Farmina N&D Quinoa Dog Food Review (Wet)

Farmina N&D Quinoa wet product range is made up of 12 recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.

All N&D Quinoa recipes feature high-quality meat or fish as the primary ingredient. Quinoa is a nutritious grain, providing more nutritional value than alternatives such as rice, soy, and corn. It is rich in fiber, essential amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamin E.

The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Farmina N&D Quinoa Adult Skin & Coat Duck Mini was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is duck. Duck is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of duck”. ¹

Duck is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is quinoa seed. Quinoa is not a true cereal grain but a plant prized for its gluten-free seeds.

Compared to most other grain-type ingredients, it is high in protein (about 12-18%), dietary fiber and other healthy nutrients.

The third ingredient is herring oil. Herring oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bioavailability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, herring oil should be considered a commendable addition.

The fourth ingredient is coconut. Depending upon the quality of the raw material, coconut is rich in medium chain fatty acids.

The fifth ingredient in this recipe is fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.

The sixth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.

The seventh ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.

The eighth ingredient is chondroitin sulphate. Chondroitin sulphate is included within dog food as a joint support. Chondroitin sulphate inhibits destructive enzymes in joint fluid and cartilage, it may also contribute to the creating cartilage building blocks (glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans). However, despite some evidence that a combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate nutraceuticals improves symptoms associated with joint disease in dogs and cats, strong clinical evidence of efficacy is lacking, and these compounds are understudied (Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine, 2010). In summary, although further research is needed to confirm the effect of chondroitin sulphate in dog foods, we see its addition in this product as positive.

From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.

This recipe has two notable exceptions.

First taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient. 

We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

In addition, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Farmina N&D Quinoa Adult Skin & Coat Duck Mini looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 48%, a fat level of 23% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 22%.

As a group, the brand features a protein content of 47% and a mean fat level of 20%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 25% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 43%.

This means Farmina N&D Quinoa wet contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical wet dog food.

Farmina Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Farmina through October 2024.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Farmina N&D Quinoa Wet Dog Food

Farmina is a premium high-quality product that formulates all its dog foods with natural, non-GMO ingredients and through strict production and quality control.

Highly Recommended

About

Francesco Russo founded the Russo Mangimi company in 1965 specializing in animal nutrition.  In 1999, the company’s focus shifted to the pet food industry with a new perspective of developing foods based on scientific studies focused on the well-being of pets.

The Mangimi company started to collaborate with Farmina, an English company specializing in food research and formulation.

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