Pedigree Dog Food Summary

Best Seller
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Dry Dog Food
9.5/10Our Score
  • This dry food recipe helps maintain a healthy lifestyle with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, in the delicious chicken flavor dogs love
  • Provides whole grains and helps support healthy digestion
  • Delivers complete and balanced nutrition enriched with omega-6 fatty acids to help nourish your dog’s skin and coat

What is Pedigree Dog Food?

Pedigree Dog Food is a pet food brand owned by Mars, Inc. It was started in 1957 in Leicestershire, England, and its headquarters is in McLean, Virginia, USA.

Pedigree has gone by several names in different countries, including Klan Kan and Pal. The cat food line manufactured food under the brands of Kit-E-Kat and Whiskas.

In 2008, Pedigree created the Pedigree Foundation, which is dedicated to helping shelter dogs find permanent homes by providing grants to dog shelters and breed rescue organizations while also assisting people in adopting dogs. The foundation distributed over $1 million to over 500 shelters in its first year.

Where is Pedigree Dog Food Made?

Pedigree Dog Food is made in Melton Mowbray, England, and Birstall, Leeds.

How is Pedigree Dog Food Made?

Pedigree Dog Food most often uses plant ingredients and poultry by-products or meat and bone meal as the primary source of animal protein.

Their ingredients are cooked under high heat and supplemented with vitamins and minerals before forming into kibble or wet, chunky dog food or pate.

Is Pedigree Food Good for Dogs?

Yes, Pedigree Dog Food is good. The brand uses average-quality ingredients and mixes them into budget-friendly recipes. Pedigree offers all the nutrition a dog needs to be healthy and active.

Why is Pedigree Not a Good Dog Food?

Some of the Pedigree Dog Food ingredients are controversial.

For example, the use of corn as the main ingredient and meat by-products as protein sources, in particular, are pain points for dog owners.

Many of the ingredients come from meat products from slaughterhouses that are cooked and then made into a powder, and the recent rise of grain-free dog food manufacturing puts Pedigree in a tough spot as the first ingredient in most of their formulas is corn.

Corn is controversial for its indigestibility in many dogs and its modest nutritional value. Most of the nutrients in corn are carbs and fiber, making it a relatively empty source of calories, and dog owners are not often a fan of feeding their pets empty calories.

Pedigree Dog Food Formulas Reviewed

Pedigree offers many different recipes for dogs. To help owners decide which formula is best for their pets, we have reviewed some of the most popular Pedigree Dog Food options.

Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Dry Dog Food

Summary: The Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition is made without the use of high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or added sugar and contains antioxidants for immune system support. It offers vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy and is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Whole grains support healthy digestion, and the chicken and vegetable flavor is formulated to excite dogs for meal time.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Adult dogs

Flavor Options: Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor; Beef; Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor

Price: $0.66/lb

Pros
  • Made with whole grains
  • Is a source of complete nutrition
  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Supplies omega-6 fatty acids
  • Affordable price tag
Cons
  • Corn is the first ingredient

Ingredient Analysis: Ground whole grain corn is the first ingredient, which is not ideal as corn is largely empty calories that contain mostly carbs with little nutritional value outside of the energy content. Meat and bone meal and animal fat are the primary sources of protein and fat, which again is not ideal because it is not specified from where the meat and fat come. Fiber is supplied through beet pulp, corn, corn gluten meal, and wheat, while the color comes from yellow 5, blue 2, and red 40. Choline chloride, potassium chloride, and D-calcium pantothenate are supplemented alongside vitamin E supplements and vitamin A supplements to offer complete nutrition. However, it may be provided by less-than-stellar ingredients.

Review: Most consumers were happy with the value this food offered. Their dogs seem to enjoy the food, and it does not cause indigestion or allergic reactions. All of this made buyers happy with the product. However, numerous reviews on Amazon and Chewy expressed concern about the ingredients used to provide the nutritional value in this food.

