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Royal Canin vs. Pedigree: Does a Higher Price Equates to Better Quality?

Lara Baylosis

November 14, 2022

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Royal Canin holds a prestigious position in the pet food industry due to its systematic methods, innovations, and stellar reputation. Pedigree, on the other hand, focuses on providing complete and balanced nutrition that the average pet owner can afford.

However, some people joke about Mars making Royal Canin, and whatever is left over as waste is used to make Pedigree. Although Royal Canin and Pedigree are both subsidiaries of the massive conglomerate, Mars Inc., these two brands differ in many ways.

So in this comparison article for Royal Canin vs. Pedigree, I will highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. I will also review three of their popular products:

Comparing Brand Histories

Royal Canin vs. Pedigree: Top 3 Products

Product Name	Caloric Content & Guaranteed Analysis	Top Ingredients	Primary Health Benefits	Price
	332 kcal per cup Crude Protein 19.5% min Crude Fat 17.5% min Crude Fiber 3.1% max EPA + DHA .2% min Omega-3 Fatty Acids .5% min	Brewer’s Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Dried Beet Pulp	Improved Digestion Skin and Coat Health	Check Price
	248 kcal per cup Crude Protein 20% min Crude Fat 5.5% min Crude Fiber 3.9% max EPA + DHA.09% min Potassium 0.6% min Vitamin E 315 IU/kg min Ascorbic Acid 240 mg/kg min	Brewer’s Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Barley, Natural Flavor	Improved Digestion Weight Control	Check Price
	333 kcal per cup Crude Protein 17% min Crude Fat 15% min Crude Fiber 3.7% max Moisture 10% max EPA .08% min DHA .05% min Calcium.75% max Phosphorus .7% max Magnesium .08% max Vitamin E 350 IU/kg min Lutein 5 mg/kg	Brewer’s Rice, Corn, Chicken Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewer’s Rice Flour	Improved Urinary Tract Health	Check Price
	309 kcal per cup Crude Protein 21% min Crude Fat 11% min Crude Fiber 4% max Omega-6 Fatty Acids 12% max Calcium 1% min Phosphorus .8% min Zinc 80 mg/kg min Vitamin E 100 IU/kg min Glucosamine 350 mg/kg min	Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat, Soybean Meal	Proper Digestion Skin and Coat Health Dental Care	Check Price
	315 kcal per cup Crude Protein 27% Crude Fat 12% Crude Fiber 4% Omega-6 Fatty Acids 2% Calcium 1% Zinc 80 mg/kg min Vitamin E 100 IU/kg	Ground Whole Grain Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Chicken by-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat	Muscle Development Digestive Health Skin and Coat Health Dental Care	Check Price
	332 kcal per cup Crude Protein 21% Crude Fat 11% Crude Fiber 4% Omega-6 Fatty Acids 2% Calcium 1% Calcium 1% Zinc 80 mg/kg Vitamin E 100 IU/kg Glucosamine 350 mg/kg Chondroitin Sulfate 275 mg/kg	Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat, Meat and Bone Meal	Digestive Health Skin and Coat Health Dental Care	Check Price

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food

Some dogs can have a negative reaction to certain traditional proteins, such as those coming from meat. These sensitivities can lead to recurring ear infections, gastrointestinal upset, itching, and hair loss due to excessive scratching. To aid dogs with hypersensitivities, Royal Canin crafted the Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP Veterinary Diet.

As hinted by the name, it features hydrolyzed soy proteins that are composed of low molecular weight peptides to make digestion as smooth as possible. This diet aims to help the digestive system break down food easily, which is the key to optimal nutrient uptake.

Most importantly, the formula offers the least risk of triggering an immune reaction.

Moreover, this kibble is formulated with a select blend of fibers to promote proper digestion and normal bowel movement. The combination of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids ensures it nourishes the skin and further enhances its natural barrier. The result?

A hale and hearty pooch that looks great inside and out!

