Our verdict
Is Virbac Senior Neutered Dog Large & Medium a good dog food?
We score it 52/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for senior dogs, with poultry, rice and lignocellulose 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 senior 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 32% · Fat 12%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32% |
| Fat | 12% |
| Fibre | 10.50% |
| Ash | 6.50% |
| Moisture | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 30% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.90% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.10% |
| Calcium | 1.10% |
| Phosphorus | 0.70% |
| Sodium | 0.40% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
VETERINARY HPM® Senior Neutered - Dry Dog Food For Medium & Large Breeds
Feeding guide
Body weight (kg) Daily ration (g/day) Active - Active = Active + 11 160 180 195 15 200 220 240 20 240 265 295 25 280 310 340 30 315 350 385 35 350 385 425 40 380 425 465 45 410 455 505 50 440 490 540 60 500 555 610 70 555 615 675 * These amounts are approximate and may vary depending on the dog's breed.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 11000 IU; Vitamin D3 1100 IU; Vitamin E 590 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 3000 mg; Taurine 1500 mg; Copper 18 mg; Iron 220 mg; Iodine 2.6 mg; Manganese 26 mg; Selenium 0.4 mg; Zinc 150 mg; L-carnitine 330 mg/kg
Technological additives
Bentonite 0.5 %
Ingredients (17)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 29.0%
- fibre 24.4%
- meat 14.7%
- veg 12.4%
- oil 12.0%
- carb 7.5%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 7.7 |
| 2 | Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 7.5 |
| 3 | Lignocellulose | Lignocellulose | fibre · medium | - | 7.2 |
| 4 | Hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins | Hydrolysed Pork | meat · medium | - | 7.0 |
| 5 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 6.8 |
| 6 | Poultry Fats | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | - | 6.6 |
| 7 | Pea fiber | Pea Fibre | fibre · medium | - | 6.3 |
| 8 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 6.1 |
| 9 | Dried beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 5.9 |
| 10 | Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 5.7 |
| 11 | Fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 5.4 |
| 12 | Fructo-oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 5.2 |
| 13 | Psyllium fibre | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 5.0 |
| 14 | Inactivated brewer’s yeast | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 4.8 |
| 15 | Egg membrane | Eggshell Membrane Powder | supplement · good | - | 4.5 |
| 16 | hyaluronic acid from fermentation | Hyaluronic acid | supplement · good | - | 4.3 |
| 17 | Inactivated Lactobacillus helveticus | Inactivated Lactobacillus helveticus | supplement · good | - | 4.1 |
- 1. Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins7.7% estimated
- 2. Rice7.5% estimated
- 3. Lignocellulose7.2% estimated
- 4. Hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins7.0% estimated
- 5. Peas6.8% estimated
- 6. Poultry Fats6.6% estimated
- 7. Pea fiber6.3% estimated
- 8. Minerals6.1% estimated
- 9. Dried beet pulp5.9% estimated
- 10. Linseed5.7% estimated
- 11. Fish oil5.4% estimated
- 12. Fructo-oligosaccharides5.2% estimated
- 13. Psyllium fibre5.0% estimated
- 14. Inactivated brewer’s yeast4.8% estimated
- 15. Egg membrane4.5% estimated
- 16. hyaluronic acid from fermentation4.3% estimated
- 17. Inactivated Lactobacillus helveticus4.1% 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?
This recipe achieves an overall rating of 52 out of 100. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.3 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.
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 | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.29 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.6% | -0.115 | -0.87 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.7% | -0.092 | -1.26 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 30.7% | -0.012 | -0.37 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.29 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 7.6% | -0.115 | -0.87 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 13.7% | -0.092 | -1.26 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 30.7% | -0.012 | -0.37 |
| 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 | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| 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 | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| 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
- 51.6
- Final score
- 52/100
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 | 32 | 35.2 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 12 | 13.2 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 10.5 | 11.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 55.8 |
| Calcium | 1.1 | 1.2 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 91.3 |
| 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 | 1.6 | 1.6 (band 1 to 2%) | 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). 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 590 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 3000 mg
- Taurine 1500 mg
- Copper 18 mg
- Iron 220 mg
- Iodine 2.6 mg
- Manganese 26 mg
- Selenium 0.4 mg
- Zinc 150 mg
- L-carnitine 330 mg/kg
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.
75/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "formulated with low fat levels, high fibre and protein to reduce the energy content of the food" — the declared label says otherwise on low fat.
Consistent with the label
- "high 32% protein content" — supported by the declared high protein data.
- "complete and balanced diet for senior dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "VETERINARY HPM® Senior Neutered Dog Large & Medium is a complete nutritious diet for medium and large breeds" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight and hunger control (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Mobility and muscle support (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports renal health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Weight control without feeling hungry (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| With the addition of L-carnitine, an amino acid that supports healthy fat metabolism (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high protein preserves muscle mass (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| functional ingredients like hyaluronic acid and eggshell membrane help to keep the joints mobile and flexible (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Mobility support (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low phosphorus levels reduce the burden on the kidneys, helping to maintain a healthy kidney function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prebiotics and postbiotics support the growth of beneficial digestive flora in the gut (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Gentle and functional ingredients promote a healthy gut flora, regular digestive movement and normal stools (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High digestive tolerance (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids at the optimal ratios to support the skin barrier and keep their coat shiny (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports skin and coat health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Weight control (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prevents weight gain in older dogs with reduced energy, high protein and fibre, and L-carnitine for healthy fat metabolism (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Bentonite (0.5%) Protects the intestinal lining to regulate stools (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Lactobacilli (7 mg/kg) Postbiotics to build beneficial digestive flora (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| L-carnitine (330 mg/kg) Regulates metabolism to limit fat tissue build up (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Hyaluronic acid (100 mg/kg) Helps maintain joint elasticity (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| formulated with low fat levels, high fibre and protein to reduce the energy content of the food (on page) | High/low level | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| high 32% protein content (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| complete and balanced diet for senior dogs (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Developed by vets (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| contains less phosphorus than regular adult dry dog food (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| contains a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® does not contain any artificial colours or flavours (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Senior Neutered Dog Large & Medium is a complete nutritious diet for medium and large breeds (on page) | Content | consistent | 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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