veterinary diet
This is a medical nutrition decision. Speak to your vet.
This is a veterinary diet product: a "dietetic" feed designed for a particular nutritional purpose and intended for use under veterinary direction. The score and figures below are readings of the label, the same as for any other food: they can't tell you whether this product is right for your dog.
Virbac Digestive Support Dog Food G1
Dry Extruded · completeveterinary diet
Our verdict
Is Virbac Digestive Support Dog Food G1 a good dog food?
We score it 49/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for dogs of all life stages, with poultry, rice and unspecified animal fats and oils as the main ingredients.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- Your dog avoids pork: the label lists hydrolysed pork
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
- You are limiting fat: 24.2% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band
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 34% · Fat 22%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34% |
| Fat | 22% |
| Fibre | 6% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Moisture | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 21.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.90% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.50% |
| Calcium | 1.30% |
| Phosphorus | 0.90% |
| Sodium | 0.60% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
VETERINARY HPM® Digestive Support Dog Food G1 is energy-dense with high levels of essential nutrients to compensate for malabsorption. The high protein, fat and mineral content helps your dog to restore lost muscle mass and return to a healthy weight. • Supports digestive function The highly digestible, low-starch formula supports digestion alongside the Digest Plus complex, a blend of supportive
Feeding guide
Body weight (kg) Daily ration (g/day) Overweight Normal* Recovery Underweight 3 65 85 100 5 95 120 140 8 130 160 195 10 150 185 225 15 195 245 295 20 235 295 355 25 275 345 415 30 310 390 465 40 375 470 565 60 495 615 740 The daily ration is based on the dog's current bodyweight, and must be adjusted every week during recovery and every month in the medium/long term. *adult dog with optimal body weight and normal physical activity.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 11000 IU; Vitamin D3 1100 IU; Vitamin E 570 mg; Vitamin B1 3.8 mg; Vitamin B2 11 mg; Vitamin B3 30 mg; Vitamin B5 26 mg; Vitamin B6 3 mg; Vitamin B9 0.48 mg; Vitamin B12 0.062 mg; Choline 740 mg; Taurine 1500 mg; Copper 15 mg; Iron 25 mg; Iodine 1.1 mg; Zinc 140 mg
Technological additives
Bentonite 5 g/kg
Ingredients (14)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 29.6%
- fibre 21.9%
- meat 17.3%
- oil 15.6%
- carb 9.0%
- veg 6.6%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 9.3 |
| 2 | rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 9.0 |
| 3 | animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 8.6 |
| 4 | lignocellulose | Lignocellulose | fibre · medium | - | 8.3 |
| 5 | hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins | Hydrolysed Pork | meat · medium | - | 8.0 |
| 6 | beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 7.6 |
| 7 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 7.3 |
| 8 | fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 7.0 |
| 9 | linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 6.6 |
| 10 | brewers yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 6.3 |
| 11 | psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.) | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 6.0 |
| 12 | fructo-oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 5.6 |
| 13 | calcium butyrate | Calcium butyrate | supplement · good | - | 5.3 |
| 14 | Lactobacillus acidophilus | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 5.0 |
- 1. Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins9.3% estimated
- 2. rice9.0% estimated
- 3. animal fats8.6% estimated
- 4. lignocellulose8.3% estimated
- 5. hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins8.0% estimated
- 6. beet pulp7.6% estimated
- 7. minerals7.3% estimated
- 8. fish oil7.0% estimated
- 9. linseed6.6% estimated
- 10. brewers yeast6.3% estimated
- 11. psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.)6.0% estimated
- 12. fructo-oligosaccharides5.6% estimated
- 13. calcium butyrate5.3% estimated
- 14. Lactobacillus acidophilus5.0% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Virbac
- Website
- https://uk.virbac.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
- uk.virbac.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?
The overall score is 49 out of 100. Ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format contributed -6.7 points. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +4.9 points, with being labelled nutritionally complete adding +2.3. This is a general explanation of how the score works, not veterinary advice. For any health condition, food choice is a decision for your vet.
