Company HQ
- Franklin, Tennessee
Parent company
Sourcing and Manufacturing
- United States, China
Type of food
PROS
- Affordable
- All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
CONS
- Some recipes contain plant-based protein
- Lower than average protein content
- The brand has been previously recalled
- Some recipes list unnamed meat by-products
Pedigree Dog Food Review
Introduction
As one of the most popular and widely available dog food brands on the market, Pedigree offers budget-friendly prices. But how does Pedigree rate when it comes to quality ingredients and nutrition for your dog? This Pedigree dog food review will examine the pros and cons of their products to help you decide if it’s the best choice for your furry friend.
Overview of Pedigree Dog Food
To start, let’s look at some background information on the Pedigree brand:
Company History
Pedigree is owned by Mars Petcare and has been around since 1968. They offer a wide selection of dry dog foods, wet foods, and treats.
Manufacturing and Sourcing
Pedigree has multiple manufacturing plants in the U.S. that produce their dog foods. They source ingredients globally based on availability and cost.
Product Range
Some of Pedigree’s product lines include their standard adult dry dog food, Pedigree Choice Cuts in gravy canned wet foods, and Pedigree puppy food formulas.
Ingredient Analysis of Pedigree Dog Food
The quality of the ingredients used in Pedigree’s recipes is a topic of much discussion. Here’s a closer look:
Primary Ingredients
The main ingredients are corn, various grain fragments, meat by-products and animal derivatives. The first ingredient is ground whole grain corn.
Controversial Ingredients
Many Pedigree foods contain meat by-product meal, animal fat, and artificial colors/preservatives like BHA – concerning for some pet owners.
Nutrient Composition
Protein content is around 20-26% from plant and animal sources. Fiber is 3-4% from corn and grain fragments. Moisture is 10-12%.
Review of Key Pedigree Dog Food Lines
Here is an overview of some of Pedigree’s most popular dog food formulas:
Dry Kibble Formulas
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food is their classic kibble containing corn, by-products, and animal fat as the first few ingredients.
Canned Wet Foods
Pedigree Choice Cuts are their canned wet foods with chunks of meat in gravy. These offer a soft texture that dogs enjoy.
Puppy Foods
For puppies, Pedigree offers both dry kibble and wet foods designed for growing dogs with DHA for brain development.
Pedigree Dog Food Recall History
Pedigree has been affected by a few major recalls:
Major Recalls
In 2014, they recalled some products due to the presence of small metal fragments. In 2012, possible salmonella contamination triggered a recall.
Corrective Actions
After these recalls, Pedigree implemented more rigorous quality control and manufacturing processes to improve product safety.
Costs, Availability, and Purchase Options
One advantage of Pedigree is that it’s very affordable and widely available:
Pricing
A 33 lb bag of dry food costs approximately $20-25 on average. The 13 oz cans of wet food are around $1 each.
Where to Buy
Pedigree dog food is sold at all major retailers that carry pet food, including grocery stores, big box stores, and online retailers.
Loyalty Program
Join Pedigree’s Points loyalty program to earn rewards and money off future purchases of their products.
Pros and Cons of Pedigree Dog Food
Should you feed your pooch Pedigree dog food? Here are some of the pros and cons:
Advantages
- Very affordable price point
- Easy to find in stores
- Vast product range
- Meat chunks in wet foods
- Familiar brand
Disadvantages
- Primarily corn-based ingredients
- Contains by-products and controversial additives
- Some dogs dislike the taste
- Numerous recalls
- Poor reviews from pet owners
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Reviews of Pedigree dog food are mixed. Some pets do fine eating it, while others report issues:
Positive Feedback
- Budget-friendly price
- Dog enjoys taste and eats it readily
- Convenient to purchase
- Good option for seniors or less active dogs
- Crunchy kibble helps clean teeth
Negative Feedback
- Dog had digestive upset, gas, or allergy issues
- Poor coat, skin, weight gain, or energy on this food
- Does not recommend for puppies or active dogs
- Dog had recalls and refuses to eat it now
- Low-quality ingredients compared to competitors
Conclusion
Overall, while Pedigree is affordable and easy to find, many competitors offer higher quality nutrition without corn, by-products, and additives but at a higher cost. Pedigree can be an acceptable choice for less active dogs or when on a tight budget, but may not be ideal for puppies or dogs with sensitivities.
