Is Royal Canin good for my pup?
 

Hi and welcome to YT! :welcome4:

Royal Canin is not a very high quality food. It has a low meat content and has some fillers, such as corn. I would recommend Innova or canidae all life stages.

PS. Your avatar picture is adorable. what a sweet baby. ;)

Thanks much! It has corn in there?! I had read somewhere that we shouldn't feed yorkies corn. Is that correct?

I guess I'll be changing her food to something else.

That is correct. Corn is not a healthy ingredient. Royal Canin has Corn Gluten Meal in their foods which is a corn-based product.

Jaxon eats Royal Canine Yorkshire Terrier-perfect bill of health & he is so picky about what he will eat. We have tried many, many kinds & this is the only thing that the little booger will eat & we have to wet it!!!!

I feel my boys taste of the wild. They love it!

I learned about feeding and good foods on this site, prior to that I had thought Royal Canine was good food because it was at petsmart and expensive and just for Yorkies. I went through a bunch of different foods before settling on Taste of the Wild.

I would like to know why some of you think corn is not a healthy ingredient; I hear this over and over, but why isn't it healthy; it's a starch like potatoes. I understand some dogs are allergic to corn, but not all dogs. Some people are allergic to peanuts, but that does not make peanuts unhealthy.

While doing research trying to look for a healthy food, I purchased Royal Canin, it's not at the top of the list, and it's not on the bottom, but pretty much in the middle, and I've never been convinced that the people writing the lists know what there talking about. There are lots of people who use it without any problems, and while switching around foods trying to find a healthier alternative, Joey became very fussy, and had lots of problems. He loves the RC, and doesn't ever have any gas problems, diarrhea problems, tummy upsets and vomiting. While it not rated really high, Joey's does well on it. I not really recommending it, it's just that I think it's unfair to label it "unhealthy."

If it's new puppy I wouldn't change a thing the first few weeks, any problems he has you will know it's something else and not associated with the food. After you have had him a month, you could experiment with different foods, but add them slowly to avoid tummy upsets.

The common problem associated with being allergic to corn seems to be excessive itching, and if this happens, you should try to find a product with no corn. I emphasized excessive because it's ok for them to scratch themselves from time to time.

Thanks nancy!
 

great advice. So I guess corn is not all that bad for yorkies as people make them seem. :p I'll take your advice - sticking with RC for at least of month then I'll slowly switch over to something that I find better. I was thinking about Natures Variety. . .seems like a good choice. But I'm still undecided.

Corn can be a good or bad ingredient based on who you talk to. :p Maybe I came out sounding a little too strong... I agree with nancy that RC is a middle-road food. I could find you plenty that is much worse. Corn is often used as a protein source, but I prefer meat.

Corn is in RC formula for Yorkies too, and if it caused that many problems, you'd think they would take it out. We tend to hear about the dogs who are allergic, and not the ones who are doing ok on it. I've been reading about Blue Buffalo, and it's rated pretty high, but, it contains potatoes instead of corn, and I just would like a good answer on why potatoes are better, or are they just better for dogs who have allergies? Corn is said to be just a cheap filler, but potatoes are even cheaper. So much of what you read, is people repeating what others have said, but not understanding the concept behind it. Not saying i do. :D You might want to research Blue Buffalo as well as Natures Valley. Anyway, I've been tempted to try it, but I'm a little afraid. I'm not one that believes in switching back and forth. Dogs seem to experience so many difficulties when their diets are altered, and while it's true humans need variety in the diets, we don't vomit and have diarrhea, when a new food is offered. Best of luck with your new puppy.

I switched my dogs from a corn based dog food cause of this board, because of all the threads about "how bad" it is. My sheltie did have a skin issue, no itching just wierd spots that my groomer found, when I put them on rachel's rays dog food they went away. So that is what they were on when I found this site. They had been on Science Diet and pedigree. When I started reading how bad corn and by products were I went on a search for a food that they would eat and agree with them. We tried alot of different kinds ( and spent a ton of money) and the only one they all would eat was taste of the wild, however they ended up with terrible gas, itching, and after being on it for a bit they all started pooping a ton. I was considering putting them back on rachel's ray and SD when I found Dogswell. They love it, they are doing well on it so for now that is what they are going to eat. If they stop eating it or start having issues I will put them all back on a corn based diet.
a little story, I have a goose, that is for the time being at my inlaws. I have a small bag of cracked corn in my cupboard that I had left over from when she was here. The bag some how spilled all over the inside of my cupboard, I didnt know it untill my poodle ran over there opening the cupboard, running back in the living room eating something, I thought that she had gotten into the dog treat bag, after the second time of her doing this I went to see what she was getting into. She was eating the cracked corn!! She had a mouthful of it like it was candy. She got mad when I took it away.Like Nancy said, some one please explain to me why they cant have it, when they seem to crave it?? I understand that it does cause some issues with certian animals but not all of them. If your dog is on a food that has corn in it, is doing well on it, then why switch??
TO the OP, I would seriously consider keeping your pup on it for alittle while longer untill he/she is adjusted and doing well at home, then if you still feel that he/she needs to be on a better food then start researching and make the switch slowly.

