Many pet food brands in the market promise to deliver topnotch nutrition. For this post, we will compare two of the most popular names: Eukanuba vs Royal Canin.

Both these brands are nutritious food products for pets. However, they have differences that make the other stand out.

As a long-time pet owner, I’ve purchased several pet food brands in the past years. Eukanuba and Royal Canin proved to be the top favorites of my furbabies.

If you’re torn between these two options, I hope that my review below can help you pick the right choice for your pet. Read on and let me know your thoughts!

About the Eukanuba brand

Eukanuba is one of the 41 brands owned by Mars Candy Company. It was founded by Paul Iams back in 1969, the namesake and brains behind another pet food brand.

The term “Eukanuba” is actually a term in the jazz world, which means “supreme”. It’s the principle the brand has been trying to live by for the past 50+ years.

Eukanuba offers high-protein dog food marketed toward athletic breeds. Currently, its products are being manufactured in the United States and Bathurst, Australia.

Overall, Eukanuba is focused on producing dog food products. Currently, they don’t offer cat food, which is something to keep in mind when browsing this brand.

About the Royal Canin brand

Royal Canin is also under the Mars Candy Company. Aside from these two brands, Mars also owns Pedigree, Nutro, Iams, Cesar, and Evo, among others.

Nevertheless, Royal Canin was founded a year earlier than Eukanuba in 1968. It’s the brainchild of French veterinarian Jean Cathary.

In 1974, Royal Canin expanded its market after being acquired by the Bienvenue a Le Group Guyomarc’h. From there, Royal Canin pet food products became available in Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and other parts of Europe.

Initially, the brand only offers dog food products. But in 1994, Royal Canin started selling dry food for cats, which is a pioneering move as supermarkets are flooded with wet feline food products.

Aside from the quality of their food, Royal Canin also invested in veterinary research. This involves state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories that allow them to produce breed-specific formulas.

After several acquisitions, Royal Canin was finally taken over by Mars Incorporated. And by 2009, the brand has manufacturing facilities in every continent except for Antarctica.

Eukanuba vs Royal Canin Comparison

If you’re wondering which of these food brands is ideal for your pet, the following comparative points could help:

1. Available food types

These two brands have different target markets, so their product availability is also varying.

For example, Royal Canin offers food products for both cats and dogs. They also have specific formulas per life stage, size, and breed.

Such tailored nutrition is popular among pet owners, especially those who have dogs or cats with special needs. It’s because Royal Canin also offers specialized diets for weight loss, sensitive stomachs, skin problems, and more.

Overall, Royal Canin has 80+ dry dog food formulas, 50+ wet dog food formulas, and at least two dog treat options. It also offers 30+ dry cat food recipes, 30+ wet cat food recipes, and at least one cat treat option.

On the other hand, Eukanuba has a smaller product line. So far, it has 30+ dry dog food formulas, 7+ wet dog food recipes, and around 8 dog treat options.

Currently, Eukanuba doesn’t offer cat food products in the United States. Based on my research, their cat food is only available in the United Kingdom.

In this case, Eukanuba proves to be a smaller brand than Royal Canin. Still, it offers quality dog food products, but the options are limited.

Winner: Royal Canin

2. Ingredients

Both Eukanuba and Royal Canin use a variety of ingredients in their food products. This is where the two have major differences.

Based on my comparison, Eukanuba uses more real meat than Royal Canin. This is primarily due to the high-protein nature of their products.

For example, the Eukanuba Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food has chicken meat as its first ingredient. While it’s followed by chicken by-products, it still contains more whole meat than its Royal Canin counterpart.

In contrast, the Royal Canin Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food has corn as the main ingredient. It’s blended with chicken by-products and a slew of other grains.

Overall, using grains isn’t really a problem. However, if you want wholesome proteins for your dog, Eukanuba might be a more attractive choice.

To be fair, some Royal Canin products have real meat as the first ingredient. However, it’s undeniable that their product line is dominated by grains.

This can be an issue for pets that find it hard to digest grains, specifically corn. But at the end of the day, it’s all about what works for your pet.

Also, some pet owners have issues with meat by-products due to their low quality. While it contains protein, it’s usually stripped of essential nutrients that can be found on premium cuts.

Winner: Eukanuba

3. Nutritional analysis

Eukanuba and Royal Canin have various nutritional goals for their products. It’s safe to say that both offer nutritious formulas, depending on what your pet needs.

