Which food is better: Proplan or Royal Canin? Composition, quality and recommendations of veterinarians

Where is it produced?

What should an animal owner pay attention to when choosing food for him? Some look at the price, others at the bright packaging, but most look at the composition and manufacturer.

Russian feed is considered to be of poor quality, unlike foreign ones. Which food is better - Proplan or Royal Canin, if you rely on the manufacturer? According to experts:

1. Pro Plan is manufactured by the American company Purina. Factories are located in France, Italy and Russia.
2. Royal Canin is a French food. Production plants are located in Poland, France and Russia.

Range

The range of Royal Canin dog food is much larger than that of its competitors. For example, Royal Canin boasts of having as many as 87 items in its line, which is several times more than Purina and Hills (22 and 23 foods, respectively). Of course, time passes, the product range is updated, but it is unlikely that the latter will be able to catch up with their competitor, although, as you might think, they are not trying.

But is it really good to give the buyer such a huge choice? On the one hand, there is a unique opportunity to choose food that will be suitable not only for the age and size of the animal, but also for a specific breed. On the other hand, you have to compare a large number of diets with each other, choose which is the best, which raises additional questions. However, the conventional twenty positions presented in the Purina Pro Plan (Purina Pro Plan) and Hills (Hills) line provide the opportunity to choose. Here, too, there is a division of feed according to the age and size of the animal, as well as diets that take into account more unique characteristics and needs.

It is worth noting that the Hills line has the most meager list of foods with special properties. We can safely say that the manufacturer took into account only the most common features - dogs’ tendency to gain excess weight, sensitive digestion, joint problems and a predisposition to allergies. Purina has added to this list everyday food suitable for feeding spayed and neutered dogs, helping to maintain the skin and coat in a beautiful and healthy condition, as well as diets for dogs with increased energy needs (active and working). Royal Canin in this case is similar to Purina, but with a slight difference - here you will also find powdered milk for feeding very small puppies.

Composition of Pro Plan food

What to choose for your pet: American (Proplan) or French-made Royal Canin? We invite you to familiarize yourself in detail with the composition of Pro Plan, using food for adult cats as an example:

1. The first word listed on the packaging is “chicken.” The percentage of its component is 21.
2. Wheat is in second place, and dried poultry protein is in third place.
3. The fourth and fifth lines are occupied by rice and wheat gluten.

Now let’s take a closer look at each product included in the food in question.

Detailed comparison of Royal Canin and Proplan feeds

To obtain an unbiased comparative characteristic, we will consider the range and composition of diets, the feeding rates recommended by the manufacturer, as well as the average cost of products. To ensure fair competition, we will divide each criterion into several blocks, since the quality of food for cats and dogs may differ.

Assortment of food "Proplan" and "Royal Canin"

Both manufacturers produce many varieties of food. Among the products offered, you can find special diets for small, medium and large dogs, adult and elderly animals, representatives of different breeds, etc. There are veterinary and preventive varieties.

The range of Pro Plan food is narrower than that of Royal Canin, but this is not always a disadvantage

Personally, I believe that unless there are health problems or special needs, this criterion can be ignored. Many manufacturers produce 2-3 types of food for animals of all ages. In nature, for example, both kittens and adult cats eat the same thing. In the case of the premium segment, this division is due to the fact that babies require more animal proteins and fats, which means the composition must be better than other foods, since the latter contain too many grains. The division into breed food is completely arbitrary: in general, the needs of all cats are approximately the same. My sister gave her Maine Coon only Royal Canin dry food for Maine Coons, but this did not save the cat from age-related joint problems. However, for owners of unhealthy animals, choice is very important.

Table: range of food "Proplan" and "Royal Canin" for adult cats

Table: range of Proplan and Royal Canin food for adult dogs

Table: range of food "Proplan" and "Royal Canin" for kittens

Table: range of food "Proplan" and "Royal Canin" for puppies

Composition of Royal Canin and Proplan feeds

Since the approach to treating diseases may vary from company to company, we will look at the formulations of everyday foods for dogs, cats, kittens and puppies. In general, you should not expect a big difference, since the products of both manufacturers belong to the premium class, that is, they are not of high quality and nutritional value. These brands of food contain preventive additives, but they are not the best. For example, yeast can cause digestive disorders if it is not brewer's yeast. The first positions are occupied by anonymous and dubious components. Pro Plan often indicates the main source of protein and its proportion, but given the presence of moisture in fresh meat, this amount is not enough.

Table: composition of food for adult cats

Table: composition of food for kittens

Table: composition of dry food for puppies

Table: composition of dry food for adult dogs

Daily serving size

The serving size depends on the calorie content of the food. The smaller the recommended volume, the more nutritious the food. In the case of pouches and pates, the serving size will be larger because they contain moisture. It is advisable to take the recommended volume into account when comparing costs, since expensive, but nutritious diets may ultimately be more profitable than cheap, but low-calorie diets. The feeding schedule depends not so much on the type of food, but on the age of the pet, its state of health and the preferences of the owners, so we will not consider this item.

