Our Verdict
VetDiet wet product range is made of four recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars
This food provides good levels of high quality, animal based protein. Carbohydrate content is low and moisture level high. Whilst this food contains some controversial ingredients, it is well balanced nutritionally.
Pros
- Good quality protein
- High level of protein
- Below average carbohydrates
Cons
- Includes Plant based proteins
- Contains controversial ingredients
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| VetDiet Kitten, Chicken Formula | 4.5 | G |
| VetDiet Adult, Chicken Formula | 4.5 | M |
| VetDiet Adult Indoor, Chicken Formula | 4.5 | M |
| VetDiet Senior, Chicken Formula | 4.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
VetDiet Adult, Chicken Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
VetDiet Adult Chicken formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken broth, pork liver, pea protein, dried egg product, canola oil, rice, pearled barley, flaxseed, tomato pomace, calcium carbonate, agar-agar, choline chloride, dicalcium phosphate, salt, pea fiber, taurine, dried kelp, inulin, potassium chloride, yucca shidigera extract, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, zinc sulfate, niacin supplement, peppermint leaves, thiamine mononitrate, chia seed, ginger, dried apples, dried avocado, dried blackberries, dried blueberries, dried broccoli, carob bean, dried carrots, chamomile, dried cranberries, green tea extract, dried kale, paprika, dried parsley, dried pomegranate, dried pumpkin, quinoa, rosemary extract, thyme extract, turmeric, dried spinach, aloe vera gel concentrate, copper proteinate, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, manganese sulfate, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is pork liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The fifth ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg products can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a cat than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
The seventh ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The eighth ingredient is pearled barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
However, this food contains chelated minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, VetDiet Adult Chicken formula looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 27.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 14.7%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 50% and an above-average fat level of 25%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 17% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 50%.
This means this VetDiet wet range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of wet cat food provides good quality, animal protein and it is low in carbohydrate. These recipes do have some controversial ingredients, but nonetheless provide a well balanced and nutritious diet.
The Cat Food Advisor recommends this food.
Has VetDiet cat food been recalled in the past?
No. To the best of our knowledge, VetDiet has never been recalled.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
In 1993, the Legault family launched the VetDiet business. The headquarters are based in Anjou, Quebec, and the food is manufactured in the United States and Canada.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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