Vetdiet Cat Food Review

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

We’ve rated Vetdiet cat food on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our Vetdiet cat food review to learn how this brand stacks up.

The Cats.com Standard—Rating Vetdiet Cat Food on What Matters

We’ve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.

In total, we give Vetdiet cat food a 43 out of 60 rating or a B grade.

How We Review Cat Food

To review Vetdiet, we spent hours researching the brand, learning about its history and product lineup. We studied the company’s sourcing and manufacturing practices and scoured recall databases for reports related to safety issues. To understand how other customers feel about the brand, we read dozens of customer reviews, identifying any common patterns or trends.

Finally, our reviewer independently purchased several packages of Vetdiet cat food and tried it out with her cats, taking notes on palatability, texture, smell, and more.

Based on this research and hands-on testing, we’ve rated the brand according to the Cats.com Standard. Learn more about the Standard here.

About Vetdiet

Founded by the Legault Group in 1993, Vetdiet is a fourth-generation family-owned and -operated business. Though Vetdiet has only been around for thirty years, the Legault Group has been in operation for over 100 years.

Vetdiet was developed by brothers and third-generation entrepreneurs Jules and Philippe Legault. All Vetdiet products are formulated with input from a Health & Nutrition Advisory Board made up of veterinarians, board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and formulators.

How do Vetdiet products live up to the brand’s claims, and what do customers have to say? Let’s find out.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

Vetdiet is headquartered in Anjou, Quebec in Canada. All products are made in either Canada or the United States, though the brand doesn’t provide any more specific information than that on its website.

While Vetdiet doesn’t go into details about where their ingredients come from, all recipes start with chicken, lamb, or fish as the first ingredient. Vetdiet foods are free from corn, wheat, and soy, and they’re divided into various lines geared toward pets of certain ages or breeds.

Recall History

To our knowledge, Vetdiet has never had a product recall.

What Kinds of Cat Food Does Vetdiet Offer?

Vetdiet’s kitten recipe kibbles are very small, making them easier for little mouths to manage. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Vetdiet offers a wide variety of food and treats for dogs as well as a more limited selection of products for cats. They have four canned foods and eight dry food formulas as well as two freeze-dried treats.

Both Vetdiet dry and wet foods are categorized by life stage with some special diets for weight control, dental health, and indoor cats.

If you’re not sure what product will best suit your pet’s needs, Vetdiet offers a personalized recommendation tool. It’s quite simple, however, and only seems to use your cat’s age and body composition (i.e., underweight, healthy, or overweight) to make recommendations.

What Do Customers Think of Vetdiet Cat Food?

While Vetdiet kitten dry food has small kibbles, the dental health recipe is much larger in size to maximize its abrasive dental benefits. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Though Vetdiet is available for purchase in the United States, its popularity hasn’t quite spread outside its home of Canada. Reviews online are limited, so it’s hard to get a feel for the average customer experience.

Petco seems to be the biggest distributor of Vetdiet pet food in the United States and that’s where I found the most ratings. That said, even the products with the most ratings had few to no customer reviews. Only one of Vetdiet’s canned foods had ratings on Petco.com at the time of review.

Let’s take a look at a few reviews from some of the most popular recipes from Vetdiet Cat Food.

Positive Reviews

“I bought the vet diet for my cat. He has a problem pulling his hair out. He was on Blue Wilderness. So I tried the Vet Diet Salmon. After 2 days he pulled 50% less out. Now after the 3.5Lbs bag is empty he is about 80% better. What a relief.” – Hairless Sunny Reviewing Vetdiet Skin & Stomach Health Dry Adult Cat Food on March 7th, 2023

“This canned cat food says it has chicken in it and it is one of the few brands that say that and don’t put fish in it. It does have pork liver in it, but I am not concerned about it.” – Staplesvet Reviewing Vetdiet Chicken Pate Adult Canned Cat Food on March 17th, 2023

Negative Reviews

“I have 2 cats. One smelled this and walked away. The other kitty has a sensitive stomach and this dry food make her very sick. In fact she cried, right before vomiting. She is 16 and doesn’t have all of her teeth anymore, so some of the food came up whole with the other vomit. The kibble is very small so all was not chewed. It gave her such a stomach ache that she then ran to the litter box after vomiting twice.” – Soozinpa Reviewing Vetdiet Chicken and Rice Dry Senior Cat Food on April 7th, 2023

What Did Our Test Cats Think?

