Freshpet vs Royal Canin
Freshpet is made by Freshpet, Inc., and Royal Canin is made by Royal Canin (owned by Mars, Incorporated), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Royal Canin averages 9.0 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.3 for Freshpet. Royal Canin meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer, while Freshpet does not.
Freshpet and Royal Canin compared
| Attribute | Freshpet | Royal Canin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Freshpet, Inc. | Royal Canin |
| Parent company | Independent | Mars, Incorporated |
| Founded | 2006 | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA | Aimargues, Gard, France |
ManufacturingWhether a brand makes its own food in-house or has it produced by an outside contract manufacturer or co-packer. |
In-house | In-house |
| Made in | United States | France |
| Manufacturing region | Pennsylvania; Texas | Gard |
| Products listed | 43 | 269 |
| Serves | Cats & dogs | Cats & dogs |
Price tierA relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost. |
$$$$ | $$$$ |
WSAVA guidelinesThe World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands. |
No | Yes |
PSC accreditedThe Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality. |
Yes | No |
ScoreThe average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science. How scoring works . |
8.3 (avg of 43) | 9.0 (avg of 160) |
Recalls on recordWe track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here. |
None | None |
| Where to buy |
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Freshpet vs Royal Canin: how they compare
Scores
Royal Canin scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 9.0 out of 10 across 160 scored foods, compared with 8.3 across 43 for Freshpet. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science.
Who makes them
Freshpet is made by Freshpet, Inc., an independent maker, based in Bedminster, New Jersey, USA, founded in 2006. Royal Canin is made by Royal Canin, owned by Mars, Incorporated, based in Aimargues, Gard, France, founded in 1968.
Standards and range
Royal Canin meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria, while Freshpet does not. Freshpet is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; Royal Canin is not. KibbleLab lists 43 Freshpet foods and 269 Royal Canin foods.
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Common Questions
Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Freshpet or Royal Canin?
Royal Canin scores higher: it averages 9.0 out of 10 across 160 scored foods, compared with 8.3 for Freshpet. Scores reflect published veterinary science.
Who makes Freshpet and Royal Canin?
Freshpet is made by Freshpet, Inc. Royal Canin is made by Royal Canin, which is owned by Mars, Incorporated.
Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?
Royal Canin has 269 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 43 for Freshpet.
Where is each brand based?
Freshpet is based in Bedminster, New Jersey, USA. Royal Canin is based in Aimargues, Gard, France.
Do Freshpet and Royal Canin meet WSAVA criteria?
Royal Canin meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer; Freshpet does not, based on public information. WSAVA publishes criteria; it does not certify or endorse brands.
Are Freshpet or Royal Canin PSC Accredited?
Freshpet is a PSC Accredited business. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification.
Have Freshpet or Royal Canin been recalled?
Neither Freshpet nor Royal Canin has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
See the full profiles: Freshpet and Royal Canin .
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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.
Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA filings, and a filing may name the parent company rather than the brand. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.