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Herring & Orange Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food
Farmina

Herring & Orange Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food

Verified Jun 6, 2026

Dog · Dry Adult Medium Large

This is a high-protein, grain-free dry food for adult medium and large breed dogs, built around herring as a single primary animal protein. It uses sweet potato and pea starch for carbohydrates and includes added omega-3s, joint supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin), and prebiotic fibers like inulin and FOS to support digestion. The formula is designed for adult maintenance and may suit dogs who do better on fish-based diets or have sensitivities to more common proteins like chicken or beef.

Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.7 out of 10

Nutritionally, this is a high-quality adult maintenance diet with excellent protein and fat levels for most healthy, active medium and large dogs. It uses named fish ingredients up front, has a strong omega-3 profile, and includes several thoughtful additions for joint and digestive support. The main things to keep in mind are that it is grain-free with peas in the formula and uses multiple fat sources, which may not be ideal for every dog, especially those needing lower calories or with certain breed-related heart concerns.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
9.0 – 10 Top Pick
8.0 – 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 – 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 – 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Joint Care Skin Coat Health Allergy Support Digestive Health Probiotic Support Metabolic Support
Suitable For
Adult Medium Large
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • High protein (34%) and moderate-to-high fat (18%) from named herring and dehydrated herring provide robust, high-quality animal protein for adult maintenance.
  • Very good omega profile with herring oil and guaranteed EPA/DHA levels, which can support skin, coat, and overall wellness.
  • Includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which are helpful additions for supporting joint health in medium and large breed adults.
  • Contains prebiotic fibers (inulin, fructooligosaccharides, beet pulp, psyllium) and a variety of fruits and vegetables that can support digestive health and stool quality.

Considerations

  • This is a grain-free formula that includes pea starch and pea fiber; for dogs of breeds with known heart concerns, some veterinarians prefer diets where legumes are less prominent until more is understood about the grain-free/DCM connection.
  • The calorie density is fairly high at about 432 kcal per cup, so portion control is important, especially for dogs prone to weight gain.
  • Although herring is the main animal protein, the recipe also contains chicken fat and pork fat, so it is not appropriate for dogs with strict chicken or pork fat sensitivities.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

herring, dehydrated herring, sweet potatoes, herring oil, pea starch, chicken fat, hydrolyzed fish, pork fat, natural flavors, dried whole eggs, dried beet pulp, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, pea fiber, dried carrot, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin, fructooligosaccharide, dried sweet orange, dried pomegranate, dried apple, dried spinach, psyllium seed husk, dried blueberry, salt, brewers dried yeast, turmeric, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, ascorbic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine hydrochloride, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, choline chloride, beta-carotene, zinc methionine hydroxy analogue chelate, manganese methionine hydroxy analogue chelate, ferrous glycine, copper methionine hydroxy analogue chelate, selenium yeast, DL-Methionine, taurine, L-Carnitine, aloe vera gel concentrate, green tea extract, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols (a preservative).

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
02
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Herring Oil
Herring oil is a fish-derived oil used in dog and cat diets as a concentrated source of long-chain omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support healthy skin and coat, help modulate inflammation, and can benefit joint and cardiovascular health. It is calorically dense and can cause fishy odor or gastrointestinal upset in some pets, so quality, freshness, and dosing matter—products should be properly processed to limit oxidation and contamination and a veterinarian should be consulted for pets with bleeding disorders, pancreatitis, or when combining with certain medications.
05
Pea Starch
Pea starch is used in pet foods primarily as a carbohydrate binder, thickener and texture agent to help form kibble and provide readily digestible energy, rather than as a protein or fiber source. It is a gluten‑free, highly digestible starch that can increase calorie density and glycemic load (important for overweight or diabetic pets) and, like other pea/legume ingredients used in high amounts in some grain‑free diets, should be part of a balanced formulation chosen with veterinary guidance for pets with special health concerns.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
34.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
18.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
2.60%
Low High
Moisture (max)
9.00%
Low High
1814
kcal / Lb
432
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size Medium
Breed size Large
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
N&D Herring and orange recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

Brand

Farmina

Farmina is the flagship brand of Farmina Pet Foods, known for its Natural & Delicious (N&D) and Vet Life lines. The brand focuses on diets that combine natural ingredients with scientific research. Farmina’s offerings target premium pet owners seeking nutritionally balanced recipes made with high-quality proteins and low-glycemic carbohydrates.

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Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Farmina Pet Foods
Founded 1965
Headquarters Naples, Italy
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country Italy; Serbia; Brazil
Manufacturing region Campania; Belgrade; Sao Paulo; North Carolina
Manufacturing oversight

Farmina operates its own manufacturing facilities in Italy, Serbia, and Brazil, allowing complete control over ingredient sourcing, formulation, and production quality. The company follows strict quality assurance protocols and complies with international food safety standards including HACCP and ISO-certified processes.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

Farmina Herring & Orange Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.7 /10 Grade A
Herring & Orange Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food
Farmina · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Farmina ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Farmina. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.