Why I Don’t Like Royal Canin or Science Diet Dog Food

Why I Don’t Like Royal Canin or Science Diet Dog Food

And Why You Might Want to Rethink What’s in Your Dog’s Bowl

As a dog lover and pet parent who truly cares about what goes into my pup’s body, I’ve spent a lot of time researching dog food ingredients, reading labels, and watching how my dog reacts to different foods. Two of the most recommended brands by vets—Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet—are often praised as premium dog food. But after doing a deeper dive, I’ve come to a firm conclusion:

I don’t like Royal Canin or Science Diet, and I wouldn’t feed them to my dog. Here’s why.

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🚫 1. They’re Loaded with Fillers

One of the first things that made me question these brands was the ingredients list. Despite their premium price tag, the first few ingredients often include corn, wheat, soy, and brewers rice—none of which are high-quality fuel for a carnivorous animal.

These ingredients are cheap fillers used to bulk up the food and keep costs low for the manufacturer—not to provide real nutritional value to your dog. Dogs thrive on animal-based protein, not grain-based carbs.

➡️ According to Dog Food Advisor, many Royal Canin and Science Diet formulas are carbohydrate-heavy, despite dogs needing protein-first diets.

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🧪 2. Use of By-Products

Both brands use animal by-products, and often don’t specify exactly what kind. That means your dog could be eating low-quality, rendered ingredients like beaks, feathers, or diseased animal parts—not muscle meat or organ meat that’s rich in nutrients.

Sure, not all by-products are inherently bad, but transparency matters. Would you want to eat mystery meat every day?

➡️ The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) allows by-products in pet food, but many holistic and raw advocates argue they’re not the best source of nutrition—especially when they're the main protein source.

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😬 3. Poor for Oral Health

Another issue? Kibble is not cleaning your dog’s teeth. Despite what marketing may say, crunchy kibble—especially grain-heavy formulas—does little to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

In fact, the starchy carbohydrates found in foods like Science Diet and Royal Canin can actually contribute to plaque formation, just like carbs and sugars do for human teeth.

➡️ Raw bones or chews are far more effective at maintaining oral hygiene. Learn more at Dogs Naturally Magazine.

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💸 4. Expensive for What You Get

For a food full of corn, rice, and meat by-products, you’d think it would be cheap. But both Royal Canin and Science Diet are surprisingly expensive—likely due to their reputation, marketing, and vet office placement.

In my opinion, you’re paying for a label, not high-quality ingredients. For the same price (or less), you could be feeding your dog raw, gently cooked, or high-quality grain-free kibble with real meat and no mystery ingredients.

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🧠 5. Vets Often Recommend It—but Why?

You might be wondering: “If these foods are so bad, why do vets recommend them?” Fair question.

The reality is that many vets receive limited training in nutrition, and what they do learn is often sponsored or influenced by large pet food manufacturers like Hill’s and Royal Canin. It doesn’t mean your vet has bad intentions—it just means they might be recommending what they know, not necessarily what’s best.

➡️ Want a deeper look? Check out The Truth About Pet Food for an eye-opening perspective.

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🐾 Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, every dog is different—and every pet parent has to do what feels right. But after looking closely at the ingredients, sourcing, and results, I’ve made a personal choice to steer clear of Royal Canin and Science Diet.

If you want to feed your dog the best, read the label. Look for foods with real, named meat sources, minimal fillers, and transparent ingredients. You don’t have to go raw to do better—but choosing a brand that puts nutrition before profits is a great place to start.

Like in every situation, there are exceptions to the rules. Science Diet does occasionally fall into the realm of suggested diets. This is due to the requirements of acceptance when  formulating their recipes. Science Diet has always ensured that their diets are WIDELY accepted by our devoted pets. And, when dealing with extreme picky eaters I often do turn to them as a option to move away from grocery store brands and slowly ease into other options.

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Have you had a negative (or surprising) experience with one of these brands? Let’s talk about it below.

Your dog deserves better—and it starts with what’s in the bowl.

Check out our deep dive on the conglomerate behind Science Diet: Colgate and Palmolive: The Faces Behind Science Diet Pet Food

Check out our deep dive on the conglomerate behind Royal Canin: Mars: The Makers of Royal Canin