Our verdict
Is Veruspetfoods Life Virtue Formula a good dog food?
We score it 50/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
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 all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists herring meal
- 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.
Ingredients (43)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 46.8%
- veg 11.6%
- meat 11.5%
- carb 8.5%
- mineral 5.8%
- oil 5.5%
- additive 5.2%
- fibre 5.1%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 3.1 |
| 2 | Chicken Meal | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | - | 3.0 |
| 3 | Lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 3.0 |
| 4 | Chickpeas | Chickpeas | veg · good | - | 3.0 |
| 5 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 2.9 |
| 6 | Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 2.9 |
| 7 | Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 2.9 |
| 8 | Tapioca Starch | Tapioca Starch | carb · medium | - | 2.8 |
| 9 | Yams | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 2.8 |
| 10 | Herring Meal | Herring Meal | meat · medium | - | 2.8 |
| 11 | Natural Flavors | Flavor | additive · poor | - | 2.7 |
| 12 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 2.7 |
| 13 | Menhaden Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 2.6 |
| 14 | Dried Egg Product | Dried Egg | meat · medium | - | 2.6 |
| 15 | Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal | Alfalfa Meal | fibre · medium | - | 2.6 |
| 16 | Chicory Root Extract | Chicory Root Extract | fibre · good | - | 2.5 |
| 17 | Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product | Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 2.5 |
| 18 | Salt | Salt | additive · poor | - | 2.5 |
| 19 | Monosodium Phosphate | Sodium phosphate | additive · poor | - | 2.4 |
| 20 | DiCalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement · medium | - | 2.4 |
| 21 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement · good | - | 2.4 |
| 22 | L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C) | L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate | supplement · good | - | 2.3 |
| 23 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement · medium | - | 2.3 |
| 24 | Niacin Supplement | Niacin | supplement · good | - | 2.3 |
| 25 | Biotin | Biotin | supplement · good | - | 2.2 |
| 26 | Thiamine Mononitrate | Thiamine mononitrate | supplement · good | - | 2.2 |
| 27 | L-Carnitine | L-Carnitine | supplement · medium | - | 2.1 |
| 28 | d-Calcium Pantothenate | Calcium pantothenate | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 29 | Riboflavin Supplement | Riboflavin | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 30 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement · good | - | 2.0 |
| 31 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement · good | - | 2.0 |
| 32 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement · good | - | 2.0 |
| 33 | Folic Acid | Folic acid | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
| 34 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
| 35 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
| 36 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement · medium | - | 1.8 |
| 37 | Zinc Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 38 | Betaine Anhydrous | Betaine Anhydrous | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 39 | Iron Proteinate | Iron Proteinate | mineral · good | - | 1.7 |
| 40 | Selenium Yeast | Selenium | mineral · good | - | 1.7 |
| 41 | Copper Proteinate | Copper proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 42 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 43 | Calcium Iodate | Calcium iodate | supplement · medium | - | 1.6 |
- 1. Chicken3.1% estimated
- 2. Chicken Meal3.0% estimated
- 3. Lentils3.0% estimated
- 4. Chickpeas3.0% estimated
- 5. Peas2.9% estimated
- 6. Sweet Potato2.9% estimated
- 7. Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)2.9% estimated
- 8. Tapioca Starch2.8% estimated
- 9. Yams2.8% estimated
- 10. Herring Meal2.8% estimated
- 11. Natural Flavors2.7% estimated
- 12. Flaxseed2.7% estimated
- 13. Menhaden Fish Oil2.6% estimated
- 14. Dried Egg Product2.6% estimated
- 15. Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal2.6% estimated
- 16. Chicory Root Extract2.5% estimated
- 17. Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product2.5% estimated
- 18. Salt2.5% estimated
- 19. Monosodium Phosphate2.4% estimated
- 20. DiCalcium Phosphate2.4% estimated
- 21. Vitamin E Supplement2.4% estimated
- 22. L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C)2.3% estimated
- 23. Calcium Carbonate2.3% estimated
- 24. Niacin Supplement2.3% estimated
- 25. Biotin2.2% estimated
- 26. Thiamine Mononitrate2.2% estimated
- 27. L-Carnitine2.1% estimated
- 28. d-Calcium Pantothenate2.1% estimated
- 29. Riboflavin Supplement2.1% estimated
- 30. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride2.0% estimated
- 31. Vitamin A Supplement2.0% estimated
- 32. Vitamin B12 Supplement2.0% estimated
- 33. Folic Acid1.9% estimated
- 34. Vitamin D3 Supplement1.9% estimated
- 35. Choline Chloride1.9% estimated
- 36. Potassium Chloride1.8% estimated
- 37. Zinc Proteinate1.8% estimated
- 38. Betaine Anhydrous1.8% estimated
- 39. Iron Proteinate1.7% estimated
- 40. Selenium Yeast1.7% estimated
- 41. Copper Proteinate1.6% estimated
- 42. Manganese Proteinate1.6% estimated
- 43. Calcium Iodate1.6% estimated
Nutrition and feedingProtein 24% · Fat 15%
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed | Dry matter | Directory average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 24% | 26.93% | - |
