Virbac Veterinary HPM Baby Large & Medium
Dry Extruded · completeClear label
Our verdict
Is Virbac Veterinary HPM Baby Large & Medium a good dog food?
We score it 42/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with poultry, rice and unspecified animal fats and oils as the main ingredients.
89% 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 puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at medium 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: it is listed as an ingredient
- 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: 23.1% 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 36% · Fat 21%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36% |
| Fat | 21% |
| Fibre | 4% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Moisture | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 22.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.50% |
| Calcium | 1.20% |
| Phosphorus | 0.90% |
| Sodium | 0.60% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
MEDIUM BREED PUPPY Body weight (kg) Daily ration (g/day) Age (months) 2 3 4-6 4 200 175 5 230 200 6 260 230 195 8 315 275 235 10 365 320 275 12 310 15 360 * These amounts are approximate and may vary depending on the breed and activity level of the puppy.
No additives recorded yet.
Ingredients (16)89% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- fibre 25.4%
- meat 15.7%
- supplement 14.5%
- oil 13.6%
- veg 13.6%
- carb 11.0%
- additive 6.2%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated Pork and Poultry Protein | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 8.3 |
| 2 | 7% Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | 7 | 7.0 |
| 3 | Animal Fat | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 8.0 |
| 4 | Whole Pea | Peas | veg · good | - | 7.7 |
| 5 | 4% Potato Starch | Potato starch | carb · poor | 4 | 4.0 |
| 6 | Hydrolysed Animal Protein | Hydrolysed Animal Protein | meat · medium | - | 7.4 |
| 7 | Lignocellulose | Lignocellulose | fibre · medium | - | 7.1 |
| 8 | Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.8 |
| 9 | Field Bean Hulls | Field Bean Hulls | fibre · medium | - | 6.5 |
| 10 | Mineral Salts | Salt | additive · poor | - | 6.2 |
| 11 | Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 5.9 |
| 12 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 5.6 |
| 13 | Fructo-Oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 5.3 |
| 14 | Psyllium Fibre | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 5.0 |
| 15 | Yeast Beta Glucan | Yeast Beta-glucan | supplement · good | - | 4.7 |
| 16 | Pasteurised Lactobacillus Acidophilus | Pasteurised Lactobacillus Acidophilus | supplement · good | - | 4.4 |
- 1. Dehydrated Pork and Poultry Protein8.3% estimated
- 2. 7% Rice7% declared7.0% estimated
- 3. Animal Fat8.0% estimated
- 4. Whole Pea7.7% estimated
- 5. 4% Potato Starch4% declared4.0% estimated
- 6. Hydrolysed Animal Protein7.4% estimated
- 7. Lignocellulose7.1% estimated
- 8. Beet Pulp6.8% estimated
- 9. Field Bean Hulls6.5% estimated
- 10. Mineral Salts6.2% estimated
- 11. Linseed5.9% estimated
- 12. Fish Oil5.6% estimated
- 13. Fructo-Oligosaccharides5.3% estimated
- 14. Psyllium Fibre5.0% estimated
- 15. Yeast Beta Glucan4.7% estimated
- 16. Pasteurised Lactobacillus Acidophilus4.4% 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 42 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +3.7 points to the total. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -9.4, the processing format subtracted -6.7, and the additive load contributed -1.7 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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.75 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 8.6% | -0.115 | -0.99 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 16.2% | -0.092 | -1.49 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.8% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.7% | 0.163 | +1.09 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 16.0% | -0.012 | -0.20 |
| Recipe graded poor | 18.2% | -0.065 | -1.18 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.0% | 0.060 | +0.48 |
| Undeclared quantities | 89.0% | -0.106 | -9.40 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -7.81 | 0.222 | -1.73 |
| 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 | 0.4 | 9.191 | +3.75 |
| 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 | 16.2% | -0.092 | -1.49 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.8% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.7% | 0.163 | +1.09 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 16.0% | -0.012 | -0.20 |
| 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 | 18.2% | -0.065 | -1.18 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.0% | 0.060 | +0.48 |
| Undeclared quantities | 89.0% | -0.106 | -9.40 |
| 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) | 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 | -7.81 | 0.222 | -1.73 |
| 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
- 41.8
- Final score
- 42/100
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 | 36 | 39.6 | 100 |
| Fat | 21 | 23.1 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.2 | 1.3 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 0.9 | 1 | 100 |
| Sodium | 0.6 | 0.7 (band 0.22+%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 | 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 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 85); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
No nutritional additives section declared on the label.
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 (11% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 2.2/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| 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) | 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 (Additives declared, 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
- "high 35% protein content (90% from animal sources)" — supported by the declared high protein data.
- "VETERINARY HPM® Puppy Large & Medium is a complete high-protein dry dog food for large and medium breed puppies that supports healthy growth and development." — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
22 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 healthy growth (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Immune support (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports brain development (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| balanced calcium and phosphorus content help strengthen their bones and teeth (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Beta-glucans are an insoluble fibre extracted from yeast that helps to support the development of your puppy's immune system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| It can also help to improve their immune response after vaccinations, boosting your puppy's defences against disease. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharides) and probiotics (lactobacilli) that are scientifically proven to support beneficial digestive flora and a healthy microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 80% of puppies experienced a high tolerance level of digestive tolerance after one month. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| contains high levels of animal protein and a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen the skin's barrier and produce a shiny coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from fish oil supports healthy brain development and cognitive function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High amounts of high-quality animal protein, balanced mineral content and high energy density supports the crucial first year development. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains beta-glucans to help improve the immune response to vaccinations and promotes the development of your puppy's own defences against disease. (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 |
| 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 |
| DHA from fish oil supports your puppy's brain development as they learn about the world around them. (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 |
| Beta-glucans (500 mg/kg) Extracted from brewer's yeast to help bolster the immune system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Fish oil Healthy coat and skin barrier function (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high protein content helps stimulate increased water intake which helps to maintain a healthy urinary system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| low carbohydrates (23.5%) (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® does not contain any artificial colours or flavours (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high 35% protein content (90% from animal sources) (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Puppy Large & Medium is a complete high-protein dry dog food for large and medium breed puppies that supports healthy growth and development. (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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