Top Brands for Pedigree: A Tail-Wagging Selection!

When it comes to providing top-notch nutrition for your furry friend, selecting the right dog food is crucial for ensuring their health and happiness. Among the many brands available, some have consistently stood out in delivering quality ingredients and balanced meals tailored to meet the unique needs of different dog breeds and sizes. In this article, we will explore a curated list of the best brands that pet owners trust for their beloved companions. So, if you are eager to discover the top pedigree food brands that could be perfect for your pup, read on below.

Illustration of pedigree

Best brands of pedigree in 2025

Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan is a leading brand in the pet food industry, renowned for its high-quality and nutritionally balanced formulas. It has experienced a significant rise in US market share, with a 2.4% increase over a five-year period, solidifying its status as one of the top brands with rising market share. The brand offers specialized nutrition for dogs at various life stages, including puppy food that supports joint, brain, and vision development with ingredients such as chicken, glucosamine, and DHA from omega-rich fish oil. Manufactured in the USA and backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Purina Pro Plan reflects the company's commitment to pet health and customer trust. As part of Nestle Purina PetCare, the brand contributes to the company's strong global presence and revenue growth. For more details on their specialized puppy formulas, visit their official website.

Royal Canin

Royal Canin, a renowned global company founded in 1968 by veterinarian Jean Cathary, is celebrated for its scientifically grounded and advanced pet nutrition. Holding a significant market presence, 12.7% of worldwide pet owners trust the brand, according to the TGM Global Pet Care Report 2023. Royal Canin's products are distinguished by higher crude protein content in dry dog foods, with an average of 27.8% compared to Pedigree's 25.8%. The company operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the United States and France, ensuring superior nutrition and quality. Royal Canin has also seen notable market share growth, achieving a 0.3% increase in the U.S. market share over the past five years.

Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet stands out as a premium dog food brand, developed by veterinarians and nutritionists to meet the specific nutritional needs of pets of every age and size. With robust growth of 10.5% in organic sales in the fiscal year, and a market presence in over 80 countries, Hill's Science Diet is renowned for its science-driven approach, enhancing skin and coat health through Omega 3 and Omega 6, and supporting overall health through careful selection of ingredients. The brand's commitment to innovation is evident in the opening of its new 365,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas, which increases production capacity for canned pet food. Hill's Science Diet products are available through authorized pet supply retailers and veterinarians, reflecting their high standards and trustworthiness. The brand's operating profit, though slightly down, still represents 20.7% of net sales, highlighting its financial stability and market strength. For more details, visit their official website.

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo stands out as a superior brand in the dog food industry, particularly when compared to Pedigree, due to its use of high-quality protein sources like deboned chicken and fish, whole fruits and vegetables, and grain-free options. It offers higher protein content, with whole meat often as the first ingredient, and avoids by-product meals and artificial preservatives. Blue Buffalo is AAFCO approved, ensuring it meets minimum nutritional requirements. Despite facing some recalls, the brand's focus on ingredient quality is evident, making it a preferred choice among 49% of dog owners. However, it is more expensive than Pedigree, reflecting its higher ingredient quality. For a detailed comparison, visit Blue Buffalo vs. Pedigree.

Wellness

Wellness Pet Food stands out as a premium producer, exceeding industry standards by voluntarily following the Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) guidelines through rigorous 6-month feeding trials. These trials ensure their recipes provide optimal nourishment, promoting health in five key areas, including nourished skin and coat, and maintaining a healthy Omega 6:3 ratio of 5:1 in most formulas. Unlike some brands, Wellness invests in additional studies on nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and diet palatability to enhance their products. This commitment to scientifically proven nutrition sets Wellness apart, ensuring pets live active and energetic lives. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and comprehensive testing, Wellness demonstrates a strong dedication to pet health.

Nutro

Nutro is a reputable brand in the dog food industry, known for its high-quality products that cater to various canine needs. The Nutro Natural Choice line, for instance, offers 19 recipes with an average protein content of 28.9% and a mean fat level of 15.6%, making it an above-average dry dog food. Despite a recent decline in market share by 1.5% over the past five years, Nutro remains a trusted choice, with customers on Chewy rating it 4.7 out of 5 stars and 97% recommending it. Nutro's Ultra and Limited Ingredient Diet lines also offer grain-free and grain-inclusive options, ensuring a wide range of dietary choices. The brand's commitment to using fresh meat and non-GMO ingredients enhances its appeal.

Iams

Iams, though not the leading brand in market share, is a reputable producer of high-quality pet food, especially when compared to Pedigree. Iams guarantees approximately 3.16% more fat than Pedigree in dry dog foods and offers a comparable amount of crude protein and fat in wet dog foods. Despite a 0.6% decline in its US market share over the past five years according to Nielsen data, Iams remains a popular choice among pet owners, notably in North America, where it is recognized for its science-led recipe range and premium ingredients. Iams' nutritional philosophy involves a tailored blend of natural fibers, wholesome grains, and omega-6 fatty acids to support dogs' digestion, energy, and the health of their skin and coat.

Eukanuba

Eukanuba is a highly regarded pet food brand, known for its high-quality ingredients and balanced nutrient profiles. It offers a range of products, including 14 dry dog foods, with an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 17% on a dry matter basis. Eukanuba's recipes are free of plant-based protein boosters and include significant amounts of meat, earning it a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor. In comparison to Pedigree, Eukanuba generally provides higher protein and fat content in its dry recipes, with 29% crude protein and 16.5% crude fat, versus Pedigree's 25.8% crude protein and 11.7% crude fat. This makes Eukanuba a strong choice for pet owners seeking a nutrient-rich diet for their dogs.

Orijen

Orijen is a premium dog food brand that stands out for its high-quality, biologically appropriate recipes, featuring at least 85% premium animal ingredients and no meat meal. Their dry dog foods contain an average of 42.9% crude protein and 22.6% crude fat, significantly higher than Pedigree's 25.8% protein and 11.7% fat. Orijen's commitment to using fresh or raw animal proteins—such as chicken, turkey, and whole mackerel—aligns with the ancestral diets of dogs. The brand's products are formulated by a team of animal food scientists and nutritionists with advanced degrees, ensuring the highest quality standards. Since 2021, Orijen has enhanced their recipes with increased levels of probiotics, B and E vitamins, and antioxidants.

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is highly regarded as one of the best dog food brands, earning a 4.5-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor. Introduced in 2007, the brand is part of Diamond Pet Foods and is known for its high-protein, grain-free formulas that mimic the natural diet of wild animals, using novel proteins like bison, venison, and trout. The brand offers two main product lines: Taste of the Wild Grain-Free, with an average protein content of 32%, and Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains, which includes traditional cereal grains and has an average protein content of 33%. These products are complete and balanced, avoiding artificial and anonymous ingredients. This focus on quality and natural ingredients makes Taste of the Wild a popular choice among pet owners.