 | |
 Royal Canin factory in Aimargues | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pet food |
| Founded | 1968 Gard, France |
| Headquarters | Aimargues, Gard, France |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Cécile Coutens (CEO) |
| Products | Dog food and cat food, animal health products, veterinary products |
| Parent | Mars, Incorporated |
| Website | royalcanin |
Royal Canin (French: [ʁwajal kanɛ̃]) is a French manufacturer and global supplier of cat and dog food. The company is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. It undertakes research into the specific nutritional needs of dogs and cats.
The company was established by French veterinary surgeon Jean Cathary, after he successfully treated a number of skin and coat conditions in pets by feeding them a cereal-based diet he prepared in his garage. He realized that nutrition was an important part of pets' health.[1] After importing an extruder from the United States, a process used in this industry for the first time in 1956,[2] the company was the first to manufacture dry pet food in France. Aimed primarily at breeders, production steadily increased and distribution extended further into the European market. Royal Canin was sold to the Guyomarc'h Group in 1972, and underwent a further period of expansion, especially in the area of research and development, before being purchased by the Paribas Bank in 1990. The company was floated on the French stock exchange but removed later after it was sold to Mars, Incorporated in 2002.[3][4]
- ^ ""Royal Canin", the manufacturer and distributor of dog and cat food from France". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "The History of Commercial Pet Food: A Great American Marketing Story". The Farmer's Dog. March 2017. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ "Mars Petcare's Manufacturing Facility Expansion, Arkansas". Food Processing Technology. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
- ^ "Bruxelles autorise le rachat de Royal Canin par Mars". Les Echos. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 2023-04-26.