Virbac Weight Loss & Diabetes
Dry Extruded complete
Is Virbac Weight Loss & Diabetes 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.
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall rating of 52 out of 100. The meat content contributed +2 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.2 points to the total. However, the processing format reduced the score by -7 and ingredients without printed percentages decreased it by -13.1.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe52
- Nutritionalmedium88
- Transparency55
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited33
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with poultry, potato starch and lignocellulose as the main ingredients.
Why you might choose it
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- High in protein: 37% protein on a dry-matter basis.
- Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.
Why you might not
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (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
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
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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (15)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | 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 |
Brand
- 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 v2 (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.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v2 on 2026-09-22. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.915 | +5.15 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 17.6% | 0.116 | +2.05 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.4% | -0.113 | -0.27 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.3% | -0.088 | -0.73 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.002 | -0.01 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 35.3% | -0.009 | -0.31 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.7% | -0.045 | -0.70 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.868 | -1.74 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.4% | 0.056 | +0.47 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.131 | -13.09 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Additive penalty | -0.22 | 0.236 | -0.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.5 | 9.915 | +5.15 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 17.6% | 0.116 | +2.05 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.4% | -0.113 | -0.27 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 8.3% | -0.088 | -0.73 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.002 | -0.01 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.177 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 35.3% | -0.009 | -0.31 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.371 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.022 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 15.7% | -0.045 | -0.70 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.182 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.868 | -1.74 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 8.4% | 0.056 | +0.47 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.131 | -13.09 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 3.194 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 11.440 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | -0.506 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -1.988 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.250 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | -0.073 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | -0.339 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 16.475 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -0.22 | 0.236 | -0.05 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Raw | no | 13.322 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | 7.712 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | 6.583 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 4.857 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | 0.072 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 11.127 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 9.320 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | 4.569 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -2.321 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.833 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.711 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | 2.935 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | 2.292 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- -0.01
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 52.1
- 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.
| Model | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| v2 | 52/100 | current |
| v1 | 52/100 | |
| v1.9 | 52/100 |
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 |
| 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 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
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 marketing claims made on the pack and product page, and how much evidence sits behind them. We record the claims as stated; we do not assess whether they are true.
| Claim | Type | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|
| Due to the foods slow energy release it also suitable for overweight diabetic dogs. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low energy density to help your dog reach their target weight quickly. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| The ideal high-protein/low-carbohydrate ratio to promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low glycaemic index to help regulate glucose supply (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Low-carb/high-fibre formula releases energy slowly and steadily, avoiding glucose spikes after eating. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chondroitin and chitosan to help slow down joint degeneration. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus to boost your dogs friendly gut bacteria. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides to promote healthy digestion. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Slow energy release (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports fast weight loss (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Satisfies your dog's hunger (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| High amounts of high quality animal proteins for a tasty, filling food your dog will love. (on page) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Added vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog gets all their essential nutrients from smaller portions. (on page) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
| VETERINARY HPM® Weight Loss & Diabetes Dog Food W1 - Healthy Weight Loss (on page) | Content | 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 | Manufacturer assertion |
| The high-protein, low-carb formula helps your dog to lose fat while preserving lean muscle mass. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains chondroitin and chitosan to help support cartilage health in the joints. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chondroitin helps to reduce the breakdown of protective cartilage in the joints and improves the integrity of the cartilage. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chitosan helps to optimise the breakdown of chondroitin for better absorption in the joints. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| This amino acid supports energy production from fat, which helps preserve lean mass during weight loss. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Helps your dog lose weight quickly and effectively. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Ensures your dog still gets all the vital nutrients they need from smaller rations. (on page) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
| Developed by vets (on page) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| A high-protein, low-carb dry dog food to help your dog lose excess body weight. (on page) | High/low level | 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 | Manufacturer assertion |
| Not suitable for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs or dogs with chronic kidney disease. (on page) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
Limited: at least one claim rests on manufacturer assertion alone.
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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