Table: Cat Food Serving Size Comparison

Table: Dog Food Serving Size Comparison

Average cost of Proplan and Royal Canin feeds

For dry diets, we will consider the average cost of 1 kg when purchasing large packages. The price of feed when purchasing small packages may vary. Since the difference in the cost of veterinary and everyday food is sometimes huge, we will look at different types of diets separately.

Table: average cost of cat food

Table: average cost of dog food

Detailed analysis of the composition

Chicken is a dietary product that is good for cat health. The question just arises: what is hidden under this word? According to American standards, chicken includes offal, skin, bones and feathers. Therefore, it remains a mystery what is in Pro Plan food: real meat or industrial waste. Veterinarians note that the amount of chicken is negligible and does not reach the level of super-premium food.

Now about wheat, its percentage component is not indicated. Wheat is a source of carbohydrates, but its place in the feed composition is alarming. A cat is a predator; the first three lines in dry food should be occupied by meat products. Wheat is not one of these; it is a cheap and filling filler. It is suitable for economy-class products, but hardly for food that claims to be super-premium.

Poultry protein powder contains proteins. Again, its quantity in the composition is not indicated. Rice is another source of carbohydrates. Too many carbohydrates for a complete cat diet. The manufacturer replaced the natural meat component with them.

Wheat gluten contains plant protein. The key word is plant-based, let’s take that into account. Based on the above, the conclusion is drawn: the food does not correspond to a super-premium product. It contains too many plant proteins and carbohydrates. Veterinarians rarely recommend the product to cat owners.

Let's analyze the composition of French food to find out which is better: Proplan or Royal Canin.

Variety of food lines

To understand which dog food is better: Royal Canin or ProPlan, you need to compare the composition of the product lines of both companies. This comparison allows you to understand whether the range includes products for a particular dog.

Royal Canin Composition

Royal Canin is cheaper than Pro Plan; almost everyone can buy it. There are often discounts on products in large pet stores, so you just want to grab a couple of packages while the promotion is going on. Before buying food, study its composition:

1. The first place is occupied by plant protein isolate. The manufacturer states that these proteins are highly digestible and are specially selected for the production of feed.
2. The second line reports the presence of dehydrated (dried) poultry proteins.
3. At number three is rice, wheat is in fourth place.
4. Animal fats complete the list.

Acana

Acana is one of the popular brands of holistic food for pets. The Canadian manufacturer of the Acana line has received many awards for the quality of the product. The food in this series contains only fresh and high quality ingredients. All of them consist of more than half selected meat. The product also contains fruits and vegetables, which are a natural source of vitamins and minerals. The presence of flavorings and preservatives in this line is out of the question. It is for this reason that experts recommend these foods. The disadvantages of this series include the lack of medicinal feed and a relatively small assortment.

Details about the composition

Is Royal Canin better than Proplan? Judging by the composition of the first one, it’s much worse. Let's figure out why French products are so bad. Can a good food have vegetable proteins in the first place? Some would say that they are a source of protein. Animal protein is ideal for cat nutrition, plant protein is not. Not only is it at the heart of the product, but the quantity is also hidden.

Dried poultry proteins. Where is the clarification of its type? Bird can mean chicken, hazel grouse or crow. The manufacturer kept silent about the species of the bird. As well as about the quantitative component of the declared proteins. According to veterinarians, this is a significant lack of food.

Rice and wheat are sources of carbohydrates, this is written above. Wheat is a cheap product, but filling. For products that are positioned as elite, such a filler is not suitable.

The cat receives the necessary fatty acids from the appropriate component of the food. Animal fats are located on the fifth line; they raise the same questions: what is the percentage component? What animals are we talking about? There is no answer; the manufacturer carefully hides information about this.

Which is better: Proplan or Royal Canin? Both foods are bad, but if there is no other choice, then American products are of better quality.

Comparison of the quality of the composition of two brands

When figuring out which of the two brands is of better quality and preferable for purchase, you need to pay attention to the composition. Both companies have different lines, but one problem repeats itself: the quality of the main component leaves much to be desired.

Advantages of Pro Plan

We found out which food is better - Proplan or Royal Canin. Both brands are of poor quality, although they are expensive and are considered super-premium products.

Main advantages of Pro Plan:

1. In first place is the chicken component.
2. Varied choice.
3. There are no problems with purchasing in regular and online pet stores.

Range

In general, the situation with cat food of these brands is similar to the situation in the dog food market. The range of Royal Canin cat foods significantly exceeds the range presented in the Hills and Purina Pro Plan lines.

