Vetalogica Dog Food

The Vetalogica Dog Food Review: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Written By Eloisa Thomas | Canine Coach, Double M.A in Anthropology.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science. 
Last Updated: 10th January 2024.

Looking for an Australian-made dog food for your pup? Then you need to see this Vetalogica dog food review. To provide you with all the information you need to know, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine nutritionists and dog parents to form a panel of independent experts. We then researched every offering from this brand. After months of testing and many empty dog food bowls later, we came together to put together this review. 

Our experts have done an in-depth Vetalogica dog food review so you can compare and make the best choice for your furry friend. Here’s what you need to know about this kibble:

  • Vetalogica is an Australian company that started by making treats and supplements, so their complete dog food range is relatively new.
  • They offer two main options: a single-protein option (Naturals range) and a multi-protein option (Biologically Appropriate range). As of 2024, they offer seven different recipes in addition to one puppy option in each range. 
  • All kibble recipes have a very high protein content (between 34% and 38%) that comes mainly from animal sources.

Related: The Best Dog Food Australia
Related: How To Choose The Right Dog Food?
Related: How Is Australia’s Dog Food Industry Regulated?
Related: What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control Officials
Related: What Is the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)?
Related: AAFCO vs PFIAA: Dog Food Standards Comparison Australia
Related: Understanding Guaranteed Analysis Levels in Dog Food
Related: Real Meat vs Meat Meal

Table Of Contents
Australia's Vetalogica Dog Food Reviewed
Taste 4/5
Ingredients 4/5
Protein content 4/5
Additives 5/5
Variety 4/5
Price 2/5
Vetalogica Puppy Food
Do not buy if…
The Verdict
References

Quick Pick - Our Best Rated Dog Food

Petzyo Dog Food

Our Number 1 Pick - 
Petzyo Dog Food

  • Ethically sourced Kangaroo, Chicken or Salmon, sweet potato & superfood extras
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  • Made in Australia
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Australia's Vetalogica Dog Food Reviewed

Vetalogica - 3.5 Star Rating

  • Ingredients: Naturals Grain free chicken: Chicken Meal, Peas, Potato Starch, Chicken Fat (Naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavour, Tapioca Starch, Ground Flaxseed, Fish Oil, Dried Blueberries, Dried Spinach, Tomato Pomace, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chickpea Flour, Dried Egg Product, Dried Pumpkin, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Sea Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Oxide, Iodine, Sodium Selenite, Zinc Propionate), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a Natural preservative), Rosemary Extract.
  • Named Protein First: Yes. Some recipes even have more than one animal protein at the top.
  • Dog Food Type: Dry kibble
  • Recipe Range: Chicken, Kangaroo, Salmon, Lamb and four different “biologically appropriate” recipes that mix different proteins (including a puppy option)
  • Suitable For: Puppies, adult and senior dogs
  • Cost: $$ to $$$
  • Australian Owned: Yes

Founded by two Aussie pharmacists that wanted to improve the food available for their pups, Vetalogica has two different ranges and plenty of treats to choose from. Our team of independent experts will discuss the options available so you can make an informed choice!

Vetalogica Dog Food Review

Taste

Ingredients

Protein content

Additives

Variety

Price

Taste 4/5

Most dog owners on our panel stated their pups thoroughly enjoy the taste of this kibble. Considering the relatively high protein content, it’s not a surprise to hear dogs enjoy Vetalogica’s recipes. However, small breed dogs might have a harder time chewing on this kibble: there are no reduced-sized biscuits for smaller dogs, and picky or older pups might have trouble dealing with the full-sized kibble.

There are some flavour options for dogs that prefer fish or wild game over poultry, which is nice to give some variety to your pup’s diet.

PRO TIP: Got a very small dog? Breaking up the kibble might help make the food more enticing. Using a knife, you can split the biscuits in two or, if you’d rather save some time, put kibble into a bag and use a rolling pin to softly crush the kibble. Be careful, you just want to break it up a bit, not turn it into dust!

Taste-wise, Vetalogica seems to be doing great. We’re taking off a star because there are no options with smaller kibble aimed at miniature dogs.

Ingredients 4/5

This is where this brand shines. Our team of independent experts really liked Vetalogica’s ingredient choice, since they started making dog supplements and clinical treats, it’s not surprising to see all their recipes are full of extra goodies and animal protein.

