Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food is a product line designed for small breed dogs, featuring a range of dry food options. This review focuses on the “Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult” formula to provide a comprehensive analysis of its ingredients, nutritional content, and overall suitability for canine companions. The Dog Food Advisor has rated the overall range of this product line with an average of 3 out of 5 stars, with individual recipes varying from 2.5 to 3 stars.
The brand aims to cater to the specific dietary needs of smaller dogs, considering their unique life stages and health considerations. This involves carefully formulating recipes that support energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being for diminutive canine companions. As a reader-supported site, Dog Food Advisor’s reviews are impartial, with potential referral fees earned from affiliate links supporting operational costs.
Recipe and Label Analysis
The “Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult” formula serves as a representative example for a detailed examination of the product line. This dry food is estimated to contain approximately 28.8% protein, 16.3% fat, and 43.3% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. Compared to the average dry dog food, this recipe offers above-average protein, near-average fat, and below-average carbohydrates.
The primary ingredients in this formula include corn, chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, brown rice, and corn gluten meal. While corn provides energy, its nutritional value is considered moderate for dogs. Chicken by-product meal, derived from slaughterhouse waste, can be a concentrated source of protein, though its quality can vary. Brewers rice and brown rice are carbohydrate sources, with brown rice being a complex carbohydrate that is generally digestible. Corn gluten meal, while high in protein, is a plant-based protein source that may have a lower biological value compared to meat proteins.
Chicken fat is included as a source of essential omega-6 fatty acids. Natural flavors are also present. Beet pulp, a by-product of sugar beet processing, is incorporated and can offer benefits for intestinal health and blood sugar regulation, though it is sometimes viewed as a controversial ingredient. Wheat gluten is another protein source, similar to corn gluten meal in its protein content but also a plant-based derivative.
Notable ingredients further down the list include vegetable oil, which is a generic source and its nutritional quality is hard to ascertain without more specific information. Fructooligosaccharide is likely included as a prebiotic to support healthy gut bacteria. Fish oil, rich in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, is a beneficial addition. However, the inclusion of sodium selenite, a form of selenium, is considered controversial compared to more natural sources like selenium yeast. On a positive note, the food does contain chelated minerals, which are more easily absorbed by dogs.
Nutrient Analysis
When analyzed based on its ingredients, Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food presents as an average dry food product. The protein content is 28.8%, fat is 16.3%, and estimated carbohydrates are around 43.3% on a dry matter basis. Across the entire Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition range, the average protein content is 26.9%, with an average fat level of 15.2%. This suggests that the product line, as a whole, contains a moderate amount of meat, considering the contribution of plant-based protein boosters like corn and wheat gluten. The fat-to-protein ratio is approximately 57%.
Royal Canin Dog Food Recall History
As of January 2026, there are no recalls noted for the Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food product line.
Our Rating of Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult is a grain-inclusive dry dog food. It uses a moderate amount of named chicken by-product meal as its primary animal protein source. Considering these factors, the product earns a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
This rating reflects a balanced assessment of the ingredients and nutritional profile, acknowledging both the strengths and potential areas for improvement. While the food provides essential nutrients for small breed dogs, the reliance on corn and chicken by-product meal as primary ingredients places it in the category of being “Recommended with Reservations.” Further research into alternative small breed dog food options might be beneficial for owners seeking different ingredient profiles.
Sources
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food Review (Dry). Dog Food Advisor. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
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Compare Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Dog Food. Dog Food Advisor. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2026.