Royal Canin
Gastrointestinal
Rating
Is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal dry cat food good?
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal is a dry cat food rated 1.5 stars, with low ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. However, several animal ingredients are described in generic terms, which reduces sourcing transparency. This recipe is free from Dairy, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Gluten grains, Egg, Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Contains organ meats that provide natural vitamins and minerals.
- 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
17 of 17 matched
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1 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.
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2 Rice
CarbsDescription
Without its bran and germ (the main source of nutrients), white rice is considered as "empty carbs".
Why Concerned?
A common filler without gluten, with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
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3 Animal Fat
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.
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4 Wheat Gluten
Plant Protein ConcentrateDescription
Protein concentrate made by removing the starch of wheat flour, it contains around 70% plant protein.
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
Contains gluten, which is one of the most common allergens that can cause skin rashes, itchiness, and irritation.
Digestion Concern
Gluten intolerances can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, may result in diarrhea and discomfort stomach. A high level of plant-based protein is not easily digestible.
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5 Vegetable Fiber
CarbsDescription
Fiber derived from vegetables, aids digestive health and stool quality.
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6 Corn 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.
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7 Hydrolysed Poultry Liver
(Detected): Hydrolyzed poultry liver
Animal ProteinDescription
Livers from a mixture of unknown poultry. 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.
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8 Minerals
SupplementDescription
A general term for mineral supplementation, specific sources not identified.
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9 Egg Powder
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of eggs, it contains almost every nutrient the body needs. It also has the highest biological value (protein absorption) among other animal proteins.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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10 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.
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11 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.
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12 Soybean Oil
FatDescription
The oil extracted from soybeans, an inferior option as it contains more saturated fats than the majority of vegetable oils.
Why Concerned?
A controversial, less optimal choice of fat.
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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.
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14 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.
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15 Fructo-oligo-saccharides
(Detected): Fructooligosaccharides
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.
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16 Hydrolyzed 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.
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17 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, Hydrolysed Poultry Liver appear near the top without a clearly defined animal source.
- Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Wheat Gluten, Corn Gluten may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Animal Fat, Wheat Gluten.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Dehydrated Poultry Protein, Animal Fat, Hydrolysed Poultry Liver have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible allergy triggers: Wheat Gluten, Corn Gluten have allergen notes; review them if your pet has sensitivities.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
Low- Named 25%
- Unnamed 75%
Low clarity: only 25% of Royal Canin Gastrointestinal's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named. 75% 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
Named
Unnamed
Animal Protein
Low- Animal 52%
- Plant concentrate 46%
- Auxiliary 1%
Protein in Royal Canin Gastrointestinal leans on plant signals: only 52% comes from animal sources, while plant-protein concentrates make up 46% and whole plant proteins 0%. Plant concentrates like pea or soy isolate are cheap protein boosters but lack the amino-acid profile pets need from meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant concentrate
Auxiliary
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal dry cat food Review
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal scores 1.5 stars on this analysis, with low ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. There are several concerns in this label that may make it a poor fit.
Avoid if
- Your pet has a grain or gluten sensitivity
- Your pet is allergic to eggs
- You're avoiding legumes
Key takeaways
- Plant-protein concentrates appear in the top 10 ingredients: Wheat Gluten, Corn Gluten.
- Contains common allergens: Gluten grains, Egg, Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
- Free from Dairy, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
- Overall rating: 1.5 stars, based on transparency, protein source, and macro balance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal good for cats?
This recipe scored 1.5 stars, with low ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. Worth understanding the concerns before choosing it for your cat.
Does Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contain Dairy?
No — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal doesn't include Dairy or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid this allergen here.
Does Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contain Egg?
Yes — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contains Egg, so pets sensitive to Egg should generally avoid this product or consult a vet first.
Does Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contain Legumes?
Yes — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contains Legumes, so pets sensitive to Legumes should generally avoid this product or consult a vet first.
Does Royal Canin Gastrointestinal contain Nuts?
No — based on the ingredient list, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal doesn't include Nuts or related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid this allergen here.
Is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal grain-free?
No — the recipe contains Gluten grains.
What are the main protein sources in Royal Canin Gastrointestinal?
The top animal proteins are Egg Powder — clearly named, so you can verify the source.