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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.91 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 8.6% | -0.115 | -0.99 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 16.8% | -0.092 | -1.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.5% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 29.5% | -0.012 | -0.36 |
| Recipe graded poor | 8.6% | -0.065 | -0.56 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.6% | 0.060 | +0.52 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -0.26 | 0.222 | -0.06 |
| 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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.91 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 8.6% | -0.115 | -0.99 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 16.8% | -0.092 | -1.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.5% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 29.5% | -0.012 | -0.36 |
| 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 | 8.6% | -0.065 | -0.56 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.6% | 0.060 | +0.52 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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 | -0.26 | 0.222 | -0.06 |
| 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
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 48.9
- Final score
- 49/100
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 adult dogs. 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.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 34 | 37.4 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 22 | 24.2 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 6 | 6.6 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.3 | 1.4 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 97.9 |
| Phosphorus | 0.9 | 1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 99.5 |
| Sodium | 0.6 | 0.7 (band 0.1+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.4 | 1.4 (band 1 to 2%) | 96.7 |
| 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). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 95); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 16 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 11000 IU
- Vitamin D3 1100 IU
- Vitamin E 570 mg
- Vitamin B1 3.8 mg
- Vitamin B2 11 mg
- Vitamin B3 30 mg
- Vitamin B5 26 mg
- Vitamin B6 3 mg
- Vitamin B9 0.48 mg
- Vitamin B12 0.062 mg
- Choline 740 mg
- Taurine 1500 mg
- Copper 15 mg
- Iron 25 mg
- Iodine 1.1 mg
- Zinc 140 mg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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 (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (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 — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "It’s a complete and balanced food" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
54 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supports nutritional recovery (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Digestive Support Dog Food G1 is a gastrointestinal dog food clinically formulated to support nutrition and digestion in dogs with acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps to strengthen and restore the digestive system and supports nutritional recovery. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Restores nutritional status and body condition (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Digestive Support Dog Food G1 is energy-dense with high levels of essential nutrients to compensate for malabsorption. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The high protein, fat and mineral content helps your dog to restore lost muscle mass and return to a healthy weight. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports digestive function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The highly digestible, low-starch formula supports digestion alongside the Digest Plus complex (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| It helps to support the restoration of the digestive tract, improve stool consistency and support the digestive barrier. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helps to reduce the workload of the digestive system and is ideal during times of recovery and appetite loss. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Enhanced immunity from beta-glucans, vitamin E and amino acids. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Increased water intake and hydration from protein and sodium. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Digestive Support Dog Food G1 – For Digestive Issues (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| has a high energy density (high energy from fat and protein) (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low allergen formulation (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Digestive Support Dog Food G1 can be given to dogs of all ages to manage most digestive diseases. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| It can also be used in recovery after digestive surgery, disease or loss of appetite. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Not suitable for dogs with chronic kidney disease or cardiac insufficiency. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Digestive Support Dog Food G1 has been shown to improve digestive symptoms in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Compensates for nutrient loss (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Energy- and nutrient-dense formula to compensate for malabsorption and weight loss (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Highly digestible forumulation and the addition of Digest Plus complex to support the gut flora, restores the intestinal lining and supports recovery. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Provides complete nutrition in smaller portions to reduce the workload of the digestive system. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Immune system support (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Amino acids, beta-glucans and vitamin E help to reinforce the immune system to support recovery (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Ingredients that support a healthy gut microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Postbiotic lactobacilli bacteria balances the gut flora (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prebiotic fibres nourish beneficial gut bacteria (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports the integrity of the intestinal barrier (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports digestive immune response (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports the intestinal lining (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Promotes gut motility and water absorption to reduce diarrhoea (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Nucleotides: Support cell regeneration and tissue repair (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports the healing of the gut lining (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Aid recovery during from illness or surgery (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| calcium butyrate (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Beta-glucans: Soluble fibre derived from brewer’s yeast (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| lignocellulose (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| minerals (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.) (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| linseed (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| It’s a complete and balanced food (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| animal fats (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| rice (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| beet pulp (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| fish oil (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Butyrate: Short-chain fatty acid (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| brewers yeast (source of betaglucan and nucleotide) (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Highly digestible ingredients (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The formulation contains increased levels of essential nutrients such as sodium and pottasium (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High proportion of animal origin ingredients makes the formula highly palatable (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| fructo-oligosaccharides (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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