Review Summary
Our Final Verdict
We give Pedigree dog food a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Introduction
Pedigree is a well-known dog food brand that’s been around for decades. You can find all kinds of recipes for dogs of all life stages sold by Pedigree. The main appeal of Pedigree dog food is its affordability and accessibility as it’s sold in most pet stores and many grocery stores.
Despite how well-known Pedigree is, some of its recipes can contain low-quality ingredients and ambiguous ingredients. So, before you purchase Pedigree dog food, make sure to do your research to ensure that you feed your dog a healthy and nutritious meal.
At a Glance: The Best Pedigree Dog Food Recipes:
Pedigree Dog Food Reviewed
Who Makes Pedigree and Where Is It Produced?
Pedigree is a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. It began as a company started by the Chappel Brothers in 1932 in Manchester. The Chappel Brothers canned meat scraps and sold them as affordable dog food called “Chappie.” Chappie’s popularity grew and it was eventually acquired by Mars, Inc.
The brand name changed to Pedigree in 1972, and it continues to sell budget-friendly dog food. The dog food is manufactured and produced in factories in England and the United States.
Which Types of Dogs Is Pedigree Best Suited For?
Pedigree is best for adult dogs that don’t have any specific health concerns or dietary requirements. It has some specialized diets for puppies, seniors, and large and small dog breeds. However, the options are limited compared to other dog food brands.
Pedigree dog food does meet the minimal nutritional requirements laid out by the Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO), and many dogs find the wet food palatable. So, if you have a picky dog, adding Pedigree wet food to its diet may encourage your dog to eat.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
Dogs that require a specialized diet will do best with a different brand. Pedigree offers a few recipes for oral care, skin and coat, weight management, and high-protein diets. However, you’d have better luck finding more options with other pet food companies. Nature’s Recipe and Diamond Naturals are brands that have wider selections at a similar price point.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Pedigree’s primary ingredients contain a mix of healthy and controversial ingredients. Here are some common ingredients you’ll find in many Pedigree recipes:
Ground Whole Grain Corn
While many people dismiss corn as a filler, it’s actually quite nutritious and safe for dogs to eat. The concern is that it’s often listed as the first ingredient in Pedigree’s dry food. So, it seems that Pedigree doesn’t prioritize using animal meat as the main source of protein.
Animal Protein
Pedigree’s wet food does list animal protein as the first ingredient. The most common meat you’ll find is chicken. Keep in mind that Pedigree offers several beef-flavored wet foods, but these recipes still use chicken as the main source of protein.
Meat By-Products
What’s concerning about Pedigree’s ingredient lists is that they contain a lot of ambiguous ingredients. For example, you’ll find ingredients, such as animal liver, animal fat, and meat by-products, located pretty high up the list. Many other brands’ ingredient lists are more specific and will name parts and cuts of meat and the type of animal fat.
Tasty Wet Food
Many dogs find the wet food tasty. Meat protein is listed as the first ingredient in most of the canned dog food. The wet food also comes in various textures, including pate, shreds, and chunks. If you don’t want to completely switch your dog to wet food, you can use Pedigree’s canned food as a meal topper.
Affordable Prices
Pedigree offers some of the most budget-friendly dog food, and it’s hard to find another brand that can beat its prices. So, if you have multiple dogs and they don’t have any food sensitivities, Pedigree can be a good affordable option for them.
Easy To Find
Pedigree is an extremely well-known brand that can be found in most pet stores. You can even find some grocery stores and supermarkets stocked with Pedigree dog food. A lot of major online pet food retailers will also sell Pedigree dog food. So, whether it’s purchasing in stores or online, buying Pedigree dog food is a pretty convenient process.
Controversial Ingredients
Pedigree dog food does tend to have some controversial ingredients. In addition to corn and meat by-products, some recipes also contain artificial food dyes, including red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, and blue 2. The dog food is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, so they can sufficiently support your dog. However, dogs that have sensitive stomachs and food allergies may experience allergic reactions or digestive issues if they eat Pedigree dog food.
A Quick Look at Pedigree Dog Food
Recall History
Pedigree has had several recalls throughout its long history of producing dog food. The most recent recall was in 2014. The Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food was recalled due to possibly containing small metal fragments.
Another recall occurred in June 2012. Some canned dog food was recalled due to possible choking hazards. In 2008, Pedigree had two recalls due to the potential for salmonella in select states.
Reviews of the 3 Best Pedigree Dog Food Recipes
1. Pedigree Adult Grilled Steak & Vegetable Dry Dog Food
This recipe is one of Pedigree’s most popular recipes. It provides complete and balanced nutrition for dogs and is infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support and maintain daily functioning. The recipe also contains omega-6 fatty acids to nourish the skin and coat. It’s free of any artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar.
One thing to keep in mind is that the ingredient list has ground whole grain corn as the first ingredient and meat and bone meal as the second ingredient. So, it doesn’t appear that this recipe uses animal meat as its main source of protein.
2. Pedigree Small Dog Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable
This recipe is a fan favorite amongst small dogs. First, the kibble comes in small, manageable pieces, and they’re also in different shapes and textures. So, it’s more fun for dogs to eat.
The kibble has a tasty chicken flavor, and it contains whole grains and a special fiber blend. These components help support the digestive system. The formula also contains omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat.
While the recipe name indicates that this dog food is a chicken recipe, the ingredient list contains animal fat and meat and bone meal. These ingredients are ambiguous and could be from other sources of meat. So, if your dog has food allergies, it may be best to find a different recipe.
3. Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Variety Pack
If your dog isn’t a fan of dry dog food, it may enjoy these Pedigree wet dog food recipes. This recipe is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, so you can serve this food as a full meal. You can also use this food as a meal topper.
The meals have a soft, chopped texture and contain real chicken or beef. Just keep in mind that the first ingredient for some of these recipes is chicken by-products. So, it’s unclear as to which parts of the chicken are included in this recipe.
What Other Users Are Saying
Pedigree is a well-known dog food brand, and many people have been buying its meals for decades. Here are some reviews of Pedigree’s dog food from real dog owners.
- ConsumerAffairs – “Both of my dogs (a Collie & a Sheltie) are picky eaters, but they love the Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinners”
- Chewy – “My pups love it! I mix half a portion in their kibble at each feeding. Great product at a reasonable price”
- Amazon – Amazon has numerous reviews of Pedigree submitted by dog owners. You can read through some of these reviews here.
Conclusion
Pedigree offers affordable and easily accessible dog food. It’s especially great for homes with multiple dogs and can end up helping you save on costs. As long as your dog doesn’t require a special diet, it can enjoy eating Pedigree dog food. Many dogs find it tasty, and it’s often a popular choice for picky eaters.