PROS:

• Suitable for dogs that have food allergies or those diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, IBD, gastroenteritis, etc.
• Can be used during a short-term elimination trial or provide long-term nutrition for hypersensitive pooches
• Plentiful in EPA and DHA, B vitamins, and amino acids
• Caters to both puppies and adult canines
• Supports digestion, bowel movement, skin and coat health

CONS:

• Expensive and you’ll need to pay extra for your vet’s prescription

Check Price

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food

Fat is a macronutrient that serves many important roles in the canine body. For one, it fuels dogs and provides insulation. Unfortunately, not all pets can metabolize fat due to a disease of the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Any of these diseases may occur in conjunction with other digestive problems, which means Sniffer might also struggle to digest proteins.

That is why the brains of Royal Canin crafted the Gastrointestinal Low-Fat Veterinary Diet. Albeit low in fat, its special formula energizes your pooch, so he could continue to be his playful self. Likewise, it features highly digestible proteins and a blend of dietary fibers to improve digestion, bowel movements, and stool quality.

To help keep tummy troubles at bay, probiotics are added to nourish and promote the growth of gut-friendly bacteria. Adequate amounts of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are also added for optimum health.

PROS:

• Low-fat content suits dogs that need to lose weight fast or have trouble digesting fat
• Made with highly digestible proteins and supplemented with prebiotics for better digestion, nutrient uptake, and bowel movement
• Omega-3 fatty acids support cognitive, cardiovascular, skin, and coat health
• Contains antioxidants to strengthen the immune system
• Energizes pets without the unwanted fat

CONS:

• Expensive and it needs a vet’s recommendation to make a purchase

Check Price

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO Dry Dog Food

Urolithiasis is becoming a more common problem in dogs, with the most common being struvite, calcium oxalate, and urate crystals. Struvites are often caused by infections, while the rest of the uroliths are caused by metabolic abnormalities, nutrient imbalances, or genetic conditions.

If Sniffer is suffering from recurring UTIs or a leaky bladder due to uroliths, your beloved pet may benefit from Urinary SO Dry Dog Food Veterinary Diet. This formula provides your pet complete and balanced nutrition, while it dissolves urolith formations.

Royal Canin has pioneered a method called Relative Supersaturation (RSS), which allows them to determine the specific saturation level within the bladder that makes it unlikely for these stones to form. As such, they applied this knowledge to their food.

PROS:

• Reduces ion concentrations in the urine to prevent crystal formations
• Has a reduced level of magnesium to make the bladder a less ideal environment for struvites
• Provides complete and balanced nutrition while supporting overall bladder health

CONS:

• Expensive and you can’t buy it without a vet’s prescription

Check Price

Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food, Roasted Chicken, Rice, & Vegetables

This recipe is one of Pedigree’s best-selling products due to its savory roasted chicken flavor that canines crave. Most importantly, it offers complete and balanced nutrition to help your pooch perform his daily activities with ease.

To help Sniffer fight off infections, zinc and antioxidants are likewise added into the formula to boost his immunity against disease. The food also contains omega-6 fatty acids to make your beloved pooch looking his best from head to paw.

PROS:

• The crunchy texture of the kibble helps remove tartar
• A complete and balanced diet with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
• Contains omega-6 fatty acids for reproduction, immune function, skin, and coat health
• Includes a fiber blend for proper digestion

CONS:

• Chicken is not among the main ingredients
• Might fatten up your dog rather quickly due to the quantity of corn used
• Some pet parents complained that it caused indigestion

Check Price

Pedigree High-Protein Dry Dog Food, Beef & Lamb

Did you know that feeding an overweight dog with a diet high in protein and less in carbs can facilitate weight loss? A high-protein diet is also excellent for adult canines with high-activity levels.

The Pedigree High-Protein dry dog food claims to help a pudgy pooch gain back a consistent lean weight. This kibble features a combination of beef and lamb flavors to ensure picky eaters wouldn’t ignore their food and get the complete, balanced nutrition they need to strive.

But as I looked deeper into the fine print, I realized that it actually doesn’t have beef in its top five ingredients, albeit Pedigree’s claim that it contains 25% protein from real beef.

Nevertheless, it contains vitamins and minerals to help strengthen the immune system and omega-3 fatty acids to nourish the skin.

