With the ground breaking record of more than 1,000 new pet food products introduced into the pet food market at the just concluded Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, new and experienced pet owners are more swamped with choices now more than ever.
However, as a pet owner who’s on a strict budget, you should not be swayed by the marketing “hype” and claims of pet food brands neither should your focus only be on the cost of your pet food but also on the nutritional needs and safety of the food you purchase for your furry family members.
During the course of this article we will answer all your questions of pet food as well as nutritional values. You will also learn how to pick the best pet food brand fro your pet using little techniques that we will show you. So what are we waiting for? Let’s begin!
Having that in mind, let’s examine two of the most popular, premier and exquisite dog food brands that our dogs can’t seem to get enough of, Pedigree and Iams.
After you are done with this awesome comparison check out Pedigree and Iams here to see the different flavors and pricing.
Contents:
- 🤔 Pedigree vs Iams FAQ
- ⚖️ Pedigree and Iams Pros and Cons
- 😻 Types Of Pet Food
- 🥕 Nutritional Value Comparison
- 💰 Price Comparison
- 🤤 Ingredients and Flavors
- 🏡 About Pedigree and Iams
- 🙀 Product Safety and Recalls through History
- 🏆 Pedigree Vs Iams: And the winner goes to…
🤔 Pedigree vs Iams FAQ
What is guaranteed analysis?
The concept of guaranteed analysis on pet food products is to assure purchasers of the precise nutrient content of each consumable. Emphasized by AAFCO, guaranteed analysis by food labels must meet certain requirements such as an exact value for the minimum percentage of crude protein and fat, as well as the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture on the basis of dry matter obtained. All of the percentages that I use in this comparison are averages of dry matter basis. Learn bout dry matter basis here.
Which one has more protein?
Iams offers 2.54% more protein than pedigree for dry dog food while offering approximately the same amounts of protein for wet dog foods.
Which one is cheaper?
There is little to no difference in the cost of both brand foods, Whereas Pedigree seem a bit cheaper than Iams.
Which one has more Flavor?
Iams has a total of 85 flavors for dog and cat foods as well as treats whereas Pedigree offers 51 flavors for dog foods only as it does not produce foods and treat for the feline creatures as well as treats for our canine friends.
Which one has received more recalls?
Pedigree has had two recalls while Iams has also had two recalls at different times for different reasons.
Check out the current prices, recipes and flavors for Pedigree and Iams
⚖️ Pedigree and Iams Pros and Cons
Pedigree Pros:
Pedigree Cons:
Iams Pros:
Iams Cons:
😻 Types Of Pet Food
| Product (Dog Food) | Pedigree | Iams |
| Dry Food | 10 recipes | 28 recipes |
| Wet Food | 41 recipes | 10 recipes |
| Treats | ❌ | ❌ |
| Product (Cat Food) | ||
| Dry Food | ❌ | 14 recipes |
| Wet Food | ❌ | 31 recipes |
| Treats | ❌ | 2 treats |
| 😻 See all Pedigree recipes | 😻 See all Iams recipes |
The Iams brand boasts of 85 variants for all food types except dog treats while the Pedigree brand manufactures only dry and wet dog foods with over 50 variants.
🥕 Nutritional Value Comparison
As with the nutrition facts box on packaged foods for humans, the nutrition label of pet foods is drawn out to not only help customers in learning more about the product but also aid in the comparison of the product nutrients, composition and percentages.
The nutrient label as mandated by AAFCO requires every pet food manufacturer to present a guaranteed analysis of its nutrient content and this analysis tells the customer the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, vitamin, minerals and moisture in the food.
| Product (Dry Dog food) | Pedigree | Iams |
| Crude Protein | 24.9% | 27.4% |
| Crude Fat | 11.6% | 14.6% |
| Crude Fiber | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Product (Wet/Canned Dog food) | ||
| Crude Protein | 41.5% | 42.0% |
| Crude Fat | 21.5% | 24.0% |
| Crude Fiber | 6.1% | 5.8% |
| 🥕 See more Pedigree Info | 🥕 See more Iams info |
Protein Content
Proteins supply the amino acids needed by dogs and cats for growth, reproduction and repairs of damaged cells and tissues.
At least 10% of every pet’s diet, by weight, must contain protein for it to labelled balanced or holistic.
Fat Content
Fat is a major energy source of companion animals but they are equally needed for other body functions such as digestion and easy absorption of vitamins, inflammation and diseases mitigation especially heart related diseases.
Approximately 5.5% of a pet’s daily diet should contain fat. A low-fat pet food many at times contain more fibre to satisfy a dog or cat without adding calories.
Fiber Content
Fibre generally aids digestion and ensure proper intestinal functioning in dogs and cats, but when consumed in excess could result in weight loss and excessive defecation and watery stool in our furry family members.
Both brands have roughly the same amounts of fibre in their dry and wet dog foods.