| Fat | 15% | 15.80% | - |
| Fibre | 3.50% | 2.65% | - |
| Ash | - | 7.23% | - |
| Moisture | 10% | 8% | - |
| Carbohydrates | - | 39.39% | - |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1% | - | - |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.50% | - | - |
Energy: 368 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Niacin Supplement; Biotin; Thiamine Mononitrate; d-Calcium Pantothenate; Riboflavin Supplement; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Vitamin A Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Folic Acid; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Vitamin E Supplement; L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C); Choline Chloride; Zinc Proteinate; Iron Proteinate; Copper Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; Selenium Yeast; Calcium Iodate
Technological additives
Mixed Tocopherols (preservative for Chicken Fat)
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-13
Brand and contact: Veruspetfoods
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 1-888-828-3787
- Address
- P O BOX 239, Abingdon, MD 21009
- Contact page
- www.veruspetfoods.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-13
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.veruspetfoods.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 50 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 +6.1 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 | +6.08 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.7% | -0.115 | -0.32 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.092 | -0.65 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.0% | 0.163 | +0.98 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 55.3% | -0.012 | -0.68 |
| Recipe graded poor | 5.2% | -0.065 | -0.34 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.7% | 0.060 | +0.16 |
| 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 | -6.27 | 0.222 | -1.39 |
| 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 | +6.08 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.7% | -0.115 | -0.32 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 7.0% | -0.092 | -0.65 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.0% | 0.163 | +0.98 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 55.3% | -0.012 | -0.68 |
| 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 | 5.2% | -0.065 | -0.34 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.7% | 0.060 | +0.16 |
| 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 | -6.27 | 0.222 | -1.39 |
| 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
- 50.0
- Final score
- 50/100
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.
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.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 24 | 26.5 (band 18.298342541436465 to 40%) | 92.7 |
| Fat | 15 | 16.6 (band 5.5911602209944755 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 3.5 | 3.9 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 368 | 406.6 | 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 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 19 nutritional additives on the label
- Niacin Supplement
- Biotin
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- d-Calcium Pantothenate
- Riboflavin Supplement
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Vitamin A Supplement
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin D3 Supplement
- Vitamin E Supplement
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C)
- Choline Chloride
- Zinc Proteinate
- Iron Proteinate
- Copper Proteinate
- Manganese Proteinate
- Selenium Yeast
- Calcium Iodate
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture 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) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, 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.
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
- "Single-source protein diet featuring chicken" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "Holistic Formula is a combination of great-tasting, highly digestible, nutrient-packed fresh chicken, vegetables and legumes, providing complete and balanced nutrition for all breeds, all life stages" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced with Omega-3 fish oil to support healthy skin and a shiny, soft coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Innovative freeze-dried live probiotics for enhanced digestion and immune support (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chelated minerals to assist with absorption of nutrients (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| USA-grown, antibiotic-free chicken is raised without the use of growth hormones (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Holistic Formula is a combination of great-tasting, highly digestible, nutrient-packed fresh chicken, vegetables and legumes, providing complete and balanced nutrition for all breeds, all life stages (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Single-source protein diet featuring chicken (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain-Free formula (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No meat by-products, no artificial flavors or colors, no fillers, no corn, no wheat, no soy and no sugars (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chicory root extract as a source of prebiotics (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.
Alternatives to Life Virtue Formula
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
Community0 comments
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.