If you’ve ever stared at a wall of dog-food bags wondering which one actually deserves space in your pantry, you’re not alone. Between buzzwords like “grain-free,” “ancestral,” and “human-grade,” the modern pet-food aisle can feel more confusing than a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. Farmina’s N&D line—short for “Natural & Delicious”—cuts through the noise with a science-first philosophy that pairs ancestral canine diets with tomorrow’s nutritional research. In 2025, the brand’s ever-expanding range offers everything from ancestral grains to exotic protein blends, all formulated to mirror the macro and micronutrient profile dogs would naturally target if they still foraged for dinner.
But “natural” is only half the battle. The real question is how to match a specific N&D recipe to your individual dog—age, breed tendencies, activity level, gut health, and even regional climate all influence what the optimal bowl looks like. Below, we unpack the formulation pillars that make Farmina a perennial favorite among board-certified veterinary nutritionists, then walk you through the decision matrix you’ll use every time you shop (no memorized ingredient lists required).
Top 10 N And D Dog Food
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Farmina Pet Foods Chicken and Pomegranate Adult Mini
Farmina Pet Foods Chicken and Pomegranate Adult Mini
Overview:
Farmina’s Chicken & Pomegranate Mini kibble is a 5.5-lb, grain-free recipe engineered for small-breed adults. Boneless chicken leads the ingredient list, followed by pumpkin and pomegranate to create a brightly colored, antioxidant-rich meal that’s sized for little jaws.
What Makes It Stand Out:
96 % of the protein is animal-derived—uncommon even in premium foods—while glucosamine & chondroitin are built right in, so you don’t need a separate joint supplement. The “gentle steam-cooking” process claims to preserve heat-sensitive vitamins without adding rendered meals or by-products.
Value for Money:
At $0.44/oz it sits mid-pack for ultra-premium kibble; the joint pack addition and high fresh-meat inclusion make the sticker price easier to swallow.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: palatability is off the charts—even picky Yorkies finish the bowl; stool quality improves within days; resealable bag keeps omega-3s from going rancid.
Cons: only sold in small bags, so multi-dog homes burn through plastic; pomegranate boost is mostly marketing—the actual mg of polyphenols isn’t disclosed; calcium runs a touch high for neutered males prone to stones.
Bottom Line:
If you need a joint-friendly, grain-free mini-kibble that small mouths actually chew, this is one of the smartest purchases in the category.
2. Farmina – Natural & Delicious Pumpkin Grain-Free Lamb & Blueberry Dry Dog Food, 26.4lb Bag
Farmina Natural & Delicious Pumpkin Grain-Free Lamb & Blueberry Dry Dog Food, 26.4 lb Bag
Overview:
This 26.4-lb sack targets medium & large breeds with a lamb-first, potato-free formula that folds in pumpkin, blueberries, and a touch of salmon oil for omega balance.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Farmina’s “N&D” line uses 90 % grass-fed lamb protein and pairs it with low-glycemic pumpkin to keep post-meal glucose spikes minimal—handy for weight-controlled or diabetic-prone dogs.
Value for Money:
Bulk sizing drops the price to $0.28/oz, undercutting most 5-lb “boutique” bags by 30-40 % while still offering joint supplements and botanical antioxidants.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: large kibble encourages crunching, reducing tartar; coat gloss visible within two weeks; single-source meat simplifies elimination diets.
Cons: bag is not resealable—plan on a bin; lamb fat can soften and create crumbs in humid climates; blueberries appear farther down the list than marketing implies.
Bottom Line:
For households with big dogs and bigger appetites, this is premium nutrition without the premium per-ounce penalty.
3. Lamb & Blueberry Adult Medium & Maxi
Lamb & Blueberry Adult Medium & Maxi
Overview:
Sold in a 5.5-lb trial size, this recipe mirrors the large-bag lamb formula but scales the kibble diameter for medium breeds that sit between mini and maxi.
What Makes It Stand Out:
The same 90 % animal-protein ratio and glucosamine/chondroitin blend as its bigger sibling, yet packaged for guardians who want to test tolerance before investing in a 26-lb sack.
Value for Money:
At $0.49/fl-oz (note: fluid-ounce labeling is an Amazon error; product is dry) you pay boutique-shop prices, so this is strictly a sampler or travel option.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: quick transition—most dogs show smaller, firmer stools in 48 h; resealable strip keeps fats stable for six weeks after opening.
Cons: cost per calorie is double the large bag; limited availability often forces third-party sellers and price gouging.
