Whether you’ve been a pet parent for years or have recently adopted a dog, I’m sure you would have concerns about your pet’s diet. And if you’re looking for the right food options, you would’ve heard of two popular brands, Pedigree and Purina, and wondered which is best.
Well, this is where I come in. I was in the same situation a few years back, on a quest to find a dog food brand that is safe and healthy. It led me to do thorough research and a little experiment with my golden retriever.
You can read on to learn more about Pedigree and Purina based on my experience and then decide which will suit your dog more!
| Factors | Pedigree | Purina Dog Food |
|---|---|---|
| Owned By | Mars, Incorporated | Nestle, Purina |
| Launched In | 1957 | 1894 |
| Special Feature | Affordable dog food with a wide range of recipes | Quality meat makes it rich in protein |
| Number Of Formulas | More than 90 recipes | Over 40 recipes |
| Intended For | Ideal for puppies | Athletic dogs with a high energy requirement |
Pedigree Dog Food
- PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition
- This dry food recipe
- Delivers complete and balanced nutrition
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You might have read or heard the name Pedigree, but did you know that it is a subsidiary of a huge company, Mars Inc.? It is the same famous brand that makes a range of candy bars.
It’s natural to think that nutrition might not be a priority for Mars, and you’re right to some extent. Through Pedigree, the company aims to offer affordable pet foods, irrespective of whether it meets the daily dietary requirements of your pup or not.
While I wouldn’t call it junk food, it’s also not the most healthy food available.
Purina Dog Food
- High protein dry dog food for skin and coat care
- Highly digestible
- Omega-6 fatty acids,
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Purina is the oldest pet food company with a history spanning the last 100 years, a brand par excellence. What makes the company still relevant is its efforts to perfect the canine food formula.
The company understands that we, as pet parents, want quality ingredients and affordable prices and offers just that. It might come as a shock to you. But Purina has 8 different brands offering innovative recipes, making it a reigning champion of the dog food world.
Pedigree Vs Purina Dog Food: A Detailed 4-Factor Comparison
Both Purina and Pedigree focus on ensuring your dog gets a nutrition-filled meal. But you can decide for yourself as per the in-depth 4-factor comparison I do.
1. Ingredients
You get a good mix of formulations from both brands, but the ingredients are most important to consider here. Among the many ingredients they use, here are the most common ones:
Pedigree
- Ground Whole Corn
The Pedigree dog foods list ground whole corn as the first ingredient. It contains fiber, carbohydrates, and many essential amino acids that can give your active furry friend a much-needed energy boost.
- Animal Fats
Next up, you will also find animal fat from beef or chicken present in Pedigree recipes. It offers your pup linoleic acid, which can not only boost energy but also help improve the texture of the coat and skin.
- Beet Pulp
If your dog enjoys eating beetroot, it might also like Pedigree dog food. Some recipes include beet pulp, a fiber source that aids digestion and promotes overall well-being.
- Meat And Bone Meal
A natural source of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, protein, and fat, meat and bone meal is present in a few recipes from Pedigree. If your pet dog has joint and bone issues, these meals can help improve its health!
Purina
- Animal Meat
Purina uses select animal meat as a primary protein source. The manufacturers tend to add chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and fish like salmon and tuna to the recipes.
While you may not always find the exact animal meat mentioned on the label, it might read as meat or processed meat products and even fish or processed fish products. These ingredients contain a good amount of nutrients like protein and amino acids.
Besides that, your pup might also get egg products and their derivatives through some Purina formulations.
- Vegetables
What makes Purina a well-balanced meal is the addition of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, eggplants, and beet pulp. These vegetables provide a good amount of fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
It can also include legumes, like beans and peas, providing ample vegetable protein for dog food.
- Cereals
If you pick a few Purina recipes, you will find cereals listed in the ingredients. It includes rice, corn, oats, barley, and wheat.
These cereals can provide carbohydrates to your dog, which act as an energy source, and offer dietary fiber to promote digestion.
Who Won?
According to my research and experience, Purina offers a much wider range of ingredients. The manufacturers add quality animal meat, which makes their products abundant in protein and, ultimately, beneficial for your furry friends.
I think Purina takes the obvious lead over Pedigree!
2. Recipes
Do you only check the ingredients a brand uses and not the recipes offered? You might be making a big mistake if you do. If you’re wondering why, it’s because your dog needs various flavors without having to get accustomed to a new brand.
Let’s compare how many recipes Pedigree and Purina offer.
