There are some myths around about what goes into our dog food. We've heard the rumours, and we've seen the websites that claim to have the inside track on our ingredients.

We wanted to set the record straight so you don't get the wrong end of the stick. Here are the facts about what we put into our dog food and how we choose each ingredient to suit your dog's needs.

Meat

Your dog needs plenty of meaty protein in its diet, so we always use between 30% and 60% meat and animal derivatives in Pedigree tinned food. Pedigree dry foods contain an average of 20% meat and animal derivatives. The meat content is balanced with carbohydrates (from cereals and vegetables), vitamins and minerals, plus the jelly or gravy for added doggy enjoyment and taste.

Sugar

Contrary to popular belief, sucrose or 'table sugar' isn't added during the manufacture of our dog food. However, we do add small amounts of caramel (less than 0.5g per 100g) to some Pedigree products as an alternative to artificial colourings.

These small amounts of sugar don't affect your dog's dental health. In fact, scientific studies have shown that dogs aren't susceptible to sugar-related dental diseases in the way humans are.

There's no link between sugar in food and diabetes in dogs. If you'd like to reduce your dog's risk of developing diabetes, the best thing you can do is keep an eye on their weight.

Colourings

We don't use any artificial colourings in Pedigree. All the natural colourings we use in Pedigree dog food are approved by the EU - in fact, you'll find several of the same colourings in human food products. An 'E number' just means that it's been assessed and approved by the EU.

Inorganic matter

Inorganic matter, or ash, is a legal term that all pet foods are required to declare on the label. Contrary to popular belief, ash in pet food is not collected from a fireplace or added for bulk. It's simply a measure of the mineral content of the pet food.

It's called ash because of the way it's measured: by heating the pet food to around 550°C, and then burning off all the organic components to leave just the inorganic residue – or ash.

Dog foods with a high ash content are often made with low-quality meat ingredients, and they have high mineral levels that could be dangerous for the long-term health of your dog.

Pedigree provides your dog with all the essential vitamins and minerals, in just the balance they need to stay fit and healthy throughout their life.

Vegetable derivatives

'Vegetable derivatives' describes ingredients that come from plants. At the right levels, these provide benefits for dogs, like antioxidants - vital for keeping your dog's immune system strong and healthy - and prebiotic fibre to keep your dog's digestive system working effectively.

Cereals

Cereals like wheat, corn and rice provide just the right balance of energy and fibre. Carbohydrates in cereals give your dog energy so that they're as keen on walkies as you are. While fibre helps their body absorb nutrients, and helps keep them regular too.

Animal derivatives

'Animal derivatives' is a legal term that describes some of the meat we use - the non-flesh parts of the animal carcass. It might not sound all that appetising, but it includes meat that your dog really loves - things like liver and heart.

These cuts of meat are rich sources of micronutrients like taurine, which helps to keep your dog's eyes and heart healthy. Lean meats like chicken breast are great for humans, but not necessarily best for your dog – they don't contain all the vitamins your dog needs.

All the meat we use in Pedigree always comes from animals passed fit for human consumption.

Bones are a good source of calcium and phosphorus - vital for keeping your dog's teeth and bones strong and healthy.

There are EU regulations on the definition of and quality of animal derivatives, including the Animal By-Products regulations (1774/2002/EC).

Salt

Dogs have evolved to eat meat-based diets that are naturally rich in sodium, an essential mineral that's found in salt. So a small amount of salt in your dog's diet is essential to keep your dog's metabolism healthy. We ensure the salt in all our dog food is at the right levels, as determined by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition.

Top myths busted

Myth

We only use 4% meat in our dog food

Fact

On the label, we always state which meat the recipe is based around - like beef, chicken, or lamb. So a beef variety might say on the label: 'meat and animal derivatives (beef minimum 4%)'. Sometimes people think this means that there's only 4% meat in Pedigree food. That's not true - it's simply a legal requirement to state that the product contains at least 4% of the meat named on the label (in this case beef).

As well as the main meat, recipes can also contain other meats, such as chicken, turkey, lamb or tripe. This is because all the meat we use is fresh, and we rely on our butchers to provide us with the best meat currently available – no animals are slaughtered just to make Pedigree. The meat available depends on the season, and on the farms that supply us, so we vary some of the meats in our food depending on what's available on the day. This way we can ensure your dog gets the right nutrition and the best quality food every time.

Myth

Our dog food causes allergies

Fact

A small percentage of dogs suffer from allergies. Most of these are allergies to things in the air or on the skin, like pollen, dust or mites. Food allergies in dogs are rare - they make up around 10% of allergies.

A food allergy is an adverse immune response to a specific food protein, not a specific food. For example, a dog that's allergic to beef will have an allergic reaction if they eat any kind of beef - dog food, raw meat or even a beef-burger.

We have a team of vets and nutritionists helping to create our recipes – so that as many dogs as possible can enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal every day.

If you're worried your dog might have a food allergy, then take them to see your vet, who will be able to help diagnose any problem.

Myth

Dry food is better for dogs because it's more nutritious

Fact

Lots of brands advertise their complete dry foods as a healthy option. But there's no reason why wet food can't be just as nutritious for your dog.

Our tinned food is 100% nutritionally complete and balanced. It contains all the ingredients your dog needs to stay happy and healthy. So if your dog likes nothing better than tucking into a bowl of meaty chunks in gravy, you needn't worry. They're getting a healthy, balanced diet that they really love.

Myth

Some people have suggested that we put something addictive in Pedigree so dogs will only eat our foods.

Fact

We would never, ever use addictive substances in our food.

We put a lot of effort into making Pedigree as delicious as we possibly can - so if your dog prefers Pedigree to any other brand, we're really pleased to hear it!

Myth

Our dog foods cause diarrhoea

Fact

Our products are formulated to make sure they're easy for your dog to digest, and to check that there's no risk of an upset tummy or diarrhoea. Our tinned food is easier for your dog to digest than dry food, so you might like to try switching to tinned food if your dog is having problems with their digestion.

Diarrhoea is more likely to be a result of illness, stress, or something unusual a dog has eaten - lots of dogs are scavengers and will eat almost anything!

Changing your dog's diet too quickly is another common cause of diarrhoea. Remember that if you're switching your dog from one food to another, you'll need to do it gradually over a period of around a week.

Myth

'Fillers' is a term for ingredients that have no nutritional value.

Fact

All the ingredients in Pedigree are there for a purpose.

Pedigree contains dietary fibre to help keep your dog's digestive system healthy. We only include dietary fibres that also provide nutritional benefits.

Myth

Raw feeding is the practice of feeding domestic dogs a diet primarily consisting of uncooked meat and bones. This is also sometimes called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods.

Fact

Pedigree's complete tinned and dry foods provide all the nutrients your dog needs. It's absolutely essential for your dog to have a balanced diet, and achieving this with a home-prepared diet can be difficult.

Raw feeding brings other difficulties too. Our foods are all cooked at high temperatures to eliminate contaminants like salmonella, which are found in some raw meats. And all Pedigree foods are routinely sampled and checked to make sure they're always safe for your dog to eat.

If you do give your dog bones, please be careful. Feeding whole bones to pets can cause tooth fractures, intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal perforations - problems that are often seen in wild animals.

Myth

We use 4D meat in our dog food

Fact

4D stands for raw meat ingredients that have been sourced from Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled animals. We would never use 4D meat in our food. We only use meat from animals passed fit for human consumption.

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Inorganic matter

Vegetable derivatives

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Animal derivatives

Salt

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