If you’re a pet owner, you know how important it is to provide your pet with the best nutrition possible. With so many pet food brands on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Two popular brands that often come up in the discussion are Royal Canin and Pedigree.
Both brands offer a variety of products designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs. However, when it comes to choosing between Royal Canin and Pedigree, pet owners often wonder which one is better. In this article, we will compare the two brands and answer the question: Is Royal Canin better than Pedigree?
We will look at the ingredients used in their products, the nutritional value they offer, and the price point. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the differences between Royal Canin and Pedigree, and be able to make an informed decision about which brand is best for your pet.
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Table of Contents
- Nutrition and Ingredients
- Brand Comparison
- Price Comparison
- Availability and Accessibility
- Conclusion
- FAQ
- Is Royal Canin and Pedigree the same company?
- Why do vets recommend Royal Canin?
- Do vets recommend Pedigree?
- Is Pedigree the worst dog food?
- Is Royal Canin the best?
- Which Pedigree is best for a puppy?
- Which Royal Canin is best for a puppy?
- Does Royal Canin use more meat protein than Pedigree?
- Is Royal Canin more expensive than Pedigree?
- Can I mix Royal Canin and Pedigree kibble?
Nutrition and Ingredients
When it comes to pet food, nutrition and ingredients are important factors to consider. In this section, we will take a closer look at the protein sources, carbohydrate sources, and other ingredients in Royal Canin and Pedigree.
Protein Sources
Protein is essential for your dog’s growth and development. Royal Canin uses more meat proteins compared to Pedigree, which is highly plant-based. Royal Canin scores about 25% for protein, compared to Pedigree’s 21%. Royal Canin also prefers dehydrated meats and organ meats over whole meats, which provide up to three times more protein than whole meat in equal amounts.
Carbohydrate Sources
Carbohydrates are a source of energy for your dog. Pedigree uses corn and wheat as their main carbohydrate sources, while Royal Canin uses rice and corn. Rice is a good source of carbohydrates, as it is easy to digest and provides energy. Corn, on the other hand, is a controversial ingredient, as some believe it is a cheap filler.
Other Ingredients
Both Royal Canin and Pedigree use a variety of other ingredients in their pet food. Royal Canin uses high-grade ingredients in some of its dietary ranges, which is why its products are more expensive. They also spend a lot of money on research and development.
Pedigree, on the other hand, uses some artificial colors and flavors in their pet food, which can be a concern for some pet owners. It is important to read the ingredient list carefully and choose a pet food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs.
Brand Comparison
Royal Canin
Royal Canin is a premium pet food brand that uses high-quality ingredients to create specialized formulas for different breeds, sizes, and life stages of dogs. The brand takes a nutrient-focused approach to pet food, evaluating the specific nutritional needs of dogs and creating optimal diet profiles based on scientific findings.
The brand uses dehydrated meats and organ meats over whole meats, which supply up to three times more protein than whole meat in equal amounts. All ingredients used are fit for human consumption, and the brand puts a strong emphasis on quality control and safety.
Pedigree
Pedigree is a more affordable pet food brand that offers a wide range of products for different life stages and needs of dogs. The brand uses whole meats as the primary source of protein and also includes grains and vegetables in its formulas.
While Pedigree scores slightly higher in crude fiber, Royal Canin has a higher overall protein count, and more of those proteins are derived from meat. Both brands score adequately and are perfectly healthy.
Price Comparison
When it comes to price, Pedigree is generally more affordable than Royal Canin. Pedigree’s focus is on providing complete and balanced nutrition that the average pet owner can afford. On the other hand, Royal Canin’s dietary ranges have medical-grade ingredients in them, which makes its product more expensive. Royal Canin also spends a lot of money on research and development, which adds to the cost.
However, it’s important to note that price shouldn’t be the only factor to consider when choosing a pet food. While Pedigree may be more affordable, Royal Canin’s systematic methods, innovations, and stellar reputation make it a popular choice among pet owners who are willing to spend more for their pet’s health and well-being.
Availability and Accessibility
When it comes to availability and accessibility, Pedigree has a clear advantage over Royal Canin. Pedigree is a widely available brand that can be found in most grocery stores and pet stores. This makes it easy for you to purchase Pedigree wherever you are.
On the other hand, Royal Canin is a premium brand that is not as widely available as Pedigree. You are more likely to find Royal Canin in specialty pet stores or online. This means that you may have to go out of your way to purchase Royal Canin, which can be inconvenient.
However, it is important to note that Royal Canin’s limited availability is due to its focus on providing specialized nutrition for different breeds and health conditions. This means that Royal Canin may be a better option for you if your pet has specific dietary needs.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Royal Canin and Pedigree, it ultimately depends on your dog’s individual needs and preferences. Both brands offer a variety of options for different life stages, breeds, and dietary restrictions.
