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.
Our verdict
Is Virbac J1 Joint & Mobility a good dog food?
We score it 48/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with poultry, rice and faba bean hulls 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 adult dogs
- 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
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 15%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Fibre | 9% |
| Ash | 6.50% |
| Moisture | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 26.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 3% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2% |
| Calcium | 0.90% |
| Phosphorus | 0.70% |
| Sodium | 0.40% |
Additives & feeding info
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 120 mg; Chitosan 1240 mg; Chondroitine sulfate 1240 mg; L-carnitine 330 mg
Technological additives
Bentonite 5 g; Killed Lactobacilli 7 mg
Ingredients (19)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 30.1%
- fibre 21.8%
- meat 13.2%
- carb 12.2%
- veg 11.8%
- oil 10.9%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 6.9 |
| 2 | rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 6.7 |
| 3 | faba bean hulls | Faba bean hulls | fibre · medium | - | 6.5 |
| 4 | hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins | Hydrolysed Pork | meat · medium | - | 6.4 |
| 5 | lignocellulose | Lignocellulose | fibre · medium | - | 6.2 |
| 6 | peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 6.0 |
| 7 | linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 5.8 |
| 8 | fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 5.6 |
| 9 | potato starch | Potato starch | carb · poor | - | 5.4 |
| 10 | animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 5.3 |
| 11 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 5.1 |
| 12 | fructo-oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 4.9 |
| 13 | psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.) | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 4.7 |
| 14 | brewers yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 4.5 |
| 15 | beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 4.4 |
| 16 | hydrolysed crustacean (source of chitosan) | Chitosan | supplement · medium | - | 4.2 |
| 17 | egg membrane | Eggshell Membrane Powder | supplement · good | - | 4.0 |
| 18 | Lactobacillus acidophilus | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 3.8 |
| 19 | chondroitin sulfate | Chondroitin | supplement · good | - | 3.6 |
- 1. Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins6.9% estimated
- 2. rice6.7% estimated
- 3. faba bean hulls6.5% estimated
- 4. hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins6.4% estimated
- 5. lignocellulose6.2% estimated
- 6. peas6.0% estimated
- 7. linseed5.8% estimated
- 8. fish oil5.6% estimated
- 9. potato starch5.4% estimated
- 10. animal fats5.3% estimated
- 11. minerals5.1% estimated
- 12. fructo-oligosaccharides4.9% estimated
- 13. psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.)4.7% estimated
- 14. brewers yeast4.5% estimated
- 15. beet pulp4.4% estimated
- 16. hydrolysed crustacean (source of chitosan)4.2% estimated
- 17. egg membrane4.0% estimated
- 18. Lactobacillus acidophilus3.8% estimated
- 19. chondroitin sulfate3.6% 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 48 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 +5.3 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 | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.35 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 8.7% | -0.115 | -1.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 12.9% | -0.092 | -1.19 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.3% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 33.1% | -0.012 | -0.40 |
| Recipe graded poor | 10.7% | -0.065 | -0.70 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 5.4% | 0.060 | +0.33 |
| 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 | -0.16 | 0.222 | -0.04 |
| 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 | +5.35 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 8.7% | -0.115 | -1.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 12.9% | -0.092 | -1.19 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.3% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 33.1% | -0.012 | -0.40 |
| 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 | 10.7% | -0.065 | -0.70 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 5.4% | 0.060 | +0.33 |
| 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 | -0.16 | 0.222 | -0.04 |
| 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
- 48.5
- Final score
- 48/100
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 | 15 | 16.5 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 9 | 9.9 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 76.4 |
| Calcium | 0.9 | 1 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 84.7 |
| Phosphorus | 0.7 | 0.8 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 88.5 |
| Sodium | 0.4 | 0.4 (band 0.1+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 (band 1 to 2%) | 87.1 |
| 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: 19 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 120 mg
- Chitosan 1240 mg
- Chondroitine sulfate 1240 mg
- L-carnitine 330 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) - not on file | 0/10 |
| 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 (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.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "High in fatty acids" — the declared label says otherwise on high fat.
Consistent with the label
- "High quantities of quality animal protein" — supported by the declared high protein data.
22 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain muscle mass to support joints (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Limits joint inflammatory processes (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Maintain ideal body weight (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| A high protein dog food to support joint function and manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Maintain cartilage health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Lower energy density to prevent weight gain (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High fibre for satisfaction and fullness (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Probiotics and prebiotics to promote healthy digestive function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High levels of essential fatty acids and omega-3 to help limit inflammatory process in joints (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chondroiotin sulphate, Chitosan and Eggshell membrane help to maintain cartilage integrity. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low energy densitiy formula to help to maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the joints. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports digestive health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Addition of bentonite clay, probiotics, prebiotics and selected fibres help maintain a healthy digestive tract. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Whist sepiolite helps support digestive mucosa (particularly important if your dog is on pain relief medication). (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains omega 3 fatty acids which can help limit inflammation processes. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chondroitin helps to reduce the breakdown of protective cartilage in the joints and improves the integrity of the cartilage. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chitosan helps to optimise the breakdown of chondroitin for better absorption in the joints. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| This novel ingredient is rich in joint-supporting nutrients that helps encourage joint flexibility and elasticity. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Protein is essential for the preservation of muscle mass, which in turn helps to supportand stabilise the joints. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Developed by vets (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High amounts of high quality animal proteins to preserve muscle mass to support the joints (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High quantities of quality animal protein (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Not suitable for growing puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs with chronic kidney disease (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High in fatty acids (on page) | High/low level | contradicted | 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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