Generally speaking, Eukanuba products are high in protein since it’s intended for active and athletic breeds.

For example, the same Eukanuba small breed product we mentioned above has 28% protein. Meanwhile, the Royal Canin small breed formula we mentioned has 25% protein.

Aside from that Eukanuba also has higher fat content at 18%. Nevertheless, both food products have almost the same fiber content.

Another advantage of the Eukanuba formula is the added glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These nutrients support the joint health of canines, especially as they grow older.

Eukanuba also boasts a dose of Vitamin E and DHA to top its formula.

On the other hand, Royal Canin contains DHA, EPA, and L-Carnitine. All of these are essential, depending on your pet’s needs.

Overall, the nutritional values of these brands differ per product. Also, each one suits different needs, breeds, and conditions.

So the choice of whether Royal Canin or Eukanuba is better depends on what your pet really needs. But then again, it’s important to remember that Eukanuba doesn’t cater to cat nutrition at least in some countries.

Winner: It’s a tie!

4. Safety recalls and product safety

From time to time, pet products are being recalled from the market due to safety issues and potential contamination. Almost every pet food brand that’s been around for decades has been recalled at least once throughout its operation.

Eukanuba

Eukanuba recalled its products at least three times from 2007 to 2013 due to different reasons. Here’s a rundown of the said recalls:

*March 2007

The FDA announced a recall for Eukanuba products due to melamine contamination. This applied to several canned food and wet pouches being sold by the brand at that time.

This recall actually coincided with the widespread pull-out of numerous dog and cat food products. The reasons cited are contamination with cyanuric acid and melamine, which can cause kidney failure in pets.

Several other brands like Natural Balance, Del Monte, Kirkland, Menu Foods, and Purina were affected. Even Royal Canin issues a recall for some of its products.

*July 2010

In a July 2010 FDA report, Eukanuba products were recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. This covered the Naturally Wild, Eukanuba Pure, and Custom Care Sensitive Skin products of the brand.

*August 2013

The last known recall of Eukanuba products was in August 2013 due to another case of possible salmonella contamination. This is quite a massive recall that covered 20 specific product lot numbers.

Overall, this was a nationwide recall, which was voluntarily done by its former handler, Procter & Gamble.

Royal Canin

Like Eukanuba, there were at least three recalls on Royal Canin products. One of these recalls coincided with that of the Eukanuba brand.

*February 2006

An FDA Health Hazard Evaluation containing a notice from Royal Canin announced a recall of the brand’s pet food. This is due to excessive Vitamin D3 levels.

This recall affected at least 12 batches of food products with expiration dates ranging from 2006 to 2007.

*April 2007

Royal Canin is one of the many brands whose pet food products are recalled in the early months of 2007. It’s due to potential melamine contamination.

This recall covered eight dry dog food formulas across life stages.

*May 2007

A month after its second market recall. Royal Canin issued another notice to pull out more pet food products from the shelves.

The reason cited is also melamine contamination. This affected dry dog and cat food products with date codes from July 28, 2007, to April 30, 2008.

5. Price range

When it comes to price range, Eukanuba is more affordable than Royal Canin. This is understandable since it’s a bigger company with a more diverse product line.

The price difference between these brands is an average of $15 for the 14-pound bags. Take note that such a difference depends on where you’re buying the food.

On average, Eukanuba pet food products cost around $1.30 to $2.35 per pound. Meanwhile, Royal Canin is more expensive at $2.60 to $4.25 per pound.

So if you own multiple dogs and shopping on a budget, Eukanuba might be the better choice in terms of price. After all, the brand has top-notch nutritional value, which is already a steal for its cost.

Winner: Eukanuba

Which one is the best pet food brand?

Both Eukanuba and Royal Canin are excellent pet food brands. However, their products suit different needs.

If you’re a cat owner, Royal Canin is the best option since Eukanuba doesn’t offer cat formulas in many countries.

However, if you’re looking for variety and tailored nutrition, Royal Canin will be the brand of choice. They are a big company and have been specializing in customized nutrition that suits specific breeds and unique conditions.

But if the price is the deal-breaker for you, Eukanuba is the easiest choice. Dog food products from this brand are cheaper without compromising nutritional value.

Best Eukanuba Dog Food Products

1. Eukanuba Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

This protein-rich dog food has chicken as its main ingredient. It’s also blended with chicken by-products and chicken fat for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Overall, this has 23% protein, 13% fat, DHA, and antioxidants to fuel up your large dog’s body. It’s also mixed with glucosamine and chondroitin for optimal joint health.

