royal canin hydrolyzed protein dog food recall

Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP

Ingredient: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp, monocalcium phosphate, vegetable oil, sodium silico aluminate, fish oil, calcium carbonate, fructooligosaccharides, potassium chloride, salt, DL-methionine, L-tyrosine, taurine, vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), niacin supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), D-calcium pantothenate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A acetate, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement], choline chloride, trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, calcium iodate], marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), magnesium oxide, rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.

Canine Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food

Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Pet Food Recall History

Royal Canin Pet Food Recall History

Has Royal Canin Ever Been Recalled?

To date, Royal Canin has been recalled three times. The last recall was issued in 2007 during the series of melamine related pet food recalls.

Royal Canin is one of the most popular brands of pet food commercial sold in the United States. The brand is owned by Mars, Incorporated. This company also owns other popular brands of pet food such as Pedigree, Nutro, and Greenies.

Royal Canin offers a complete line of dog food and cat food products. The brand also features a complete line of veterinary prescription diets designed to treat a wide range of medical issues in dogs and cats.

List of Royal Canin Recalls

May 11, 2007

Royal Canin announced a pet food recall due to melamine contamination. Here is an except from the company's press release:

Royal Canin USA is announcing today the voluntary nationwide recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products.

This announcement is based on the company's ongoing extensive review of its manufacturing and quality assurance testing procedures, which identified trace amounts of a melamine derivative from tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois.

Here is a list of products included in this recall (date codes between July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008):

• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain SENSIBLE CHOICE NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
• Royal Cain KASCO Cat (Dry Cat Food)

The press release for this recall also mentioned that Royal Canin will no longer use any Chinese vegetable protein suppliers.

April 19, 2007

Royal Canin announced that there is a melamine derivative in the rice protein concentrate used in some of its dry pet foods. Royal Canin has decided to recall all products containing rice protein concentrate. No confirmed cases of illness were reported before the recall date of April 19.

The following products are included in this recall:

• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Early Cardiac EC 22
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Skin Support SS21
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Hypoallergenic HP23
• Royal Canin Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior
• Royal Canin Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy
• Royal Canin Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
• Royal Canin Sensible Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior
• Royal Canin Sensible Choice Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult

February 2, 2006

Royal Canin issued a recall for select veterinary diets designed for dogs and cats. The recall was announced because of an excess level of vitamin D3.

Here is a listing of affected products:

• Veterinary Diet Canine Urinary SO Dog Food (13.6 oz. cans)
• Veterinary Diet Canine Low Fat LF Dog Food (13.6 oz. cans)
• Veterinary Diet Canine Calorie Control CC In Gel Dog Food (12.7 oz. cans)
• Veterinary Diet Feline Sensitivity VR Cat Food (5.8 oz. cans)
• Veterinary Diet Feline Calorie Control CC Cat Food (5.8 oz. cans)
• Veterinary Diet Feline Renal LP Cat Food (3 oz. pouch)

Where is Royal Canin Pet Food Made?

Royal Canin pet foods are manufactured by twelve or more production facilities worldwide. These facilities are located in the United States, France, South African, Brazil, Russia, China, and several other countries.

The manufacturing facilities are owned by Mars, Incorporated. Although some fraction of Royal Canin pet foods are likely manufactured in the United States, none of the Royal Canin pet food packages we evaluated contained the phrase "Made In The USA."

The Royal Canin website does mention that some ingredients are sourced from outside the United States. Therefore, even if products are manufactured in the USA, the company cannot legally use the labeling phrase "Made In The USA."

We could not locate any information that would tell us which ingredients are sourced domestically and which ingredients are sourced from international suppliers. Furthermore, we could not find any reputable information that would tell us which specific facilities are used to make Royal Canin pet foods.

Is Royal Canin Pet Food Safe?

Although Royal Canin has not issued any recent recalls, we cannot overlook their involvement in the series of 2007 recalls due to melamine. In 2007, Royal Canin used rice protein concentrate that was contaminated with melamine. This rice protein concentrate was purchased from a Chinese vegetable protein supplier.

The company's press release said that Royal Canin will no longer use any Chinese vegetable protein supplier. However, given their choice of suppliers prior to 2007, we have serious concerns over their priorities in regarding to ingredient sourcing.

According to our research, Royal Canin does not publicly provide any detailed information regarding the origin of ingredients used in its pet food products. On the Royal Canin website, the brand simply states that ingredients are sourced from domestic and international suppliers.

In our option, the reason Royal Canin was purchasing from a Chinese vegetable protein supplier in the first place was to cut costs. We have no reason to believe that their priorities have changed since 2007. If they are now working with reputable suppliers, one would assume that this information would be proudly displayed on the Royal Canin website.

The 2007 melamine contamination crisis resulted in the loss of hundreds if not thousands of family pets. In our option, each and every brand that was involved in this crisis was putting profits before the safety of our pets.

Unless Royal Canin provides detailed information about ingredients and manufacturing, we'll continue to have serious concerns regarding the safety of Royal Canin pet foods.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)

Home Reviews Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 21, 2024

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Unrated

Which Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food is not rated due to its intentional therapeutic design.

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Canine Selected Protein product line includes 6 dry dog foods, each designed to help in treating food sensitivities that cause skin or digestive conditions.

Each recipe below includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein Adult PR was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Selected Protein Adult PR

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Potato, rabbit meal, coconut oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, potato protein, natural flavors, vegetable oil, monocalcium phosphate, fish oil, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, dl-methionine, salt, potassium chloride, vitamins [dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), niacin supplement, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], taurine, trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, copper proteinate], rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.4%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The second ingredient is rabbit meal. Rabbit meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh rabbit.

The third ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.

Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to improve cognitive function in older dogs.¹

Because of its proven safety² as well as its potential to help in the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and chronic skin disorders, MCT can be considered a positive addition to this recipe.

The fourth ingredient is hydrolyzed soy protein. Soy protein isolate is a highly refined form of soybean protein with a protein content of about 90%.

In this case, the soy protein has been hydrolyzed which means it has been broken down into its individual amino acid components.

Hydrolyzed protein is valued by veterinary professionals because of its proven and effective hypoallergenic properties.

The fifth ingredient is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.

Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

After the natural flavors, we find vegetable oil, a generic oil of unknown origin. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in any oil is nutritionally critical and can vary significantly (depending on the source).

Without knowing more, its impossible to judge the quality of an item so vaguely described. However, compared to a named animal fat, a generic vegetable oil cannot be considered a quality ingredient.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Royal Canin product.

With 4 notable exceptions

First, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

In addition, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the products ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.

So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, its important to consult your veterinarian.

With that understanding

Based on its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Canine Selected Protein looks like an average dry kibble.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 21%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 60%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 22% and a mean fat level of 11%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 59% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the potato and soy proteins, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a limited amount of meat.

Our Rating of Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Selected Protein is a prescription dry dog food using a limited amount of named meat and named meat by-product meals as its dominant source of animal protein.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Royal Canin through April.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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More Royal Canin Brand Reviews

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