Brand Overview
Pedigree is positioned as an affordable brand, offering a variety of dog food and treats. The company’s product line includes wet foods and dry foods for all life stages and dog sizes. Pedigree also offers options for specific needs including dental care, hip and joint care, and more.
How Much Does Pedigree Dog Food Cost
We’ve compared Pedigree dog food price to the other dog food brands in our database.
Pedigree Dry Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $1.15 | $3.69 | -69% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.08 | $0.34 | -78% |
| Price per day | $0.04 | $0.20 | -80% |
Pedigree Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Pedigree Wet Dog Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.25 | $0.41 | -39% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.83 | $1.52 | -45% |
| Price per day | $0.50 | $0.91 | -45% |
Pedigree Wet Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Pedigree Wet Puppy Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.19 | $0.31 | -39% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.69 | $1.01 | -32% |
| Price per day | $0.41 | $0.61 | -33% |
Pedigree Wet Puppy Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Pedigree Dry Puppy Food Price Comparison
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per lb | $1.43 | $3.84 | -63% |
| Price per 100 kcal | $0.09 | $0.23 | -60% |
| Price per day | $0.05 | $0.14 | -64% |
Pedigree Dry Puppy Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Pedigree Nutrient Profile Comparison
We’ve compared Pedigree dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other dog food brands in our database.
Dry Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 25.32% | 30.01% | -16% |
| DM Fat | 12.01% | 15.86% | -24% |
| DM Fiber | 4.55% | 5.48% | -17% |
| DM Carb | 58.12% | 47.73% | +22% |
Wet Dog Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 45.16% | 42.98% | +5% |
| DM Fat | 24.03% | 22.28% | +8% |
| DM Fiber | 5.62% | 7.39% | -24% |
| DM Carb | 25.19% | 26.26% | -4% |
Wet Puppy Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 43.94% | 42.84% | +3% |
| DM Fat | 28.62% | 27.27% | +5% |
| DM Fiber | 7.32% | 7.01% | +4% |
| DM Carb | 20.11% | 22.55% | -11% |
Dry Puppy Food
| Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DM Protein | 30.68% | 32.35% | -5% |
| DM Fat | 12.50% | 17.94% | -30% |
| DM Fiber | 4.55% | 4.66% | -2% |
| DM Carb | 52.27% | 44.25% | +18% |
Recall History
The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Pedigree Dog Food Review since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.
Pedigree – Dog Food (06/30/2012). Read FDA Reports.
Pedigree – Dog food (08/31/2014). Read FDA Reports.
FAQs
Is Pedigree a good dog food brand?
While inexpensive, most experts do not consider Pedigree to be a high-quality brand due to their use of corn, by-products, and other controversial ingredients. However, it may suffice in certain circumstances.
Is Pedigree healthy for dogs?
Some dogs do fine on Pedigree. However, others experience digestive upset, skin irritation, weight gain, or low energy. Owners with sensitive dogs may wish to avoid Pedigree.
Is Pedigree dog food grain free?
No, Pedigree products are not grain free. Corn is typically the first ingredient in their dry kibble recipes. They do not offer any grain-free options.
Does Walmart sell Pedigree dog food?
Yes, Pedigree is readily available at Walmart. Walmart carries a wide range of Pedigree’s dry food and canned wet food products at budget-friendly prices.
What ingredients are in Pedigree dog food?
Common ingredients include ground whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, animal fat, corn gluten meal, digest, artificial colors and preservatives like BHA.