Pedigree
- Dry Dog Food – 12
- Wet Dog Food – 62
- Dog Treats – 16
Purina
- Dry Dog Food – 18
- Wet Dog Food – 18
- Dog Treats – 4
Who Won?
Since Purina has a relatively smaller selection of recipes, Pedigree will likely take the lead here. But I beg to differ.
Why? Because even with lesser product variety, Purina takes care of the nutritional needs of more canines. You will always find the right recipe for your pup if you choose the right food according to the size, stage, or even health condition.
So, Purina emerges a winner here as well!
3. Nutrition
Moving on to the factor that you must be most concerned about, yes, the nutritional content of the products of each brand. While both Pedigree and Purina boast of offering well-balanced and nutritious dog recipes, this guaranteed analysis can tell better!
Pedigree
The dry food from Pedigree will give your pooch a good amount of nutrients, with protein at 21%, fat at 10%, and fiber at 4%.
Purina
When it comes to nutrients, Purina Dog Food contains an abundance of essential ones that can benefit canines. It stands at 30% of protein, 20% fat, and 3% of fiber as the fundamental nutrient variants.
Who Won?
As I said, Pedigree can sacrifice ingredients and nutrition to offer you budget-friendly dog food. It implies that the manufacturers can use filler grains and even animal by-products as they are relatively cheaper.
Although Purina is not an exceptional performer itself in the context of nutrition, it can still outperform Pedigree.
4. Recalls
If you’re wondering why I haven’t considered the safety metric, it’s because I was saving it for the last. I judge if a brand uses safe ingredients and practices by the product recall history.
Pedigree
There have been numerous recalls and safety concerns for Pedigree dog food. They are:
- March 2004 – Recipes linked to canine kidney failures
- September 2007 – Chilled dog rolls were recalled due to metal fragments present in it
- August 2008 – Potential salmonella contamination
- September 2008 – Potential salmonella infection
- June 2012 – Canned foods were recalled due to choking hazard
- August 2014 – Small metal fragments present in the kibble
Purina
Throughout history, there have been two recalls of Purina products.
- August 2013 – Possible salmonella contamination
- September 2016 – Incorrect nutrient level on the label
Who Won?
Pedigree has been prone to more frequent and serious product recalls. On the other hand, Purina has only had two recalls, and none included any foreign bodies.
Thus, it’s proved beyond doubt that Purina dog food is a safer, more hygienic, and healthier option for your pup!
Highlights of the Two Dog Food Brands
Even though it’s pretty evident, you might still be eager to know which brand I prefer, but before I disclose that, take a look at this quick recap of Pedigree and Purina.
Pedigree
- An affordable dog food brand
- Easily available online and in most stores
- Great for owners who want to feed their dogs wet food
Purina Dog Food
- Offers premium and high-quality dog foods
- A range of recipes and flavors
- Uses premium and selected ingredients
The Winner: Purina Dog Food
I’m sure by now it’s evident that the winner here is Purina dog food. You can opt for this brand for your dogs as it offers a more diverse range of recipes that include a variety of quality ingredients.
You might feel that the number of formulas is less than Pedigree, but it still has every recipe that will cater to your pup’s dietary needs.
Pros
- Uses healthy and natural ingredients
- Offers a variety of recipe options
- Ideal for specialized canine diets
- Includes fewer controversial ingredients
Cons
- Difficult to choose a product from a large number of options
- Some recipes include animal by-products and cheap fillers
What Led to Pedigree Losing?
Even though you might see every other pet owner buying Pedigree, I wouldn’t recommend it. Pedigree aims to be an affordable brand, but it compromises on a very big parameter – quality.
Pedigree recipes cannot be considered nutritious because they are full of fillers and animal by-products. Moreover, wet foods might only suit some breeds, so you would be taking a huge risk here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purina A Good Brand For Dogs?
Yes, Purina is a safe brand that offers a well-balanced diet that will care for your dog’s dietary needs.
Can A Dog Eat Pedigree Daily?
Yes, most dogs can have a daily diet consisting of Pedigree dog food. You must consider your pup’s age, breed, and activity level to decide what’s best.
Why Is Purina Dog Food Expensive?
Since Purina uses quality and selected ingredients in the recipes, it adds to the cost of dog foods.
Final Thoughts
You’d have seen that every brand will promise to give only the best dog food made entirely from high-grade ingredients, but not all can deliver it. Here, as a pet parent, you must do thorough research to find the best one based on your pup’s dietary needs and preferences.
When it comes to Purina Vs Pedigree, the former stands out in terms of ingredients, nutrition, and range, making it a winner for me. It would help make meal times delicious and fun for your furry companion!
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
