Royal Canin Launches 'Start of Life Campaign' to Support Healthy Kitten Growth

Royal Canin Japon (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinichi Kusakabe), a company that realizes health for dogs and cats based on nutrition (Health Through Nutrition Company) and provides premium pet food and therapeutic diets, will conduct the 'Start of Life Campaign' from May 27 (Wed) to June 30 (Tue), 2026. The campaign aims to support the healthy growth of kittens by gifting 'Kitten Gift Boxes'—which include trial samples of kitten-specific food and a 'Kitten Raising Guidebook' supervised by veterinarians—to a total of 10,000 people.

The kitten stage refers to the period up to 12 months of age. During this time, kittens require about 2-3 times the energy of adult cats, and because their immune and digestive systems are still immature, a diet that considers the nutrients and balance necessary for healthy growth into adulthood is crucial.

At 2 months old, immunity is unstable and digestive capacity is still immature. However, they require a lot of energy, so nutritional consideration is important. High-calorie, highly digestible food is suitable.

At 3 months old, the transition to permanent teeth begins.

At 4-5 months old, muscle and adipose tissue develop, and weight gain slows down. While still in a growth phase, food that is too high-calorie may lead to obesity, so switching to an appropriate diet supports healthy growth.

At 6-7 months old, they reach puberty, making it a time to consider spaying/neutering. Also, they tend to gain weight after the procedure, so attention to food quantity is necessary.

At 12 months old, it is time to switch to adult cat food.

Kittens grow surprisingly fast, and the optimal nutritional balance changes as they grow. Royal Canin is the only company in the industry to offer a unique product range divided into two stages: early growth (weaning to 4 months) and late growth (4 to 12 months).

About the 'Start of Life Campaign'

The 'Start of Life Campaign' is a global initiative by Royal Canin for kittens and puppies. By deepening the knowledge of kitten and puppy owners regarding different rearing methods and nutritional management during growth stages based on breed and size, the goal is to realize 'true health for cats and dogs' from the very start of their lives.

This is the 7th time the campaign is being held in Japan, and kittens are the target again this year. We want kitten owners to know that providing appropriate nutrition during the 12 months of the kitten stage is important for building a foundation for lifelong health. To support the healthy growth of kittens, we will present trial samples for the kitten stage that can be selected according to the cat's age. In addition, the 'Kitten Raising Guidebook' is a bible for first-time owners, filled with tips to support a kitten's healthy daily life, including room environment setup, food for kittens, appropriate timing and pros/cons of spaying/neutering, weight management after surgery, and the importance of vaccinations to protect the kitten's immunity, all explained in an easy-to-understand manner under the supervision of veterinarians.

Contents of the 'Kitten Gift Box'

Depending on the cat's age: 'Dry food for early growth kittens (Mother & Babycat) 50g: 4 bags' or 'Dry food for late growth kittens (Kitten) 50g: 4 bags' (approx. 3 days' worth)

Kitten Raising Guidebook (38 pages total): 1 copy

Kitten product leaflet: 1 copy

Kitten Socialization Support Book: 1 copy

Points on physical changes after spaying/neutering: 1 copy

Campaign Overview

Period: May 27, 2026 (Wed) – June 30, 2026 (Tue)

Content: 10,000 'Kitten Gift Boxes' to be given away by lottery

Campaign URL: https://campaign.royalcanin.jp/brand/start-of-life/kitten/2026

How to apply: Access the application form via the 'Apply Here' button on the special page and register the necessary information.

*Winners will be announced by the shipment of the 'Kitten Gift Box'.

*The breakdown of winners is 3,000 for early growth and 7,000 for late growth.
*Registration for the Royal Canin newsletter (free) is required to apply.

Through this campaign, Royal Canin will support the healthy start of a cat's life and continue to promote awareness activities regarding correct knowledge and actions so that more cats can nurture 'true health'.

In conjunction with this campaign, Royal Canin's official SNS will also release content related to kittens, so please take a look.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalcaninjp/

X: https://x.com/RoyalCaninJP

About Royal Canin

Royal Canin, which develops the ROYAL CANIN® brand, is a world leader in dog and cat health based on nutrition and is a member of Mars, Incorporated. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin aims to realize its purpose of 'A Better World for Pets' through collaboration with pet experts, continuously pushing the boundaries of nutrition and knowledge.

Royal Canin works with partners such as breeders and veterinarians to create nutritionally balanced food that meets the individual needs of dogs and cats based on science, and also develops various tools and services that are a major plus for pet health. We practice business in a responsible and sustainable way, respecting pets, people, and the planet.

We operate in over 120 markets worldwide, with over 8,000 associates (employees) including over 400 veterinarians and nutrition experts. We operate 15 factories, 2 pet centers (innovation centers), 1 research and development center, and 7 laboratories from the Mars network around the world.

In addition, outside of Europe, including Japan, we develop the EUKANUBA™ brand. Eukanuba is a dog food brand that supports the health and active daily life of dogs. We also operate the business of NOM NOM, a rapidly growing direct-to-consumer pet food company based in the United States.