Pedigree vs Purina

How They Differ

• Purina runs higher in protein: 27.1% against 22.7% as fed, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
• Purina is lower in starch, about 35% of the food as fed against 45%.
• Purina is more calorie dense, 408 kcal per cup on average against 317, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
• Purina more often leads with meat, fish or egg as the first ingredient (88% of recipes against 0%).

Side by Side

Protein and fat: as fed ⇄

Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead, which takes the water out so foods of different moisture compare evenly. Why we use as fed.

The Closest Matching Recipes

Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.

Pedigree High Protein Beef and Lamb Flavor Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 12% Starch 39% vs Purina Dog Chow High Protein with Real Lamb Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 12% Starch 39% Compare these two in full →

Pedigree Adult , Roasted Chicken & Vegetable Dry Dog Food Protein 21% Fat 10% Starch 47% vs Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food Protein 21% Fat 10% Starch 47% Compare these two in full →

Pedigree Adult , Roasted Lamb & Vegetable Dry Dog Food Protein 21% Fat 10% Starch 47% vs Purina Dog Chow Tender & Crunchy Dry Dog Food Protein 21% Fat 10% Starch 45% Compare these two in full →

Which Fits Your Dog

• For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Purina puts more protein in each bowl.
• For a dog that gains weight easily, Pedigree is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
• If you are cutting back on starch, Purina starts lower.
• Pedigree has fewer FDA recalls in our record over the last five years (2 against 3). Read the list below before counting it against Purina: most recalls cover a few lots, not a whole range.
• The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Pedigree runs from 21% to 27% protein as fed and Purina from 18% to 34%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.

Recall History

FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.

About the Brands

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