The two ranges (Naturals and Biologically Appropriate) differ mainly in the choice of protein and to a lesser degree in their carbohydrate sources. The remaining ingredients are fairly similar. Let’s examine the Chicken recipe from the Naturals line:

The first ingredient in this chicken meal, followed by potato starch and chicken fat. The guaranteed analysis indicates there’s a minimum of 34% crude protein and 14% crude fat. This means that chicken meal and potato starch comprise the bulk of the food, at roughly a 50/50 proportion. Not bad at all for a kibble!

The Biologically appropriate line has more ingredients. The “Hunter Valley” recipe features chicken meal, duck meal, tuna meal and mackerel meal as the first four ingredients (!) followed by sweet potatoes, chickpeas, green and red lentils. With 38% crude protein and 10% crude fat, this is an amazing base for a kibble.

This is where the difference between the two ranges stops. Beyond the main ingredients, all recipes look similar. They feature chicken fat, tapioca starch, flaxseed, blueberries, spinach, tomato, egg, pumpkin as well as vitamins and minerals.

It’s very nice to see that Vetalogica didn’t skimp on adding extra goodies beyond animal protein, and the overall composition of the food is pretty good for most dogs. It’s worth mentioning that all recipes are grain-free, and the animal protein is sourced from Australian producers.

We like Vetalogica’s ingredient composition. We’re only taking off one star because they have no raw protein inclusions. After all, it only comes in kibble form. Overall, a good ingredient list!

Protein content 4/5

Vetalogica’s protein sources are one of our favourite features of this brand. They have an entire single-protein range, as well as a mixed protein one with recipes inspired by “biologically appropriate” feeding.

First things first, all recipes from this brand feature a named animal protein as the first ingredient. The recipes in the “Biologically appropriate” range even feature several animal protein sources as the base of the recipe, which is uncommon in most kibble recipes. Considering dogs should follow a diet based around animal protein, it’s good to have ready-made food that takes this into account.

This brand also sources all its animal protein from Australian producers. This is nice to see and falls within the Australian-made policy of the brand. For example, the chicken recipe uses Australian hormone-free chicken, and the salmon recipe uses sustainably fished salmon.

The overall protein content is also high, especially considering this is a kibble. All recipes have between 34% and 38% of crude protein in the guaranteed analysis, which is double the minimum amount recommended by the AAFCO [1].

The specific type of animal protein is also good to see. All ingredients are clearly labelled (chicken meal, tuna meal, mackerel meal…) and are a meal-type protein. According to the AAFCO, “meal” products are cooked with heat and pressure, in a process that removes most of the water and fat. This leaves the protein and minerals. “Meal” products are also ground to make smaller, uniform particles to create the kibble mix [2].

Some recipes are probably higher in vegetable protein than others. The Naturals line has peas as the second ingredient after animal protein, so those recipes will probably have more protein from peas.

Overall, the protein sources are good and we appreciate using locally sourced products. Because of the high protein content and moderate vegetable protein, we’re giving this brand 4 out of 5.

Additives 5/5

This brand didn’t skip on adding some good extras to round up the nutritional profile of the food. Here’s a breakdown of some key ingredients in their recipes:

  • Fruits and veggies: These include blueberries, spinach, tomato, pumpkin and chickpea. Veggies add fibre and micronutrients, as well as increase the vitamin percentage of the food.
  • Prebiotics: These are the beet pulp, choline chloride and some of the veggies. According to our panel of pros, these ingredients are there to boost the total fibre content of the food rather than add micronutrients. Prebiotic fibre is the main food source of your dog’s gut microbiome and having enough of it in their diet is key to keeping them healthy. Prebiotics also increase digestibility and lower the chances of having loose stools or digestive troubles.
  • Vitamins and minerals: We appreciate that Vetalogica has broken down the specific vitamins and vegetables, as well as seeing some high-quality chelated minerals. Chelated minerals are those that have been through a chemical process that increases absorption once it is digested. This ensures your dog is actually getting the nutrients they need! [3]

PRO TIP: Not all chelated minerals have “chelate” in the name. Look out for zinc proteinate, zinc propionate and iron glycinate, among others.

  • Other goodies: The inclusion of egg, ground flaxseed and fish oil show that both recipe ranges (Naturals and Biologically Appropriate) include high-quality ingredients instead of cheap fillers.

It’s also nice to see this brand stays away from sulphites as a preservative. Sulphites in dog food can be dangerous because a high concentration can cause mortal thiamine deficiency [4]. Instead of sulphites, Vetalogica uses tocopherols (a form of Vitamin E) and rosemary extract.

All things considered, the extra add-ons in Vetalogica recipes are great for most dogs. We appreciate the inclusion of whole foods (blueberries, tomatoes, pumpkin, eggs…) and the only thing we’d add is more Omega-3s. Because of the nice composition, we’re giving this brand 5 out of 5.

