N&D Quinoa Canine Adult Skin & Coat Venison, Coconut & Turmeric Dry Dog Food, 11-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Farmina N&D Quinoa Canine Adult Skin & Coat Venison, Coconut & Turmeric is a dry food for adult dogs, featuring venison as its primary protein.
This formula boasts a strong protein profile, with venison as the primary ingredient, offering high biological value for your dog. It also includes quality carbohydrate sources that provide fermentable fiber, alongside quality fat sources like herring oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA.
The formula contains ingredients that can be a source of MSG, often from yeast extract, which can obscure the true formulation rather than being a direct safety concern.
Good fit for adult dogs, especially those needing support for skin and coat health.
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 adult Labrador Retrievers and similar active sporting breeds navigating weight management. Caloric density is not declared. The 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines define overweight as a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6-7 on a 9-point scale. A score of 8 or 9 indicates obesity, representing 20-30% and >30% above ideal body weight, respectively (Brooks et al., 2014) .
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 If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.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 75/100, this formula sits near the top of our catalog. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 23 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with venison as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. Where it lost ground: controversial-ingredient penalty, costing 3 points. Contains msg. Safety signal is internet-fueled; real issue is transparency. Yeast extract as MSG loophole obscures formulation.
Strong protein profile with venison as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Contains msg. Safety signal is internet-fueled; real issue is transparency. Yeast extract as MSG loophole obscures formulation..
- Lowest DMB protein in Farmina's lineup (25.3%)
- Top 2% for protein quality in Farmina's lineup (23/27)
- Bottom 5% for DMB fat in Farmina's lineup (13.2%)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Scores 3 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
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$3.32/lb vs your seed's $9.54/lb (65% 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 animalvenison
Real meat, lean and gamey. Used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2dehydrated venison
Real meat, lean and gamey. Used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3pea starch
Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.
Position 3. Pulse-family ingredient this high in the deck is a notable build choice. When stacked with other pulses in the top 10, matches the formulation pattern the FDA flagged in its diet-associated DCM investigation.
- 4herring oil
Concentrated omega-3 from herring. Same role as salmon oil, skin and coat support.
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5quinoa seed
Position 5: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 6hydrolyzed fish
- 7vegetablesweet potato
Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.
Position 7: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 8fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 9: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 10hydrolyzed pork liver
- 11othernatural flavors
Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.
- 12pork fat
Real animal fat from a named species. Clean energy source.
Position 12: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 13suncured alfalfa meal
Sun-dried alfalfa, preserving more of the natural vitamins than heat-dried versions.
- 14fiberdried 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 14: trace fiber inclusion.
- 15dried coconut
- 16supplementturmeric
Spice with anti-inflammatory compounds. Real research in humans, but the dose in kibble is small. Mostly there for label appeal.
- 17fiberinulin
Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.
- 18fructooligosaccharide
Prebiotic fiber, often abbreviated FOS. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria.
- 19yeast extract
Yeast broken down to a paste. Strong palatant plus a real source of B vitamins.
- 20mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 21mineraldicalcium phosphate
Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.
- 22psyllium seed husk
Soluble fiber. Supports stool quality. The same fiber humans use for digestive regularity.
- 23mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 24mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 25dried carrot
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, antioxidants. Same as carrots, sometimes singular on labels.
Showing first 25 of 55. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.