Rating: 
Royal Canin Cynotechnique Energy 4800 Dog Food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.
Currently, the Royal Canin Cynotechnique Energy line includes one dry kibble… designed for working animals like “sheepdogs, hunting dogs, sled dogs, emergency rescue dogs and greyhounds”.
Royal Canin Cynotechnique Energy 4800
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken fat (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and citric acid), corn gluten meal, ground corn, rice, natural chicken flavor, beet pulp, salmon oil, sodium silico aluminate, ground psyllium seed, potassium chloride, rice hulls, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), sodium chloride, monocalcium phosphate, choline chloride, brewers yeast extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles), L-lysine, Vitamins [dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, d-calcium pantothenate, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid], taurine, trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, calcium iodate], glucosamine hydrochloride, marigold extract, chondroitin sulfate, L-carnitine
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.8%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains almost 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is notably high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. A quality ingredient.
The third ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is what’s left over after raw corn has had all its starchy carbohydrate (the good stuff) dissolved out of it. The rubbery residue that’s left is the gluten.
Glutens are inferior grain-based proteins lacking the extraordinary biological value and digestibility of quality meat ingredients.
The corn gluten meal is responsible for at least some of the protein content reported in this product.
The fourth ingredient includes ground corn. But this isn’t the corn you’re used to seeing in the supermarket. No… the corn used here is probably pet-grade… and not likely of human quality. So, it can be frequently contaminated with insects, mites and molds.
Plus… corn is one of the most common ingredients mentioned as a probable cause of many canine food allergies.
The fifth ingredient is rice. Since the lone word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it could be brown rice (which is good) or brewers rice (which is a by-product). So, it’s difficult to judge the quality of this item.
Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Many denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is completely acceptable.
The salmon oil listed here is naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life. This is a quality addition.
This dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to proteins. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
Royal Canin Cynotechnique Energy… the Bottom Line
This strangely-named blend is actually a type of product commonly known as a high energy dog food… a dog food designed especially for active or working animals.
And it has the caloric credentials to prove it… nearly 600 calories per cup!
The dashboard reports a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 33% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 23%.
High protein. High fat. Low carbs. Yep… the nutrient profile of a typical high energy dog food.
But unfortunately, the use of the (inferior) corn gluten meal to help “pump-up” this product’s protein content cannot be overlooked.
Royal Canin Cynotechnique Energy 4800 Dog Food still earns a respectable three stars and is certainly worth your consideration.
Recommended.
Some Final Thoughts
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult your veterinarian for help.
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