Purina has the smallest amount of food and, as a consequence, its least tailored to the special needs of cats. Although this manufacturer also has diets for domestic, obese, sterilized and sensitive cats, as well as food for maintaining beautiful coats and healthy skin. Hills has added food to the line that helps remove hair from the digestive tract and keeps the animal's mouth clean. Royal Canin is significantly ahead of its competitors in this criterion, as it has diversified its line of foods for outdoor/active cats, fluffy and long-haired cats, and cats with sensitive digestion. The line also includes diets for the prevention of urolithiasis and milk powder for kittens.

Pros of Royal Canin food

We researched which food is better - Proplan or Royal Canin. The advantages and disadvantages of the first have been sorted out. As for the second, its advantage is its rich assortment. The manufacturer offers food for:

• kittens and nursing cats;
• adult pets;
• cats leading an active lifestyle;
• products are manufactured taking into account the needs of a particular breed;
• there is a veterinary (medicinal) series of feeds;
• You can purchase food for castrated and sterilized cats.

How to choose the best food, what should you pay attention to when buying it?

It is necessary to read on the front side of the package for whom the product is intended - a kitten, an adult animal, an elderly animal. On the reverse side there is information about the composition and nutritional content.

Be sure to read: What kind of porridge can be given to cats and at what age? You need to find out what percentage of meat and meat ingredients in the diet, what plant components and in what quantities are contained in the feed mixture. Conscientious manufacturers indicate which biologically active substances are added and in what quantities.

They inform you about it. what preservatives and antioxidants are included in the feed mixture. You should not purchase food that has no specific information about its composition.

Comparative characteristics

We found out which food is better: Proplan or Royal Canin. If we compare the products, the conclusions are as follows:

1. Pro Plan contains chicken, which significantly outperforms its French competitor.
2. There are no flavoring additives in American food.
3. Proplan contains a protein component.

A comparison of Proplan and Royal Canin reveals clear advantages of the first.

Hills

Hills belongs to the premium class and has a good composition. It contains poultry meal, or meat, fish oil, vitamin and mineral supplements - everything that is necessary for complete nutrition. The downside of all premium food, including Hills, is the presence of various types of chemicals. In addition, Hills contains a high amount of carbohydrates, which is not very good for a cat’s digestion. The series of medicinal feeds from this company is of the highest quality and belongs to a higher class. But if your pet does not suffer from any disease, veterinarians advise to refrain from feeding the medicinal line of food. The advantages of the product include availability in stores, low price and a vitamin complex in the composition.

Reviews

Pet owners are divided into two camps. Some are delighted with the food in question, others are shocked.

Here's what they say about Proplan:

1. Cats eat with pleasure.
2. Gives animals a rich color.
3. Waste is minimal and has virtually no odor.
4. Other felines refuse food.
5. Causes allergic reactions.

Reviews of Royal Canin look like this:

1. Fairly fatty food.
2. Cats eat it up.
3. Many pets ask for supplements; the food is tasty for them.
4. Owners point out the unpleasant odor emanating from the products.
5. Others talk about small granules that create inconvenience for pets.
6. The color of cats changes for the worse.
7. There is a lot of excrement, but there is no particularly strong smell.

Price policy

The pricing policy of all three brands is quite loyal. Of course, this is due to the presence of cost-reducing components in the food (more on them a little later), but every animal owner can choose the most suitable food that will not “tighten the pocket”, but will provide the animal with all the necessary substances and keep it in good shape.

At Royal Canin, the average price for a package of food weighing 0.5 kg is 263 rubles, for 0.8 kg - 314 rubles, for 3 kg - 1003 rubles, for 12 kg - 3744 rubles.

At Hills, the average price for 0.8 kg is 395 rubles, for a 3 kg package - 1372 rubles, for 12 kg - 4578 rubles.

At Purina, 0.7 kg packages cost the same, regardless of the purpose of the food, and the price for them is 325 rubles. The average cost of a package weighing 3 kg is 1125 rubles, and for a 12 kg package you will have to pay 4225 rubles (only food for older dogs of medium and large breeds costs a little more). The cost of diets from the Duo Delice series is slightly higher.

Important! Prices are calculated for the period of writing the article and may change in one direction or another over time. Therefore, here, rather, it is worth focusing not on a specific figure, but on the general pricing policy of a particular manufacturer. In addition, the price of packages of the same weight, but for different purposes, even within the same manufacturer, may differ significantly. And the packaging itself does not completely duplicate each other, somewhere there are smaller packages, somewhere larger, and here everyone chooses the most suitable option.

In general, the conclusion is this: Royal Canin food is slightly cheaper than its competitors.

Summing up

Having examined the compositions of feeds, their advantages and disadvantages, we boldly declare:

1. The product is of poor quality and is far from super-premium class.
2. The price category is unreasonably high; overpaying for wheat, vegetable proteins and rice is a thankless task.
3. Judging by the reviews, owners prefer the American food Pro Plan. And this despite the fact that most doctors at veterinary clinics recommend Royal Canin.