Food allergies are the third most common reported allergies types in dogs. They occur when a dog’s immunity falsely mistakes common dietary proteins such as beef, chicken, fish, lamb, dairy products, pork, eggs, etc., as well as some carbohydrates like corn, wheat, and so forth as allergens.
Allergens are toxic or foreign bodies that trigger an immune response characterized by the release of antibodies to fight against them and consequently causing allergic reactions.
Don’t confuse these hypersensitivities or allergies to intolerance as the latter means that your pet cannot digest a particular food. Consequently, it will cause some gastric distress like diarrhea, vomiting, gas, nausea, and so on.
To manage food allergies, you can go for hypoallergenic diets, which include novel protein foods, limited ingredient diets, hydrolyzed, or homemade foods, as well as consider other medical interventions.
What are hydrolyzed dog foods?
Hydrolyzed dog diets are foods chemically broken down into smaller units (peptides) or individual amino acids using enzymes or chemicals.
These diets are vital for canines that suffer from food sensitivities since the breaking down of protein into low molecular peptides, or amino acids makes it less likely for an allergic dog’s immune to detect them and consequently cause allergic reactions.
Besides minimizing or eliminating food sensitivity, these diets are:
- Helpful to dogs suffering from chronic enteritis and inflammatory bowel disease as they may diminish the severity of the resultant symptoms.
- They are highly digestible and may benefit dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
- Since they are hypoallergenic, with some made using a single protein source, they will bring down the chances of other protein-related allergies.
About Royal Canin
Royal Canin has over five decades of making cat and dog foods that support nutritional needs and boost the health of these pets.
They have a wide array of dog foods designed to meet various dog needs, including breeds, age, lifestyles, and sizes ranging from very small to medium to large to very large.
Additionally, they have veterinary exclusive therapeutic diets that support diabetic or overweight dogs, various energy needs, as well as boost appetite. That is not all; they have some foods that promote skin and coat, oral hygiene, digestive, kidney, liver, and urinary health.
Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Dog Food Reviews
Royal Canin hydrolyzed dog foods are top of the notch, delicious, and nutritious canine foods whose protein are broken down to peptides of smaller molecular units that your pet’s immunity will not recognize.
Their foods have optimum levels of B vitamins and amino acids to reinforce your dog’s skin barrier as well as omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA source) for healthy skin and coat.
Royal Canin is a leader in innovation as follows a stringent manufacturing process to ensure zero cross-contamination and their hydrolyzed diets compete favorably with rivals like Hill’s Prescription, Purina Pro Plan, and Blue Buffalo.
While going through our reviews, note the following:
- ME stands for Metabolizable energy, and a cup is approximately 8 ounces
- As required by AAFCO, the listing of ingredients starts with the most abundant first and in the order of their reducing amounts.
1. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Dry Dog Food
Adult dogs and growing puppies susceptible to sensitivities from foods can benefit from the Royal Canin Canine brand as it will meet nutritional needs both these two classes of canines.
Key benefits
- Hydrolyzed soy protein is easy to digest, palatable, and won’t cause hypersensitivities.
- It will help manage skin common in dogs with food sensitivities as it has peak levels of B vitamins and amino acids for skin barrier reinforcement
- It has added EPA and DHA for skin and coat health.
- The added blends of fiber will boost digestion while doing away with stomach upsets or a running stomach.
- Strict manufacture guidelines to prevent cross-contamination by other foods Royal Canin makes.
- Most loved and highest rated.
Cons
- The 21.1% (on dry matter basis) minimum crude protein falls behind the AAFCO requirement of 22.0% for growth and development.
Additional Information
- First ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried plain beet pulp, monocalcium phosphate, and vegetable oil.
- Calories: Has calculated calories of 3845 kcal ME/kg or an equivalent of about 331kcal ME/cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 19.0%, crude fats (min): 17.0%, crude fiber (max): 3.1%, moisture (max): 10.0%. EPA and DHA minimum levels are 0.18 and 0.08% though AAFCO doesn’t recognize them.
2. Royal Canin Canine Ultamino Dry Dog Food
Canine Ultamino (hydrolyzed to amino acids) is a perfect choice adult dog food for short term use such as during diet elimination process or long term use by dogs with severe food allergies or sensitivities.
Key benefits
- It is clinically proven to minimize immune response to familiar protein sources as well as associated symptoms as protein hydrolysis occurs to amino acid levels.
- It reinforces a skin barrier because it has optimal levels of vitamins B and amino acids.
- Boosts skin and coat health since it has EPA and DHA found in the added omega-3 fatty acids.
- It will reduce GI upsets since it has blends of fiber.
Cons
- Costs more
- Slightly lower protein levels that what AAFCO recommends.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Corn starch, hydrolyzed poultry by-products aggregate, coconut oil, vegetable oil, potassium phosphate, natural flavors, and powdered cellulose.
- Calculated calories: 3678 kcal ME/kg or about 316 kcal ME/cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 16.9%, crude fats (min): 14.5%, crude fiber (max): 4.2%, moisture (max): 10.0%.
3. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein in Gel Canned Dog Food
This gel or wet canine diet made using hydrolyzed soy and chicken liver protein suits all adult dogs that suffer from food allergies or sensitivities as well as resultant symptoms.
Key benefits
- The low molecular protein hydrolysate used is easy to digest, and your pet’s immunity will not detect it.
- Highly palatable
- The optimum levels of amino acids and B vitamins help in reinforcing skin barrier while the EPA and DHA from the added omega-3 fatty acids will boost skin health and coat quality.
- Added fiber blends will boost digestion while minimizing stomach troubles like diarrhea chances.
