Why is Pedigree dog food good

Pedigree Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros, and Cons

Our Final Verdict

We give Pedigree dog fooda rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars:

Introduction

The Pedigree brand of dog food probably doesnt need much introduction weve all seen these products on the shelves of our local supermarket or pet supply store. In fact, one of the major selling points of this brand is its availability and affordable price point.

As we all know, however, just because something is cheap and easy to find, that doesnt mean its the best option out there. While Pedigree dog food is an accessible option for owners on a budget, its far from the best dog food you could be feeding your canine companions. Between low-quality ingredients and an extensive recall history, it might be time to switch your dog to a more expensive brand. Before you do, though, heres what you need to know:

At a Glance: The Best Pedigree Dog Food Recipes:

The Pedigree brand offers a variety of dog food formulas, including wet food, dry food, and treats. As of our review, here are a few of the best dog food recipes offered by Pedigree:

Pedigree Dog Food Reviewed

Pedigree is an affordable, widely available brand of dog food that almost every pet owner has seen on their local pet store or supermarket shelves. While these formulas are a go-to option for dog owners on a strict budget, they might not be the best option for all (or even most) hungry canines.

Who makes Pedigree Dog Food and where is it produced?

The Pedigree brand is one of many dog food labels owned by Mars, Incorporated, which also owns popular human consumables like M&M candies, Snickers, and Milky Way. Dont worry, though the factories that make your favorite candy bars are not also making your dogs dinner!

While many Pedigree dog food formulas bear a Made in the U.S.A. label, its unclear if this applies to every dog food recipe manufactured by the brand. Since this information isnt readily available, we think its safe to say that not all Pedigree dog food formulas are made in the United States. If youre concerned about where your dogs food is manufactured, we suggest only purchasing Pedigree products that display the Made in the U.S.A. label.

Which Types of Dogs Is Pedigree Dog Food Best Suited For?

Overall, we recommend Pedigree dog food for pups in good health. In other words, these arent necessarily the best formulas for dogs with pre-existing health conditions, food allergies, and other concerns.

With that said, this brand is one of the most affordable dog food labels out there for a reason. If youre able to invest a little extra into your regular dog food budget, your four-legged companions might be better off with something of a bit higher quality.

While we understand that not all dog owners can afford premium dog food formulas, some great alternatives available at your local supermarket might include the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Dry Food or the Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach.

Whats Inside? (The Good and the Bad)

Although Pedigree dog food is not perfect, one great thing about the company is its willingness to share information about its core ingredients. These include:

Whole corn

Despite its poor reputation, high-quality corn can actually be an important source of nutrients for your dog, including amino acids (protein), fiber, and linoleic acid. As long as your dog doesnt have any known corn allergies, theres no reason to avoid this ingredient entirely.

However, many Pedigree dry recipes feature corn as the very first ingredient, which means that animal-based proteins are not being prioritized.

Meat and bone meal

While its always nice to see whole meat as an ingredient in our dogs food, it is far from the only option when it comes to sourcing nutrient-dense animal protein. In Pedigrees case, most of its formulas rely on meat and bone meal instead.

In simple terms, meat and bone meal is a ground-up mixture of the unused parts of an animal after being slaughtered for human consumption. No, this doesnt sound very appetizing to our human stomachs, but dogs (and their wild ancestors) rely on bone, cartilage, and organ meat to get their required nutrients.

So, the use of this ingredient isnt too concerning. However, we wish there were additional sources of animal protein in most Pedigree formulas.

Beet pulp

Just like us humans, dogs need a good amount of fiber to stay regular. Beet pulp is a safe, easily digestible source of fiber.

Vegetable oil

According to Pedigree, several of its formulas contain vegetable oil. While its true that vegetable oil is a source of linoleic acid and can help boost coat appearance, there are better oils you could be feeding your dog.

Despite its popularity in dog food recipes, vegetable oil may cause diarrhea or other digestive symptoms in some dogs.

A Quick Look at Pedigree Dog Food

Calorie Breakdown:

• Widely available at supermarkets
• Different recipes for various dietary needs
• More affordable than competitors
• Some products are made in the U.S.A.

• Features some lower-quality ingredients
• Company has been subject to past recalls
• Not a good source of animal protein

Pedigree Dog Food Recall History

Though a larger brand is indeed more likely to experience recalls than a smaller competitor, the number of recalls issued by the Pedigree brand in recent years is on the high end.

In 2014, Pedigree recalled a selection of 55-pound dry dog food bags because of potential metal fragment contamination and a single lot of 15-pound dry dog food bags for possible contamination with a foreign material.

In 2012, Pedigree recalled three varieties of wet food for potential contamination with small pieces of plastic.

In 2008, Pedigree recalled a wide variety of dog food products because of potential salmonella contamination.

Unlike some other pet food companies, whose past recalls have been over relatively minor quality issues, Pedigrees recall history is concerning.

