Hepatic Wet Dog Food

Overview
Royal Canin Hepatic is a veterinary-formulated wet dog food designed for dogs with liver disease including chronic hepatitis, portosystemic shunt and hepatic encephalopathy. This diet features adapted protein levels to minimise ammonia production while still supporting essential bodily functions, along with very low copper content at just 1.7 mg/kg.
Poultry by-products and rice form the digestible base of this formula, providing high biological value protein and easily metabolised carbohydrates that reduce the workload on the liver. Sunflower oil supplies essential fatty acids for energy and coat condition.
The wet format offers high palatability for dogs with reduced appetite, which is a common symptom of liver disease. The high energy density ensures dogs can meet their nutritional requirements from smaller meals. This is a complete and balanced prescription diet suitable for long-term liver disease management under veterinary supervision.
Nutritional Analysis
A nutritional analysis shows how a dog food is made up of its main nutrients, such as protein, fat, fibre and other components. This helps you understand where the food’s nutrition and energy come from, and how the formula is balanced.
Ingredients
Poultry By-Products, Rice, Maize Grits, Maize Flour, Sunflower Oil Refined, Powdered Cellulose, Minerals, Fish Oil, Beet Pulp, Fructooligosaccharides, Marigold Extract. Nutritional Additives: Vitamin D3, Iron, Iodine, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Selenium.

Poultry By-Product Meal, Gallus Spp. By-Products, Avian By-Products, Rendered Poultry By-Products
Poultry by-products are animal-derived ingredients sourced from the non-rendered, clean parts of poultry, such as organs and tissues, excluding feathers, heads, feet, and intestines. They provide a concentrated source of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, supporting overall pet health. Poultry by-products are used in their processed form, ensuring safety, digestibility, and optimal nutrient availability for pets.
Poultry by-products are included as a cost-effective source of animal protein and essential nutrients, utilising parts of the bird not typically consumed by humans. Their use allows manufacturers to optimise ingredient yield and maintain product affordability while meeting nutritional requirements.

Oryza Sativa, Paddy, Oryza Sativa Grain, Oryza Spp.
Rice is a cereal grain derived from the seeds of the Oryza sativa plant, making it a plant-based ingredient. It serves primarily as a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, providing energy for pets. In pet food, rice is typically used in its natural, whole or milled form, rather than as a processed extract, to optimise digestibility and nutrient availability.
Rice is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and helps create a desirable texture in pet food. It is also easily digestible, making it suitable for sensitive digestive systems and appealing for marketing as a familiar, label-friendly ingredient.

Corn Grits, Zea Mays Grits, Ground Maize, Ground Corn
Maize grits are coarsely ground particles derived from the endosperm of maize (corn), a cereal plant. Sourced from plants, maize grits serve primarily as a carbohydrate source, providing energy for pets. In pet food, maize grits are used in their natural, processed form rather than as whole kernels, ensuring digestibility and consistent nutrient delivery.
Maize grits are included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and helps maintain product texture. Their use also allows manufacturers to optimise production costs while meeting nutritional and labelling requirements.

Corn Flour, Zea Mays Flour, Zea Mays, E160b
Maize flour is a finely ground powder derived from whole maize (corn) kernels, making it a plant-based ingredient. It serves primarily as a carbohydrate source, providing energy and aiding in kibble structure. In pet food, maize flour is used in its natural, milled form rather than as a raw kernel, ensuring digestibility and consistent nutrient delivery.
Maize flour is included as a cost-effective carbohydrate source that provides energy and helps achieve the desired texture in pet food formulations. It also serves as a bulk-adding agent, allowing manufacturers to optimise production costs while maintaining product consistency.

Helianthus Annuus Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, E471 (Sunflower), Sunflower Oil
Refined sunflower oil is a plant-derived oil extracted from the seeds of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). It is primarily included in pet food as a source of energy and essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, which supports skin and coat health. Rather than being used in its raw form, sunflower oil is refined to remove impurities, ensuring safety, stability, and optimal nutrient absorption.
Refined sunflower oil is included as a cost-effective fat source to provide essential fatty acids and improve the palatability of the product. Its neutral flavour and stability also help optimise shelf life without affecting the overall taste profile.