- The strict manufacturing process will ensure no cross-contamination that will otherwise expose the food to contaminants.
Cons
- Like most other wet diets, expect to spend more.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Water sufficient for processing, pea starch, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed chicken liver, vegetable oil, and powdered cellulose
- Calories: Has calculated calories of 1012 kcal ME/kg or a 395 kcal ME/can as fed basis.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 5.0%, crude fats (min): 2.5%, crude fiber (max): 2.5%, moisture (max): 76.0%.
4. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food
Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Small Dog Dry Dog Food with hydrolyzed soy and is ideal for toy or small dogs breeds under 22 pounds that suffer from food sensitivities.
Key benefits
- It will resolve the skin and stomach sensitivities that results from popular protein types used in canine diets
- The low molecular hydrolyzed soy that is also easy to digest and absorb.
- Reduces chances of calcium oxalate and struvite crystal by creating an ideal urinary environment, thanks to the Relative Supersaturation (RSS).
- It has peak levels for amino acids and vitamin B complex for strengthening your dog’s skin barrier and ensuring it is healthy.
- Perfect kibble size for their smaller mouths that will encourage chewing that reduces tartar formation.
Cons
- Many people find it a little more pricey
Additional information
- First ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, vegetable oil, and dried plain beet pulp
- Calories: it has calculated calories of 3618 kcal ME/kg or the equivalent of 373 kcal ME per cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 22.5%, crude fats (min): 14.5%, crude fiber (max): 2.7%, moisture (max): 10.0%.
5. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Moderate Calorie Dry Dog Food
If you have an adult dog that often gains weight and suffers from food sensitivities, this diet has hydrolyzed proteins (for sensitivities and is moderate in calories to minimize weight gain. Don’t buy it if your canine friend is skinny and needs to add weight.
Key benefits
- It is made with highly palatable and digestible hydrolyzed soy proteins to help curb food allergies.
- It has 9% fewer calories as well as 38% fewer fats when compared to Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP dry dog food, making it ideal for dogs susceptible to weight gain.
- It will reinforce your dog’s skin barrier that will minimize skin issues like sensitivities or irritations, thanks to the optimal amino acid and vitamin B complex levels.
- It will promote healthy skin as it has omega-3 fatty acids, which is a potent source of the much needed EPA and DHA.
- The added blend of fiber will promote healthy digestion without upsets or diarrhea.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavors, vegetable oil.
- Calories: The diet has a calculated value of 3477 kcal ME/kg or an equivalent of 306 kcal ME/cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 21.5%, crude fats (min): 10.5%, crude fiber (max): 3.1%, moisture (max): 10.0%, and phosphorus (min): 0.50%
6. Royal Canin Canine Hydrolyzed Protein PS Dry Dog Food
This PS (potato and hydrolyzed soy protein) canine diet is perfect for all adult dogs prone to food sensitivities.
Key benefits
- It is highly palatable, easy to digest, absorb, and won’t cause immune response or hypersensitivities.
- It will deal with skin irritations or sensitivities since it has optimum and amino acids and B vitamins that will reinforce a skin barrier.
- Its formulation uses potato as a source of carbohydrates, which is not known to cause hypersensitivities.
- EPA and DHA from omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to your dog’s skin and coat.
- Added fiber blends will manage GI disturbances, including diarrhea.
- More affordable
Additional information
- First ingredients: Potato, hydrolyzed soy protein, coconut oil, potato protein, natural flavors, and fish oil.
- Calculated calories: 3516 kcal ME per kg or an approximate equivalent of 302 kcal ME per cup.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min): 21.5%, crude fats (min): 10.5%, crude fiber (max): 3.1%, moisture (max): 10.0%, and phosphorus (min): 0.50%
7. Royal Canin Multifunction Satiety + Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food
This veterinary diet is suited for overweight or obese adult dogs with food sensitivities. It will help them safely lose dogs while preventing hypersensitivities.
Key Benefits
- Hydrolyzed soy protein used is highly digestible and won’t cause hypersensitivity
- Satiety formulation that has high fiber helps your pet feel full in between meals. It won’t beg food and will consequently lose weight safely, with 97% of canines on this formula losing weight.
- It offers skin barrier reinforcement and has ingredients that will promote not only healthy skin but also ensure an excellent coat quality since affected dogs often suffer from skin issues.
Downside
- Most people note that it is costly, and it is unavailable in most pet stores.
Additional information
- First ingredients: Hydrolyzed soy protein, brewer’s rice, powdered cellulose, natural flavors, chicken fat, pea fiber, dried plain beet pulp, and fish oil.
- Calories: Calculated calories are 2852 kcal ME (metabolizable energy) per kg or 208 kcal ME per cup.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 28.0%, crude fats (min): 7.5%, crude fiber (max): 19.4%, moisture (max): 10.0%.
8. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Canine Treats
Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Canine Treats are a good choice of hypoallergenic treats for adult dogs both during the food elimination trial or if your canine pals have food sensitivity or allergies.
Key benefits
- The hydrolyzed soy proteins will minimize instances of allergic reactions and by extensions resultant GI and skin symptoms.
- ThevVitamin B complex and amino present will help reinforce your dog’s skin barrier, reducing irritation and sensitivities.
- The Relative Supersaturation (RSS) methodology creates a urinary environment that alters formation both calcium oxalate and struvite stones
Additional information
- First ingredients: Brewers rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat, natural flavors, vegetable oil, and dried plain beet pulp.
- Calculated calories: 3632 kcal ME per kg or 5.8 kilocalories ME/treats.
- Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein (min): 22.0%, crude fats (min): 14.0%, crude fiber (max): 2.6%, moisture (max): 10.0%.
