If your cat eats Royal Canin, it probably was not a random pick off the shelf. It is a brand built on the idea that a Persian, a Maine Coon and a newly sterilised rescue all need something different from their bowl. What most owners never see is the thinking behind each bag, because it sits in the fine print, in the kibble itself, and in research papers nobody reads over breakfast.
So we went through it for you. Here are seven things worth knowing about your cat's Royal Canin, including one feeding change that catches out almost every owner after sterilisation.
Seven Things Worth Knowing
1. The number on the bag is not a product code
Ever wondered what the 32 in Fit 32 means? It is the protein level. Royal Canin Fit 32 contains 32% protein and 15% fat, pitched at adult cats with an everyday activity level. The same logic runs across the range. Indoor 27 carries 27% protein for cats that live mostly inside and burn less energy, while Sterilised 37 goes up to 37% protein to help protect muscle in cats whose energy needs have dropped.
More protein is not automatically better. The number tells you which lifestyle the food was built for.
2. Your cat is quietly counting its macros
This is one of the most fascinating findings in cat nutrition. In a two-year study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology in 2011, researchers at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition (the science centre behind Mars Petcare brands, including Royal Canin) gave cats a free choice of foods with different amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrate. The cats did not simply eat whatever tasted best. Over time they balanced their intake to land on roughly 52% of calories from protein, 36% from fat and 12% from carbohydrate.
Those proportions are very close to what feral cats get from hunting. Thousands of years on the sofa have not switched off your cat's instinct to eat like a small predator, and a follow-up study found cats hit the same target even when offered mixes of wet and dry food.
Royal Canin builds on this directly. Its Instinctive wet range is formulated to match the macronutrient profile cats naturally prefer, which is one reason fussy cats often settle on it.
3. Kibble shape is engineering, not decoration
Pour a few pieces of different Royal Canin breed foods side by side and the shapes are completely different. That is deliberate.
- Persian. Persians have a flat face and short jaw, and they pick food up with the underside of the tongue. Royal Canin Persian Adult uses an almond-shaped kibble designed to be easy to grab and chew that way.
- Siamese. Long, narrow jaws and a habit of eating fast. Royal Canin Siamese uses a tube-shaped kibble that is easy to grip and encourages chewing, which helps slow them down.
- Maine Coon. The gentle giant of the cat world carries a lot of weight on its frame. Royal Canin Maine Coon has a large kibble to suit its big jaw, plus nutrients chosen to support joints.
If you have a pedigree on a general adult formula, the breed option is worth a look. The difference often shows in how easily and how slowly your cat eats, not just in what is in the food.
4. Sterilisation changes the maths overnight
According to Royal Canin, a cat's energy needs fall by around 30% after sterilisation, while appetite goes up, by as much as 20% within two days of the procedure. Fewer calories needed plus a hungrier cat is the classic recipe for slow, steady weight gain.
The instinctive fix is to cut the portion by a third. Royal Canin advises against simply doing that, because a much smaller portion of a regular food can leave your cat short on nutrients and constantly hungry. A formula built for sterilised cats delivers fewer calories while keeping protein and nutrients where they should be.
That means Sterilised 37 for adults, Kitten Sterilised for kittens aged 6 to 12 months, and the Sterilised pouches. If your cat has already picked up a few extra grams, Light Weight Care is designed to help limit weight gain.
5. Wet and dry are designed to work as a team
Cats evolved in dry environments and got most of their water from prey, so they naturally have a low thirst drive. Plenty of cats simply do not drink enough from a bowl. Royal Canin wet food adds moisture, which supports hydration and a healthy urinary system, while dry kibble is convenient and its crunch helps with dental care.
Royal Canin's general rule for mixed feeding is about one third of daily calories from wet food and two thirds from dry. The key word is calories. A pouch is not a free extra, so when you add wet food the dry portion has to come down. Use the mixed-feeding table on the pack rather than the dry-only guide, and pair the same name in wet and dry, such as Sterilised with Sterilised or Kitten with Kitten.
6. Weigh it, don't scoop it
Kibble size and shape vary between formulas, so a scoop of Persian kibble and a scoop of Fit 32 do not weigh the same. A cheap kitchen scale is the most accurate way to follow the feeding guide. Over a year, a scoop that is just a little generous every day adds up to a lot of extra calories for a 4kg cat.
Once a month, run your hands along your cat's sides. You should feel the ribs under a light covering. If you cannot, trim the portion slightly. If the ribs feel sharp, add a little. Your vet can help you set the right target weight.
7. Life stage matters as much as breed
Kittens need energy and nutrients for rapid growth, which is why Royal Canin Kitten is recommended up to 12 months. At the other end, the Instinctive 7+ pouches and Ageing 11+ formulas are adapted for older cats, whose appetite, teeth and digestion change with time. Cats are very good at hiding the signs of ageing, so a food change at 7 or 11 is often the first thing you can do before problems show.
Which Royal Canin Fits Your Cat?
| Your cat | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten up to 12 months | Kitten dry and Kitten pouches | Nutrients for growth and a developing immune system |
| Sterilised kitten, 6 to 12 months | Kitten Sterilised | Supports growth while managing the post-sterilisation appetite |
| Adult, active or with outdoor access | Fit 32 or Outdoor | Energy for cats that move around more |
| Adult, mostly indoors | Indoor 27 | Adapted for lower activity |
| Sterilised adult | Sterilised 37 and Sterilised pouches | Fewer calories, higher protein to protect muscle |
| Carrying extra weight | Light Weight Care | Designed to help limit weight gain |
| Sensitive tummy | Sensible or Digestive Care | For cats with digestive sensitivities or soft stools |
| Long coat or hairballs | Hairball Care or Hair & Skin Care | Fibres to help move ingested hair, nutrients for coat condition |
| Fussy eater | Instinctive or Sensory pouches | Built around the textures and nutrient balance cats prefer |
| Senior, 7 years and older | Instinctive 7+, then Ageing 11+ | Adapted for changing appetite, teeth and digestion |
Switching Formulas? Take Ten Days
Whether you are moving to a sterilised formula, a breed food or a senior diet, change over gradually so your cat's stomach has time to adjust.
- Days 1 to 3: 25% new food, 75% old food.
- Days 4 to 6: 50% new, 50% old.
- Days 7 to 9: 75% new, 25% old.
- Day 10: 100% new food.
FAQs
What does the number in Royal Canin cat food names mean?
It is the protein percentage. Fit 32 has 32% protein, Indoor 27 has 27% and Sterilised 37 has 37%. Each is matched to a different lifestyle rather than one being better than another.
Can I mix Royal Canin wet and dry food?
Yes, and Royal Canin designs its ranges to be fed together. Aim for about one third of daily calories from wet food and two thirds from dry, and reduce the kibble when you add a pouch. The mixed-feeding table on the pack shows the amounts for your cat's weight.
Does my cat need a breed-specific food?
Not necessarily, but for breeds like Persians, Siamese and Maine Coons the kibble shape and size are designed around how they eat. If your pedigree struggles to pick up food, eats too fast or is a large breed, the breed formula is worth trying.
When should I switch to a sterilised formula?
Ideally at the time of the procedure. Energy needs drop by around 30% after sterilisation while appetite increases, so changing the food early helps prevent weight gain before it starts.
When is a cat considered senior?
Royal Canin's range adapts from 7 years with Instinctive 7+, and again from 11 years with Ageing 11+. Many cats look and act young at 7, but their nutritional needs are already starting to change.
Is delivery free?
Local orders over R550 in Johannesburg and Cape Town qualify for free delivery. Everywhere else, delivery is calculated at checkout.