Microcrystalline Cellulose, Powdered Cellulose, E460, Cellulosum
Cellulose powder is a plant-derived ingredient sourced primarily from wood pulp. It serves as an insoluble dietary fibre, supporting digestive health and stool quality in pets. Rather than being used in its raw, fibrous state, cellulose is processed into a fine powder to optimise its functional benefits and ensure safe, consistent inclusion in pet food formulations.
Cellulose powder is included as a cost-effective fibre source to aid stool quality and promote digestive health. It also functions as a bulk-adding agent, helping to control calorie density in pet food formulations.

Dietary Minerals, Inorganic Nutrients, Essential Minerals, Bulk Elements
Minerals are essential inorganic nutrients derived from the earth, not produced by animals or plants. They play a critical role in supporting various physiological functions, such as bone development, nerve transmission, and enzyme activity. In pet food, minerals are not used in their natural raw or metallic state; instead, they are incorporated as specific compounds (such as sulphates or chelates) to optimise safety and bioavailability.
Minerals are included to meet essential nutritional requirements for pets, supporting overall health and proper bodily functions. They are often added in precise amounts to ensure the product complies with regulatory standards and nutrient profiles.

Fish Liver Oil, Oleum Piscis, Oleum Jecoris, Oleum Piscarium
Fish oil is a nutrient-rich oil derived from the tissues of oily fish, making it an animal-based ingredient. It is primarily included in pet food for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin, coat, and joint health. Fish oil is utilised in a purified, liquid form rather than as whole fish, ensuring optimal absorption and safety for pets.
Fish oil is included as a source of omega-3 fatty acids to support skin, coat, and joint health, enhancing the nutritional profile of the product. Its presence also serves as a marketing point, appealing to consumers seeking functional health benefits for their pets.

Dried Sugar Beet Pulp, Sugar Beet Fibre, Beta Vulgaris Pulp, Sugar Beet Residue
Beet pulp is a fibrous by-product derived from sugar beet plants after sugar extraction. It serves as a valuable source of moderately fermentable fibre, supporting digestive health and stool quality in pets. Beet pulp is incorporated in its dried, processed form rather than as raw beet, ensuring optimal digestibility and nutrient availability for companion animals.
Beet pulp is included as a cost-effective source of dietary fibre to promote digestive health and stool quality in pets. It also serves as a bulk-adding agent, helping to optimise product texture and satiety.

Oligofructose, FOS, Oligofructan, E968
Fructooligosaccharides are short-chain carbohydrates derived from plant sources such as chicory root. They serve primarily as prebiotics, supporting digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Fructooligosaccharides are not used in their whole plant form but are extracted and purified for inclusion in pet food, ensuring optimal efficacy and digestibility for companion animals.
Fructooligosaccharides are included as a prebiotic fibre to support digestive health by promoting beneficial gut bacteria. They also serve as a label-friendly functional ingredient that can enhance the perceived nutritional value of the product.

Calendula Officinalis Extract, Calendula Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, E160b
Marigold extract is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from the flowers of the marigold (Tagetes species). It is primarily included in pet food for its natural antioxidant properties, particularly due to its lutein content, which supports eye health and immune function. Marigold extract is utilised in a concentrated form rather than as whole flowers, ensuring consistent potency and bioavailability in pet diets.
Marigold extract is included as a natural source of lutein to support eye health and provide antioxidant benefits, which can be highlighted in marketing to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Its presence also enhances the product’s label appeal by signalling the inclusion of botanicals.

Cholecalciferol, Colecalciferol, Calciol, E671
Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin of animal origin commonly derived from lanolin or fish oil. It plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism, supporting healthy bone development in pets. Vitamin D3 is not used in its natural form but is instead utilised as a stabilised compound to ensure safety, efficacy, and optimal absorption in pet food formulations.
Vitamin D3 is included to ensure the finished product meets established nutritional requirements for canine health, supporting bone development and calcium regulation. Its addition allows manufacturers to guarantee consistent vitamin content regardless of natural variation in raw materials.

