N&D Ocean Canine Adult GMO-Free Salmon, Cod, Cantaloupe Mini Dry Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Farmina N&D Ocean Canine Adult GMO-Free Salmon, Cod, Cantaloupe Mini Dry Dog Food is a dry food featuring salmon as its main protein, formulated for adult maintenance.
This formula offers good protein quality, with salmon providing solid amino acid coverage for your dog. It also includes quality fat sources like named fats and marine oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA. Plus, it's been substantiated by AAFCO feeding trials for adult maintenance.
There are no notable negative drivers or flagged ingredients to watch out for in this formula.
Good fit for adult dogs of any size. Nothing serious working against it.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
The landmark 14-year Purina Lifespan Study on 48 Labrador Retrievers demonstrated that dogs fed 25% fewer calories lived a median of 1.8 years longer and delayed the onset of chronic diseases. Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, navigating weight management. Caloric density is not declared. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2023 survey, 59% of dogs in the United States were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinary healthcare professional, representing an estimated 55 million dogs (APOP, 2023) .
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with weight management ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- Brooks et al., 2014diagnostic · protocol · satiety· cited in 5 claims
- APOP, 2023prevalence
- Raffan et al., 2016genetics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 73/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 17 points to the final number: Reasonable protein quality. salmon delivers solid amino acid coverage. Secondary contribution comes from fat quality (+12 points). Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). The 2-point gap to the A-tier line is concentrated in protein quality (17 of 27 possible). Full protein quality requires named-species named-cut proteins in the top of the deck (e.g., "deboned chicken" rather than "chicken meal" or "poultry meal").
Reasonable protein quality. salmon delivers solid amino acid coverage.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for adult maintenance.
No negative drivers crossed our reporting threshold.
- Lowest carb quality in Farmina's lineup (11/16)
- Top quartile for DMB fat in grain-free dry kibbles (19.8%)
- Bottom 3% for crude fiber in grain-free dry kibbles (3.2% DMB)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Ancestral Low-Grain Mini Breed Formula Dry Dog Food, 5.5-lb bag
Scores 6 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Farmina N&D Tropical Selection Salmon Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food, 22-lb bag
$3.64/lb vs your seed's $8.00/lb (55% less) at a comparable score.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalsalmon
Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2dehydrated salmon
Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3vegetablesweet potato
Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.
Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 4cod
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5dehydrated cod
Position 5: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 6pea starch
Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.
Position 6. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 7fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 8herring oil
Concentrated omega-3 from herring. Same role as salmon oil, skin and coat support.
Position 8: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 9dehydrated herring
Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.
Position 9: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 10othernatural flavors
Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.
- 11pork fat
Real animal fat from a named species. Clean energy source.
Position 11: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 12fiberdried beet pulp
Soluble fiber from sugar-beet processing. Sometimes treated as a filler, but it's actually one of the better fiber sources in kibble. See why →
Position 12: trace fiber inclusion.
- 13fiberpea fiber
Insoluble fiber from peas. Doesn't carry the protein-inflation concern of pea protein. Mostly there for stool quality.
Position 13. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 14dried carrot
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, antioxidants. Same as carrots, sometimes singular on labels.
- 15suncured alfalfa meal
Sun-dried alfalfa, preserving more of the natural vitamins than heat-dried versions.
- 16fiberinulin
Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.
- 17fructooligosaccharide
Prebiotic fiber, often abbreviated FOS. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
- 18dried cantaloupe melon
- 19dried blueberry
- 20dried apple
Whole apple with the moisture removed. Real fruit, fiber, modest nutrition contribution.
- 21dried spinach
Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.
- 22psyllium seed husk
Soluble fiber. Supports stool quality. The same fiber humans use for digestive regularity.
- 23dried pomegranate
Antioxidants, real. Like other fruit additions, the dose in kibble is mostly cosmetic.
- 24mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 25mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
Showing first 25 of 57. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.