Herring & Orange Adult Mini Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 11, 2026
This is a high-protein, fish-based dry food for small-breed adult dogs, using herring and dehydrated herring as the main animal proteins. It combines sweet potato and pea ingredients for carbohydrates, along with generous omega-3 levels from herring oil to support skin, coat, and overall vitality. Added glucosamine and chondroitin offer extra joint support for active small dogs. Overall, this looks like a high-quality, thoughtfully formulated dry food for healthy adult small-breed dogs who do well on fish-based diets. It provides robust protein and fat levels, significant omega-3s, and joint-support ingredients, making it a good fit for active small dogs or those needing extra skin and coat support. As with any fish-based diet, it’s important that your dog actually tolerates fish well and doesn’t have known fish allergies. Strengths: * Herring and dehydrated herring are the primary animal proteins, providing high-quality, highly digestible protein. * Strong omega-3 profile (from herring oil, DHA 0.7%, EPA 0.4%, omega-3 at 1.2%) which can benefit skin, coat, and overall inflammation control. * Added glucosamine and chondroitin, plus L-carnitine, support joint health and lean body condition in small, active adults. * Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, with appropriate protein (34%) and fat (18%) for most healthy adult small-breed dogs. Considerations: * Contains several potential allergens, including fish (herring), chicken fat, pork fat, egg, and brewers dried yeast, so it’s not ideal for dogs with multiple known food allergies. * Grain-free and uses pea starch and pea fiber; while peas are not inherently bad, legume-heavy grain-free diets have been associated with heart issues in some dogs, so discuss with your veterinarian if you have a breed at higher risk for heart disease. * Formulated for adult maintenance only, so it is not appropriate for puppies or pregnant/lactating dogs.
Overall, this is an excellent quality fish-based dry food for small-breed adult dogs with very solid protein and fat levels and a strong omega-3 profile. The ingredient list is well-constructed around herring, with supportive carbohydrates and a range of functional extras like joint supplements and prebiotic fibers. The main nutritional caveat is that it’s a grain-free, pea-inclusive formula, which some owners of heart-sensitive breeds may want to review with their vet.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Herring and dehydrated herring as leading ingredients provide concentrated, identifiable animal protein sources.
- High protein (34%) and fat (18%) content suits many active small adult dogs and supports good muscle maintenance and energy levels.
- Excellent omega-3 content from herring oil (with specified DHA and EPA) to support skin, coat, and general wellness.
- Includes glucosamine, chondroitin, inulin, and fructooligosaccharides for joint support and digestive health, and is complete and balanced to AAFCO adult maintenance standards.
Considerations
- Multiple potential allergens are present (fish, chicken fat, pork fat, egg, yeast), so it’s not ideal for dogs with complex food sensitivities or confirmed fish, egg, or chicken-related issues.
- Grain-free with pea starch and pea fiber as notable carbohydrate sources; legume-focused grain-free diets have been linked to certain heart issues in some dogs, so this is worth discussing with your vet if your dog is a higher-risk breed.
- Designed only for adult maintenance and should not be used as the sole diet for puppies, pregnant, or lactating dogs.
Full Ingredient List
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.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
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
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.
Visit FarminaManufacturer
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
Farmina Herring & Orange Adult Mini Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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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.
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.
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