In a recent press release Mars Petcare announced: “the launch of Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition, a science-based approach and fresh perspective on health through nutrition, reinforcing the brand’s 55 years of pet nutrition expertise. Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition uses a fresh nutrient design to create meals that support dog health, from immune function to digestive wellness, tailored to individual dog’s specific life stage.“
After “55 years” of kibble and canned pet food, Royal Canin has decided to take a “fresh perspective” on pet food.
This is Mars Petcare Royal Canin’s new pet food…
A close up image of the pet food…
Per the ingredient list, the above four ingredients are the only food ingredients included in this pet food (the remaining are supplements). Rice is listed as the first ingredient – which tells us (per pet food regulations) rice is the heaviest ingredient in the food (contains more rice by weight than any other ingredient).
The Royal Canin website makes NO claims of the pet food being human grade, it is a feed grade pet food.
And the cost?
Per Chewy.com, a case of seven 14.1 ounce pouches sells for $70.12.
Or…$0.72 per ounce.
How does the cost of Mars Petcare Royal Canin’s new fresh/cooked feed grade pet food compare to a fresh/cooked human grade pet food?
Also available on Chewy.com is human grade pet food JustFoodforDogs; 100% human edible ingredients (including supplements) and manufactured in a licensed human food facility.
Chicken is listed as the first ingredient in the JustFoodforDogs product, meaning chicken is the heaviest ingredient (contains more chicken by weight than any other ingredient).
The cost of this human grade pet food – $76.99 for a case of seven 18 ounce pouches.
Or…$0.62 per ounce.
For $0.10 LESS per ounce, pet owners could provide their pet with a human grade pet food (instead of a feed grade pet food).
Both Royal Canin and JustFoodforDogs have veterinarians on staff, both brands have performed pet food research, and both brands have performed feeding trials.
Looking at these two fresh pet foods side-by-side:
Two points:
- ‘Fresh’ doesn’t guarantee human grade ingredients.
- Price doesn’t equal human grade ingredients and manufacturing standards.
Before you trust your pet’s life with a pet food, do your homework.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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