Derma Man Fish Canine Dry Dog Food, 26.5-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Farmina Vet Life Derma Man Fish Canine Dry Dog Food is a dry formula for adult dogs, primarily featuring fish protein.
This formula uses quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber, which is a good sign. It also includes quality fat sources like salmon oil, providing beneficial EPA and DHA. The presence of named fish like dehydrated herring adds diverse, bioavailable protein.
The formula is plant-protein-dominated, with potato as the first ingredient. Also, the protein and fat levels are on the lower side for a dog food, which capped its overall score.
Good fit for adult dogs who might benefit from marine oils for skin and coat health. Less ideal if you prefer a higher protein, meat-first formula.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Golden Retriever, navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Dehydrated herring anchors position 2, with zero pulses in the top 15. In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) .
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? 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.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
Sniff scored this formula 49/100, landing in C-tier (acceptable-with-notes). The biggest contributor was carbohydrate quality (+13 points): Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber. A hard cap of 49 also applied because the guaranteed analysis falls below AAFCO's minimum nutrient profile. If a formula update that meets AAFCO minimums were on the label, the cap would lift and this formula could clear the B-band threshold (60).
Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
Plant-protein-dominated formula. potato as the #1 ingredient.
- Lowest DMB protein in Farmina Vet Life's lineup (16.8%)
- Lowest fat quality in Farmina Vet Life's lineup (12/16)
- Lowest overall Sniff Score in Farmina Vet Life's lineup (49/100)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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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.
- 1vegetablepotato
Standard white potato. Steady carb source, common starch in grain-free recipes.
Position 1: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 2dehydrated herring
Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3fatsalmon oil
Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.
Position 3. Marine oil this high in the deck is likely the primary EPA/DHA source.
- 4fiberpowdered cellulose
Plant fiber, often from wood pulp. Cheap bulk filler. Not harmful, but a tell that the recipe is reaching for inexpensive bulk.
Position 4: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 5mineralcalcium carbonate
Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.
- 6mono-dicalcium phosphate
- 7mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 8vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 9vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 10vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 11vitaminascorbic acid
Vitamin C. Pulls double duty as a natural antioxidant preservative.
- 12vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 13vitamincalcium pantothenate
Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.
- 14vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 15vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 16thiamine hydrochloride
- 17vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 18vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
- 19vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 20supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 21mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 22mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 23mineraliron proteinate
Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.
- 24mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 25mineralcalcium iodate
Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.
Showing first 25 of 28. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.
This food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.