Pedigree

Pedigree scores in the lower tier on Chowmark. The brand traces its origins to 1934, when Mars Inc. launched a dog food under the "Pal" name in the United Kingdom. The brand was rebranded as "Pedigree Chum" in some markets and eventually became "Pedigree" as the global Mars Petcare dog food brand. Today it is owned by Mars Petcare and is one of the most widely distributed dog food brands in the world.

The brand has recorded four lifetime recalls. Pedigree has had recalls for foreign material contamination (including metal pieces in dry food) and other issues. Pet owners should verify the exact dates and scope of all four recalls against the FDA database.

Pedigree does not meet WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. The brand does not publish peer-reviewed research and does not publicly employ a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Formulas are AAFCO-compliant for adult maintenance.

Pedigree competes on price and availability. It is one of the most affordable dog food brands on the market and is available at virtually every grocery, mass retail, and pet store in North America. Ingredient quality reflects the price positioning: corn, soybean meal, and meat and bone meal are common primary ingredients. The brand does not use artificial colours in its current US formulations.

The bottom line: Pedigree is a budget dog food brand that meets minimum nutritional standards. It has a higher recall count than most brands at its tier and does not meet WSAVA guidelines. For pet owners with budget constraints, there are better-value options at a similar or slightly higher price point.