Collection: Royal Canin

Royal Canin is a science-led pet nutrition brand and a division of Mars Petcare, with more than 50 years of research behind it. Formulas are developed with vets and nutritionists, and manufacturing runs under strict quality and food safety controls. What sets it apart is precision: recipes are tailored to size, age, breed and lifestyle rather than being one-size-fits-all, and kibble shape and texture are engineered for the animal eating it. That is why it is one of the most widely recommended brands among vets and breeders in South Africa.

Match the food to your puppy's expected adult weight. X-Small Puppy suits dogs maturing under 4kg, Mini Puppy up to 10kg, Medium Puppy 11 to 25kg and Maxi Puppy 26 to 44kg, while giant breeds start on Giant Puppy and move to Giant Junior at 8 months. Each formula paces growth correctly for its size band, with DHA for brain development and immune support. For litters, Starter Mother and Babydog feeds the mother through pregnancy and nursing, then the puppies through weaning. Popular breeds like the Labrador Retriever and French Bulldog also have their own puppy formulas.

Royal Canin studies each breed's build, jaw, coat and health tendencies, then designs the food around them. Dachshund Adult supports bones and joints in a long-backed breed and helps hold ideal weight. Yorkshire Terrier formulas feed that famous long coat with omega fatty acids, borage oil and biotin, in a tiny kibble a Yorkie jaw can actually chew. The same thinking runs through the Pug, Poodle, German Shepherd, Rottweiler and many more, in puppy and adult stages, with wet pouches for several small breeds.

The kitten range follows the first year step by step. Mother and Babycat suits the queen plus kittens from one to four months, with Babycat Milk as a replacer for the earliest weeks. Kitten dry food then carries them to 12 months, supported by Kitten Instinctive wet pouches and Sterilised Kitten options in dry, jelly and gravy for those neutered from six months. All of them supply the energy, antioxidants and DHA a growing kitten needs. From their first birthday, cats move onto an adult formula suited to their lifestyle.

Hypoallergenic, Gastrointestinal, Renal and the other Veterinary diets are prescription foods, so they are best dispensed through your vet, who will confirm the diagnosis and monitor progress. For everyday sensitivities, the retail ranges we stock solve a lot of the same problems: Dermacomfort calms itchy, irritated skin, Digestive Care supports sensitive stomachs and stool quality in dogs, and Sensible does the same for cats. If your pet has been formally prescribed a therapeutic diet, chat to your vet before switching to any retail alternative.

Both approaches work, and many pets do best on a mix. Dry kibble is economical, easy to store and helps keep teeth cleaner, while wet pouches add moisture, aroma and palatability, which helps fussy eaters, senior pets and cats that drink too little. Royal Canin designs its wet and dry ranges to complement each other, so you can mix within the same range with confidence. If you combine them, reduce the kibble portion to account for the pouch so the daily calories stay on target.

The price per kilogram drops noticeably as bags get bigger, so the 10kg to 15kg dog bags and 4kg to 10kg cat bags are the most economical way to feed. As a guide, choose a size your pet will finish within about six to eight weeks of opening, stored sealed in a cool, dry spot, so the food stays fresh and appealing. Smaller bags remain useful for trying a new formula before committing, or for very small dogs and cats that eat slowly.

Switch gradually over about seven days so the gut can adapt. Start with roughly a quarter new food mixed into three quarters of the old diet for two days, move to half and half for the next two, then three quarters new for another two, and finish on the full portion of Royal Canin by day seven. Slow the pace if you notice loose stools or a skipped meal, especially with puppies, kittens and sensitive eaters. A measured transition avoids most tummy upsets and gives the new food a fair trial.

Yes, particularly for cats, whose energy needs drop sharply after the operation. Sterilised Kitten covers the six to 12 month window in dry food and wet chunks, Sterilised 37 and the Sterilised wet pouches manage adult weight while keeping protein high, and Ageing Sterilised 11+ looks after neutered seniors. For dogs there is no separate sterilised line, but Light Weight Care in Mini, Medium and Maxi is the natural pick for a dog that gains weight after neutering, with adapted calories and L-carnitine to help maintain muscle.

Yes. Canine and Co is an authorised Royal Canin stockist, holding the dog and cat retail ranges in warehouses in Johannesburg and Cape Town, alongside our retail stores. Deliveries run countrywide, with FREE local shipping over R550, which most Royal Canin bags comfortably clear. Because stock turns over quickly, bags arrive well within date with plenty of shelf life left. If you are unsure which formula suits your pet, our team is happy to point you to the right size, breed or care option before you check out.