Farmina Dog Food Review
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Farmina dog food has become very popular in the last several years. Their low-grain/ancestral grain formulas, in particular, are often recommended to dog lovers concerned about dietary canine DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy).
But, what should you know about this brand before you buy? Read our unbiased review to find out if this is a good food for your dog.
Farmina Dog Food: Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Protein | kcal/Cup |
| Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish & Orange Ancestral Grain Adult | Dry | 30% | 400 kcal/cup |
| Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult | Dry | 30% | 400 kcal/cup |
| Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Grain-Free | Dry | 34% | 432 kcal/cup |
Brand Score
Our reviews are based on extensive research and years of professional familiarity with dog food brands. In order to remain objective, we do not accept gifts of free products or write sponsored posts on this site.
We’ve looked at Farmina closely and graded it according to the PupJunkies.com standard. Our criteria includes ingredients, quality, customer experience, recall history, working with veterinary nutritionists to formulate the food, nutritional standards, research, and price.
- Has very good ingredients and provides the sources
- No recalls that we could find
- Meets high nutritional standards
- Customers say that some of the foods have a strong odor
- More expensive than many premium dog foods
- Has very good ingredients and provides the sources
- No recalls that we could find
- Meets high nutritional standards
- Customers say that some of the foods have a strong odor
- More expensive than many premium dog foods
About Farmina
Farmina, an Italian brand introduced to the US in 2013, specializes in animal nutrition. Founded in 1965, it transitioned to pet foods in 1999 after collaborating with Farmina for food research and formulation.
The company has partnered with independent research institutes and established Farmina Vet Research, a team of veterinarians and nutritional formulation specialists. Farmina also makes cat foods.
The company conducts cruelty-free research, ensuring pets stay with their families during food trials without harm. Links to Farmina’s research can be found on their website.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Farmina is a company that uses ancestral cereals, including spelt and oats, without GMO ingredients. They also use tocopherol-rich extracts as a natural preservative. Their chicken and eggs are sourced from Italy, while their wild-caught cod, herring, and wild Italian boar come from Tuscany and Umbria.
Their lamb is grass-fed and New Zealand-born. Farmina owns three factories in Sao Paulo, Brazil; India, Serbia; and Naples, Italy. Their foods follow AAFCO guidelines and sometimes exceed European Union guidelines.
Recall History
As far as we can determine, there have not been any Farmina recalls since they began selling their food in the U.S. According to some online statements, Farmina has never had a recall, even in Europe, but we can’t confirm that to be true.
What Kinds Of Dog Food Does Farmina Offer?
Farmina currently offers six different product lines for dogs. “N&D” stands for Natural & Delicious with Farmina’s foods.
- Farmina Vet Life Canine: Prescriptions are required. These formulas are all-natural veterinary diets. Kibbles only at this time.
- N&D Quinoa Functional Canine: Skin & Coat, Digestive, and Management Formulas. Kibbles and cans are available. Quinoa is not commonly used as a cereal/grain in dog foods.
- N&D Prime Canine: Grain-free kibbles and cans. Offers a variety of meat proteins.
- N&D Ocean Canine: fish-based kibbles and cans.
- N&D Pumpkin Grain-Free Canine: These formulas use pumpkin as a source of fiber.
- N&D Ancestral Grain Canine: These formulas use spelt and oats (ancestral grains) for low grain dog foods. These foods are made up of 60 percent animal ingredients, 20 percent organic spelt and organic oats, and 20 percent vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals.
Farmina makes kibbles. Some formulas are also available as canned foods.
Most or all of Farmina’s formulas are available for puppies and adult dogs. Some product lines also have senior formulas. Their foods come in mini, medium, and maxi formulas, which refer to the size of the kibble, not necessarily to the size of the dog.
Farmina Dog Food: Top Three Recipes Reviewed
FARMINA N&D OCEAN CODFISH & ORANGE ANCESTRAL GRAIN ADULT DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 2.9% Max
- Calories: 400 kcal/cup
This food has 30 percent min. protein, 18 percent min. fat, 2.9 percent max crude fiber, and 9 percent moisture. It has 6.9 percent max ash content. It has 400 kcal/cup so it will provide plenty of energy for even the most active dog.
Cod, Dehydrated Cod, Herring Oil, Whole Spelt, Whole Oats, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharides, Yeast Extract, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Apple, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Dried Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative).
Cod is the first ingredient, followed by dehydrated cod. Inulin and Fructooligosaccharides are prebiotics. Yeast extract is sometimes used in dog foods to enhance flavor. It can be a source of MSG in dog foods but frankly, there are so many ways that forms of MSG are added to pet foods and human foods, this probably isn’t something to worry about.
Brewers dried yeast is a safe dietary supplement that can be good for dogs. (My vet has given this supplement to my dogs in the past.) It’s often added to dog foods to increase palatability.
It’s a rich source of B vitamins and minerals. There can be some side effects with large amounts but this should not be a problem with the small amounts used in a dog food.
This is one of Farmina’s ancestral grain formulas so 60 percent of the food is comprised of animal ingredients; 20 percent is made up of organic spelt (a form of wheat) and organic oats; and 20 percent is made up of fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals.
Note that many of Farmina’s formulas, especially their fish formulas, have a strong odor. This is normal for Farmina.
The ingredients in this food appear to be high quality, especially considering their sourcing and percentages. This food is highly recommended.
FARMINA N&D ANCESTRAL GRAIN CHICKEN & POMEGRANATE ADULT DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 2.9% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 3997 kcal/kg, 400 kcal/cup
Like many of Farmina’s foods, this formula is low-glycemic, GMO-free, pea-free, and it has no corn, wheat, or soy. It contains no peas, legumes, meals, or by-products.
Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Whole Spelt, Whole Oats, Chicken Fat, Dried Whole Eggs, Fresh Herring, Dehydrated Herring, Dried Beet Pulp, Herring Oil, Dried Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharides, Yeast Extract, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Apple, Dried Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative).
Deboned chicken and dehydrated chicken are the first ingredients. Dried whole eggs, fresh herrings, and dehydrated herring are also included as sources of animal protein.
This formula has 30 percent min. protein, 18 percent min. fat, 2.9 percent max crude fiber, 9 percent moisture, and 6.8 percent max ash content. It has 400 kcal/cup.
As one of Farmina’s ancestral grain formulas, 60 percent of the food is made up of animal ingredients; 20 percent is made up of organic spelt and organic oats; and 20 percent is made up of vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals. According to Farmina, 90 percent of the protein comes from animal sources.
This formula is highly recommended.
FARMINA N&D PRIME CHICKEN & POMEGRANATE ADULT GRAIN-FREE DRY DOG FOOD
Product Info
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 2.6% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 3999 kcal/kg, 432 kcal/cup
You can take a look at the ingredients:
Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Dried Whole Eggs, Herring, Dehydrated Herring, Herring Oil, Pea Fiber, Dried Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharides, Yeast Extract, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Apple, Dried Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative).
As you can see, most of the recipe looks similar to Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Dry Dog Food (above), the ancestral grain version of this food.
However, instead of using spelt and oats, this formula uses sweet potatoes and pea fiber. If you are concerned about DCM in dogs (dilated cardiomyopathy), sweet potatoes were initially thought to be an ingredient of concern but they have been largely ruled out as a possible problem now, unless your dog consumes vast amounts of them in an unbalanced diet. Peas and other legumes are still under scrutiny and that would include fragments of peas such as pea fiber.
However, pea fiber here is the ninth ingredient which makes it less likely to be a problem. If you are concerned about your dog or you have a dog that has been diagnosed with DCM, you should probably not feed this food. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any reason to be worried about feeding it. If you like Farmina and this recipe but you want to be careful, buy the Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Dry Dog Food instead.
This is a grain-free food so it does have a slightly higher protein percentage than the ancestral grain formulas. It has 34 percent protein, 18 percent fat, 2.6 percent max crude fiber, 9 percent moisture, 7.8 percent max ash content, and it has 432 kcal/cup. And, 98 percent of the protein is from animal sources.
How Much Does Farmina Dog Food Cost?
Farmina is what is called a “super premium” dog food, which means it is one of the more expensive foods available today. It’s not the most expensive, but its price has jumped up since it became more popular in the last couple of years.
For a time in 2019, it was quite difficult to find Farmina in the U.S. because it was selling out so fast. Even Chewy.com couldn’t keep up with the requests for the food. According to Farmina, they were taken by surprise by the popularity of the ancestral grain formulas due to the FDA report about DCM.
What Do Customers Think Of Farmina Dog Food?
Customers highly praise Farmina Dog Food for its high quality, health benefits, weight gain, shinier coats, and increased activity. They mention strong odors in some formulas, but also report softer stools in dogs eating pumpkin.
The food’s high protein percentage and use of non-GMO produce and quality meat sources are also often mentioned in reviews.
Overall, is Farmina Dog Food A Good Choice?
Farmina Dog Food is a top dog food brand with high-quality ingredients, no recalls, and satisfied customers and canines. However, they frequently change their recipes, using cheaper ingredients than some companies.
Some of their kibbles may be better than they were a few years ago, but this can be unsettling for customers. Farmina is available in many retail stores near you and doesn’t require a subscription. However, there are better fresh options available from new cat food delivery competitors.
Farmina Dog Food is a popular choice for customers who prefer a more affordable option. However, there are better options available for those who prefer fresher options.
Where Is Farmina Dog Food Sold?
You can buy Farmina Dog Food online from retailers like Chewy.com and from some pet food stores.
Nora
We give our 6 month old Weimaraner Farmina ND; pumpkin, blueberry and lamb He weighs 52lbs. How many cups should he be getting daily? His stool has been runny. Thank you. Hi Nora, The amount of calories your dog needs will depend on how active he is, his age, whether he is neutered, etc. A 6-12 month old puppy weighing about 52 pounds may need up to 2700 calories per day. The amount will taper off a little as he reaches adulthood. As he gets older, his metabolism will slow to a steady, mature rate. You can check the Farmina bag or web site to see how many calories are in a cup of food. It varies depending on the formula. Thanks, Carlotta
Amy Brown
Hi Nora According to their website they recommend a Daily dose / 100g of body weight. They recommend that you always consult your veterinarian of trust to adapt the feed management of puppies on a case-by-case basis.
Chantal Dahan
Hi Nora, I have been feeding my dog Farmina (which smells very strong) all of the different flavours for a while and she really likes it. But her urine is dark and her urine smells vey pungent. The urine test doesn’t show any urinary infection and she seems quite normal otherwise. So I’m wondering if there is a link to strong smelling dog urine and Farmina dog food? Please help me out with this issue.
Carlotta Cooper
Hi Chantal, Yes, Farmina does have a strong odor, especially the fish recipes. I've fed it to my dogs and noticed it, too. Did your veterinarian perform the urine test? My first thought would be that it might be a kidney issue but if your vet has ruled that out, then I think it could be due to the food. I know a Farmina sales representative and I can try to ask her about this issue. She might know if anyone else has reported something like this. If your vet hasn't seen your dog, I would suggest having her checked to make sure it's not a physical problem. Carlotta