Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food, 17-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor is a dry food for adult maintenance, primarily based on plant proteins like corn and soy.
There isn't much to highlight here. The formula is designed for adult maintenance, but the AAFCO statement itself is not published by the retailer.
The formula contains six flagged ingredients, including the synthetic preservatives BHA and BHT, and artificial colors. BHA is a probable carcinogen, and the formula is dominated by plant proteins.
Hard to recommend for any dog. The numerous flagged ingredients are a significant concern.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Ground whole grain corn leads the deck, with one pulse (dried peas at position 13).
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 0/100, this formula sits in territory where we recommend switching. The lift comes from AAFCO compliance, worth 4 points to the final number: AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer. The ceiling on this score is 39, set because multiple FLAG-tier ingredients are stacked in the formula. The cap isn't the binding constraint here. Protein quality would also need to improve to reach the next band.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
Plant-protein-dominated formula. ground whole grain corn as the #1 ingredient.
Contains bha. IARC Group 2B probable carcinogen; CA Prop 65 listed; FDA reassessment announced 2025. Natural alternatives (mixed tocopherols) widely available..
- Lowest DMB protein in Pedigree's lineup (23.9%)
- Lowest fat quality in Pedigree's lineup (2/16)
- Lowest overall Sniff Score in Pedigree's lineup (0/100)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Controversial ingredients · 6
- bhaSynthetic preservative classified by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.' Many premium brands have removed it.
- bhtSynthetic preservative; commonly paired with BHA. Linked to organ toxicity in long-term animal studies.
- red 40Artificial color with no nutritional value. Linked to behavioral effects in children; relevance to dogs is unclear but the ingredient serves only marketing purposes.
- yellow 5Artificial color with no nutritional value. Some dogs show allergic-type reactions.
- yellow 6Artificial color with no nutritional value.
- blue 2Artificial color. A 1990s industry-funded study reported brain tumors in male rats; subsequent reviews disputed methodology, but the additive provides no nutritional benefit.
Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1ground whole grain corn
Whole corn with the kernel intact. Decent fiber and B vitamins, though it can crowd out meat in cheaper recipes.
Position 1 grain: primary carbohydrate base. This is a grain-inclusive formula with ground whole grain corn as the dominant carb.
- 2meat and bone meal
Unnamed animal protein with bone included. Cheap, vague, and not traceable to a specific species.
- 3protein plantsoybean meal
Concentrated soy protein. Cheap plant protein that pads the label number, common in budget formulas.
Position 3: plant protein in the top 5. Stacked with animal protein, can inflate the crude protein number without matching the amino-acid quality of named animal sources.
- 4animal fat
Unnamed fat source. The species matters: 'chicken fat' or 'beef fat' is fine, but 'animal fat' tells you nothing about origin.
Position 4: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 4preservative syntheticbha Flagged
Synthetic preservative. Listed as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC. Banned from human food in Japan and parts of the EU, still permitted in US pet food. See why →
Synthetic preservative at position 4. Sniff flags this regardless of where it sits in the deck.
- 5ground whole grain wheat
Position 5: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 6corn protein meal
Concentrated corn protein. Similar in role to corn gluten meal, pads the protein number on the label without matching meat amino acids.
Position 6: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 7othernatural flavor
Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.
- 8dried plain beet pulp
Beet fiber, with the sugar removed. Long unfairly maligned. It's a real soluble fiber that supports stool quality. See why →
Position 8: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 9mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 10mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 11supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 12supplementdl-methionine
Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.
- 13dried peas
Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 13. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 14mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 15preservative syntheticbht Flagged
Synthetic preservative, sibling of BHA. Banned from human food in several countries over concerns about long-term safety. Used because it's cheap. See why →
Synthetic preservative at position 15. Sniff flags this regardless of where it sits in the deck.
- 16preservative syntheticbha Flagged
Synthetic preservative. Listed as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC. Banned from human food in Japan and parts of the EU, still permitted in US pet food. See why →
- 17preservative naturalcitric acid
Natural antioxidant preservative. Helps keep fats from going rancid.
- 18mineralzinc sulfate
Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.
- 19vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 20vegetablecarrots
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.
- 21supplementl-tryptophan
Essential amino acid. Sometimes added in calming or weight-management formulas.
- 22otherred 40 Flagged
Artificial coloring. Dogs don't care about color. Banned in several countries over hyperactivity and allergic-reaction concerns. See why →
- 23otheryellow 5 Flagged
Artificial coloring. Strictly cosmetic. Banned or restricted in several countries. See why →
- 24otheryellow 6 Flagged
Artificial coloring. No functional purpose. Banned or restricted in several countries. See why →
Showing first 25 of 38. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.