Pedigree Dog Food Review
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Pedigree is an affordable dog food brand that offers a variety of products for various breeds, sizes, and life stages. They cater to adult dogs, puppies, small-breed dogs, and larger-breed dogs.
Pedigree offers dry and wet food options with various flavors and formulations. The brand is not high-quality dog food due to a lack of whole protein and proper labeling of animal byproducts. They do, however, meet AAFCO guidelines, making them a cost-effective option if approved by a veterinarian.
Pedigree foods are typically about one-third the price of premium brands recommended by owners, making them a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly option.
Keep reading to decide if Pedigree dog food is right for your pup.
Brand Score
Our reviews are based on extensive research and years of professional knowledge of dog food brands. In order to remain objective, we do not accept gifts of free products or write sponsored posts on this site.
We’ve examined Pedigree Dog Food dog foods closely and graded the brand according to the PupJunkies.com standard. Our criteria include ingredients, quality, customer experience, recall history, working with veterinary nutritionists to formulate the food, nutritional standards, research, and price.
- Affordable price point
- Includes supplements glucosamine and chondroitin
- Many variety of flavors and recipes
- Great for all breeds and size dogs
- Dry food does not include whole protein sources
- Most recipes include corn
- Many recipes include artificial colors
- Affordable price point
- Includes supplements glucosamine and chondroitin
- Many variety of flavors and recipes
- Great for all breeds and size dogs
- Dry food does not include whole protein sources
- Most recipes include corn
- Many recipes include artificial colors
About Pedigree Dog Food
Pedigree Petfoods Ltd., a privately owned company, was founded in England in the 1930s as Chappie. It was acquired by Mars Limited in 1934 and renamed Pedigree Petfoods Ltd. in 1972.
Mars also owns various pet brands: Banfield Pet Hospital, VCA Animal Hospitals, BluePearl Specialty, and Emergency Pet Hospital. In 2021, Mars’ annual revenue was $40 billion.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Pedigree is a US-based brand that offers two dog food lines: one with over 30 dry recipes and one with 30 wet recipes. The dry foods are ultra-processed and considered very high-risk, while the canned foods are less processed and high-risk.
The label “made in the USA” indicates that the food is made in the USA, so consumers should only buy products with the label clearly displayed. The canned foods undergo several heating stages, causing nutrient loss and lower scores.
Recall History
Pedigree has a history of product recalls, including:
- In 2014, Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food was recalled in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee due to potential foreign metal contamination.
- In 2008, Mars products and Pedigree foods were recalled for salmonella contamination in Pennsylvania.
- In 2007, “Chilled Dog Rolls” were recalled in New Zealand for possible metal contamination.
- In 2004, Pedigree foods in Asian countries were linked to kidney failure due to mold-produced toxins in manufacturing facilities. These recalls highlight the company’s history of product recalls.
What Kinds of Dog Food Does Authority Dog Food Offer?
Pedigree offers a variety of dog food products to meet a variety of dog needs. There is dry dog food, wet dog food, and dog treats available.
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition, Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection, Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition, Pedigree High Protein, and various flavors in their wet food range are some of their popular lines.
The dry dog foods listed below are part of the Pedigree product line.
Dry Food
- Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition
- Pedigree Puppy Growth and Protection
- Pedigree Small Dog: Complete Nutrition
- Pedigree High Protein
- Pedigree Healthy Weight
- Pedigree Active Nutrition
- Pedigree Large Breed Adult Complete Nutrition
- Pedigree Small Breed Adult Complete Nutrition
- Pedigree Grilled Steak and Vegetable Flavor
- Pedigree Roasted Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Flavor
- Pedigree Meaty Ground Dinner with Chopped Beef
- Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy with Beef
Pedigree offers several lines of wet dog food formulated to cater to the different tastes and nutritional needs of dogs. Some of the main lines, or categories, of wet dog food are listed below.
Wet Food
- Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner: This line typically features finely chopped meat in a gravy or sauce, available in various flavors such as beef, chicken, turkey, and more.
- Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy: These products consist of meaty cuts served in gravy, offering flavors like beef, chicken, lamb, and other options.
- Pedigree Homestyle Meals: This line often includes recipes that resemble homemade meals, combining meats, vegetables, and sometimes rice in a savory gravy or sauce.
- Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection (Wet): Specifically formulated wet food for puppies to support their growth and development.
- Pedigree Meaty Ground Dinner: Varieties in this line often offer a meaty texture with flavors like chopped beef, bacon, and cheese.
