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Scrumbles vs Royal Canin Cat Food

Scrumbles vs Royal Canin Cat Food: Which Is the Best Choice for Your Cat? If you’re searching for the best cat food, and wondering whether Royal Canin or Scrumbles is right for your cat, you're not alone. They’re both widely stocked and well reviewed by cat parents, but they take different approaches to nutrition. Scrumbles uses natural ingredients, guided by nutritional science, with gut health at the heart of every recipe. Do you ever find yourself asking questions like Is Royal Canin good cat food? Is Scrumbles the best cat food for pedigree cats? Which is the best high-protein cat food for sensitive stomachs? What’s the best cat food for urinary health or hairballs? Does my cat need sugar free cat food? Choosing the right food for our cats can feel overwhelming and that’s where this blog can demystify things and show how the two popular options Scrumbles and Royal Canin really compare..  This guide compares Scrumbles vs Royal Canin cat food based on protein quality, digestibility, ingredients, suitability for sensitive cats, safety, value and sustainability. TL;DR Both cat foods are complete and designed for everyday feeding with Royal Canin cat food often chosen for specific veterinary goals like urinary support, hairballs, or prescription diets. As well as incorporating ingredients like added cranberries for urinary support, or Slippery Elm to tackle hairballs, Scrumbles focuses on high meat, high-quality animal protein, gut health support, and no added sugar. What Cat Owners Look for in the Best Cat Food Cats have different nutritional needs from dogs. As obligate carnivores, they rely on animal-based ingredients to provide essential nutrients (like taurine) that they can’t make in sufficient amounts themselves. That's why cats thrive on high meat content recipes which contribute appropriate levels of animal protein.  So the “best cat food” for most cats typically aims to: Be high in animal protein (high-protein cat food, ideally from named sources) Support digestive health with limited ingredients as cats have smaller digestive tracts. (less vomiting, better litter tray outcomes) Avoid unnecessary extras like added sugar and artificial flavourings Support common cat needs like hairballs and urinary health Are complete and balanced for everyday feeding Offer strong nutrition without breaking the bank When Is It Time to Rethink Your Cat’s Food? Cats thrive on routine and can be sensitive to change, and stress can show up in their appetite or digestion. It's best to avoid sudden changes to their diet, which can also cause unhappy bums and tums. Some pet owners also report improvements in their cat’s overall comfort and litter tray habits when feeding a diet that suits them better. Changing food might make sense if your cat: Has become fussy or stopped finishing meals Has vomiting, hairballs, or inconsistent stools Has dull coat, dandruff, or itchy skin Seems less energetic or generally “not quite right” Needs a different approach due to a change in life stage (kitten → adult → senior) You want better ingredients, better value, or a more sustainable option If you’re seeing any of these, it may be time to look for a gentler, more digestible recipe. Scrumbles Cat Food: Overview Scrumbles is a family-owned, independent UK pet food brand founded in 2018 by pet parents Aneisha and Jack, who were featured on Dragons Den where they shared how probiotics had solved their cat Boo's tummy problems. Scrumbles core belief is simple: happy guts = happier pets. So their recipes are tailored to digestive health, with natural ingredients, a high meat content and avoiding sugars and difficult to digest pea protein. Cat owners looking for a more natural, high meat diet, choose Scrumbles with positive reviews highlighting improvements in stool quality, and recipes suiting fussy eaters. Royal Canin Cat Food: Overview Royal Canin was founded in France in 1968 and is now part of Mars Inc / Mars Petcare. The brand is best known for a science-led approach, with recipes targeting specific needs and breeds, with a range of kibble options and hydrolysed protein options. Royal Canin focuses on meeting precise nutritional targets, and many recipes use cereals and mixed animal derivatives alongside vitamins and minerals to deliver a consistent nutrient profile. Scrumbles vs Royal Canin: Availability Scrumbles customers are able to order via a one-off and subscription service directly via their website, online via the likes of Ocado and Amazon, or in-store via Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Co-Op and Asda. Scrumbles additionally offers a regular subscription discount with an ongoing 10% off. Subscriptions are simple to set up and come with an ongoing discount. Royal Canin is widely available via Vets, online marketplaces and in Specialist Pet stores.  