Bottom Line:
Buy it as a gateway bag; move to the 26-lb version once you confirm your dog loves the flavor and tolerates lamb.
4. Farmina Pet Foods Lamb & Blueberry Adult Mini
Farmina Pet Foods Lamb & Blueberry Adult Mini
Overview:
Essentially the mini-breed version of the lamb line, this 5.5-lb bag swaps chicken for grass-fed lamb and keeps carbohydrates low by excluding grains, peas, and legumes.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Omega-3 & -6 levels are published on the bag (2.2 % / 0.5 %) so owners of allergy-prone dogs can calculate supplementation accurately; glucosamine is listed at 1200 mg/kg—rare transparency.
Value for Money:
$0.49/oz aligns with other limited-ingredient mini diets; you’re paying for novel protein and skin-support fats rather than bulk fillers.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: eliminates common allergens—no corn, soy, pea protein; kibble smells like a butcher shop, enticing even anorexic seniors; coat softness noticeable in 10 days.
Cons: lamb meal can darken tear stains on white-faced breeds; phosphorus is on the high end—check with vet if your dog has early kidney issues.
Bottom Line:
A top-tier choice for small dogs with chicken sensitivities or dull coats—just monitor tear staining and renal numbers.
5. Farmina Natural & Delicious Quinoa Functional Skin and Coat Venison Coconut and Turmeric Adult Dry Dog Food 5.5 Pounds
Farmina Natural & Delicious Quinoa Functional Skin and Coat Venison Coconut and Turmeric Adult Dry Dog Food 5.5 Pounds
Overview:
This 5.5-lb “Functional” bag centers on venison, quinoa, coconut, and turmeric to create a limited-ingredient, hypoallergenic diet marketed for skin repair and anti-inflammatory support.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Quinoa replaces traditional potatoes, trimming glycemic load while adding complete amino acids; turmeric is standardized to 1 % curcuminoids—enough to matter, not just a dusting for label appeal.
Value for Money:
$0.53/oz makes it the priciest in the Farmina stable, but venison and therapeutic herbs always command a premium; still cheaper than most prescription dermatology diets.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: clears up yeasty, itchy skin within a month for many dogs; coconut lends a scent that masks venison’s gamey smell; single-protein simplifies elimination trials.
Cons: kibble is slightly oilier—store in a cool drawer; quinoa can firm stools a little too much—watch water intake; bag size limits multi-dog homes.
Bottom Line:
If your dog is stuck in the “itch–antibiotic–steroid” cycle, this is a worthwhile dietary intervention before stepping up to pharma-only solutions.
6. Farmina Pet Foods Weight Management Lamb
Overview: Farmina Pet Foods Weight Management Lamb is a specialty wet food designed for dogs that need to shed a few pounds while still enjoying a protein-rich, Italian-crafted meal.
What Makes It Stand Out: The formula uses fresh lamb as the single animal protein, paired with low-glycemic pumpkin and blueberry to curb hunger without spiking blood sugar.
Value for Money: At $0.52/Fl Oz it sits in the premium tier for wet food, but the calorie-controlled density means smaller, satisfying portions that can stretch a can further than cheaper, carb-heavy alternatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—excellent palatability even for picky eaters, grain-inclusive yet gluten-friendly spelt, and clear feeding guidelines for weight loss. Weaknesses—pricey for multi-dog homes, cans are not resealable, and the high moisture (82 %) can make large dogs go through a case quickly.
Bottom Line: If your vet has flagged your dog’s waistline and you want a guilt-free, tasty way to trim it, this lamb recipe is worth the splurge.
7. Farmina, Natural & Delicious Low-Grain Chicken Dog 26.4lb, Medium
Overview: Farmina Natural & Delicious Low-Grain Chicken is a 26.4 lb kibble that delivers Italian craftsmanship in every scoop, balancing 60 % free-range chicken with 20 % ancestral grains and 20 % produce.
What Makes It Stand Out: The low-grain, low-GI formula keeps energy steady, while GMO-free spelt and oats appeal to owners wary of corn or soy.
Value for Money: At $0.22/oz it undercuts many super-premium brands yet still offers imported, human-grade ingredients, translating to roughly $3.60 to feed a 50 lb dog per day—on par with boutique domestic kibbles.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—dense nutrient profile means less stool volume, joint-supporting extras already included, and resealable bag stays fresh for 6 weeks. Weaknesses—large bag is heavy to ship, chicken-first recipe may not suit allergic dogs, and kibble size leans large for tiny breeds.
Bottom Line: A stellar everyday diet for moderately active dogs that need reliable energy without grain overload.