Pedigree Small Dog Complete Nutrition Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Summary: The smaller kibble in this food is made for small breed dogs to eat more easily while providing vitamins and minerals through supplementation. The nutrition in this food is made to be complete and balanced with the addition of omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. This dog food features protein, whole grains, and accents of vegetables for easy digestion and is available in 20 lbs bags.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Small breed adult dogs

Flavor Options: Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor

Price: $1.00/lb

Pros
  • The small kibble is easy for dogs to eat
  • Complete and balanced nutrition
  • No artificial flavors
  • No high fructose corn syrup
  • Budget-friendly price
Cons
  • Contains corn and meat meals

Ingredient Analysis: Ground whole grain corn is the first ingredient which is not a great source of nutrients. Meat and bone meal is the primary source of protein, and it is not specified from where the meat and bones come. Unspecified animal fat is used to increase the fat content and is preserved with citric acid. Brewers rice helps to add additional carbs and fiber, while vitamin D3 supplements and potassium iodide are included to complete the nutritional value of this food.

Review: 97% of reviewers gave this product four or five stars. Consumers were happy with the price, and the auto-ship feature Amazon offers while also noting their dogs are happy and healthy with this food. Some customers mention their small dogs are more likely to eat certain kibble bits than others, but they suspect the kibble’s shape has something to do with it. Only 1% of ratings were under 3 stars, and no reviews were left with those ratings.

Pedigree for Big Dogs Adult Complete Nutrition Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Summary: Containing naturally sourced glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint and hone health, this is a dry dog food formulated for the needs of large breed dogs. It offers complete nutrition and is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. The addition of vitamin and mineral supplements helps to make this a balanced food for big dogs and is available in 40-lbs bags.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Large breeds adult dogs

Flavor Options: Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor

Price: $0.65/lb

Pros
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Rich in omega-6 fatty acids
  • Formulated for the joint health of large dogs
  • Is a source of complete nutrition
  • Very affordable price
Cons
  • Only available in one flavor

Ingredient Analysis: Corn is the first ingredient, as stated above, this is not a great source of nutrients. Chicken by-product meal is included for its glucosamine and chondroitin content which is good for joint health, especially in larger dogs who may need a little more protection. Animal fat of unknown origin is used to boost the fat content, while the color comes from a variety of dyes. Another unknown ingredient, natural flavor, is added, although it is not specified what the flavor is or where it originated. Soybean meal and brewers rice add fiber, while vitamin B12 supplements, folic acid, and minerals such as zinc sulfate and copper sulfate are included to make this a source of complete nutrition.

Review: Reviews on Pedigree’s website of this food largely praise the brand for making food their dogs enjoy eating. They were also happy with the price as big dogs tend to eat a lot, and this is an affordable dog food that is formulated specifically for larger breeds. Critical reviews ranged from an apparent change in the formula to the use of too many fillers as reasons for their 1 and 2-star ratings.

Pedigree Puppy Growth & Protection Dry Dog Food

Summary: The small, easy-to-eat kibble is formulated to be easy to chew and digest for growing dogs up to 18 months old. The nutrients in this food are made to mirror the nutrients found in a nursing dog’s milk to encourage the healthy development of puppies. This food offers complete and balanced nutrition for young dogs and is available in 14-lbs bags.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies

Flavor Options: Grilled steak & Vegetable Flavor

Price: $1.00/lb

Pros
  • Formulated specifically to fit a puppy’s needs
  • Rich in DHA for brain development
  • Is a source of complete nutrition
  • Supports strong teeth and bones
  • No artificial flavors and preservatives
Cons
  • Ground whole grain corn is the first ingredient

Ingredient Analysis: The primary ingredients in this puppy food are plant-based, and the animal ingredients are sparse and unspecified. Meat and bone meal, as well as animal fat, are included for protein and fat content, but the kind of animal these ingredients come from is not given. Fish oil is the primary source of DHA, with tocopherols as the preservative. Vitamins and minerals are supplemented to make this a source of complete nutrition for puppies.

Review: 95% of ratings on Amazon are 4, and 5 stars, with the most common point, made being their puppies enjoy the food. Some consumers said they were happy with the nutrients mirroring mother’s milk and others said they were happy about the value. Negative reviews centered around the use of plant ingredients in puppy food and stated puppies need protein from milk and animal sources rather than corn or soybeans. However, only 1% of total reviews were under 3 stars.

Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Canned Dog Food

Summary: This wet food is made with real beef for a taste dogs will enjoy and nutrients that will keep dogs happy. It offers complete and balanced nutrition that can be added to dry kibble as a dog treat during meal time. The hearty, meaty recipes provide a soft texture for flavor and variety that is made to be tasty and nutrient-dense for adult dogs. It is available in a combo pack of twelve 13-ounce cans and is available in a handful of flavors.

Type: Wet dog food

Best for: Adult dogs

Flavor Options: Filet Mignon Flavor and Beef Flavor

Price: $1.17/can

Pros
  • Real chicken is the first ingredient
  • High moisture hydrates while eating
  • Real beef provides healthy fats and minerals
  • Delicious and nicely textured
  • Available in a variety pack
Cons
  • Contains unspecified meat by-products

Ingredient Analysis: Chicken is the first ingredient that provides a great source of protein. Meat by-products and unspecified animal liver are included for protein and mineral content, but the sources of the animal ingredients are unknown. Real beef helps to add protein and vitamins, while brewers rice adds healthy carbohydrates. More ingredients of unknown origin are included, such as natural smoke flavor and added color, while nitrites are used for color retention. This ingredient list is hit and miss, but it does all add up to offer balanced nutrition for adult dogs.

Review: Over 90% of ratings on Amazon give this product 4 or 5 stars. Satisfied customers were happy with the delivery service Amazon provides, while others mentioned how difficult it can be to find food for their pickier dogs, but using this as a topper helps to encourage them to eat. By far, the most common complaint in negative reviews was receiving damaged cans. Customers were upset they could not return the cans, although few, if any, mentioned whether or not the food itself was destroyed.

Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy Adult Canned Wet Dog Food

Summary: Formulated with real beef in gravy, this is wet dog food made to be tasty and nutritious for adult dogs. It is made to supply complete nutrition with real meat and gravy or sauce for texture and added taste. It can be used on its own or as a meal topper to help encourage picky eaters to eat more and is sold in a case of twelve 22-ounce cans.

Type: Wet dog food

Best for: Adult dogs

Flavor Options: Beef Flavor

Price: $1.74/can

Pros
  • Formulated with real beef
  • Offers complete & balanced nutrition
  • Can be used as a food topper
  • Comes in large cans at an affordable price
  • Available in a variety pack
Cons
  • Beef is advertised as a selling point but is the sixth ingredient

Ingredient Analysis: Water for processing is the first ingredient, followed by chicken. This provides the food with high moisture content and protein, while meat by-products help to add more protein and minerals. Wheat flour, wheat gluten, and beef are used for carbohydrates, protein, and animal fat, while the micronutrients are supplemented mainly to complete the nutrient profile.

Review: 90% of the 2,600+ reviews on Amazon give this food high ratings, with the top reason being the value of the food. Consumers were happy with the price while stating it has lessened their dog’s shedding, and their senior dogs have started eating again once this food was introduced. Dissatisfied customers were unhappy to receive dented cans and complained their dogs wouldn’t eat the food when they ordered it on Amazon but would eat it when bought from the store.

What Dog Food Formulas does Pedigree Make?

Pedigree Dog Food makes many formulas. Here is an extensive list of the brand’s product lines and specific recipes:

Has Pedigree Dog Food Been Recalled?

Yes, Pedigree Dog Food has been recalled.

The most recent recall was in 2014 due to possible metal fragments in kibble bags. No dog illness or injury was reported, and the foreign material was not embedded in the food itself.

Other recalls were in 2012, two in 2008, and one in 2007 and 2004.

Is Pedigree Dog Food Worth it?

Yes, Pedigree Dog Food is worth it, especially for pet owners on a budget.

Pedigree Dog Food is made with inexpensive ingredients to be affordable while still providing all of the necessary nutrients a dog needs for any life stage.

While Pedigree is sometimes criticized for its choice of ingredients, the bottom line is if your dog does well on this food and you are not advised by a veterinarian to change the diet, there is no reason to believe Pedigree is not worth the price.