Who Owns Pedigree?
Pedigree is owned by Mars Incorporated, a privately held American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. Mars acquired Pedigree through its purchase of Kal Kan Foods in 1974. The company is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, USA.
Parent Company
Mars, Incorporated
Acquired
1974
Status
Private
Headquarters
McLean, Virginia, USA
Who Owns Pedigree?
- Parent Company: Mars, Incorporated
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1974
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pedigree | Mars, Incorporated | Wholly owned |
History of Pedigree
- Founded: 1957
- Founders: Kal Kan Foods
- Acquired by Mars, Incorporated: 1974
Pedigree was founded in 1957 by Kal Kan Foods, a California-based pet food company that originally produced canned dog food. The brand was created to offer complete and balanced nutrition for dogs at an affordable price point, making quality pet food accessible to more households.
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Pedigree expanded its product line and distribution across the United States. The brand focused on dry dog food formulations that provided complete nutrition while being convenient for pet owners to store and serve.
In 1974, Mars Incorporated acquired Kal Kan Foods, marking Mars' major entry into the pet food industry. This acquisition brought Pedigree into Mars' growing portfolio of consumer brands and provided the resources for global expansion.
Under Mars' ownership, Pedigree expanded internationally and diversified its product offerings. The brand introduced new formulations for different life stages, breed sizes, and specific nutritional needs. Pedigree also expanded into dog treats, dental care products, and specialized nutrition formulas.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Pedigree became one of the world's most recognized dog food brands, known for its focus on complete nutrition and accessibility. The brand invested in nutritional research and developed formulations that addressed common health concerns in dogs.
Today, Pedigree operates as part of Mars Petcare, one of the world's largest pet care companies. The brand continues to focus on providing complete and balanced nutrition for dogs while expanding its product range to include various treats, supplements, and specialized formulations.
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars operates through three primary business segments: Pet Care, Snacking, and Food. The company's private ownership structure means it does not publicly disclose detailed financial results, but industry estimates place annual revenues above $50 billion, making Mars one of the largest food companies in the world by revenue.
The Pet Care segment, operating under the Mars Petcare division, is one of the world's largest pet food businesses, with brands including Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin, Sheba, Eukanuba, Iams, Cesar, and Nutro. Mars Petcare also operates Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest private veterinary practice in the United States, and various other veterinary and pet health services businesses. The pet care segment has been a major growth driver for Mars as pet ownership and premium pet nutrition spending have increased globally.
The Snacking segment includes Mars's confectionery and snacking brands, encompassing M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, Starburst, Dove, Galaxy, Maltesers, and Celebrations, among many others. The December 2025 acquisition of Kellanova added Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, RXBAR, and other snacking brands to this segment, significantly expanding Mars's presence in savory snacks and better-for-you snacking categories.
The Food segment includes Ben's Original (formerly Uncle Ben's), Dolmio, Seeds of Change, and other food brands. This segment has been the smallest of the three primary divisions but provides important diversification across food categories.
- Founded: 1911
- Headquarters: McLean, Virginia, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
Where Is Pedigree Made / Based?
- Headquarters: McLean, Virginia, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Mars, Incorporated
- Celebrations - British chocolate assortment brand featuring a variety of chocolate candies, own...
- Cheez-It - American brand of cheese cracker snacks originally made by Kellogg's Kellanova d...
- Galaxy Chocolate - British chocolate brand owned by Mars, Incorporated, known for smooth and creamy...
- M&M's - American brand of candy-coated chocolate confections produced by Mars, Incorpora...
- Maltesers - British chocolate confectionery brand owned by Mars, Incorporated, consisting of...
- Pop-Tarts - American brand of toaster pastries filled with various flavors, now owned by Mar...
- Skittles - American brand of fruit-flavored candy known for its colorful shell coating and ...
- Snickers - American chocolate bar brand featuring nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate, ...
- Whiskas - Global brand of cat food products including wet food, dry food, and treats, prod...
Pedigree Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by Mars' extensive research and development in pet nutrition
- +Global distribution network ensuring widespread availability
- +Strong brand recognition and consumer trust built over decades
- +Focus on complete and balanced nutrition at accessible price points
- +Marketing resources and veterinary endorsements supporting brand growth
Considerations
- -Competition from premium pet food brands and specialized nutrition products
- -Dependency on Mars' supply chain and corporate priorities
- -Need to maintain nutritional quality while keeping prices affordable
- -Environmental concerns related to pet food manufacturing and packaging
- -Balance between mass-market appeal and nutritional innovation
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedigree
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Pedigree on AmazonCompetitors to Pedigree
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Pedigreeoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
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