While Royal Canin may have a higher protein count and more meat-derived proteins, Pedigree offers more affordable options without sacrificing essential nutrients. It’s important to read ingredient labels and consult with your veterinarian to determine the best food for your pet.
Remember, the quality of your dog’s food can have a significant impact on its overall health and well-being. So, take the time to do your research and choose a brand that aligns with your values and meets your dog’s nutritional needs.
FAQ
Is Royal Canin and Pedigree the same company?
Yes, both brands are owned by Mars incorporated, which owns a number of brands you might know such as Whiskas, VCA, and Wisdom panel along with several other pet food brands sold across the world.
Each has its perks and caveats, of course, so while they are all from one company nutrition value, costs, and other factors are all going to be brand-specific.
Why do vets recommend Royal Canin?
Royal Canin gets high marks for producing quality foods, so vets recommend it for this simple reason. While you might think it’s a simple ‘product endorsement’ scenario like you find with big pharma, the lower profit margin on foods means that vets don’t have any compelling need to push food products.
So, when your vet recommends a food like Royal Canin, it’s simply because they feel that it’s an excellent choice for your dog’s diet.
Do vets recommend Pedigree?
Vets sometimes do recommend Pedigree, but generally, it’s for diet scenarios where a dog is getting to be a bit obese. Pedigree uses a lot of plant proteins for their protein content, with less meat than some other brands.
As such, there are fewer fats in Pedigree and this can help with a dieting dog. Other than this, it’s not often recommended. While it’s certainly nutritious, several other brands go the extra mile, while Pedigree is designed to be more cost-effective.
Is Pedigree the worst dog food?
Not at all! Pedigree is perfectly nutritious, but it gets a lot of flack for relying heavily on plant proteins in its content, including lower amounts of meat and meat by-products as a result. Keep in mind that we’re just talking about standard kibble, however.
Like any popular brand, Pedigree also offers specialized foods that will be quite competitive with other brands, so be sure to read the nutrition label before instantly condemning them. They’re designed to be cheaper, but they also offer you more options, too!
Is Royal Canin the best?
Royal Canin has a good reputation, but it’s a competitive market and you certainly have other choices. While Royal Canin uses quality meats, some consider the food to have a little more fat than it should, but like with all brands you’ll have a variety of nutritional options based on stages and health conditions specific to your dog.
Overall, they have an excellent reputation, so you can purchase them with confidence but you should still read the label just to be sure that you know what you’re getting!
Which Pedigree is best for a puppy?
Pedigree produces an excellent kibble for pups called ‘Pedigree PRO – Small breed’ that is both inexpensive and highly nutritious for pups. Designed for puppies aged between 2 and 9 months, this kibble has extra attention given to nutrients needed for efficient growth with a focus on digestive health as well to keep those potty breaks regular.
It’s good stuff and one of the best Pedigree choices for feeding your growing puppy.
Which Royal Canin is best for a puppy?
Royal Canin produces an excellent puppy-food product called ‘Royal Canin – Mini Puppy Food’ and this is a dry kibble for puppies aged 2 to 10 months (with a weight of up to 22 pounds). Designed to fuel a healthy growth cycle, this puppy food is also geared towards good digestive health and immune system development.
They even include the serving sizes they recommend by age on the bag, so it’s a nicely made and packaged product for good puppy health.
Does Royal Canin use more meat protein than Pedigree?
Yes, Royal Canin uses more meat proteins when compared to the highly plant-based Pedigree and also scores higher on overall protein for their basic kibble. Royal Canin scores about 25% for protein, compared to Pedigree’s 21%.
Expert opinion is that your dog needs 18% to 25% protein content in their food, so both score adequately and are perfectly healthy, but Royal Canin has a higher overall protein count, and more of those proteins are derived from meat.
Is Royal Canin more expensive than Pedigree?
Yes, Royal Canin is more expensive, as there are more quality ingredients and less ‘filler’ in their products. Just remember that they are both perfectly nutritious and Pedigree is marketed to be a more affordable option.
Compare their nutrients online or the next time that you are at the pet store and you can see for yourself. The differences are there, but they’re not as dramatic as you might think!
Can I mix Royal Canin and Pedigree kibble?
Yes, you can certainly mix these foods, and some people will do this to upgrade the overall food quality without spending a bundle.
You can get a small bag of Royal Canin kibble and mix it in with a larger Pedigree bag and this will give the food an upgrade in meat proteins and a newer taste for your dog, at a fraction of the cost of simply purchasing the more expensive kibble.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