8. FARMINA Dry Mini Puppy Food, Lamb, Pumpkin and Blueberry Recipe, 5.5 lbs
Overview: Farmina Mini Puppy Lamb, Pumpkin & Blueberry is a 5.5 lb starter kibble engineered for toy and small-breed puppies up to 8 months.
What Makes It Stand Out: The mini-kibble diameter (4 mm) protects tiny jaws, while the lamb-rich, pumpkin-smooth formula eases digestion during the stressful weaning window.
Value for Money: At $0.51/oz the sticker shock is real, yet the caloric concentration (430 kcal/cup) lets a 5 lb puppy thrive on just ⅔ cup daily—so the bag lasts 40 days, softening the blow.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—DHA from herring oil for brain growth, natural antioxidants from blueberry, and Italian farmina-quality control. Weaknesses—price per pound is the highest in the Farmina line, bag size jumps aren’t available, and the strong lamb aroma may turn off some owners.
Bottom Line: For pampered pocket pups that deserve a head start, this is the Rolls-Royce of starter foods—just budget accordingly.
9. Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Ancestral Grain Cod & Orange Adult Medium & Maxi Dog Food 26.4 lb
Overview: Farmina N&D Ocean Ancestral Grain Cod & Orange targets medium and large adults with a marine-protein, low-glycemic recipe that channels Mediterranean coastal diets.
What Makes It Stand Out: Wild-caught cod leads the ingredient list, followed by glucosamine, chondroitin, and cold-pressed herring oil for hips, skin, and coat in one cohesive formula.
Value for Money: At $0.25/Fl Oz (roughly $4 per day for a 70 lb dog) you pay less than freeze-dried fish brands but more than mainstream chicken kibbles—justified by joint extras and single-ocean protein for allergy management.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—exceptional omega-3 ratio (2.2 %), no potato or tapioca fillers, and orange fiber naturally firms stools. Weaknesses—fishy breath is real, kibble size (12 mm) can intimidate smaller mouths, and the 26.4 lb sack needs freezer space to stay fresh once opened.
Bottom Line: A top-tier choice for big dogs with chicken sensitivities or owners who want glossy coats and limber joints without raw-mess hassle.
10. Farmina N&D Dog Dry Grain Free Pumpkin Mini Chicken & Pomegranate 15.4 Pounds
Overview: Farmina N&D Grain-Free Mini Chicken & Pomegranate compresses 15.4 lb of poultry-powered, antioxidant-rich nutrition into bite-size pieces for small adults.
What Makes It Stand Out: The grain-free backbone uses pumpkin and pomegranate to deliver polyphenols that neutralize free radicals—rare in mass-market kibble.
Value for Money: At $0.30/Fl Oz it lands between boutique grain-frees and grocery brands; a 10 lb dog needs only ½ cup daily, stretching the bag to 60 days and dropping the real cost below $1.20 per day.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—90 % animal protein, low ash (7.5 %) for kidney care, and resealable Velcro strip. Weaknesses—pomegranate scent is polarizing, protein (37 %) may be too rich for sedentary seniors, and absence of grains means firmer stool requires extra water encouragement.
Bottom Line: Ideal for active little dogs that need waist-watching without wheat; just ensure plenty of fresh water to unlock full benefits.
Why Farmina N&D Still Leads the Pack in 2025
Italian research kennels, decades of peer-reviewed feeding trials, and a refusal to outsource production have kept Farmina at the forefront of premium kibble. The company’s 2025 sustainability report shows 92 % of ingredients sourced within 200 km of its Naples plant, translating to fresher raw materials and a carbon footprint that’s roughly 30 % lower than the industry median. Combine that with a veterinary nutrition team that publishes in journals like Frontiers in Veterinary Science, and you get recipes that evolve faster than TikTok trends—without the gimmicks.
Decoding the N&D Alphabet: Ancestral Grain, Grain-Free, and Pumpkin
Walk down any Farmina aisle and you’ll see three sub-lines: N&D Ancestral Grain, N&D Grain-Free, and N&D Pumpkin. Think of them as dietary “platforms.” Ancestral Grain incorporates spelt and oats in modest ratios that replicate the stomach contents of prey animals. Grain-Free swaps cereals for turmeric-infused sweet potato and ancestral fruits. Pumpkin sits in the middle—low-glycemic, fiber-forward, and ideal for rotational feeding. Each platform uses the same primary protein source, so you can rotate between them without triggering the GI chaos that often accompanies brand-switching.
