Brand comparison
Ultra Premium Direct vs Royal Canin: the direct-to-consumer challenger vs the vet classic
UPD A (85/100) vs Royal Canin C (58/100). A French brand that ships direct, versus the most-recommended vet brand. Ingredients compared.
Croquettes Chien Adulte Poulet
- Top ingredients
- 1 chicken dehydrated 30%
- 2 fresh chicken 14%
- 3 rice
- 4 chicken fat
- 5 salmon oil
Verified by PetFoodRate · Fast delivery
Adult Medium
- Top ingredients
- 1 rice
- 2 chicken dehydrated 14%
- 3 corn
- 4 animal fats unspecified
- 5 wheat
Verified by PetFoodRate · Fast delivery
Ultra Premium Direct wins: 85/100 (Excellent) against 58/100 for Royal Canin.
5-dimension score breakdown
PetFoodRate scores every product on five independent dimensions. Here's how Ultra Premium Direct and Royal Canin compare on each one.
| Dimension | Ultra Premium Direct | Royal Canin |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | A | C |
| Nutrition balance | A | C |
| Undesirables | A | B |
| Transparency | A | D |
| Adaptability | B | A |
| Total score | 85/100 | 58/100 |
Scores are deterministic and based on ingredient composition only. Read our full methodology to understand how each dimension is weighted.
Want to compare Ultra Premium Direct and Royal Canin yourself?
Open the PetFoodRate compare tool to see a full nutritional side-by-side, including protein, fat, moisture percentages and ingredient-level breakdowns.
Related articles
May 19, 2026
Ultra Premium Direct honest review: the best value-for-money in France?
UPD scores A (85/100). 44% chicken, glucosamine, 5.50 EUR/kg direct. Cheaper than Royal Canin for a higher grade. We verify.
Read article →April 12, 2026
Royal Canin vs Hill's: the honest comparison your vet won't make
Royal Canin scores C (58/100), Hill's scores B (72/100). We break down exactly why, ingredient by ingredient, with no brand partnership.
Read article →Explore all products from Ultra Premium Direct and Royal Canin, or browse all rankings to find the best food for your pet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ultra Premium Direct or Royal Canin better for dogs?
Ultra Premium Direct scores 85/100 (grade A, excellent) vs 58/100 (grade C) for Royal Canin on the PetFoodRate methodology. Ultra Premium Direct is the better choice based on protein quality, nutrition balance, undesirables, transparency, and species adaptability combined.
What's the difference between Ultra Premium Direct and Royal Canin kibble for dogs?
Ultra Premium Direct kibble (85/100) sub-scores: proteins A, nutrition A, undesirables A, transparency A, adaptability B. Royal Canin kibble (58/100) sub-scores: proteins C, nutrition C, undesirables B, transparency D, adaptability A.
How much does Ultra Premium Direct cost per day vs Royal Canin?
Based on the recommended daily ration, Ultra Premium Direct costs approximately 1.54 EUR per day per dog, vs 1.80 EUR for Royal Canin. The price per kg is 5.50 EUR for Ultra Premium Direct and 5.80 EUR for Royal Canin.
Which is healthier for my dog, Ultra Premium Direct or Royal Canin?
Ultra Premium Direct ranks higher on the PetFoodRate independent methodology (85/100 vs 58/100). For a healthier dog diet based on protein quality and absence of undesirable additives, Ultra Premium Direct is the safer pick.