Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food Review (Dry)

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food is not rated due to its intentional therapeutic design.

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein product line includes the 7 dry dog foods listed below. Each is designed to help in the treatment of canine allergies.

Each recipe below includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is 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.

The second ingredient is hydrolyzed soy protein, soy that’s been chemically broken-down into its component amino acids. Hydrolyzed proteins are considered hypoallergenic.

The third ingredient is chicken fat. This item 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.

After the natural flavors, we find beet pulp. 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.

The next 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.

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 this Royal Canin product.

With five notable exceptions…

First, we find 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.

Next, this recipe contains fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener¹ probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.

In addition, we note the use of 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.

Next, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, 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

Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the product’s ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.

So, to find out whether or not this dog food is appropriate for your particular pet, it’s important to consult your veterinarian.

With that understanding…

Based on its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Hydrolyzed Protein HP dog food appears to be an average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 22.3%, a fat level of 19.6% and estimated carbohydrates of about 47%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 22.6% and a mean fat level of 14.4%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49.4% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 71%.

Which means this Royal Canin product line contains…

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Royal Canin Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Royal Canin through May 2025.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dog Food

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using soy as its main source of protein.

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