Venison & Apple Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food
Verified Aug 21, 2026
This is a grain-free, high-protein dry food for adult medium and large dogs, built around venison (fresh and dehydrated) with added pork and herring as supporting animal proteins. Sweet potatoes and pea starch provide the main carbohydrates, while pumpkin, beet pulp, and prebiotics support digestion. It also includes added omega-3s, glucosamine, and chondroitin, which can be helpful for joint health, especially in larger dogs.
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Strong Choice
N&D Pumpkin Venison & Apple Adult Medium & Maxi is a high-quality grain-free kibble with a strong emphasis on animal protein and thoughtfully chosen fiber sources. The nutrient profile is very suitable for healthy adult medium and large dogs who do well on grain-free diets, and the added omega-3s plus joint-support ingredients are a nice bonus for bigger bodies. It will be best suited to dogs without known sensitivities to venison, chicken egg, pork, or fish.
Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple named animal proteins (venison, dehydrated venison, dehydrated pork, herring) high in the ingredient list provide good-quality, highly digestible protein (28% protein on a dry-food basis is very reasonable for adult dogs).
- Balanced fat level (18%) from animal fats and herring oil, with a solid omega-3 and omega-6 content that can support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Grain-free but without whole legumes or peas as major ingredients; sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beet pulp, and prebiotic fibers (inulin, FOS, psyllium) can support digestive health.
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which are often used to help support joint health in medium and large dogs; also formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.
Considerations
- Contains several potential allergens (venison, pork, chicken fat, eggs, fish), so it is not appropriate as a limited-ingredient or novel-protein diet for dogs with food allergies unless these proteins have been specifically cleared for your dog.
- Although grain-free, it uses pea starch and pea fiber; while these are not whole peas, owners of breeds at higher risk for heart disease may want to discuss grain-free diets with their veterinarian.
- Calorie density is fairly high at 393 kcal per cup, so portion control is important, especially for dogs prone to weight gain.
- Formulated to AAFCO standards by nutrient profile rather than being tested in AAFCO feeding trials, so digestibility and real-world performance are inferred rather than directly studied.
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
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
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02
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
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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.
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04
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.
05
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
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.Not sure how much of this to feed?
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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.
Manufacturer
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 recall is listed for Farmina Venison & Apple Adult Medium & Maxi Dry Dog Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 1, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Farmina ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Farmina. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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 listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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