This is our review of the best alternatives to Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Dog Food in 2024.
If your furry friend has issues with their digestion or has a sensitive tummy, it’s essential to find food that improves their digestive health. A typical vet-prescribed food for gut health is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal.
It’s lower in protein for dogs with digestive problems. And it contains healthy fats and fiber to reduce inflammation and aid in stool regulation.
But it’s also expensive and requires a vet’s approval. If you need a different option, there are other choices — like a budget formula. Here are our top five Royal Canin Gastrointestinal alternatives.
5 Best Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Alternatives
- Best for Digestive Care – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low-Fat
- Best for Picky Eaters – Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Low-Fat
- Best High–Fiber – Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome
- Best Budget – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low-Fat
- Best Non-Prescription – Acana Wild Atlantic Grain-Free
Dog Food Comparable to Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Reviewed
The following recipes are the best alternatives to Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal dry dog food. They meet AAFCO’s nutrient requirements for dogs. Always consult with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Dog Food
For many dogs with gastrointestinal issues, going low-fat can benefit them. Try their low-fat version if you already love Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal dry dog food. Both foods contain healthy fats and vitamins for dogs with digestive problems.
Both formulas provide fish oil as their central healthy fat. This oil is anti-inflammatory, which regulates poor digestion and fights stomach inflammation. And it includes healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These aid in cognitive function and joint health.
Royal Canin’s low-fat option starts with brewers rice instead of chicken meal. This lowers the protein and fat percentage, which aids in better digestion. But because it reduces the protein amount, some pet parents prefer the original recipe.
The low-fat formula also includes easy-to-digest grains for dogs that need help with diarrhea or constipation.
These include wheat, barley, and dried plain beet pulp. They contain prebiotic fiber, which aids in getting rid of excess water and helps your dog avoid bulky stool that’s too hard to pass.
Both formulas provide chelated vitamins and minerals. They include vitamin D and zinc— to boost your dog’s immune system and metabolism. They also contain l-lysine for energy production.
Dog owners exclaim that Royal Canin’s Low-Fat formula is a godsend and that their dog no longer has tummy troubles.
But some note that the ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some dogs, so be sure to read the ingredient list.
2. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Low-Fat Wet Dog Food
If you have a picky eater, you may prefer feeding them wet food. Luckily, your dog’s sensitive stomach doesn’t have to keep them from the delicious food that’s good for them.
Our favorite option for gastrointestinal health is Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Low-Fat wet dog food.
Like Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo offers easy-to-digest carbohydrates and prebiotic fiber. These help balance and support healthy microflora for gut health.
But unlike Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo doesn’t include wheat, corn, or soy. Instead, it offers potatoes, pea flour, and pea fiber.
The most significant difference between the two foods is the water content. Since Blue Buffalo isn’t a dry food but canned, it offers more water. This is great for dogs who don’t drink enough or need it to regulate their bowel movements.
Like Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo also contains taurine and glucosamine. These aid in heart health and assist in joint health, and mobility.
Blue Buffalo does include more fresh ingredients than Royal Canin. These include cranberries and apples. They add more flavor to entice your dog to eat. But they also provide extra fiber and vitamin C to aid in gut and immune health.
Canine owners say this option is excellent for dogs with pancreatitis and food intolerances.
But a few pet parents also said that quality control can be an issue — so be sure to check for mold and don’t store these for a long time.
3. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Dry Dog Food
Do you need high-fiber food to support your dog’s digestion? Look no further than Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome dry dog food. It contains similar healthy ingredients to Royal Canin. But it also includes a whopping 9% of fiber content.
Like Royal Canin, Hill’s provides gentle grains like rice and corn gluten meal. And it contains cracked pearl barley for both soluble and insoluble fiber.
These are both beneficial. Soluble fiber helps improve digestion and adds bulk to stool. In contrast, insoluble fiber aids in softening stool and makes it easier to pass.
Both formulas also include chicken fat and fish oil. These provide omega fatty acids for joint and brain health, plus aid in mobility. But fish oil also contains DHA. This provides enzymes to break down food and protect your dog’s stomach lining from inflammation.
Unlike Royal Canin, Hill’s also adds pumpkin and pressed cranberries to its formula. These provide prebiotics and easy-to-digest fiber. Vets recommend pumpkin because it contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and potassium, aiding digestion.
Dog parents say this food helps their dog feel better and more energized. And they exclaim that their pup now has regular bowel movements.
4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low-Fat Dog Food
If you feel like you’re spending too much money on your dog’s vet-prescribed food, there are other options. While recipes for gastrointestinal health can get expensive, there are budget options.
Our favorite option is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low-Fat dog food.
This formula is for dogs who need help nourishing a healthy gastrointestinal tract. And, it’s low in fat for dogs who have pancreas, liver, or gut issues — which can cause trouble digesting fatty foods.
Purina comes enhanced with prebiotic fibers similar to Roya Canin’s. These include brewers rice and corn gluten meal, which help support digestive health. And brewers rice can help reduce the risk of diarrhea too. So it’s great if your dog has loose stool.
Purina is higher in protein than Royal Canin because its poultry by-product meal is higher on the ingredient list. But if your dog needs a lower-protein formula, they will be better off with Royal Canin.
While this formula is low in fat, like Royal Canin, it includes a special ingredient — garlic oil. This component is unique in many ways. First, it’s high in inulin, a non-digestible carbohydrate.
It feeds the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system and is also anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. So, it can keep your dog’s immune system healthy and reduce inflammation.
Pet parents say this food is perfect for dogs who have sensitive tummies. But some admit that the kibble is hard. They recommend adding broth or water if your pup has trouble eating.
5. Acana Wild Atlantic Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Not every pet needs vet-prescribed dog food. Some dogs need a simple formula with easy-to-digest ingredients. If your vet approves of your dog eating commercial dog food, try Acana. Their Wild Atlantic Grain-Free dry dog food is perfect.
It’s important to note that it’s higher protein than Royal Canin’s Gastrointestinal food. It may cause stomach problems for some dogs, especially if they need lower protein. But, it’s packed with ingredients that are less likely to cause allergies and intolerances. And it contains fiber, healthy fats, and probiotics for a healthy gut.
Unlike Royal Canin, Acana starts with natural animal proteins. These include whole mackerel, whole herring, and whole redfish.
The recipe is free of poultry, beef, and lamb, the most common protein allergies. And the fish contains omega fatty acids for cognitive function and intestinal health.
Similar to Royal Canin, Acana has gentle carbohydrates that provide fiber and prebiotics. But instead of grains, it offers pumpkin, chickpeas, and lentils. These aid in easier digestion and vitamins like vitamin A and C for immune and eye health.
Last but not least, Acana also supplies probiotics, which Royal Canin doesn’t. These provide good bacteria that flush out the bad, which improves the gut microbiome balance and digestion.
Many parents recommend this food as an easy and healthy switch for dogs with food allergies or intolerances.
How To Transition To A New Dog Food
To switch your dog’s food, you’ll need to transition them over time. For dogs with sensitive stomachs or gut issues, this can take up to 14 days.
You’ll start the transition by adding a small amount of new kibble to their current food. Each day, you’ll increase the amount of new food until your dog eats the new formula only.
Before switching to any new recipes, consult with your vet.
Our Verdict
Your canine doesn’t have to suffer from tummy issues. Many foods can help them feel better, boost their energy, and keep constipation at bay. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal dry dog food is a great option, but others are too.
All the alternative formulas on this list can also aid in gut health and stool regulation. No matter your dog’s needs, you’re bound to find the best choice for them on this list.
