Pedigree Dog Food Review 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary

Pedigree is a well-known dog food brand that’s been around for decades. You can find 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 contain low-quality 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

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Most Popular		Pedigree Adult Grilled Steak & Vegetable	Infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals Omega-6 fatty acids nourish skin and coat No artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar	Check Price
		Pedigree Small Dog Formula	Kibble has fun texture for dogs Contains whole grains and special fiber blend Contains omega-6 fatty acids	Check Price
		Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Variety Pack	Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals Can also be a meal topper Tasty soft, chopped texture	Check Price
		Pedigree High Protein Beef & Lamb	Can be mixed in with wet food Crunchy kibble helps keep teeth clean Dogs like the natural beef and lamb flavor	Check Price
		Pedigree Large Breed Roasted Chicken	Promotes joint and bone health Enriched with omega-6 fatty acids Packed with vitamin E	Check Price

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 Mars, Inc. eventually acquired it.

The brand name changed to Pedigree in 1972, and it continues to sell budget-friendly dog food. The food is manufactured in factories in England and the United States.

Which Types of Dogs Is Pedigree Best Suited For?

Pedigree is best for adult dogs without any specific health concerns or dietary requirements. It producers 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 meets 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 their 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'll have better luck finding more variety with other pet food companies. Nature’s Recipe and Diamond Naturals 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 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 primary source of protein.

Animal Protein

Pedigree’s wet food lists animal protein as the first ingredient. The most common meat is chicken. Although Pedigree offers several beef-flavored wet foods, the 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 many 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 identify the protein used and the type of animal fat.

Tasty Wet Food

Many dogs find Pedigree's wet food tasty. Meat protein is listed as the first ingredient in most of its canned dog food. The wet food also comes in various textures, including pate, shreds, and chunks. If you don’t want to switch your dog to wet food entirely, 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 an affordable option for them.

Easy to Find

Pedigree is a well-known brand that is available in most pet stores. Some grocery stores, supermarkets, and online retailers also stock Pedigree dog food. So, whether you purchase in stores or online, buying Pedigree is pretty convenient.

Controversial Ingredients

Pedigree dog food has some controversial ingredients. In addition to corn and meat by-products, some recipes 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 with 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.

In 2008, Pedigree had two recalls due to the potential for salmonella in select states. In June 2012 varieties of Pedigree weight management canned products were recalled due to possible choking hazards. 

Another recall occurred in 2014 when the Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food was recalled because it possibly contained small metal fragments.

The most recent recall is from May 2024 when Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food was recalled due to the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag.

Reviews of the 3 Best Pedigree Dog Food Recipes

1. Pedigree Adult Grilled Steak & Vegetable Dry Dog Food

This is one of Pedigree’s most popular recipes. It provides complete and balanced nutrition and is infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The recipe also contains omega-6 fatty acids to nourish the skin and coat. It’s free of artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and sugar.

One thing to remember 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 primary source of protein.

2. Pedigree Small Dog Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable

This recipe is a fan favorite among 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, which support the digestive system. The formula also contains omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and fur.

While the recipe name indicates that this dog food is a chicken recipe, the ingredient list includes 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, they may enjoy these Pedigree wet dog food recipes. This recipe is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, so you can serve it as a full meal or as a meal topper.

The wet food has a soft, chopped texture and contains real chicken or beef. Just keep in mind that the first ingredient in some of these recipes is chicken by-products, so it’s unclear 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 formulas 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.

In 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, they will enjoy eating Pedigree dog food. Many dogs find it tasty, and it’s a popular choice for picky eaters.

See also:

• 12 Best Canned & Wet Dog Foods - Reviews & Top Picks

• Can You Judge Dog Food Solely by Its First Ingredient? Facts & FAQs