As editors at Dog Care Story, our mission is to empower pet parents in Vietnam with accurate, high-quality information to ensure their beloved companions lead healthy and happy lives. Choosing the right food is a cornerstone of canine well-being, and understanding what goes into your dog’s bowl is paramount. Today, we delve into a thorough “Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Review” to help you make informed decisions about this widely available canned dog food.
Many dog owners seek convenient and affordable feeding options, and Pedigree often comes to mind. However, beneath the appealing marketing, it’s crucial to scrutinize the ingredients and nutritional value of any dog food. This detailed analysis will explore whether Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner genuinely meets the dietary needs of your furry friend, based on expert evaluation and common pet nutrition standards. For a broader understanding of various options, you can also explore other Pedigree canned food reviews.
A Snapshot of Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner
The Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner canned product line encompasses 11 distinct recipes, with expert ratings typically ranging from 1 to 2 stars. The average rating across the entire range sits at a modest 1 star, indicating that it falls short of ideal nutritional standards. While positioned as an affordable wet food choice, particularly convenient for hydration, a closer look at its composition reveals some concerning aspects.
Despite its affordability and the fact that it’s made in the USA, the inclusion of unspecified meat products is a significant drawback. Furthermore, while the flavors sound enticing, some recipes contain surprisingly little of the primary ingredients they claim to feature. For instance, in the Lamb and Rice Puppy recipe, water is listed as the first ingredient, with lamb appearing much further down the list as the sixth ingredient.
Pros:
- Affordable for budget-conscious pet owners.
- Manufactured in the USA.
- Contributes to a dog’s daily hydration.
Cons:
- Contains added artificial colors in some recipes.
- Reliance on unspecified meat by-products.
- Low proportion of named primary ingredients in certain flavors.
Below is a summary of the Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner line, including ratings and AAFCO nutrient profiles:
| Product Line | Rating | AAFCO Nutrient Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Chicken and Rice | 2 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner with Beef | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Beef, Bacon and Cheese Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Combo with Chicken, Beef and Liver | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner with Chicken and Beef Puppy | 1 | Growth (Puppy) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Filet Mignon Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Turkey and Bacon Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner T-Bone Steak Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner with Lamb and Rice Puppy | 1 | Growth (Puppy) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Weight Management Chicken and Rice Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
| Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Filet Mignon and Bacon Flavor | 1 | Maintenance (Adult) |
Deep Dive into Ingredients: What’s Really in the Can?
To offer a comprehensive “Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner review,” we’ve selected “Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Chicken and Rice” for an in-depth analysis of its recipe and nutrient profile. Understanding each component is vital for assessing the overall quality and suitability of this food for your canine companion.
Primary Ingredients Breakdown
The first ingredient listed in Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Chicken and Rice is chicken. Chicken is a high-quality protein source, described as “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken.” It’s naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids necessary for a dog’s health.
Following chicken, the second ingredient is water. While a common component in canned dog foods to provide moisture, water adds no nutritional value. It primarily acts as a processing agent. The third ingredient, meat by-products, raises a significant concern. This term refers to material made from slaughterhouse waste, comprising what remains of slaughtered animals after all prime muscle cuts have been removed. This can include almost any part of the animal, excluding hair, horns, teeth, and hooves.
Even more problematic is that this specific item is anonymous, meaning the meat can originate from any combination of cattle, pigs, sheep, or goats. This anonymity makes it challenging, if not impossible, to identify potential food allergens. While meat by-products can offer some nutritional value, vaguely described ingredients like these are generally considered lower in quality compared to those sourced from a named animal. Continuing with this trend, the fourth ingredient is chicken by-products, which are the leftover parts of a slaughtered chicken after the choice cuts have been processed. This can include organs, feet, beaks, and undeveloped eggs. The quality of this ingredient can vary significantly based on the raw materials acquired by the manufacturer.
Brewers rice is the fifth ingredient, a cereal grain by-product consisting of small fragments left after milling whole rice. Beyond its caloric energy, brewers rice provides only modest nutritional value to dogs. The sixth ingredient, locust bean gum, is a gelling or thickening agent often used in wet pet foods. Derived from the seeds of the carob tree, it can contribute a notable amount of dietary fiber to the food.
Other Notable Ingredients
Further down the ingredient list, you’ll find a variety of other components. Typically, ingredients located this far down the list have a minimal impact on the overall rating of the product, with a few exceptions. One positive exception is the inclusion of chelated minerals. These are minerals that have been chemically bonded to protein, which enhances their absorption by the dog’s body. Chelated minerals are usually indicative of higher-quality dog foods, a notable point in this Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner review.
Nutritional Profile: Understanding the Numbers
When evaluating Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Chicken and Rice, its ingredient composition suggests it is a below-average canned dog food. Analyzing its estimated dry matter nutrient content reveals a protein level of 38.5%, a fat content of 26.9%, and an estimated carbohydrate content of approximately 25%. These figures are derived from the guaranteed analysis and converted to a dry matter basis for accurate comparison across different dog food types.
Across the entire Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner range, the average protein content stands at 38%, with a mean fat level of 26.9%. This collectively points to an estimated carbohydrate content of about 24.4% for the product line. The fat-to-protein ratio for this range is approximately 71%. Compared to typical wet dog foods, these figures indicate near-average protein, above-average fat, and near-average carbohydrates. Without the boost of plant-based protein sources, this nutritional profile suggests a wet product containing a moderate amount of meat, though its quality is questionable due to the types of meat components used. For further comparisons and detailed insights into various wet food options, refer to our comprehensive reviews of Pedigree wet food.
Canned Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Chicken Dinner Wet Dog Food
Pedigree’s Recall History and Brand Information
As of November 2025, a review of dog food recalls related to Pedigree indicates no significant recent recalls for the Chopped Ground Dinner line. However, it’s always prudent for pet owners to stay updated on current recall information by checking reliable sources such as the FDA’s website. Maintaining awareness of recall history for any brand is a critical aspect of ensuring your dog’s safety and is a key part of our commitment to transparent understanding Pedigree canned options.
Pedigree is a brand owned by Mars, a global company known for confectionery products like M&Ms and Twix, as well as a diverse portfolio of pet food brands including Royal Canin and Whiskas. In 2008, Pedigree established The Pedigree Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting animal shelters across the United States. By 2024, the foundation will have reportedly donated over 12 million pounds to shelters, significantly contributing to housing and rehoming approximately 800,000 homeless dogs. While these philanthropic efforts are commendable, they are separate from the nutritional evaluation of their products.
The Verdict: Is Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Right for Your Dog?
After a thorough “Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner review,” our analysis concludes that Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner is a grain-inclusive canned dog food that primarily relies on a moderate amount of both named and unnamed meats and by-products for its animal protein sources. The inclusion of controversial ingredients such as unspecified meat by-products and artificial colors in some recipes significantly impacts its overall quality rating, leading to an overall assessment of 1 star.
Given these findings, we at Dog Care Story do not strongly recommend Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner canned dog food as a top choice for your canine companion. While its affordability and hydration benefits are evident, the concerns regarding ingredient quality and sourcing outweigh these advantages for discerning pet parents focused on optimal nutrition. For those seeking higher-quality wet food alternatives, we encourage you to explore other options that prioritize transparent ingredient sourcing and superior nutritional profiles. You can find more in-depth canned dog food reviews on our website. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the best dietary plan tailored to your dog’s specific health needs and life stage.
References
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
- DogFoodAdvisor.com – Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Dog Food Review (Canned)
