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Feline Gastrointestinal Kitten Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin

Feline Gastrointestinal Kitten Dry Cat Food

Verified Aug 28, 2026

Cat · Dry Kitten Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high-energy dry diet designed for kittens and nursing mother cats who need extra calories and digestive support. It uses chicken by-product meal, chicken meal, and egg as main protein sources, with corn and rice flour providing easily digestible carbohydrates. Added beet pulp, psyllium, prebiotic fibers, and fish oil help support gut function and overall growth during this demanding life stage.

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Prescription Meets WSAVA criteria AAFCO No recalls

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Official product page
Vet-directed diet

This is a therapeutic diet, formulated for a specific medical condition under veterinary direction. KibbleLab does not assign it a general wellness score, because a therapeutic diet's nutrient targets are set clinically, not by maintenance standards. Your veterinarian selects the right therapeutic diet for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Digestive Health Probiotic Support High Energy Sensitive Stomach
Diet & Compliance
Meets WSAVA criteria Prescription
Suitable For
Kitten Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • High protein (33%) and fat (22%) levels are appropriate for growing kittens and nursing queens, and the calorie density (about 475 kcal per cup) helps support high energy needs in smaller meal volumes.
  • Multiple animal protein sources (chicken by-product meal, chicken meal, egg) provide a rich amino acid profile to support growth and development.
  • Includes several digestive-support ingredients like beet pulp, psyllium, pea fiber, and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, plus fish oil and marine microalgae oil for EPA/DHA omega-3s.
  • Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for growth, gestation, and lactation, so it can be used as the sole diet for kittens and nursing or pregnant cats under vet guidance.

Considerations

  • Contains chicken, egg, wheat gluten, and corn, which are common triggers for food-allergic cats; it would not be appropriate for a kitten with confirmed sensitivities to these ingredients.
  • Very calorie-dense, so portions need to be measured carefully to avoid excess weight gain, especially in indoor kittens with lower activity.
  • Formulated by AAFCO nutrient profiles rather than feeding trials, so real-world digestibility and performance are inferred from formulation rather than directly tested on this exact diet.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken by-product meal, corn, chicken fat, wheat gluten, brewers rice flour, natural flavors, chicken meal, egg product, dried plain beet pulp, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, fish oil, pea fiber, sodium aluminosilicate, salt, sodium pyrophosphate, choline chloride, powdered psyllium seed husk, calcium carbonate, fructooligosaccharides, hydrolyzed yeast, vitamins[DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement], marine microalgae oil, L-lysine, taurine, trace minerals[zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, copper proteinate], marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), DL-methionine, magnesium oxide, L-threonine, carotene, rosemary extract, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken By-Product
Chicken by-product is a common protein ingredient in pet foods made from edible parts of the bird not typically consumed by people—such as organs (liver, heart), necks and other tissues—and is used to add protein, flavor and nutrient density. It can provide concentrated protein, essential amino acids, B vitamins and minerals (and may contribute taurine when organ meats are included), but composition and quality vary by source, so pet parents concerned about sourcing, higher ash/fat content or chicken allergies should check the manufacturer’s labeling and quality standards.
02
Corn
Corn is commonly used in dog and cat foods as a digestible source of carbohydrates and calories, and it also provides some plant protein, fiber, B vitamins and minerals while helping with kibble structure and palatability. While generally safe and economical, corn is relatively high in starch and has an incomplete amino acid profile for obligate carnivores (cats), can be a source of mycotoxin contamination if poorly stored, and although true corn allergies are uncommon, some pets may be sensitive, so quality and proper formulation with animal proteins are important.
View ingredient
03
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
04
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is a concentrated plant protein commonly used in dry pet foods as a protein booster, binder and texture improver to help form kibble and extend meat-based ingredients. It provides digestible protein for dogs and cats but is low in certain essential amino acids (notably lysine) and lacks animal-specific nutrients like taurine, so it should not be the sole protein source; pets with wheat or gluten sensitivities may also experience allergic or gastrointestinal reactions.
05
Brewer's Rice Flour
Brewer's rice flour is a finely milled byproduct of rice processing used in pet foods primarily as a digestible carbohydrate, binder and texture enhancer rather than a significant protein source. It supplies readily available energy and is often well tolerated by dogs and cats (less commonly allergenic than wheat), but it contains little protein or essential nutrients so formulas must be balanced around it; additionally, high-rice diets can be relatively high‑glycemic and rice can accumulate trace arsenic, so it’s best used in moderation within a complete diet.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
33.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
22.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
3.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
7.50%
Low High
4130
kcal / Kg
475
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Kitten
Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Growth (puppy/kitten), Gestation / Lactation
Substantiation Formulation
ROYAL CANIN(R) Feline GASTROINTESTINAL KITTEN dry is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth, gestation, and lactation.

Brand

Royal Canin is a premium pet food brand offering highly specific diets tailored to different breeds, life stages, sizes, and health conditions of dogs and cats. The brand is known for its science-driven approach and collaboration with veterinarians and pet professionals.

Price tier $$$$
WSAVA Meets criteria

WSAVA publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer (qualified nutritionists, feeding trials, published research); it does not certify or endorse brands.

Manufacturer

Company name Royal Canin
Parent company Mars, Incorporated
Founded 1968
Headquarters Aimargues, Gard, France
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country France
Manufacturing region Gard
Manufacturing oversight

Royal Canin operates manufacturing facilities globally with strict quality control processes and adheres to ISO certification standards. The company maintains full traceability of ingredients, follows HACCP principles, and complies with local and international pet food safety regulations including EU and FDA requirements.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Royal Canin Feline Gastrointestinal Kitten Dry Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Royal Canin ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Royal Canin. 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.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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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.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. 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.