Feeding your pooch, the right food is so important for their health.
Just as with humans, dogs need a healthy, balanced diet and as we are in charge of providing them with that, it is important to know what is in pet food and whether it’s as healthy as it claims.
Here, we are going to discuss two particular dog foods; Royal Canin vs Pedigree.
We will go through the ingredients and how that impacts on your dog’s health. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
Royal Canin Vs Pedigree: Which Food Does Your Dog Need?
Who is Royal Canin?
Royal Canin is a pet food company that has been in business since 1968 in France by a vet on a mission. He realized that quality dog food was something of a mystery and that domestic hounds weren’t getting the right nutrition they needed.
Today they offer different dog foods for each type and size of dog. You will find tailored recipes for all kinds of dog including purebred dogs, specific age dogs, and different sized dogs.
Royal Canin also uses its veterinary roots to cater for dogs with specific ailments. These include:
- Skin and food sensitivities
- Urinary tract issues
- Weight management
- Kidney health
- Digestive health
- Diabetes health
This company has a diverse and in-depth knowledge of dog health which shows in their quality of products.
They are also upheld by their core business values which are Knowledge, Passion, Pet Need, Precision, and Respect.
It’s clear that Royal Canin is proud of what they achieve and pride themselves on their quality.
Who is Pedigree?
Pedigree is one of the biggest and most well-known names in dog food.
They began trading in 1957, supplying domestic dog food to homes across America.
Fast forward 60 years and they are still as popular today as they were then.
Their company byline is “Dogs bring out the good in us, Pedigree brings out the good in them”, and that is what they achieve year on year.
They have a variety of food options including wet and dry in different ranges such as:
- Adult dog
- Puppy
- Different sized dogs
- High protein range
- Healthy weight range
- Hip and Joint health range
- Skin and coat health range
- Plus a range of oral care products
Pedigree has years of experience and recipe testing to back up this range of foods which can help improve your dog’s health in specific areas.
Proud of the fact that their products are created by professional nutritionists, they are confident that you will only find the best ingredients in their ranges.
Crude fat and protein explained
Crude fat and protein are two things that people look for in dog food. However, it can be difficult to know what amount you should be looking for.
What is Crude Protein?
Protein is critical for your dog’s health. They need protein so that their organs can stay functioning at a healthy rate and prevent serious health problems.
Crude protein is the name given to protein that comes from a variety of sources, not just meat. It could include plant-based protein and mechanically recovered meats as well.
The crude protein level is usually shown as a percentage on the label.
What is Crude Fat?
Crude fat is also an important part of your dogs’ diet.
It helps proper function and development within our dog’s digestive systems and has several health benefits including improving the skin and coat health, helping absorb fat-soluble vitamins and reduce inflammation.
It also helps to keep your dog’s food tasty!
Ingredients in Royal Canin
As previously stated, Royal Canin has been nutritionally created by veterinarians who have years of experience in identifying the right ingredients to help benefit your dog’s health. In Royal Canin you will find:
- High-quality protein from dehydrated poultry.
- Animal derivatives (as opposed to planting derivatives)
- Carbohydrates such as grains to aid digestion and provide energy.
- Animal by-products.
There are many additional products found in different ranges of dog food that are specific to the ailment that it is designed to be treated.
All of this is clearly displayed on their labeling and also published on their website.
They are very transparent in which ingredients go into their products and even have a customer care line should you have any additional questions.
Ingredients in Pedigree
Pedigree has a tried and tested recipe for their dog foods which have been used for years and years.
It has only been tweaked to add in a higher quality of ingredients to provide a better dietary product in the last decade. Ingredients inside Pedigree include:
- Vegetable derivatives which add protein
- Meat and animal derivatives which add fat and protein
- Minerals to aid health and digestion
- Cereals and pulses such as rice and wheat
- Natural sources of sugar and salt
In addition to this, there are many other ingredients that are used to combat specific health ailments such as glucosamine for joint health.
Cost comparison
It is widely known that Royal Canin is more expensive than Pedigree and this is for good reason.
The dietary ranges that Royal Canin provides have medical-grade ingredients in them and this is costly.
Royal Canin also spends a lot of money on research and development which makes its product cost higher.
Pedigree, by contrast, has a lower price point and as it is more readily available in stores, is often on sale.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is an inferior product in comparison to Royal Canin, but it certainly is better for your bank balance!
In Summary
The differences between Royal Canin vs Pedigree can be found in the price and the quality of the product.
If you have a dog that has a special dietary requirement or a health ailment that needs a special diet, then Royal Canin is a must.
If your dog is otherwise fit and well and you just want the best diet you can afford then Pedigree is the perfect solution.
No matter which dog food you choose, we hope that your pet stays fit and healthy with any happy years to come.