Reviews of the 3 Best Pedigree Dog Food Recipes

If youre interested in learning a little more about Pedigree dog food, heres a closer look at three of the brands best formulas:

1. Pedigree Dry Dog Food High Protein (Beef & Lamb)

The Pedigree Dry Dog Food High Protein formula is popular among owners who want to boost the amount of muscle-building protein being fed to their dogs. Compared to the brands standard adult dry food, this formula contains 25% more protein. It also contains essential amino acids and nutrients to meet your dogs dietary needs.

The Beef & Lamb recipe contains a minimum of 27% protein, 12% fat, 4% fiber, and 12% moisture.

Despite our criticisms of the Pedigree brand, this formula is quite popular among consumers. You can see what other dog owners have to say about this dry dog food by reading the Chewy reviews.

• High-protein formula supports lean muscle
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Available at most pet food retailers
• Affordable for most dog owners

• Plant-based protein is the primary source
• Filler ingredients may trigger digestive issues

2. Pedigree Choice CUTSin Gravy (Country Stew)

If youre someone who prefers feeding your dog wet food over kibble, even if just as a special treat, the Pedigree Choice CUTS in Gravy is one of the brands most popular canned food recipes. Unlike the brands dry food formulas, the primary protein source in this food is real chicken, which is great to see. Looking at Pedigree wet dog food reviews, this formula offers well-balanced nutrition for the price.

For the Country Stew recipe, the minimum nutritional breakdown includes 8% protein, 3% fat, 1% fiber, and 83% moisture.

Many dog owners on a budget rely on this food to feed their canine family members, so we encourage you to check out what other consumers have to say by reading the Chewy reviewsfor this product.

• Meat is the primary protein source
• More affordable than many other wet formulas
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Highly digestible ingredients
• Features nutritious fats for coat and skin health

• Protein content is on the low end
• Does not contain much fiber
• Contains a large amount of gravy

3. Pedigree Dry Dog Food Puppy(Chicken & Vegetable)

For those looking for a Pedigree puppy food review, the Pedigree Dry Dog Food Puppy formula is definitely the brands most popular option. This recipe includes key nutrients for puppy development, such as DHA, calcium, and phosphorus. Like Pedigrees adult dry food formulas, though, this product does rely heavily on plant-based protein.

In the Chicken & Vegetable flavor, youll find a minimum of 27% protein, 11% fat, 4% fiber, and 12% moisture.

To hear what other puppy owners have to say about this dry food formula, we suggest hopping over to the Amazon reviews.

• Designed for the needs of young dogs
• Includes a good amount of protein
• Affordable and easy to find
• Made in the U.S.A.

• Primary protein sources are corn and soy
• Not ideal for some large breed puppies

What Other Users Are Saying About Pedigree Dog Food

Looking at what other reviewers have to say about Pedigree and its line of dog food formulas, its clear that we arent the only ones who think this brand is acceptable but definitely not the best.

PetAware: Although Pedigree formulates its products to conform to standards set by nutrition authorities, their use of questionable ingredients cannot be overlooked.

DogFoodAdvisor: Pedigree is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a modest amount of poultry by-product or meat and bone meals as its main source of animal protein.

Dog Food Insider: This is not a food you want to feed your dog if you have alternatives. There are some other foods that have some of the same ingredients, but this food has none of the better ingredients you usually find to offset ingredients you dont like.

Labrador Training HQ: It is safe to say that this dog food, while popular, is not the top dog food that you should be serving to your pup.

Conclusion

So, should you feed your dog Purina dog food? In the grand scheme of things, feeding your dog one of the Purina dog food formulas, either short or long term, is unlikely to do any harm. Theres a reason that Pedigree is one of the most popular budget dog food brands out there, and we dont see it going anywhere any time soon.

On the other hand, we believe that there is a wide variety of other great options out there that may be healthier for your dog than Pedigree Dog Food. If you have access to higher-quality dog food, we definitely recommend checking out your options before settling on a Pedigree formula.

Is pedigree a good dog food?

You already know that a healthy diet is essential to your dogs well-being. Is pedigree a good dog food? However, if youre feeding Pedigree or thinking about switching, youll want to know if its a wise decision. Today, however, well examine Pedigree dog food to see how it compares to other dog food options and brands.

Do dogs benefit from Pedigree then? Although Pedigree is a popular brand of affordable dog food, it is not thought to be the best choice in terms of nutritional value. Corn is a common ingredient in Pedigrees kibble recipes. As a result, dogs with allergies or digestive sensitivities may find Pedigree less suitable. Like all commercial dog foods, Pedigree is required to adhere to a set of fundamental nutritional requirements. However, just because they adhere to these standards does not imply that their food is at its best. or the best.

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Is pedigree a good dog food brand?

Pedigree dog food is a generally safe dog food option for owners on a budget, but it is not thought to be the best option for dog food due to its high level of grain-based filler (primarily corn). It does contain meat in both its kibble and wet varieties, but it can be challenging to tell exactly what kind of meat is present.

Pedigree has a long history in the dog food industry and produces food that satisfies a dogs fundamental nutritional requirements throughout various life stages.