My vet said that corn was not bad unless your dog is allergic to it. I have fed the RC Yorkie, Beauty Care and Puppy Food before with no problems. I have also used Natural Balance and that is a good food also.

Thanks :)

There's a review of Blue Buffalo going on right now, and unfortunately two of the replies have been that their dogs wouldn't eat parts of it. That's another thing with some of the foods that are said to be healthier, if your dog leaves the healthy part in the bowl, are they getting all the nutrition out of it? I know you have to be fairly strict, but at some point I felt like I was starving him to death to get him to eat certain foods.

I felt the same way!! I got caught up in the "better" food hype and I really wish that I didnt. Not only did I make my little dogs even more picky but I spent a ton of money that I really didnt have to spend. Im sure all of those foods are good, but if my dogs wont eat it whats the point??

A very good review guide for dog food is Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble they rate their foods by stars - 1 star being the worst and 6 stars being the best. And write reviews on the food, letting people know the good parts and the bad parts.

I would also recommend anyone who owns a dog to subscribe to The Whole Dog Journal www.http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ . This little journal has tons of information about health and training. I have learned so much from being a subscriber.

On Dog Food Analysis - they rated Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier a 2 star food.

Here is their review:

The first ingredient in the food is a named meat product. It is the sole significant meat product in the food, and our confidence that this product contains a decent amount of meat is low. There is a further meat product 5th on the ingredient list, but this is not only a minor ingredient but is inclusive of water content (about 80%). Once that is removed, as it must be to create a dehydrated product, the ingredient will weigh around 20% of its wet weight. Ingredients are listed in order of weight, and the dehydrated ingredient would probably be more accurately placed much further down the ingredient list. It is highly unlikely that this ingredient makes any significant contribution to the overall meat content of the food. A further meat ingredient, in meal form,is 17th. This is far too far down the ingredient list to make any contribution to the overall meat content of the food. But we note its presence as it is a fish meal ingredient, but We find no guarantee on the manufacturers website that protein sources are ethoxyquin-free (ethoxyquin is a chemical preservative commonly added to fish destined for meal, and is believed to be carcinogenic).


The main grains in the food are rice and corn. Brown rice is decent quality, but the major ingredient here is brewers rice which is a low grade ingredient and byproduct. Corn is the next grain and is a difficult to digest grain that is commonly associated with allergy problems. Corn Gluten Meal is the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm. In plain English, that bit of the corn leftover after most of the nutritious bits have been removed.


Chicken fat is the fourth ingredient. We note that research at Purdue university has identified fat in the top four ingredients of dry food as a factor increasing the risk of bloat in large breed dogs. Smaller breeds are untested. Cellulose is “purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant materials”: otherwise known as sawdust.


Beet pulp is controversial filler which appears to be used in large quantities in this food. It is a by-product, being dried residue from sugar beets which has been cleaned and extracted in the process of manufacturing sugar. It is a controversial ingredient in dog food, claimed by some manufacturers to be a good source of fibre, and derided by others as an ingredient added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats and causing stress to kidney and liver in the process. We note that beet pulp is an ingredient that commonly causes problems for dogs, including allergies and ear infections, and prefer not to see it used in dog food. There are less controversial products around if additional fibre is required.

I have fed RC for several years now. My yorkies are doing great on this food and they love it. I don't have any weight problems and I do not have to worry about hypoglocemic puppies. My puppies have all been very healthy.

Thank all of you so much for all your response. I'm thinking about keeping her on it since the breeder has her on it already. . . why change it right? I guess once I get her I'll make my final decision. If shes doing eating it and doing great on it, then I'll stick with it until I feel that I want to change. If its causing her no harm why change it. And I guess this whole corn theory of being so bad for your dog, really isn't all that bad. Its like Nancy had said, its like peanut to humans. There is some people thats allergic to it and there is those who aren't.

Who else has tried it? And for how long. . . . ?

