Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
There is just one product in the Farmina N&D White range that received the Dog Food Advisor’s rating, 4 stars.
Farmina N&D White is formulated to help prevent brown tear staining on white coats. The recipe has quality protein as the top ingredient.
Pros
- Fish protein as the first ingredient
- High-quality ingredients
- Non-GMO ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
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.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Farmina N&D White Soft & Shiny White Coat Sea Bass, Kelp and Fennel Recipe | 4 | M |
Farmina N&D White Soft & Shiny Coat White Sea Bass, Kelp and Fennel Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Seabass, dehydrated seabass, sweet potato, fish oil (from herring), hydrolyzed fish protein, dried Kelp, linseed, dried fennel (2.5%), pea fiber, alfalfa meal, inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, yeast extract (source of manno-oligo-saccharides), dried spinach, psyllium husks and seeds, dried brewers yeast, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, aloe vera extract, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin C, niacin, calcium d-pantothenate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12, choline chloride, beta‐carotene, zinc (zinc chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine), manganese (manganese chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine), iron [iron(ii) chelate of glycine hydrate], copper (copper chelate of hydroxy analogue of methionine), selenium (selenised yeast inactivated), dl-methionine, taurine, l-carnitine, technological additives: microcrystalline cellulose. organoleptic additives: green tea extract, rosemary extract, antioxidants: tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.9%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 23% | 18% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 25% | 20% | 47% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 21% | 40% | 39% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is seabass. Seabass are a family of marine fish, and like other species of fish they are nutrient-rich, high in protein and is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is dehydrated seabass. Dried Seabass. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, dried fish contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Dried fish is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1”
The third ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The fourth 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 fifth ingredient is hydrolyzed fish protein, it is considered a meat concentrate, as fish proteins contain almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself. Being hydrolyzed means the fish has been chemically broken-down into its component amino acids. Hydrolyzed proteins are considered hypoallergenic as they are not identifiable by the body to trigger allergy reactions.
The sixth ingredient is dried kelp, a dehydrated form of seaweed also known as alginate. Kelp is most likely used here as a thickening or gelling agent.
The seventh ingredient is linseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, linseeds are also rich in soluble fiber. However, linseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The eighth ingredient is dried fennel. Fennel is a member of the carrot family. It’s a bulb with feathery leaves which has a mild licorice flavor. Fresh fennel is a rich source of vitamin C, but also contributes potassium and manganese, as well as being a potent source of antioxidants and plant based compounds which can have anti-inflammatory properties. Supporters state the benefits of fennel to include settling and aiding digestion, to supporting heart and liver health, amongst other properties. More studies in dogs are required to confirm the effects of fennel in the diet, but as fennel is generally recognized as safe we believe that the inclusion of fennel is a positive in this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is pea fiber, a mixture of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber derived from pea hulls. Aside from the usual benefits of fiber, this agricultural by-product provides no other nutritional value to a dog.
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 four 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.
Next, this recipe contains fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener3 probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.
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.
Last, dried brewers yeast, which can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.
What’s more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Farmina N&D White Soft & Shiny White Coat Sea Bass, Kelp and Fennel Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 25.3%, a fat level of 19.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 46.9%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 78%.
This means Farmina N&D White contains below-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat when compared to typical dry dog food.
Farmina Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Farmina through September 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Farmina N&D White Dry 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.
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.
Mangima manufacturing facilities are based in Europe and Farmina foods are mostly sourced from Italy. Some ingredients are sourced from Europe and New Zealand.
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