While Pedigree brand dog food will keep a dog satisfied and meet basic nutritional needs, it does not offer all of the health advantages that other dog food brands do. Due to its affordable price and simplicity of purchase, Pedigree dog food occasionally appears to be fed in shelters and non-profit organizations.

However, Pedigree contains ingredients that might exacerbate rather than help your dogs allergies or digestive issues. Feeding your dog Pedigree will do the trick if youre in a bind or on a limited budget. You might want to consider other brands if youre looking for high-quality dog food that is simple to digest and unlikely to trigger allergy flare-ups.

Does Pedigree dog food cause harm to dogs?

Dog owners who have noticed that their dogs have become ill after eating this brand of food have made numerous complaints about this company. It is difficult to determine exactly what ingredients are in the food because companies like Pedigree have never released a public statement about their product. Some claim that after feeding their dogs this brand of food, they became very ill and were nearly always difficult to feed.

What makes Pedigree so awful?

Most people agree that dogs shouldnt eat this kind of food. It is an extremely unhealthy food with no nutritional value that can be fatal to your dog. However, not all businesses are as bad. It also depends on the breed of dog you have; some canines thrive on this particular diet. To provide their dogs with food that is superior to human-grade dog foods, many pet owners cook meals at home, but they arent always aware of the best ingredients to use. K9 Naturals Dog Food and other alternatives are becoming increasingly popular as a result, along with dehydrated diets.

Do vets recommend Pedigree dog food?

Veterinarians concur that this brand of dog food is beneficial to canines. Considering that it contains no artificial ingredients, they believe it to be such good food. This indicates that the food contains no additives or preservatives that could harm your pet.

It also contains fiber, which is something that most people dont regularly give their dogs. Additionally, people enjoy feeding their dogs the appropriate food for the breed of dog they own. Vets typically suggest this brand of food to people trying to raise their dogs on a budget, but due to its superior quality, they do not suggest this specific brand. Additionally, if a person is certain that their dog is allergic to meat, they advise against feeding them this food.

Whats in a pedigree?

Typically, corn, meat, bones, and other grain sources are used to make pedigree products. However, Pedigree does provide a variety of dry dog food variants with slightly different nutritional profiles and ingredient lists. They also have a line of wet dog foods that get decent reviews for being well-liked by picky-tasting dogs. For owners whose dogs have refused to eat other brands of food, this could be a good thing. However, the main components they employ are listed below in a little more detail:

Corn

Dry Pedigrees main ingredient is corn.

Some dog foods use corn as a filler and energy source. The difficulty with corn as the primary ingredient is that dogs have a difficult time digesting it. Corn-based dog foods may be challenging for dogs whose stomachs have previously shown signs of sensitivity.

Meat and bone

Meat and bone meal, a product that is rendered and dried from numerous parts of an animals body, is used to make a pedigree after corn. There is no set list of the animals from which Pedigree obtains its bone meal; however, the animals used to produce meat and bone meal can vary. It can be challenging to feed a dog generic meat-based food if the dog needs to avoid specific animal ingredients.

Other Grains or Meat Fillers

To round out its nutritional profile, Pedigree also includes many other grain and meat sources. However, the quality of the product and its specific sources are not specified in the ingredient list. While safe, this practice is typical of mid-range dog foods and may make it difficult for some owners to determine exactly what their dog is eating each day.

Does pedigree pose a risk to dogs?

Even though Pedigree may not be the healthiest dog food available, it is not thought to be harmful to the majority of dogs. Pedigree dog food has occasionally been recalled due to various problems, and the fact that corn is listed as the first ingredient has some pet owners and researchers worried. Over time, corn can be difficult on a dogs digestive system and may make the dogs digestive organs work harder to break down its food.

For dogs with allergies to particular protein types, Pedigree is not the best option because it uses meat products from a variety of unspecified animals and sources. Despite this, numerous well-known store-bought dog food brands also employ comparable labeling and utilize comparable products without endangering the dogs that consume them. Pedigree dog food might work for a budget-conscious owner who wants to provide for their dogs essential nutritional and energy requirements. Pedigree is a safe option on paper, but it might not be the best long-term nutrition source for a dog.

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Can dogs regularly eat Pedigree?

Pedigree was created to be consumed in this manner, so dogs can eat it daily. Your dogs age, weight, breed, overall size, and level of exercise will determine how much food to give them. A suggested serving schedule is printed on the packaging of each Pedigree product. Pedigree is typically fed to dogs 2-3 times daily in amounts based on age and desired weight. This applies to both the wet and dry varieties.

Puppies probably need frequent, small meals to meet their energy and growth requirements without filling their stomachs to the brim. Older dogs will typically consume slightly larger meals two to three times daily. While some people adhere to once-daily feeding schedules, Pedigree products typically do not recommend this.

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Final thoughts

Is pedigree a good dog food? There are many factors to take into account when determining how to meet your dogs nutritional needs. While Pedigree will satisfy many dogs basic needs, the argument could be made that it isnt always the best option. The fact is that finding food with high-quality components can significantly enhance your dogs general health. It is worthwhile.