Vetdiet’s loaf-style pate canned foods are moist and soft. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

To test Vetdiet cat food, I ordered two dry food formulas and one canned food. I also reached out to the company through their Contact Us page to request a typical nutrient analysis for a recent batch of food but received no response.

Both Vetdiet dry foods came in resealable packages, both with flat bottoms so they stood upright. The kitten recipe comes in very small, round kibbles which should be easy for small mouths to manage. The adult recipe looked more appropriate for dogs than cats in size. It is a dental health formula, however, so the size of the kibble is likely to encourage chewing which may help scrape tartar off your cat’s teeth.

My cats seemed to enjoy the aroma and flavor of both Vetdiet dry foods as well as the wet food recipe. The canned food was a loaf-style pâté which was soft in texture and easy to mix with water.

Vetdiet Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

#1 Vetdiet Chicken and Rice Dry Kitten Food

$31.49 At Petco

Formulated for growing kittens, this Vetdiet dry food contains about 38% dry matter protein which comes from a blend of chicken muscle meat, chicken meal, and pea protein. Dried egg product and menhaden fish meal provide supplemental sources of species-appropriate animal protein.

The food relies on chicken fat as a species-appropriate source of fatty acids and a concentrated source of calories. It also contains fish oil as a source of DHA to support brain and eye development.

Though this dry food contains six animal sources of protein and fat, there are several plant ingredients that may contribute significantly to the product’s nutrient makeup. Pea protein, for example, is a concentrated source of plant protein which offers lower biological value and digestibility than animal proteins.

Overall, this is a moderate-protein, moderate-fat dry food formula with high carbohydrate content. It’s moderately calorie-dense and low in moisture. It comes in very small, round kibbles that are easy for smaller mouths to manage.

Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Brewers Rice, Dehulled Barley, Dried Egg Product, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Tomato Pomace, Tapioca Starch, Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Fish Oil (Source of DHA), Pea Fiber, Yeast Culture, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Extract, Choline Chloride, Salt, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Chicory Root Extract, L-Lysine, Vitamin E Supplement, Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Kelp, Peppermint Leaves, Dried Spinach, Dried Carrots, Chia Seed, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Apples, Dried Blackberries, Dried Broccoli, Quinoa, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Avocado, Dried Kale, Green Tea Extract, Dried Parsley, Rosemary Extract, Thyme Extract, Carob Bean, Paprika, Ginger, Chamomile, Turmeric, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodate, Inositol, Folic Acid.

Ingredients We Liked	Ingredients We Didn’t Like	Common Allergens
Deboned Chicken Chicken Meal Chicken Fat Dried Egg Product Menhaden Fish Meal Fish Oil	Pea Protein Brewers Rice Tapioca Starch Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal	Chicken Fish

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 34%

Crude Fat: 20%

Crude Fiber: 3.5%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 9%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 37.78%

Fat: 22.22%

Fiber: 3.89%

Carbs: 26.11%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 32.05%

Fat: 45.79%

Carbs: 22.15%

Pros

• Top two ingredients are quality animal proteins
• Relies primarily on animal-based fat
• Free from artificial additives and corn, wheat, and soy
• Provides animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

• Contains plant protein concentrate (pea protein)
• No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
• Contains some starchy carbs (brewers rice and tapioca starch)

#2 Vetdiet Chicken Pate Indoor Adult Wet Cat Food

$1.89 At Petco

This pate-style canned food has a smooth, moist texture that is easy for kittens, older cats, and cats with dental problems to manage. Because it’s high in moisture, it also helps support your cat’s hydration.

The formula starts with fresh chicken and pork liver as the top two ingredients (aside from chicken broth) with supplemental animal protein from dried egg product. It also contains a concentrated source of plant protein in the form of pea protein. Though cats can digest and derive nutrition from some whole plant foods like pearled barley, plant protein concentrates offer limited biological value.

Though lower in carbohydrates than the typical dry food, this canned food still contains over 20% dry matter carbohydrate. It also appears to rely on plant-based fat in the form of canola oil.

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Pork Liver, Pea Protein, Dried Egg Product, Pearled Barley, Rice, Tomato Pomace, Calcium Carbonate, Flaxseed, Agar-Agar, Choline Chloride, Salt, Pea Fiber, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Canola Oil, Inulin, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Yucca Schidigera 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 Pomegranates, 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.

