Rating: 
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control dry dog food receives the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3 stars.
The Royal Canin Veterinary Calorie Control product line includes one dry dog food. However, since we’re unable to locate AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for this dog food on the Royal Canin website, it’s impossible for us to report specific life stage recommendations for this recipe.
So, be sure to check with your vet for specific feeding guidelines.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Calorie Control
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, corn, wheat, natural flavors, chicken fat, powdered cellulose, wheat gluten, potassium chloride, dried beet pulp, salt, fish oil, taurine, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamins [dl-alpha tocopherpol acetate (source of vitamin E), l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], l-carnitine, trace minerals (zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), marigold extract (Tagetes erecta), tea, chondroitin sulfate, rosemary extract, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols and citric acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.1%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 33% | 8% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 9% | 47% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 35% | 21% | 45% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient lists brewers rice. Brewers rice is a cereal grain by-product consisting of the small fragments left over after milling whole rice. Aside from the caloric energy it contains, this item is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
By the way, contrary to popular belief, brewers rice has nothing to do with the process of brewing beer.
The third ingredient lists corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.
Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins lower in many of the essential amino acids dogs need for life.
This inexpensive plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fourth item is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
For this reason, we do not consider corn a preferred component in any dog food.
The fifth ingredient is wheat. Wheat is another cereal grain and subject to the same issues as corn (previously discussed).
After the natural flavors, we find 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 high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The eighth item is powdered cellulose, a non-digestible plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing. Except for the usual benefits of fiber, powdered cellulose provides no nutritional value to a dog.
The ninth item is wheat gluten. Like corn gluten, wheat gluten can significantly boost the total protein reported on the package.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
Next, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Thirdly, beet pulp is a controversial ingredient — a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar 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 entirely acceptable.
And lastly, this food does contain chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control
The Bottom Line
The veterinary product reviewed here may or may not be suitable for your particular pet. Moreover, it is not our intention to judge the capability of any dog food to treat a specific health condition.
As a supplement, this product was never intended to be fed as a complete and balanced canine diet.
Because they probably lack some essential nutrients, supplements must not be fed continuously as the sole item in a dog’s diet.
Nevertheless, judging by its ingredient quality alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control appears to be an average dry dog food.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 47%.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 25%.
Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And near average carbs as compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn and wheat gluten, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Calorie Control is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3 stars.
Recommended.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in a specific health benefit for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
09/03/2010 Original review
05/03/2012 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.