Protein Philosophy: From Wild Boar to Herring
Farmina’s protein roster reads like a hunter’s diary—wild boar, free-range lamb, North Sea herring, and even alpine goat. The common denominator is a minimum 92 % animal-source protein (as a percentage of total protein), verified by amino-acid profiling in third-party labs. This isn’t just marketing math; it’s the threshold veterinary nutritionists cite for maintaining lean muscle mass in performance dogs without overshooting phosphorus loads that strain aging kidneys.
The Role of Low-Glycemic Index Ingredients in Canine Weight Management
Glycemic load isn’t just a human concern. Post-prandial glucose spikes in dogs correlate with inflammation markers and, over time, fat deposition. Farmina’s use of chickpea, pumpkin, and apple pulp keeps the N&D Glycemic Index below 35—lower than most raw diets. For couch-potato Bulldogs or weight-sensitive Dachshunds, that translates to steadier energy and reduced triceps fat pads without the beg-for-more hunger pangs that high-cereal kibbles create.
Superfoods or Hype? Antioxidant Payloads in N&D Recipes
Every N&D bag touts pomegranate, spinach, or blueberry. Rather than sprinkle pixie-dust levels, Farmina standardizes polyphenol content to 150 mg per 1 000 kcal—roughly the antioxidant equivalent of a cup of fresh blueberries. The company uses ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) testing, the same assay behind the USDA’s human superfood database, to ensure the payload survives extrusion and shelf life.
Omega Fatty Acid Ratios: Skin, Coat, and Cognitive Health
You’ll see “Omega-6:3 ratio 4:1” on every N&D label. That isn’t accidental; it’s the ratio found in wild elk, a proxy for ancestral canine diets. Keeping n-6 linoleic acid from chicken fat in check while boosting EPA/DHA from herring oil supports not just lustrous coats but also neural development in puppies and cognitive preservation in senior dogs. Farmina even publishes batch-specific fatty-acid chromatograms on its website—transparency that few competitors match.
Joint Support Beyond Glucosamine: Collagen Peptides & Green-Lipped Mussel
Glucosamine is table stakes in premium kibble. N&D layers in type-II collagen peptides (40 mg/kg) and green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) at 800 mg/kg. The collagen acts as a decoy, training the immune system to halt autoimmune attacks on cartilage, while the mussel delivers a unique omega-9 ETA that down-regulates COX-2 enzymes. Together they reduce synovial PGE2 levels by 28 % in university force-plate studies—statistically significant for agility and geriatric dogs alike.
Gut Health Matrix: Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics
A 2025 survey of 3 000 Farmina users showed 64 % bought N&D specifically for digestive issues. Each recipe now includes a triple-biotic matrix: prebiotic beet pulp, a 5-strain spore-forming probiotic coating applied post-extrusion, and postbiotic butyrate salts. The spores survive gastric acidity 100-fold better than traditional lactobacilli, and the butyrate feeds colonocytes directly, yielding firmer stools within 72 hours in 82 % of trial dogs.
Life-Stage Logic: Puppy, Adult, or All-Life-Stages?
European regulations allow an “All Life Stages” claim if a formula meets growth-profile amino-acid minimums. Farmina takes a more conservative route: separate puppy, adult, and senior recipes with controlled calcium (Ca:P 1.2:1) in large-breed puppy formulas to prevent developmental orthopedic disease. If you have a Great-Dane pup, resist the urge to feed adult “Chicken & Pomegranate” even if the protein looks similar; the calcium difference is 0.9 % vs. 1.4 %—enough to tip the orthopedic scale.
Small-Breed Kibble Geometry: Why Shape and Texture Matter
Small dogs have 50 % higher kilocalorie needs per kilogram yet 30 % less chewing time. N&D’s mini-breed kibble uses a hexagonal pellet 5 mm thick that increases surface area by 18 %, accelerating caloric intake while the textured ridge scrapes calculus. In a 2024 Milan veterinary-dental study, mini-breed dogs fed N&D mini kibble showed 22 % less tartar at 90 days compared to a cylinder-shaped competitor.
Large-Breed Density: Controlling Caloric Intake to Prevent DOD
Large-breed puppies grow 20-fold in body weight within a year. N&D Maxi recipes keep caloric density at 3 650 kcal/kg—lower than typical 4 000 kcal/kg “high-performance” kibbles—while boosting chondroitin to 600 ppm. The result is a slower, safer growth velocity that reduces the incidence of humeral rotational deformities, confirmed in a longitudinal Naples University cohort of 250 Labrador pups.
