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 Weight Loss & Diabetes 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 adult dogs, with poultry, potato starch 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 adult dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- 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: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids pork: the label lists hydrolysed pork
- 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 11.50%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34% |
| Fat | 11.50% |
| Fibre | 15% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Moisture | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 23% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.70% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.20% |
| Calcium | 1.30% |
| Phosphorus | 0.90% |
| Sodium | 0.40% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Feeding guide
Target Body Weight (kg) Daily Ration (g/day)* High Restrictions Moderate Restrictions 3 55 70 5 80 105 8 110 145 10 125 170 15 165 220 20 200 270 25 235 310 30 265 350 40 320 425 60 420 560 * The daily ration is based on the target body weight of the dog.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 12600 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 1260 IU/kg; Vitamin E 650 mg/kg; Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 4.4 mg/kg; Vitamin B2 (riboflavine) 12.6 mg/kg; Vitamin B3 (PP; niacine; nicotinic ac) 34 mg/kg; Vitamin B5 (pantothenic ac) 30 mg/kg; Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 3.2 mg/kg; Vitamin B9 (folic ac) 0.55 mg/kg; Vitamin B12 (cobalamine) 0.071 mg/kg; Choline 850 mg/kg; Taurine 1725 mg/kg; Copper 17 mg/kg; Iron 29 mg/kg; Iodine 1.3 mg/kg; Zinc 140 mg/kg; Chondroitin Sulfate 440 mg/kg; Chitosan 440 mg/kg; L-carnitine 330 mg/kg
Technological additives
Bentonite 5 g/kg; Killed Lactobacilli 7 mg/kg
Ingredients (15)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 33.0%
- fibre 28.1%
- meat 16.5%
- carb 8.4%
- oil 7.2%
- veg 6.7%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 8.7 |
| 2 | Potato starch | Potato starch | carb · poor | - | 8.4 |
| 3 | Lignocellulose | Lignocellulose | fibre · medium | - | 8.1 |
| 4 | Hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins | Hydrolysed Pork | meat · medium | - | 7.8 |
| 5 | Faba bean hulls | Faba bean hulls | fibre · medium | - | 7.5 |
| 6 | Animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 7.2 |
| 7 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 7.0 |
| 8 | Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 6.7 |
| 9 | Beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.4 |
| 10 | Psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.) | Psyllium fibre | fibre · good | - | 6.1 |
| 11 | Fructo-oligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 5.8 |
| 12 | Brewers yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 5.5 |
| 13 | Hydrolysed crustacean (source of chitosan) | Chitosan | supplement · medium | - | 5.2 |
| 14 | Lactobacillus acidophilus | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 4.9 |
| 15 | Chondroitin sulphate | Chondroitin | supplement · good | - | 4.6 |
- 1. Dehydrated pork and poultry proteins8.7% estimated
- 2. Potato starch8.4% estimated
- 3. Lignocellulose8.1% estimated
- 4. Hydrolysed pork and poultry proteins7.8% estimated
- 5. Faba bean hulls7.5% estimated
- 6. Animal fats7.2% estimated
- 7. Minerals7.0% estimated
- 8. Linseed6.7% estimated
- 9. Beet pulp6.4% estimated
- 10. Psyllium fibre (Plantago (L.) spp.)6.1% estimated
- 11. Fructo-oligosaccharides5.8% estimated
- 12. Brewers yeast5.5% estimated
- 13. Hydrolysed crustacean (source of chitosan)5.2% estimated
- 14. Lactobacillus acidophilus4.9% estimated
- 15. Chondroitin sulphate4.6% 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 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 +4.8 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 | +4.78 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.4% | -0.115 | -0.28 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.3% | -0.092 | -0.77 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 35.3% | -0.012 | -0.43 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.7% | -0.065 | -1.02 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.4% | 0.060 | +0.50 |
| 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 | -0.22 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| 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 | +4.78 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.4% | -0.115 | -0.28 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.3% | -0.092 | -0.77 |
| 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 | 35.3% | -0.012 | -0.43 |
| 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 | 15.7% | -0.065 | -1.02 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.4% | 0.060 | +0.50 |
| 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 | -0.22 | 0.222 | -0.05 |
| 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 | 11.5 | 12.6 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 99.5 |
| Fibre | 15 | 16.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 0 |
| 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 | 0.4 | 0.4 (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: 21 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 12600 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3 1260 IU/kg
- Vitamin E 650 mg/kg
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 4.4 mg/kg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavine) 12.6 mg/kg
- Vitamin B3 (PP
- niacine
- nicotinic ac) 34 mg/kg
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic ac) 30 mg/kg
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 3.2 mg/kg
- Vitamin B9 (folic ac) 0.55 mg/kg
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamine) 0.071 mg/kg
- Choline 850 mg/kg
- Taurine 1725 mg/kg
- Copper 17 mg/kg
- Iron 29 mg/kg
- Iodine 1.3 mg/kg
- Zinc 140 mg/kg
- Chondroitin Sulfate 440 mg/kg
- Chitosan 440 mg/kg
- 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.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "A high-protein, low-carb dry dog food to help your dog lose excess body weight." — supported by the declared high protein data.
25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due to the foods slow energy release it also suitable for overweight diabetic dogs. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low energy density to help your dog reach their target weight quickly. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The ideal high-protein/low-carbohydrate ratio to promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low glycaemic index to help regulate glucose supply (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low-carb/high-fibre formula releases energy slowly and steadily, avoiding glucose spikes after eating. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chondroitin and chitosan to help slow down joint degeneration. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus to boost your dogs friendly gut bacteria. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides to promote healthy digestion. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Slow energy release (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports fast weight loss (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Satisfies your dog's hunger (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High amounts of high quality animal proteins for a tasty, filling food your dog will love. (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Added vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog gets all their essential nutrients from smaller portions. (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Weight Loss & Diabetes Dog Food W1 - Healthy Weight Loss (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low energy density to help your dog reach a healthy weight quickly, whilst the high fibre and protein content helps prevent hunger. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| The high-protein, low-carb formula helps your dog to lose fat while preserving lean muscle mass. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains chondroitin and chitosan to help support cartilage health in the joints. (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 amino acid supports energy production from fat, which helps preserve lean mass during weight loss. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps your dog lose weight quickly and effectively. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Ensures your dog still gets all the vital nutrients they need from smaller rations. (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Developed by vets (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| A high-protein, low-carb dry dog food to help your dog lose excess body weight. (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low carbohydrate formulation and low amounts of starch and sugars help energy to be released slowly preventing glucose spikes throughout the day. (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Not suitable for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs or dogs with chronic kidney disease. (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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