A Total Letdown: My Disappointing Experience with Royal Canin for My Puppies
check_circlePros
- The product is widely available online, making it easy to purchase and have shipped to your doorstep.
- The packaging is convenient and easy to store, which is a plus for pet owners with limited space.
- The product claims to be complete nutrition for Bulldogs, which is a big selling point for me.
- I appreciate the company's commitment to research and development to create a tailored diet for specific breeds.
- The product is relatively affordable compared to other premium dog food brands.
- I like that the company offers a range of sizes and flavors to suit different puppies' needs.
cancelCons
- Unfortunately, my puppies didn't take to the food well, and I had to switch them to a different brand.
- The product is made in Poland, which might be a concern for some pet owners who prefer to support local businesses.
- I found the company's customer support to be unresponsive and unhelpful when I had issues with the product.
- The product's performance was disappointing, and I didn't see any noticeable improvements in my puppies' health or energy levels.
- I was expecting a higher-quality product given the premium price point.
- The product's ingredients list is lengthy and confusing, making it hard to determine what's actually in the food.
Editor's Summary
I recently brought home two adorable puppies, Gerda the French Bulldog and Zlata the German Boxer. I decided to switch Gerda to solid food, starting with Royal Canin's French Bulldog Puppy dry food. Unfortunately, my experience with this product has been a total letdown. I'll share my honest thoughts on the pros and cons, including the disappointing performance and my experience with customer support. I hope this review helps other pet owners make informed decisions. To be honest, I was expecting a lot more from a premium brand like Royal Canin. The product's performance was disappointing, and I didn't see any noticeable improvements in my puppies' health or energy levels. The company's customer support was also unresponsive and unhelpful when I had issues with the product. I had to switch my puppies to a different brand due to digestive issues. I'm sharing my experience to help others avoid the same disappointment.
Specifications
***A Week in the Life of a Busy Parent***
I recently welcomed two new furry family members into my home - a French Bulldog puppy named Gerda and a German Boxer puppy named Zlata.
As you can imagine, life has been a whirlwind with the arrival of these two adorable bundles of energy.
When we first brought Gerda home, she was just 1.5 months old and still nursing from her previous owners. I decided to switch her to a solid food diet, starting with the Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy dry food and their French Bulldog Puppy dry food.
Full Name: Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy.
Price: 1490 rubles for 3 kg.
Purchased from: OZON. Convenient delivery to a pick-up point - I haven't seen it in regular pet stores often.
Manufacturer: Poland.
Complete Nutrition for Bulldogs.
***Description***
Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy dry food is designed for puppies up to 12 months old. The formula supports the development of the immune system, skin health, and normal digestion. The special croquettes make it easy for French Bulldog puppies to pick up and chew.
***Ingredients***
Rice, plant protein isolate, wheat, dehydrated chicken, animal fats, hydrolyzed animal protein, beet pulp, minerals, dehydrated animal protein (pork), soybean oil, fish oil, fructooligosaccharides, yeast hydrolysate (source of mannooligosaccharides), hydrolyzed crustacean shell (source of glucosamine), extract of upright marigold (source of lutein), hydrolyzed cartilage (source of chondroitin).
***Packaging and Appearance***
The food was delivered in a foil packet with a zip-lock closure.
One thing I really like about this product is the information it provides about the food, including the composition and a handy table to calculate the daily dosage.
As someone who's particular about these details, I appreciate that the manufacturer offers this level of transparency.
The zipper on the back was a bit flimsy and didn't close properly, so I ended up using clips to keep it shut.
Despite some initial issues, the packaging held up well and didn't show any signs of wear and tear.
The kibble itself is shaped like a croissant, which is quite unique.
It smells like horse food, if I'm being honest – not overpowering, but definitely noticeable.
The color is a nice, earthy brown.
The kibble itself is small, making it perfect for puppies.
It's also got a nice balance of fat, which you can feel when you touch it in the bag.
It doesn't expand much when you soak it in warm water, which I found really convenient.
I even did a little experiment by soaking the kibble in water for 10 minutes – as you can see, it doesn't become a giant blob in the dog's stomach.
Transitioning to this food was a breeze – no issues at all with getting the dogs accustomed to it.
We actually ended up giving it to both our dogs, so I can compare the results on two different pets.
★★★ My Experience with Feeding: ★★★
Initially, we were only giving it to Gerda, but then Zlata started eating it as well, so I've got firsthand experience with both dogs.
It's a bit pricey, so it's not the most budget-friendly option.
One thing that really drew me to this product was how easily my puppies would eat it. There was no issue getting them to chow down. But, after the fact, they'd always seem to be struggling. Given that the food form is specifically designed for this type of snout, it was pretty weird!
I'd say my little ones would hack up a lung after every meal. I've since compared this to other products, and let's just say this one had some major issues.
The weight gain was pretty average. I wouldn't say it was non-existent, but it was definitely slow going.
Let's just say the, ahem, 'output' was frequent. I've got some experience to compare it to now, and this product had some serious issues in that department. And, to make matters worse, my dogs would act like they were possessed after eating it!
But, the real kicker was the allergic reactions both of my dogs got! They'd be scratching their ears and sporting red spots on their tummies. And this is with a product specifically designed for French Bulldogs! I'm speechless.
After switching, everything went back to normal. So, it's up to you to decide whether you want to deal with the potential health issues that come with a subpar product.
I thought Royal Canin had gotten it right over the years, but I guess they've changed up the formula and it just isn't the same. I definitely won't be buying this one again.
I would not recommend this food for puppies. There are plenty of other options out there that are just as good, if not better, and at a lower price point!