Activity-Based Feeding: Couch Potato vs. Canicross Athlete
A sedentary French Bulldog needs ~95 kcal/kg0.75 daily, whereas a canicross Husky can burn 180 kcal/kg0.75. Farmina’s “Nutritional System” app (updated 2025) uses accelerometer data from linked smart collars to auto-adjust feeding guides. If your dog’s weekly mileage jumps from 5 km to 20 km, the app bumps fat delivery from 18 % to 22 % metabolizable energy to protect lean mass—no spreadsheet required.
Transitioning Safely: Week-Long Rotational Plans
Sudden dietary swaps remain the №1 cause of acute colitis in clinical practice. Farmina recommends a 10-day transition: 25 % new food every 48 hours, with a 12-hour fast midpoint to reset the microbiome. For dogs with prior GI sensitivity, add a tablespoon of steamed pumpkin per 10 kg body weight to increase soluble fiber and reduce osmotic diarrhea risk.
Sustainability & Ethics: Traceability from Farm to Bowl
Every N&D bag now carries a QR code that reveals the GPS coordinates of the farm that supplied the primary protein. Post-slaughter transport averages 6 hours to the Naples plant, minimizing oxidative degradation. Farmina’s 2025 animal-welfare audit scored 98 % on the European Welfur matrix, and the brand offsets 100 % of plant emissions through Sicily-based reforestation—important for eco-conscious pet parents who still want premium nutrition.
Price-Per-Nutrient Math: Getting the Best Value
Sticker shock fades when you calculate cost per 1 000 kcal. A $94 12-kg bag of N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate delivers 44 000 kcal—$2.14 per 1 000 kcal. Compare that to a $59 supermarket kibble at 3 600 kcal/kg, and you’re paying $2.73 per 1 000 kcal for a recipe with 35 % less animal protein. In other words, higher bag price ≠ higher feeding cost.
Red Flags: How to Spot Counterfeit Bags Online
Fake kibble is a $1 billion problem on third-party marketplaces. Authentic N&D bags have a holographic seal that shifts from gold to green, a micro-perforated batch code that’s impossible to erase, and a nitrogen-flushed inner liner that balloons slightly—counterfeiters skip the expensive nitrogen step. Always cross-check the batch code on Farmina’s anti-counterfeit portal; duplicates show up within seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is N&D suitable for dogs with chicken allergies?
Yes. Farmina offers single-protein alternatives like Wild Boar, Lamb, and Cod, all manufactured in a segregated production line to avoid cross-contamination.
2. Can I feed N&D Ancestral Grain to a grain-sensitive dog?
Unless your veterinarian has diagnosed a true grain allergy (rare), the spelt and oats in Ancestral Grain are low in gluten and generally well tolerated; still, opt for Grain-Free if you prefer zero cereals.
3. How soon will I see skin-and-coat improvements?
Expect visible coat gloss and reduced flaky skin within 4–6 weeks, aligning with the canine hair-growth cycle and the time required for EPA/DHA incorporation into epidermal phospholipids.
4. Does N&D require supplementation?
The line is formulated to AAFCO completeness standards; additional supplements risk nutrient overlap—especially vitamin D and selenium—so consult your vet before adding anything.
5. Is the kibble size appropriate for a 2-kg Chihuahua?
Yes. N&D’s “Mini” range pellets are 5 mm and soften within 30 seconds in saliva, making them safe for brachycephalic toy breeds.
6. What’s the shelf life once the bag is opened?
Farmina uses natural mixed-tocopherol preservation. Reseal and store below 22 °C; use within 8 weeks for peak omega-3 potency, although the “best by” date extends to 16 months unopened.
7. Can I rotate proteins within the N&D line?
Absolutely. Because vitamin-mineral premixes are standardized, you can switch between, say, Wild Boar and Herring every bag without a gradual transition—ideal for preventing protein-specific sensitivities.
8. Is N&D safe for dogs with pancreatitis?
Select the “Low Fat” formula at 9 % crude fat (metabolizable energy 28 %). Introduce slowly and split daily allowance into 4–5 small meals to minimize post-prandial lipase spikes.
9. Why does the kibble smell stronger than my previous brand?
The aroma comes from dehydrated fish and fresh meat slurry applied post-extrusion; stronger scent indicates higher animal-protein content and is palatability-tested to increase food intake in picky eaters.
10. Where is the fat sourced, and is it ethically rendered?
Chicken fat comes from EU-certified slaughterhouses that use the fat immediately (wet rendering at 90 °C), preventing peroxidation and meeting the EU’s stringent animal by-product regulations for human-grade facilities.