce stool odor with fiber and digestible proteins.
• EPA and DHA help support a Chihuahua’s skin and coat
• Ideal for smooth coats or long-coated Chihuahuas.
• Available in puppy, adult, and senior formulas for lifelong nutrition.
• Several sizes are available, so you can stock up.
• Can be served with Royal Canin canned food for Chihuahuas for added hydration and palatability.

Is Royal Canin Dog Food Right For Your Breed?

Royal Canin’s breed-specific dog foods are best for those who want tailored nutrition. They offer specialized formulas with your breed’s nutritional needs in mind. From jaw structure to maintaining healthy weight, they remove the guesswork for pet parents.

Royal Canin offers a variety of breed-specific kibble and canned diets. You can combine the diets or serve the formulas that best meet your dog’s needs. Many pet parents choose to combine kibble and canned so their dog enjoys a variety.

If your dog struggles with eating harder food, try Royal Canin’s canned varieties. Kibble is best for convenience and dental health benefits. Combination feeding offers a balanced approach that benefits your dog.

Dog moms and dads can be comforted knowing that Royal Canin collaborates with veterinarians and pet nutrition experts. However, if a pet parent has serious medical concerns about their dog, they should always consult a veterinarian who can prescribe a Royal C`anin Veterinary diet if necessary.

Whether you have a spry little Yorkshire Terrier or a commanding Rottweiler adult, Royal Canin offers a formula for you. Royal Canin breed-specific diets are complete and balanced for puppies and dogs of all shapes and sizes. They offer a range of selections to meet your dog’s taste preferences and support their overall health and well-being. Happy shopping!

The author received compensation from PetSmart for their services in writing this article.