PROS:

• Affordable food with delicious beef and lamb flavor
• Fortified with omega-3 fatty acids

CONS:

• Neither beef or lamb is the main protein source
• Two corn ingredients are listed among the top ingredients

Check Price

Pedigree Complete Nutrition for Small Dogs, Chicken, Rice, & Vegetables

This formula caters to small breeds, but it brings the same benefits nonetheless.

The recipe includes chicken, rice, and vegetables to give your little pampered pooch complete and balanced nutrition.

Additionally, the formula contains optimal levels of omega-6 fatty acids to keep the skin and coat looking healthy.

Every bite of the crunchy kibbles help clean teeth and remove tartar.

PROS:

• Affordable dog food for small breeds
• Contains omega-6 fatty acids

CONS:

• Contains too many grains
• Has more calories in each cup compared to other formulas

Check Price

Face to Face Comparison

Brands have infinite ways to make TV commercials and pet food packaging creatively compelling, but these claims are only superficial. You’ll need to consider the following factors to properly evaluate dog foods.

Ingredients

Before deciding on Sniffer’s food, you’ll need to read the ingredients list. The first five ingredients are the most important determinants when assessing the quality of the food. As per regulations, each pet food brand must list the ingredients in order of weight.

Ideally, the formula should start with an excellent protein source, such as deboned chicken, lamb, salmon, and turkey. The first ingredient will have more of that than any ingredient that follows.

Recall History & Product Safety

A product recall is the removal of certain pet foods from the marketplace due to manufacturing defects. This process does not only cause serious financial losses, but it may also lead to a reputational crisis.

Royal Canin

Royal Canin goes to great lengths to maintain its stellar reputation, but even this pet food giant has been subjected to product recalls a few times.

In February 2006, Royal Canin recalled certain wet food formulas due to having excess levels of vitamin D3. In 2007, over 100 brands were involved in the Great Melamine Recall, and among them was Royal Canin.

What I love about Royal Canin is that the company picked up the problems themselves, triggered the publication, and sought out affected pets so that they could extend financial support as soon as possible. The way the company responds to each safety crisis says a lot about them as a brand.

Pedigree

In March 2004, Pedigree issued a recall after hundreds of pets across Asia died of kidney failure. Pedigree later revealed that upon inspection of their Taiwan and Thailand plants, there was mold in rice and corn ingredients.

In September 2007, Pedigree recalled their “chilled dog rolls” in New Zealand because metal fragments were found in the packages.

A massive recall took place between August 2008 and September 2008 because of potential salmonella contamination. Earlier in 2012, pet owners reported bits of plastic in a few varieties of Pedigree wet foods. So in June that year, Pedigree issued another recall.

Certain bags were recalled in August 2014 due to metal fragments within the bags.

Pedigree has not issued a recall from then on, but dozens of pet owners poured their complaints in social media, saying that there were stiff fibers found in Pedigree dry dog foods. The company responded that these were pig hair and such were inevitable even in good processing practices. Furthermore, the company assures its patrons that these fibers are safe for dogs to consume in minimal amounts.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) did specify that meat and bone meals should have no hair. Can’t Pedigree manufacture pet food without animal hair in their finished product? What do you think?

Product Lines

Pedigree offers many recipes, but when it comes to diversity, I don’t think there is any brand that could compete with Royal Canin.

Royal Canin

Since its inception, Royal Canin has aspired to deliver precise nutrition for every pooch.

Pedigree

Pedigree also has an assortment of dog foods for the largest canines to the smallest dogs. Their food selection also caters to puppies and adults of varying sizes. However, the brand’s dry food varieties are limited compared to its wet food category.

Conclusion

Due to cost-cutting measures, Royal Canin is now using meat meals and meat by-products. While the quality of the ingredients is not as it used to be, it is no secret that the company spends a fortune on its state-of-the-art facilities and scientific research. More impressively, vets see Royal Canin as a dependable brand, especially because they meet rigid AAFCO standards.

All in all, Royal Canin is a fantastic choice for pet owners looking for breed-specific diets and those whose pets have special needs. However, the company doesn’t offer grain-free options as of yet, as they firmly believe that grains provide essential benefits to your pooch.

As for Pedigree, I wouldn’t say it is a bad dog food nor is it a great option. One thing is for sure — Pedigree has always kept their price range pocket-friendly to cater to the masses.