Authority Dog Food Dog Food: Top 5 Recipes Reviewed
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Dry Dog Food Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dog Kibble
Product Info
- Protein: 21.0% Min
- Fat: 10.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 309 kcal/cup
Ingredients:
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat And Bone Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [Preserved With Bha & Citric Acid]), Soybean Meal, Natural Flavor, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Peas, Dl-Methionine, Natural Grilled Steak Flavor, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Monocalcium Phosphate, L-Tryptophan, Red 40, Yellow 6, Dried Carrots, Niacin [Vitamin B3], Blue 2, Yellow 5, D-Calcium Pantothenate [Source of Vitamin B5], Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Folic Acid.
Pedigree Dry Dog Food, Roasted Chicken & Vegetable Flavor with Bacon Flavored Bites
Product Info
- Protein: 22.0% Min
- Fat: 10.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 3376 kcal ME/kg
Ingredients:
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat, (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [Preserved With Bha/Citric Acid]), Meat And Bone Meal (Source Of Calcium), Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Soybean Meal, Brewers Rice, Natural Flavor, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dried Peas, Dl-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, L-Tryptophan, Dried Carrots, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2, Niacin (Source Of Vitamin B3), Red 40, D-Calcium Pantothenate, [Source Of Vitamin B5], Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Folic Acid
Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Beef & Country Stew Adult Canned Wet Dog
Product Info
- Protein: 8.0% Min
- Fat: 3.0% Min
- Fiber: 1.0% Max
- Calories: 332 kcal ME/can
Ingredients:
Beef: Sufficient Water For Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Beef, Added Color, Salt, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Selenium, Copper Sulfate), Guar Gum, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Natural Smoke Flavor, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Nitrite (For Color Retention).
Country Stew: Sufficient Water For Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Beef, Dried Peas, Salt, Dehydrated Carrots, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Selenium, Copper Sulfate), Guar Gum, Added Color, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Xanthan Gum, Yellow #6, Yellow #5.
Pedigree High Protein Beef & Lamb Flavor Dog Kibble Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 27.0% Min
- Fat: 12.0% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 315 kcal/cup
Ingredients:
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal (source of Calcium), Chicken by-Product Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [preserved with BHA and Citric Acid]), Soybean Meal, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Beef, Natural Flavor, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Salt, Brewers Rice, Potassium Chloride, Lamb Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Dried Peas, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Monocalcium Phosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Yellow 6, Dried Carrots, L-Tryptophan, Red 40, Yellow 5, Niacin [Vitamin B3], Blue 2, D-Calcium Pantothenate [source of Vitamin B5], Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Folic Acid.
Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dog Kibble
Product Info
- Protein: 21% Min
- Fat: 11% Min
- Fiber: 4.0% Max
- Calories: 332 kcal/cup
Ingredients:
Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate), Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids [Preserved With Bha/Citric Acid]), Meat And Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Natural Flavor, Brewers Rice, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dried Peas, Dl-Methionine, Vitamine E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, L-Tryptophan, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Dried Carrots, Blue 2, Niacin [Vitamin B3], Red 40, Calcium Pantothenate [Source Of Vitamin B5], Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Folic Acid.
How Much Does Pedigree Dog Food Cost?
Pedigree dry dog food prices range from $10 to $30 for smaller to mid-sized bags, while wet dog food prices range from $0.50 to $2 per unit. Larger bags or special formulations may cost more. Pedigree wet dog food prices are typically around $0.50 to $2 per unit.
For larger packs or multipacks, the cost per unit might be lower. To reduce overall costs, buying in bulk or taking advantage of promotions or subscriptions can be beneficial.
Factors such as a specific formula, package size, retailer, location, and ongoing promotions also influence the cost.
What Do Customers Think of Pedigree Dog Food?
Pedigree dog food is a popular and affordable option for dog owners, with a variety of flavors and formulations available in both dry and wet options.
However, mixed reviews exist, with some customers concerned about the quality of ingredients used and occasional reports of digestive issues or allergies in dogs, although this is not unique to Pedigree and can happen with any brand due to individual sensitivities.
Overall, is Pedigree Dog Food a Good Choice?
Pedigree Dog Food is a budget-friendly brand that uses average-quality ingredients in recipes. However, some ingredients, such as corn and meat by-products, are controversial.
The brand also uses artificial dyes, synthetic preservatives, and rice, which is often contaminated with arsenic and carrageenan, which can cause intestinal inflammation.
While Pedigree meets the low price point, it may not be worth risking your dog’s health for lower-priced dog food.
Where is Pedigree Dog Food Sold?
If you are interested in Pedigree dog food, just visit the nearest pet store, big box store, or purchase it online on Amazon and Chewy.
