Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition product range comprises three recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 4 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
This fresh range from Royal Canin includes three formulas: one for puppies, one for adults, and one for seniors. Each recipe is gently cooked and developed by vets.
Pros
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
- Without corn, wheat, or soy
- Developed by veterinarians
Cons
- Unsuitable for ambient storage, frozen storage is necessary
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Adult Dog Food | 4 | M |
| Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Senior Dog Food | 3.5 | M |
| Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Puppy Dog Food | 4 | G |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Puppy Dog Food was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Puppy Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, brown rice, eggs, yellow squash, peas, vegetable oil, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, fish oil, vinegar, citric acid (a preservative), salt, taurine, trace minerals [magnesium phosphate, zinc gluconate, iron amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, copper gluconate, manganese gluconate, selenium amino acid chelate], vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, calcium pantothenate], marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), natural flavors, tocopherols
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 7% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 26% | 18% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 37% | 41% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The third ingredient is whole eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The fourth ingredient is yellow squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The sixth ingredient is vegetable oil, a generic oil of unknown origin. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in any oil is nutritionally critical and can vary significantly (depending on the source).
Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of an item so vaguely described. However, compared to a named animal fat, a generic vegetable oil cannot be considered a quality ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.
The eighth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.
The ninth ingredient is fish oil. 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.
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 affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has two notable exceptions.
First, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
In addition, this food includes 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Puppy Dog Food looks like an above-average fresh product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27.6%, a fat level of 19% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 43.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 25.3% and a mean fat level of 17.7%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 46.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 70%.
This means the Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition range contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat when compared to typical fresh dog food.
Royal Canin Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Royal Canin through December 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Royal Canin Fresh Dog Food
This is the first gently cooked fresh food from Royal Canin, all crafted without corn, wheat, or soy, and containing no artificial flavours, colours, or added preservatives, using a moderate amount of named meat as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
About
The company was founded in 1968 by French veterinarian, Dr. Jean Cathary. After a long period of sustained growth in Europe, the company was purchased by American conglomerate, Mars, Inc., in 2001.
The pet foods are manufactured in multiple factory locations throughout the world, including Ontario, Canada and North Sioux City, South Dakota.
Compare Royal Canin Fresh Dog Food
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A Final Word
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