Royal Canin
Ageing 12+
Rating
Is Royal Canin Ageing 12+ dry cat food good?
Royal Canin Ageing 12+ is a dry cat food rated 1 star, with low ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. Real muscle meat appears as a primary protein source, supported by whole-food ingredients. However, several animal ingredients are described in generic terms, which reduces sourcing transparency. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Grains (gluten-free), Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Cons
- Contains several unnamed animal ingredients, which reduces ingredient transparency.
- Some non-animal ingredients are not clearly identified, which reduces formula transparency.
Ingredients Analysis
15 of 15 matched
-
1 Maize
CarbsDescription
Commonly known as corn, a grain that is often referred as "cheap filler" in pet foods, mainly due to its high carbs content and low to moderate nutrition profile.
Why Concerned?
A controversial filler with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
Allergen Concern
One of the most reported ingredients to be the likely cause of allergies. This could be due to the undiscovered contaminants within corns. Contrary to the real situation, studies show that the chance of getting corn allergy is 14% and only accounts for 3% of allergies.
Digestion Concern
It is high in cellulose, which is an insoluble fiber that is hard to digest.
-
2 Maize Gluten
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Produced during wet milling of corn by separating protein from the starch. It contains 60% of protein, a relatively inexpensive source to boost up the protein level of pet foods.
Why Notice?
High level of plant-based protein is not easy to digest and offers less biological value. Good quality pet foods should obtain sufficient protein from animal sources.
Allergen Concern
Made with corn, which is one of the most reported ingredients to be the likely cause of allergies. This could be due to the undiscovered contaminants within corns. Contrary to the real situation, studies show that the chance of getting corn allergy is 14% and only accounts for 3% of allergies.
Digestion Concern
A high dose of plant-based protein is hard for digestion and offers much less biological value (less absorbed by the body) to pets compared to animal protein.
-
3 Dehydrated Poultry Protein
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of unnamed poultry products, a meat concentrate that could contain 400% more protein than fresh form. Poultry is a generic name that could include any domestic fowl like chicken, turkey, or duck of any condition.
Why Notice?
Often times generic name like poultry is used to cover the inferior meat quality from unknown sources, commonly found in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Unnamed poultry products could be made of "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), turkey, chicken, roadkill, birds, which are not safe for consumption.
-
4 Animal Fats
FatDescription
Leftover fat during the production of unknown animal meat meal.
Why Notice?
Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
-
5 Hydrolysed Animal Proteins
Animal ProteinDescription
Animal protein broken down into smaller parts by using enzymes in a process called "Hydrolysis". MSG (food enhancer) is formed during the process.
Why Notice?
Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses.
-
6 Vegetable Fibers
CarbsDescription
Fibers derived from vegetables, aids digestive health and stool quality.
-
7 Minerals
SupplementDescription
A general term for mineral supplementation, specific sources not identified.
-
8 Beet Pulp
CarbsDescription
The leftover pulp after sugar is extracted from sugar beets, contains higher fiber and less sugar compared to whole beets.
Why Concerned?
Controversial - Some say it is a good dietary fiber source, some believe it is just an inexpensive filler.
-
9 Fish Oil
FatDescription
Oil derived from fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA.
Why Concerned?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
-
10 Soy Oil
FatDescription
Oil extracted from soybeans, a source of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E.
Why Concerned?
A common plant oil but soy is a potential allergen for some pets.
Allergen Concern
May cause allergic reactions in soy-sensitive pets.
-
11 Fructo-oligo-saccharides
(Detected): fructo-oligosaccharides
PrebioticsDescription
Known as FOS, a type of fiber derived from chicory roots, beets, or cane. It is added as prebiotics for good bacteria growth in the colon, which aids digestion.
-
12 Psyllium Husks And Seeds
CarbsDescription
A light-brown-ish seed absorbs the water in the gut and promotes more bowel movement. It is a natural fiber source and is often added as a prebiotic.
-
13 Yeast Products
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Made from fungus and often used to make beer, a rich source of minerals such as selenium. B-complex vitamins, and chromium. It contains around 40% protein.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient, some believe it can support the immune system, while others say it can be linked to allergies and bloating. However, no scientific research can provide a concrete conclusion.
-
14 Hydrolysed Yeast
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Made from fungus and often used to make beer, a rich source of minerals such as selenium. B-complex vitamins, and chromium. It contains around 40% protein.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient, some believe it can support the immune system, while others say it can be linked to allergies and bloating. However, no scientific research can provide a concrete conclusion.
-
15 Marigold Extract
CarbsDescription
Known as calendula, a flowering plant often used to make tea or herbal medicine. It is packed with antioxidants, and research shows that it reduces oxidative stress from the consumption of MSG (flavor enhancer found in many pet foods).
Tips
- Some protein sources are less clear: Dehydrated Poultry Protein appear near the top without a clearly defined animal source.
- Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Maize Gluten may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Maize Gluten, Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Animal Fats.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Animal Fats, Hydrolysed Animal Proteins have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible allergy triggers: Maize, Maize Gluten, Soy Oil have allergen notes; review them if your pet has sensitivities.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
Low- Unnamed 100%
Low clarity: only 0% of Royal Canin Ageing 12+'s animal-protein ingredients are clearly named. 100% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and spot allergens; vague ones don't.
Contributing ingredients
Unnamed
Animal Protein
Moderate- Animal 57%
- Plant concentrate 41%
- Auxiliary 2%
Mixed protein sources in Royal Canin Ageing 12+: 57% animal, 0% whole plants, and 41% plant-protein concentrates. The recipe combines meat with notable plant-protein signals.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant concentrate
Auxiliary
Royal Canin Ageing 12+ dry cat food Review
Royal Canin Ageing 12+ scores 1 star on this analysis, with low ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. There are several concerns in this label that may make it a poor fit.
Avoid if
- You're avoiding legumes
- Ingredient transparency is non-negotiable
- You're avoiding plant-protein concentrates like pea or soy isolate
Key takeaways
- Plant-protein concentrates appear in the top 10 ingredients: Maize Gluten.
- Contains common allergens: Grains (gluten-free), Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
- Free from Gluten grains, Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
- Overall rating: 1 star, based on transparency, protein source, and macro balance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Royal Canin Ageing 12+ good for cats?
This recipe scored 1 star, with low ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. Worth understanding the concerns before choosing it for your cat.
Does Royal Canin Ageing 12+ contain Dairy?
No — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Ageing 12+ doesn't include Dairy or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid this allergen here.
Does Royal Canin Ageing 12+ contain Egg?
No — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Ageing 12+ doesn't include Egg or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Egg can typically avoid this allergen here.
Does Royal Canin Ageing 12+ contain Legumes?
Yes — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Ageing 12+ contains Legumes, so pets sensitive to Legumes should generally avoid this product or consult a vet first.
Does Royal Canin Ageing 12+ contain Nuts?
No — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Ageing 12+ doesn't include Nuts or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid this allergen here.
Is Royal Canin Ageing 12+ grain-free?
No — the recipe contains Grains (gluten-free).
What are the main protein sources in Royal Canin Ageing 12+?
Animal proteins include Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Hydrolysed Animal Proteins, though some are listed in generic terms rather than by species.