Ferrum, Fe, E1, Elemental Iron
Iron is an essential mineral sourced from both animal and plant origins, crucial for oxygen transport and energy metabolism in pets. Its primary benefit is supporting healthy red blood cell formation and preventing anaemia. Iron is not used in its natural, raw, or metallic state; instead, it is utilised in pet food as safe, bioavailable compounds such as iron sulphate or iron proteinate to optimise absorption.
Iron is included as an essential mineral to support healthy blood function and overall metabolism in pets. Its addition ensures the product meets nutritional requirements and regulatory standards for complete and balanced pet food.

Elemental I, E127, Iodum, CAS 7553-56-2
Iodine is an essential trace mineral sourced primarily from seaweed or mineral deposits. It plays a critical role in supporting healthy thyroid function and hormone production in pets. Iodine is not used in its natural elemental form due to safety and bioavailability concerns; instead, it is typically incorporated as a compound such as potassium iodide or calcium iodate to optimise absorption and efficacy.
Iodine is included as an essential trace mineral to support thyroid function and overall metabolic health in pets. Its addition ensures nutritional adequacy and compliance with regulatory labelling standards for complete and balanced pet foods.

Cu, ECP, CI 77400, C.I. 77400
Copper is an essential trace mineral sourced from the earth and is vital for numerous physiological functions in pets. It primarily supports red blood cell formation, connective tissue development, and immune system health. Copper is not used in its natural metallic state; instead, it is incorporated into pet food as safe, bioavailable compounds such as copper sulphate or copper proteinate to optimise absorption and efficacy.
Copper is included as an essential trace mineral to meet nutritional requirements for dogs, supporting enzyme function and red blood cell formation. Its addition ensures compliance with regulatory standards for complete and balanced pet food labelling.

E34, Manganum, Mn, EINECS 231-105-1
Manganese is an essential trace mineral sourced from the earth and is vital for numerous metabolic processes in pets. It primarily supports bone development, enzyme function, and antioxidant defence. Manganese is not used in its natural metallic state; instead, it is incorporated into pet food as a safe, bioavailable compound such as manganese sulphate or manganese oxide to optimise absorption and efficacy.
Manganese is included as an essential trace mineral to support metabolic and skeletal health in pets, fulfilling nutritional requirements for complete and balanced pet food. Its addition ensures compliance with regulatory standards and appeals to consumers seeking scientifically formulated diets.

Zn, E579, Zincum, CI 77947
Zinc is an essential trace mineral sourced from the earth and is vital for numerous biological functions in pets, including immune support and skin health. In pet food, zinc is not used in its natural metallic state; instead, it is utilised as a compound such as zinc sulphate or zinc chelate to optimise safety and absorption, ensuring pets receive its full nutritional benefit.
Zinc is included as an essential trace mineral to support immune function, skin health, and overall metabolic processes in pets. Its addition ensures nutritional adequacy and compliance with regulatory labelling standards for complete and balanced pet foods.

Selen, E578, Atomic Number 34, Se
Selenium is an essential trace mineral sourced from the earth, typically derived from plant or yeast-based compounds for pet food use. It plays a crucial role in supporting antioxidant defences and thyroid function. Selenium is not used in its natural, raw metallic state; instead, it is utilised as a safe, bioavailable compound such as sodium selenite or selenomethionine to optimise absorption and efficacy.
Selenium is included as an essential trace mineral to meet nutritional requirements and support overall health in pets. Its addition ensures compliance with regulatory standards for complete and balanced pet food formulations.
Score Card
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- Overall ScoreScore Info
As a pet owner, you naturally want the best for your dog. From regular vet visits to nutritious meals, ensuring your furry friend is healthy and happy is always top of mind. But beyond food and exercise, supplements are becoming an increasingly popular way to support your dog’s overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of dog supplements, explaining what they are, why they matter, and how to choose the right ones for your pup.
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About the Brand
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet is a clinic-exclusive therapeutic food range for dogs and cats with diagnosed health conditions. Covers urinary, renal, gastrointestinal, allergy, and more.
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