That's what Max eats, after reading the food analysis, I decided to switch to something better, I tried several foods, and he just would not eat them, all the bags were donated to our local shelter and we went back to RC. I'm concerned now, somebody mentioned problems with gallbladder stones after long time feeding RC, so I'm on search of something new.

I have been feeding my yorkies Royal Canin for 5 years. Adults, expecting female and puppies and they are all healthy and love their food.

Not it is not the best dog food out there, but it is still a very acceptable one.

I Also like to add some Multivitamin supplement (Nupro is a great one) to their food once or twice a week.

Not all dogs will do well on the same foods. Each dog is an individual and what works for one dog may not work for another.

I also wouldn't limit your dog to just one type of food for their whole life. Variety is always better than feeding any single food. Feeding different diets can help fill in nutritional gaps that a particular food or brand might have, as well as it making it less likely for your dog to develop food allergies.

i feed mine royal canin and have for a very long time ,i start all my babys on puppy 33 and then when they are about 8 months old we put them on royal canin yorkshire beauty care .they dont have any health issues and and have the most softest coat ,the only other things i feed are fresh vegs and fruit .good luck in what ever you decide

Thanks everybody sooo much for you help. I think I'm going to stick with her royal canin 33 for puppies and when shes older I will switch her over the royal canin yorkies. . . . a lot of people seem to like it and not have a problem. :)

The most common food allergies for dogs are: milk, eggs, soy, corn, wheat, chicken and beef.

I think there are far better foods than RC, but you could do worse too. Personally, I like to avoid grains that are more common allergens to dogs. I now feed raw, and before that fed homecooked, and before that fed a grain-free kibble.

I have tried "top rated" foods according to these "lists" we see. However, she LOVES RC for Yorkies. I have never had her to eat as well as she does. ALthough, there may be far better foods, she is doing great on it and I do not want to make her fussy switching foods...again:) Nancy has given some great advice. Corn based products are only bad if your dog is allergic to them. I would hate to be denied peanuts just because some people are allergic to them.:p Good LucK...Cute baby!

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I :love: MADDIE:aimeeyork

That would be Alphy, he spits out the little dark pieces.... he'll turn and look at you then pootey out comes this food. Drives me nuts... LOL

I think the best food for your dog is one he eats and enjoys eatting.
Max goes back and forth between EVO Turley and Chicken Small Bites and Wellness Super5Mix Small Breed. He likes them both. I worry about the EVO being to high in protein and his stool being more frequent and softer on the Wellness. It never ends. To much information gathered is the problem. it makes me worry to much.
Many people have had their animals live fine lives on Pedigree or Purina.
Max did not like the Natural Balance that many people here say their dogs love.
Just like people, dogs have differing tastes.
If you try to get to much information on dog foods it will drive you crazy.:animal36

I decided to give Blue Wilderness a try because it's rated so much higher, a 6 instead of a 2. :rolleyes: It's rated higher than Royal Canin because it doesn't use corn, and has minimal grain, and it has a higher overall protein content. . I also tried it because Joey seems to have a problem maintaining his weight, Joey's vet would like him to be around 5 ½ pounds, and Joey weight keeps sneaking up, and I thought perhaps the corn in RC had something to do with this. He likes the Blue Wilderness, and will eat it, and even the black pieces, but I hand feed him those, because we do use his food in training. I haven't completely switched, we are half and half now. I was in no hurry. About 2 days after I started giving it to him, he had some eye tearing, each day he has brown goop in his eyes, now I don't know if this is food related, but I'm tempted to back off and see if the tearing goes away. He's 2 ½ and hasn't had any eye tearing since he was a puppy, and it was never this brown goopy kind. I've heard other people say that their dogs had eye buggers and I guess this is what you would call these, but Joey's never had them on the RC.

i have my youngest on RC and she does great...i know it is not the "best" food out there but it is for her...i had her on a much higher rated food that had a very high protein content and she did horrible on it...very large smelly poohs and she was not gaining the weight i wanted her to gain...obviously she did not digest it well...i moved her back to RC and she is doing great

i also agree with _chrissy_ that the best food is the one your furkid will eat...my youngest would just pick at the high protein food (she would eventually eat it all but it would take her hours) and she gobbles the RC up because she loves it...oooh and the vet says she is VERY healthy :)

I just switched my kids to this today--I still have my older, mixed breed dogs on nature's best science diet. I decided to try the yorkie formula to see if I notice the younger one scratching less, I see no fleas on her-so I wanted to try a diet change. They gobbled it all up like I had just put treats in their bowls!!!!