Pricing Scrumbles dry cat food starts from £8.50 for a 750g bag, or £7.65 if you opt to subscribe. The wet cat food starts from £5.50 for 6x 85g pots, and treats are priced at £2.00 for a 60g bag. Royal Canin cat food pricing varies widely depending on the range (retail vs veterinary), format (dry vs wet), and what it’s formulated for (urinary, hairball, kitten, sterilised, etc.). A fair way to compare the two is to look at: Cost per day (based on your cat’s weight and life stage) How the wet and dry recipe costs compare if you're looking to mix feed, which is great for fussier felines, and to help keep your kitty hydrated. Added value through extra benefits like added probiotics or a higher level of meat content, or sustainable packaging - what you personally define as “best” for your feline.  Sustainability Royal Canin produces dry and wet cat food that can be stored at ambient temperature. However, many Royal Canin dry bags and wet pouches are not widely recyclable in household recycling and often end up in general waste. Scrumbles recipes can also be stored in the cupboards and are served in recyclable formats as well as supporting environmental causes through 1% for the Planet and using sustainably sourced ingredients.  What do Cat Owners say about Scrumbles? Scrumbles has a rating of 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, with Royal Canin's rating at 4.2/5. Scrumbles customers consistently praise the high quality of the products, noting that their pets enjoy both the wet and dry food options. Consumers have observed improvements in their pets' health, including better digestion, increased energy levels, and shinier coats. Many reviewers appreciate the brand's commitment to using quality ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives. People also highlight the excellent delivery service, with orders arriving quickly and well-packaged. Several reviewers mention the convenience of the subscription service, which allows them to easily manage their orders and ensure they never run out of food. Overall, consumers express high satisfaction with the product and service, making it a popular choice for pet owners. Here's some examples: How to Switch Cat Food Safely Cats can be sensitive to change, so transition slowly: Days 1–3: 25% new / 75% old Days 4–6: 50% / 50% Days 7–10: 75% → 100% For sensitive cats, go slower (10–14 days). Some stool fluctuation and flatulence is to be expected in this time but if your cat seems unwell and is experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea or is refusing to eat, pause the switch and consult your vet to be safe! Final Verdict: Which Is the Best Cat Food? Choose Royal Canin if your cat needs a specific veterinary diet e.g. hydrolysed proteins or a prescription diet.  Choose Scrumbles if you want a strong all round option designed around what many people mean when searching for the best cat food: Animal protein led nutrition Gut-friendly support No added sugar Digestibility and everyday wellbeing Common Questions Cat Owners Ask  Is Royal Canin good cat food? Royal Canin is nutritionally complete and many cat owners use it successfully, particularly for targeted needs. Some cat parents looking for the best everyday cat food prefer recipes that emphasise high-quality animal proteins, gut support and no added sugar. What is the best high-protein cat food? Cats generally thrive on diets led by animal protein. The best choice depends on your cat’s age, texture preferences (are they a pâté purist, or a jelly junkie? Gravy guzzler or loyal to kibble?) and sensitivities. Many cat owners mistake Protein % for "high protein" but “high protein” defines the level of protein that comes primarily from animal sources. The higher the better for your obligate carnivore. What’s the best cat food for urinary health? Both Scrumbles and Royal Canin have recipes that support urinary health. Scrumbles includes cranberry extracts in all recipes whilst Royal Canin has specific urinary support formulas designed to help support a healthy urinary environment. If your cat has a history of urinary issues, it’s best to speak to your vet first and follow their guidance. What’s the best cat food for hairballs? Both Scrumbles and Royal Canin have recipes to help keep hairballs at bay. Scrumbles includes Slippery Elm, which soothes digestive tracts and helps capture ingested hairs whilst Royal Canin has hairball-focused formulas that use fibre blends (including psyllium) to support transit and reduce hairball build-up. For everyday feeding, many cat parents also find that digestible, protein-led diets and good hydration help. My cat is fussy, what’s the best cat food for picky eaters? Cats are typically averse to change but can seem fussy at meal times refusing food due to texture, smell, or previous tummy upset. A good approach is: Choose a strong smelling recipe - Smell appeals first for cats! A highly palatable, digestible recipe Transition slowly to avoid tummy upsets Consider mixing wet + dry to increase appeal and hydration