Variety 4/5

Vetalogica offers two different food ranges for dogs. Vetalogica Naturals is their medium-range option, while Vetalogica Biologically Appropriate is on the higher end of the spectrum.

The “Naturals” range offers four different recipes, and all of them are single-protein and aimed at dogs with food sensitivities. On the other hand, the “Biologically appropriate” range features a wider range of animal protein sources that are supposed to replicate the kind of mix ancient dogs lived on. As of the writing of this article, Vetalogica offered four recipes in their Naturals range and four more in their Biologically appropriate range, with one being the Puppy food option. There is also a puppy option as the chicken recipe in the Naturals line. 

Aside from kibble, there are no wet food options available. Since this is a relatively new brand, it’s understandable they don’t have a lot of variety. Nevertheless, Vetalogica dog treats range is significant: I love how they have multivitamin treats, others aimed at specific conditions (healthy joints, anxious dogs…) as well as a hemp treat line and clinical supplements to round up your dog’s diet. It’s obvious this company started making treats and their food line is a new addition.

Price 2/5

This brand has many pros, but the price isn’t one of them. Vetalogica uses high-quality, Australian ingredients and the price reflects that. The kibble comes in 3 kg and 11 kg to 13 kg bags, and it’s on the high-end of the price scale. The Naturals recipe range is more affordable, but it is still in the mid-range food. Unlike our best dog food that is more affordable, Vetalogica would be very expensive for owners of large dogs or more than two pups.

Their treat line is also high-quality but also expensive for most dog owners. Because of it, we’re taking off 3 stars.

Vetalogica Puppy Food

Vetalogica has a two puppy recipes, and they pack a punch! Vetalogica puppy food is part of both their Biologically Appropriate and Naturals range. 

We love the Biologically Appropriate Puppy recipe. Since this is part of the higher-end range, it includes several animal proteins sources. The first ingredient is chicken meal, followed by duck meal, tuna meal and mackerel. The bulk of the food is completed sweet potatoes, chickpeas, green and red lentils. The rest of the food is very similar to the adult recipe range with 38% crude protein and 10% crude fat. However, this puppy food is slightly higher in calories than the adult range, probably because of a higher carbohydrate percentage.

Overall, this is a great option for your puppy, especially if they are small and don’t eat as much. If you are more on a budget and want to try out this brand for your puppy, then the Naturals chicken puppy recipe is also worth a try. 

Do not buy if…

This brand is a great option for many pups. However, our team of independent experts suggest you might want to look elsewhere if you:

  • Have a pup with renal issues: The high protein content is great for most dogs, but those with renal issues might have trouble with it. If you have a senior dog, ask your vet before switching to Vetalogica.
  • Are looking for raw food: This is a great option, but it is still kibble. This means it is cooked and baked to make the biscuits. If you’re looking for pre-made raw food for dogs, this isn’t the right choice.
  • Need a budget option: High-end ingredients come at a price! If you’re on a tight budget, this probably isn’t the right choice. Good dog food on a budget is difficult to find, so we’d recommend going for homemade food following your vet’s directions.

The Verdict

Vetalogica Naturals and Vetalogica Biologically Appropriate are one of the best dog food options in Australia. Everyone on our panel of independent experts appreciated their use of Australian protein sources and the whole foods added to round up their diet.

Nevertheless, it’s on the high end of the price spectrum (particularly the Biologically Appropriate range) so it’s probably not a good fit for those on a budget. If you have several large dogs that eat a lot, this might not be the best choice for everyday eating either.

Other than that, we thoroughly recommend both lines.

Want to read more dog food brand reviews? Check out the below:

References

  1. "Calorie Content". Association of American Feed Control Officials. Retrieved January 10, 2024. https://www.aafco.org/resources/startups/calorie-content/
  2. "What's in the Ingredient List?". Association of American Feed Control Officials. Retrieved January 10, 2024. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/whats-in-the-ingredients-list/
  3. "Chelated minerals in dog food". Dog Food Advisor. Retrieved January 10, 2024. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/chelated-minerals-dog-food/
  4. "Are preservatives in pet products a concern?" RSPCA Knowledge Base. Retrieved January 10, 2024. https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/are-preservatives-in-pet-food-products-a-concern/
Author Image

Eloisa Thomas

Eloisa Thomas is Gentle Dog Trainers Canine Coach & Anthropologist.

With a double master's degree in Anthropology and awarded a Chancellor's International Scholarship to pursue a PhD in History at the University of Warwick (UK), she's well equipped to write well written and factual canine information that will actually help people understand their dogs better.

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