Ingredients We Liked	Ingredients We Didn’t Like	Common Allergens
Chicken Pork Liver Dried Egg Product	Pea Protein Canola Oil	Chicken

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 11%

Crude Fat: 4%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 78%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 50%

Fat: 18.18%

Fiber: 4.55%

Carbs: 27.27%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 41.18%

Fat: 36.36%

Carbs: 22.46%

Pros

• Contains muscle meat and organs
• Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
• Smooth, soft texture is easy for cats to chew
• Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

Cons

• Contains plant protein concentrate (pea protein)
• Over 20% dry matter carbohydrate

#3 Vetdiet Care Dental Health Chicken and Rice Dry Adult Cat Food

$31.49 At Petco

Featuring chicken muscle meat and chicken meal, this dry cat food contains about 33% protein measured as dry matter. Because it contains pea protein, however, it’s hard to know exactly how much of the total protein comes from animal sources. It helps that the food also contains dried egg product and menhaden fish meal.

Like the kitten food reviewed above, this food relies on animal-based fat from chicken fat and fish oil. It contains many of the same plant ingredients as well, though the dry matter carbohydrate content is higher – over 30%.

Overall, this is a moderate-protein, moderate-fat dry food formula with high carbohydrate content. It’s moderately calorie-dense and low in moisture. It comes in large, crunchy kibbles that help scrape tartar from your cat’s teeth as they chew.

Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Brewers Rice, Dehulled Barley, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Sweet Potatoes, Dried Tomato Pomace, Tapioca Starch, Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Meal, Fish Oil, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Pea Fiber, Yeast Culture, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Yeast Extract, Salt, Chicory Root Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, L-Carnitine, Dried Kelp, Peppermint Leaves, Dried Spinach, Dried Carrots, Chia Seed, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Apples, Dried Blackberries, Dried Broccoli, Quinoa, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Avocado, Dried Kale, Green Tea Extract, Dried Parsley, Rosemary Extract, Thyme Extract, Carob Bean, Paprika, Ginger, Chamomile, Turmeric, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodate, Inositol, Folic Acid.

Ingredients We Liked	Ingredients We Didn’t Like	Common Allergens
Deboned Chicken Chicken Meal Chicken Fat Dried Egg Product Menhaden Fish Meal Fish Oil	Pea Protein Brewers Rice Tapioca Starch Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal	Chicken Fish

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 30%

Crude Fat: 18%

Crude Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 9%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein: 33.33%

Fat: 20%

Fiber: 4.44%

Carbs: 32.22%

Caloric Weight Basis

Protein: 29.21%

Fat: 42.56%

Carbs: 28.23%

Pros

• Contains six animal sources of protein and fat
• Kibbles are large and crunchy to help clean your cat’s teeth
• Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

Cons

• Contains plant protein concentrate (pea protein)
• No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
• Contains over 30% dry matter carbohydrate

How Much Does Vetdiet Cat Food Cost?

When priced per ounce, Vetdiet dry foods and wet foods are similar in cost. Once you factor in the calorie content, however, a wet food-only diet ends up being much more expensive per day.

Vetdiet dry cat foods cost about $0.36 per ounce and average around 105 calories per ounce. To feed a 10-pound cat, it would cost about $0.70 per day. This puts Vetdiet in a similar price range as Dr. Elsey’s and Young Again, though both of these brands tend to be more calorie-dense and lower in carbs.

Priced around $0.34 per ounce, Vetdiet canned food would cost about $2.35 per day to feed a 10-pound cat. This puts it in a similar price range as Nulo and some Dave’s Pet Food recipes.

Overall, Is Vetdiet Cat Food a Good Choice?

Vetdiet is marketed as a holistic pet food brand with recipes specific to various ages and needs. Upon closer inspection, however, there’s nothing particularly special about the products. There is some variety in kibble size and shape, but most of the dry foods contain moderate levels of protein and fat with more carbohydrate than we like to see.

If you’re shopping for wet food, Vetdiet starts to look a little more attractive – especially because it’s nowhere near as expensive as brands like Tiki Cat. Unfortunately, Vetdiet canned foods are still fairly high in carbohydrate, and they still contain plant protein concentrates. It’s similar to Blue Buffalo in many ways.

When it comes to meat-centric recipes with low carbohydrate content, you can do better than Vetdiet without necessarily spending a lot more.

Where Is Vetdiet Cat Food Sold?

In the United States, Vetdiet cat food is sold by certain major pet stores like Petco and some independent pet retailers. You can also purchase it online from PetFlow and Petco.com.

In Canada, Vetdiet was only available in Quebec for many years but has since become available in-store throughout Ontario and for online delivery across Canada.