2. Eukanuba Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

This is made for canines weighing up to 23 lbs. It’s also made of real chicken that delivers high protein levels.

Your dog will get 28% protein, 18% fat, DHA, and Vitamin E on every bite. And true to the active formula of Eukanuba, this is also blended with glucosamine and chondroitin.

3. Eukanuba Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

This chicken-based medium breed formula is suitable for canines weighing up to 54 lbs. It’s made for active dogs with high protein needs.

Overall, this food contains 29% protein, 17% fat, glucosamine, chondroitin, DHA, and Vitamin E. This is also infused with natural fibers for easy digestion.

Best Royal Canin Dog Food Products

1. Royal Canin Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food

This small breed formula is made to enhance the palatability, coat condition, and energy of your pet. It’s a corn and chicken mix with a kibble shape that’s made easier to chew.

Overall, this dog food has 25% protein and 14% fat. This is also blended with EPA and DHA for coat health as well as L-Carnitine to aid with weight loss.

2. Royal Canin Adult Medium Breed Adult Dog Food

This kibble is made with brewer’s rice and chicken by-product. It has a rounded kibble shape that’s easier for medium-sized dogs to chew.

In terms of nutritional value, this has 23% protein and 12% fat. It’s also blended with prebiotics, EPA, and DHA.

3. Royal Canin Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

For large dogs, the chicken and grains formula of Royal Canin would be an excellent choice. It’s easy to digest and made to support aging bones and joints.

This has 24% protein, 15% fat, DHA, and EPA. It’s suitable for dogs weighing at least 56 lbs.

Best Royal Canin Cat Food Products

1. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition for Kittens

This dry cat food is made with chicken and grains to give your kitty a palatable meal. It also has an adapted kibble shape to make it easy for young kittens to chew.

Overall, growing kittens will enjoy 34% protein and 16% fat. It’s also blended with vitamins and antioxidants to boost the immune system.

2. Royal Canin Adult Feline Health Nutrition Canned Food

This wet food is made of pork, chicken, pork liver, chicken liver, and salmon. It’s oozing with flavors that will entice even a picky cat.

This has 10.5% protein, 1.9% fat, and 81.5% moisture. It’s also a good source of folic acid, Vitamin B complex, and healthy minerals.

3. Royal Canin Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food

This food is formulated for indoor cats aged 1 to 7 years old. It’s made of chicken meal and grains for the right balance of nutrients.

Your cat will get 27% protein and 11% fat. It’s also easy to digest and the calorie content is controlled to suit indoor felines with less physical activities.

Are Eukanuba and Royal Canin the same?

Eukanuba and Royal Canin aren’t the same brand. Still, they are both under Mars Incorporated.

Both of these brands produce pet food products, but Eukanuba doesn’t cater to cats like Royal Canin. Also, the latter has more product varieties and special formulas.

Is Eukanuba good for German Shepherds?

The Eukanuba large breed formula is ideal for German Shepherds. It’s a good choice, especially if the pet owner is on a budget.

You can also get the breed-specific Eukanuba Adult German Shepherd Dog Food. This is made specifically for the breed, though it’s not always easy to come by in all stores.

Does Eukanuba have grains in it?

Most of Eukanuba’s dog food products are blended with grains. This is to provide your dog with healthy amounts of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and other nutrients.

Nevertheless, there’s also a grain-free Eukanuba formula, which is sold in select areas only.

Is Royal Canin good for puppies?

Royal Canin has a variety of dog food products made specifically for puppies. They formulated their products to suit different life stages of canines, especially puppyhood.

There is also breed-specific Royal Canin dog food for puppies. They have specific formulas for Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Shih Tzu, and more.

Why is Royal Canin recommended by veterinarians?

Veterinarians speak highly of Royal Canin because of the research that underwent in the formulation of their products. Also, Royal Canin has a group of veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and professionals who ensure that their food products are suitable for breed-specific needs.

But just like any dog food product, Royal Canin may or may not be suitable for your pet based on its needs.

Conclusion

There are a ton of pet food brands in the market and choosing one is a hard task. Still, we hope that this Eukanuba vs Royal Canin comparison helped narrow down your options.

Overall, these two brands are popular for their quality and nutritious pet food products. Depending on your budget, needs, and preference, you’ll surely find the right food for your cat or dog from these options.