VetSpec VetSpec Puppy & Junior Formula
Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is VetSpec VetSpec Puppy & Junior Formula a good dog food?
We score it 64/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, meat meal and potatoes as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 28.50% · Fat 18%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28.50% |
| Fat | 18% |
| Fibre | 2.50% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1.68% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3.29% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
VetSpec products should be stored in a cool dry place.
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (27)10% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 54.0%
- carb 24.2%
- veg 10.3%
- oil 6.9%
- supplement 2.8%
- fibre 1.0%
- additive 0.8%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken (26.2%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 26.2 | 26.2 |
| 2 | Chicken Meat Meal (26.2%) | Meat Meal | meat · medium | 26.2 | 26.2 |
| 3 | Potato (24.2%) | Potatoes | carb · medium | 24.2 | 24.2 |
| 4 | Chicken Fat (6.2%) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | 6.2 | 6.2 |
| 5 | Peas (4.6%) | Peas | veg · good | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| 6 | Whole Linseeds | Linseed | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 7 | Sugar Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 0.7 |
| 8 | Chicken Digest as Gravy (1.6%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| 9 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 0.7 |
| 10 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement · medium | - | 0.7 |
| 11 | Sodium Chloride | Salt | additive · poor | - | 0.7 |
| 12 | Culinary Herbs Blend | Herbs | veg · medium | - | 0.7 |
| 13 | Dried Seaweed 0.2% | Dried Sea Algae | supplement · good | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 14 | Chicory Extract 0.31% | Chicory Root Extract | fibre · good | 0.31 | 0.3 |
| 15 | Yeast Extract 0.08% | Hydrolysed Yeast | additive · medium | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| 16 | Alfalfa | Alfalfa | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 17 | Yucca Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 0.6 |
| 18 | Rosemary | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 19 | Fennel | Fennel | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 20 | Basil | Basil | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 21 | Thyme | Thyme | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 22 | Oregano | Oregano | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 23 | Parsley | Parsley | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 24 | Aniseed | Aniseed | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 25 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement · good | - | 0.4 |
| 26 | Dl-Methionine | Methionine | supplement · good | - | 0.4 |
| 27 | Lysine Hcl | Lysine | supplement · medium | - | 0.4 |
- 1. Chicken (26.2%)26.2% declared26.2% estimated
- 2. Chicken Meat Meal (26.2%)26.2% declared26.2% estimated
- 3. Potato (24.2%)24.2% declared24.2% estimated
- 4. Chicken Fat (6.2%)6.2% declared6.2% estimated
- 5. Peas (4.6%)4.6% declared4.6% estimated
- 6. Whole Linseeds0.8% estimated
- 7. Sugar Beet Pulp0.7% estimated
- 8. Chicken Digest as Gravy (1.6%)1.6% declared1.6% estimated
- 9. Fish Oil0.7% estimated
- 10. Calcium Carbonate0.7% estimated
- 11. Sodium Chloride0.7% estimated
- 12. Culinary Herbs Blend0.7% estimated
- 13. Dried Seaweed 0.2%0.2% declared0.2% estimated
- 14. Chicory Extract 0.31%0.31% declared0.3% estimated
- 15. Yeast Extract 0.08%0.08% declared0.08% estimated
- 16. Alfalfa0.6% estimated
- 17. Yucca Extract0.6% estimated
- 18. Rosemary0.6% estimated
- 19. Fennel0.6% estimated
- 20. Basil0.5% estimated
- 21. Thyme0.5% estimated
- 22. Oregano0.5% estimated
- 23. Parsley0.5% estimated
- 24. Aniseed0.5% estimated
- 25. Taurine0.4% estimated
- 26. Dl-Methionine0.4% estimated
- 27. Lysine Hcl0.4% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: VetSpec
- Website
- https://www.vetspec.com/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 01845 565630
- Address
- VetSpec, Middle Park Farm, Pickhill, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4JN
- Contact page
- www.vetspec.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.vetspec.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 64 out of 100 based on several key factors. The processing format contributed -6.7 points to the score. Meanwhile, the meat content added +5.9 points and the overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +5.1 points. Finally, the carbohydrate content adjusted the score by -1.4 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.09 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 61.8% | 0.096 | +5.93 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 11.8% | -0.115 | -1.36 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.4% | -0.092 | -1.23 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 1.3% | 0.163 | +0.22 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 5.0% | -0.012 | -0.06 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.7% | -0.065 | -0.04 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.7% | 0.060 | +0.04 |
| Undeclared quantities | 10.4% | -0.106 | -1.10 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Additive penalty | -0.92 | 0.222 | -0.20 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.09 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 61.8% | 0.096 | +5.93 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 11.8% | -0.115 | -1.36 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.4% | -0.092 | -1.23 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 1.3% | 0.163 | +0.22 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 5.0% | -0.012 | -0.06 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.7% | -0.065 | -0.04 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.7% | 0.060 | +0.04 |
| Undeclared quantities | 10.4% | -0.106 | -1.10 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | no | 2.294 | +0.00 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -0.92 | 0.222 | -0.20 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Subtotal
- 64.4
- Final score
- 64/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28.5 | 31.5 | 100 |
| Fat | 18 | 19.9 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
No nutritional additives section declared on the label.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (89.6% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 17.9/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Additives declared, Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · moderate — 2 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "wheat gluten free" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "CEREAL-GRAIN-FREE" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
5 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The prebiotics in the supplement help to maintain a healthy gut in dogs with sensitive stomachs. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Correct limb and bone development (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The development of healthy muscles (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| wheat gluten free (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| no added artificial colours, preservatives or artificial flavours (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| CEREAL-GRAIN-FREE (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| including 60% Chicken with added vegetables and herbs (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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