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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Early Cardiac Dry Dog Food, 17.6-lb bag
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet

Adult Early Cardiac Dry Dog Food, 17.6-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $6.08/lb

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Early Cardiac Dry Dog Food, 17.6-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 56/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for adult maintenance.

ACF

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 24% ⓘ
Protein
21.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
13.5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
5.7%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

22 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    brewers rice

    Broken rice kernels left over from milling, usually destined for human beer-making. Cheaper than whole or even white rice. Same carbs, less nutrition than the brown version.

  2. 2
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

  3. 3
    chicken meal

    Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken.

  4. 4
    fish meal

    Concentrated fish protein, usually whitefish, herring, or mackerel. Strong amino acid profile.

  5. 5
    soy protein isolate
  6. 6
    powdered cellulose

    Plant fiber, often from wood pulp. Cheap bulk filler. Not harmful, but a tell that the recipe is reaching for inexpensive bulk.

  7. 7
    natural flavors

    Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.

  8. 8
    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

  9. 9
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  10. 10
    l-arginine
  11. 11
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  12. 12
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  13. 13
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  14. 14
    l-carnitine

    Amino acid derivative that helps the body convert fat into energy. Common in weight-management formulas.

  15. 15
    zinc oxide

    Inorganic zinc. Cheapest mineral form on the market. Functional but less bioavailable than chelated alternatives.

  16. 16
    ferrous sulfate

    Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.

  17. 17
    manganous oxide

    Inorganic manganese. Functional, cheaper than chelated forms, less efficiently absorbed.

  18. 18
    copper sulfate

    Inorganic copper. Standard, effective at small doses. Premium formulas tend to use copper proteinate instead.

  19. 19
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  20. 20
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  21. 21
    rosemary extract

    Natural preservative. Replaces synthetic ones like BHA and BHT.

  22. 22
    preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid

19 of 22 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.