💰 Price Comparison
| Dry Dog Food | Pedigree | Iams |
| Per pound | $0.92 | $1.41 |
| Per calorie | $0.0006 | $0.0008 |
| Wet Dog Food | ||
| Per pound | $1.57 | $1.67 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0037 | $0.0034 |
| 💰 See the best Pedigree Prices | 💰 See the best Iams prices |
Although the cost of the pet foods for both brands seem roughly the same, Iams charges more for its dry and wet dog foods.
However, the wet dog foods of the Pedigree brand seem more expensive when the average cost-per-lb, which calculates the cost of the pet food on the basis of both its dry matter and moisture content, is used in the price comparison.
It is note-worthy that both brands however the cost of their products offer 100% guaranteed money back upon customers’ dissatisfaction.
So where is the best place to purchase these brands? Good question! Overall, chewy.com has the cheapest prices.
🤤 Ingredients and Flavors
They also offer 30% on your first autoship order which saves you a good chunk of change and makes your pet food ordering process automatic. Overall, this has saved me a ton of time.
Pedigree
Pedigree pet foods employ mostly natural ingredients such as caramel, ground yellow corn, wheat flour, meat, bone meal, wheat gluten, corn, gluten meal, , caramel, beef, wheat flour, , natural poultry flavor, wheat gluten, fructose corn syrup, wheat meddling, tomato pomace, iron oxide, salt, vegetable oil, brewers rice, chicken by-product meals, vitamin, minerals and others.
All these different ingredients put together in the appropriate amounts produces the 51 flavors of dry and wet dog food the brand is known for.
Popular Flavors
- Chopped Ground dinner with chicken
- Filet Mignon and bacon flavor
- Bacon and cheese flavor
- Chicken and rice flavor
- Gravy bones
Iams
The Iams brand boasts of highly nutritional formulas for our dogs and cats. Iams offer so many flavors to can accommodate all the dietary need of our pets.
These flavors are gotten from the artistically combined ingredients used by the brand ranging from quality chicken protein and chicken byproducts, pea protein, canola meal and oil, brewers rice, Chicken Fat Preserved with combined Tocopherols, sorghum, ground yellow corn, animal fat, powdered cellulose, poultry by-product meal, carrots, spinach, whole grain corn caramels, beet pulp, fish digests, corn grits, oatmeal to tomato pomace, and others.
Popular Flavors
- Chicken and rice
- Chicken and salmon
- Chicken and garden pea recipe
- Chicken and barley recipe
Check out the current Pedigree and Iams recipes here
🏡 About Pedigree and Iams
Pedigree Information
This dog and cat food brand was called “Chappie” in the 19th Century when it was found by Forrest Mars. The brand is owned by pedigree PetFoods, a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated. The manufacturing plants of this pet food company are scattered all over England with offices at McLean, Virginia.
The brand offers so many nutritious, delicious and beautifully packed products like the Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Streak & Vegetable Flavor, Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor, Healthy longevity food for dogs, Pedigree choice cuts in gravy, Pedigree active food for dogs and others.
Iams Information
This is a premier brand dedicated to providing affordable, holistic, delicious and nutritious dog and cat food as well as treats. The brand is also known for other animal health products as well as its age specific dog and cat foods.
The Iams brand is owned by Spectrum Brands and Mars Incorporation but the headquarters is at Mason, Ohio, United States. Iams uses three major formulas line names, ProActive Health, Healthy Naturals and Premium Protection.
Products from this brand include Proactive Health High Protein Chicken & Salmon Recipe, Healthy Naturals Chicken & Barley Recipe, Healthy Naturals Sensitive Adult ocean fish and Rice Recipe, Healthy Natural with Salmon and Red Lentils, Proactive Minichunks, Premium Protection for Adult dogs, Proactive Health Indoor weight & Hairball Care for Adult Cats and others.
🙀 Product Safety and Recalls through History
Companies make scheduled recalls on products that may have a foreseen defect or safety issues. The importance of a recall is to conduct further safety tests in order to effect changes to
Pedigree Recalls
- 31st August, 2014 – Presence of Metal fragments
- 26th August, 2014 – Foreign materials in some products
Iams Recalls
- 14th August, 2013 – Salmonella
- 30th July, 2010 – Salmonella
🏆 Pedigree Vs Iams: And the winner goes to…
The Pedigree and Iams brand are exceptionally great in their own rights, however, Iams, however, is the winner of this comparison because it offers more protein, more flavors, relatively cheap products and same number of recalls as the Pedigree brand.
| If you want | Then you should choose |
| High protein content | Iams |
| Most Affordable | Iams and Pedigree sell at almost the same price |
| Best recipes for picky dogs | Pedigree |
| Best recipes for active dogs | Iams |
| Best recipes for weight management | Iams |
| Several Protein source | Pedigree |
| Best recipes for large breed dogs | Pedigree |
| 100% money back | Iams |
| Rich in vitamins and minerals | Pedigree |
| Best recipes for large breed dogs | Pedigree |
| Best recipes for sporting dogs | Iams |
Thanks for all the helpful tips on dog food!
Thanks, Frank for the kind words!