Royal Canin

Royal Canin (French: [ʁwajal kanɛ̃]) is a division of the American group Mars Inc., and a French manufacturer and global supplier of cat and dog food. It conducts research on 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 dogs by feeding them a cereal-based diet he prepared in his garage. He realized that nutrition was an important part of pets' health. After importing an extruder from the United States, a process first used in the pet food industry in 1956, the company was the first to manufacture dry pet food in France. Aimed primarily at breeders, production steadily increased and distribution expanded across 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 Affaires Industrielles (PAI) in 1990. The company was floated on the French stock exchange but delisted later after it was sold to Mars, Incorporated in 2002.