About Pedigree
Pedigree has been producing dog food in the United Kingdom for over 80 years, establishing itself as one of the nation's most trusted pet nutrition brands. As a subsidiary of Mars Petcare, part of the American Mars, Inc. conglomerate, Pedigree operates UK factories at Melton Mowbray and Birstall in Leeds, producing a comprehensive range of wet food, dry food, treats, and dental care products designed to keep British dogs healthy and happy. The Pedigree story in the UK began in 1934 when Mars Limited acquired Chappel Brothers in Manchester, a company that had been canning low-quality meat as dog food under the "Chappie" brand since 1932. Throughout the 1950s, Mars introduced new brands including Pal and Lassie. The Pedigree brand name was adopted in 1972 and became the global standard for Mars dog food after the company acquired Kal Kan Foods of Los Angeles in 1968. Today, Mars Petcare is the global leader in pet nutrition with five billion-dollar brands including Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin, Banfield, and Iams. The UK Pedigree product range covers every aspect of dog nutrition and care. Wet food comes in pouches and tins with flavours including chicken, beef, lamb, duck, bacon, turkey, and fish, available in gravy, jelly, or loaf formats. Dry food offers complete nutrition in various kibble sizes for different breeds and life stages. The Dentastix range provides daily dental care sticks for small, medium, and large dogs. Treats and chews include Biscrok, Jumbone, Markies, Ranchos, Rodeo Duos, Schmackos, and Tasty Minis. Specialist ranges include Tender Goodness and Protein+ for enhanced nutrition. All Pedigree main meal products are marketed as 100% Complete and Balanced, meaning they're formulated to meet nutrient requirements for dogs according to life stage. The products are developed with veterinarians and nutritionists at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Mars's global pet nutrition research centre. Wet and dry foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals, contain no fillers according to the brand, and any preservatives meet EU food safety regulations. However, independent reviews raise some concerns about Pedigree's ingredient quality. The primary ingredient in some dry foods is ground whole-grain corn rather than meat, and some recipes contain meat by-products rather than whole meat. Some products contain artificial food dyes. The most recent recall was in May 2024 for one US product due to potential metal contamination. UK consumers should research specific products and consider their dog's individual needs. Pedigree products are budget-friendly and widely available across UK supermarkets. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons stock the full range. Specialist pet retailers including Pets at Home, Jollyes, and online stores like PetShop.co.uk also carry Pedigree. Sainsbury's offers Nectar deals like 2 for £10 on Dentastix. Average prices remain stable, with Trolley.co.uk tracking showing less than 1% price change year-on-year. For UK dog owners seeking affordable, readily available pet food with decades of heritage, Pedigree offers a complete range for every life stage. Using Grocefully to compare Pedigree prices across retailers ensures you find the best deals on your dog's favourite food.