PEDIGREE Big Dogs Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry Dog Food

Brand: Pedigree, Pedigree Dry Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

PEDIGREE Big Dogs Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Dry Dog Food

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Brand: Pedigree, Pedigree Dry Food

Ingredient Quality

2 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 45% carbohydrate ^ⓘDogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
Contains plant protein ^ⓘPlant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more
Contains unspecified animal sources, which are a less expensive source of meat ^ⓘWhile protein from animal sources is an important ingredient that’s highly digestible, the animal source should be named. You will want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.
Product contains two or more added amino acids ^ⓘMultiple amino acids are typically only found in lower quality foods that rely on less complete plant sources of protein. Learn more
Is fortified with excessive vitamins ^ⓘWhen vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more

Ingredient Safety

0 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is ultra processed ^ⓘExtruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
Contains known GMO ingredients in the top 5 ingredients including ground whole grain corn, corn gluten meal ^ⓘThere are limited safetey studies on geneticaly modified and Roundup Ready crops although they are lacking in nutrients compared to non-GMO foods. GMO crops also strip nutrients from soils, require increased pesticide risk and may be involved in bee die-off. Learn more
Contains meat and bone meal ^ⓘThis ingredient (which is one thing, not "meat meal" and "bone meal") is a very broad definition that allows for tissues from any mammal. This can be comprised of road kill and dead livestock and is one of the cheapest animal ingredients used in pet food. It may be labeled as "beef and bone meal" or "pork and bone meal," which limits it to those species, but does not greatly improve the quality of the ingredient. Learn more
Contains ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues including ground whole grain wheat , soybean meal, dried peas and beet pulp ^ⓘPesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Learn more
Contains rice ^ⓘArsenic contamination is a significant concern with rice since it naturally absorbs arsenic and the water it's grown in can be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues. Learn more
Contains natural flavor ^ⓘNatural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more
Contains colors/dyes ^ⓘColors, iron oxide, caramel and titanium dioxide are dyes added to foods to make them look more appealing to people. They are often used to hide the grey color of rendered ingredients and are linked to health issues. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more
Glam ingredients ^ⓘExpensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries, kale or apples are often added to appeal to consumers but may be in miniscule amounts. If these foods are below salt or other low concentration ingredients, they contribute little or no nutritional value for your dog. Learn more
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), corn gluten meal, animal fat, (source of omega 6 fatty acids [preserved with bha/citric acid]), meat and bone meal (source of calcium), ground whole grain wheat, soybean meal, brewers rice, natural flavor, dried plain beet pulp, salt, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, monocalcium phosphate, dried peas, dl-methionine, vitamin e supplement, zinc sulfate, l-tryptophan, dried carrots, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 2, niacin (source of vitamin b3), red 40, d-calcium pantothenate, [source of vitamin b5], copper sulfate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide, vitamin a supplement, riboflavin supplement [vitamin b2], vitamin b12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate [vitamin b1], vitamin d3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride [vitamin b6], folic acid.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	22%
Crude Fat (min)	10%
Crude Fiber (max)	4%
Moisture (max)	12%

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