Farmina N&D Chicken & Pomegranate Ancestral Grain Starter Puppy Dog Dry Food

N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Starter Puppy Dry Dog Food - 60% Animal Protein, Italian-Made, Low Glycaemic, No Corn, No Wheat (800g to 12kg)

Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Starter Puppy is a complete dry dog food formulated for puppies from weaning age through the first 2 months of life, and for gestating and lactating female dogs. It is made with fresh boneless chicken (25%), dehydrated chicken meat (18%), spelt (10%), and oats (10%) - delivering 60% high-quality animal ingredients and 20% GMO-free ancestral cereals per serving. The formula contains no corn, no wheat, no legumes, no artificial preservatives, and no by-products. Nitrogen-packed for freshness. Available in 800g (MRP ₹950), 2.5kg (MRP ₹2,690), and 12kg (MRP ₹10,850). Manufactured in Italy by Russo Mangimi Spa Farmina Pet Foods Italia. Imported and marketed in India by GOA Medicos Private Limited, Gurugram.

For the first eight weeks of a puppy's life - and during the weeks of pregnancy and lactation that precede them - nutrition operates at a level of precision that most commercial dog foods were simply not designed to match. The weaning puppy's digestive system is immature. Their immune system is transitioning away from maternal protection. Their neural architecture is establishing itself at the fastest rate it will ever operate. And the gestating or lactating mother is simultaneously maintaining her own body and either building foetuses or producing milk at a metabolic intensity that rivals high-level athletic training. Standard puppy foods address average growth requirements. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Starter is formulated for the most demanding nutritional window in a dog's entire life - with 60% animal-origin ingredients, Italian-sourced ancestral grains that have been a part of traditional Mediterranean human nutrition for centuries, and a processing methodology scientifically developed in collaboration with the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II.

Uses and Benefits of Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Starter Puppy

• Weaning puppies (3 weeks to 2 months) - the primary indication. The transition from mother's milk to solid food is one of the most nutritionally critical transitions a dog goes through. The starter formula provides a complete, highly digestible, animal-protein-rich foundation that supports this transition with a specifically small kibble size (5-7mm diameter) appropriate for young, developing teeth and small jaw sizes
• Gestating dogs - during pregnancy, a female dog's caloric and nutritional needs increase progressively through the second half of gestation. The Starter formula's high protein density (60% animal ingredients), elevated calcium and phosphorus levels for foetal skeletal development, DHA from fish oil for neural development of the foetuses, and lutein from marigold extract for immune and visual development, make it the appropriate food for the pregnant mother from mid-gestation onward
• Lactating dogs - milk production is one of the most energy-intensive physiological states a dog can be in. A lactating female can require 2 to 3 times her normal caloric intake during peak milk production. The Starter formula's high energy density and animal protein content supports this demand without the mother experiencing body condition loss that would compromise milk quality and quantity
• Low glycaemic index for stable puppy energy - the ancestral cereals (spelt and oats) have a significantly lower glycaemic index than corn or wheat. This means carbohydrate-derived energy is released gradually into the bloodstream rather than spiking and crashing, supporting stable energy levels, consistent behaviour, and reduced metabolic stress in young animals
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for early joint protection - natural glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate from chicken cartilage and fish are included, supporting skeletal development and early cartilage health from the very first meal
• Immunity support via pomegranate, FOS, and MOS - pomegranate powder (0.5%) provides polyphenol antioxidants that support immune cell function; FOS from chicory root and MOS from yeast support gut microbiome development; lutein from marigold extract supports visual system development and immune response
• Complete nutrition - no supplementation required - designed as a complete and balanced formula meeting all AAFCO nutritional requirements for growth and gestation/lactation; no additional supplements needed when fed as the primary diet

Key Features and Nutritional Profile

Complete Starter Puppy Ingredient List:

Fresh boneless chicken (25%), dehydrated chicken meat (18%), animal fat, spelt (10%), oats (10%), hydrolysed animal proteins, dried beet pulp, dehydrated whole eggs, dehydrated fish, fish oil, spinach powder, dried brewer's yeast, inulin from chicory root (FOS), MOS from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sodium chloride, mono-dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, pomegranate powder (0.5%), glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, Marigold extract (source of lutein).

How Does Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Work?

Three interconnected scientific principles make the N&D Ancestral Grain range what it is:

• The 60/20/20 Nutritional Architecture - 60% of the formula (by pre-cooking weight) comes from animal-origin ingredients: fresh boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken meat, dehydrated fish, fish oil, and dried whole eggs. This is close to twice the animal ingredient proportion of standard premium kibbles, which typically range from 25 to 40%. This high animal protein proportion is fundamental to carnivore biology - dogs evolved eating prey, and their entire digestive and metabolic architecture is built around processing animal protein efficiently. 20% comes from ancestral cereals (spelt and oats), chosen specifically for their low glycaemic index and their centuries-long history as part of human agricultural nutrition - they represent the original, unmodified grain forms that appeared in diets long before modern wheat and corn breeding. The remaining 20% is vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals.
• Cold-injected vitamins - conventional kibble production uses high-temperature extrusion, which degrades heat-sensitive vitamins and antioxidants. Farmina addresses this by adding vitamins after the cooking process through a proprietary cold-injection vacuum system, pressing them into the already-formed kibble without heat exposure. This means the vitamins listed on the nutritional analysis are present at full potency in the final product rather than partially degraded during processing.
• Nitrogen packaging - the bags are packed under a protective nitrogen atmosphere, removing the oxygen that would otherwise trigger oxidative rancidity of the animal fats in the formula. The result is a fresher product with longer genuine shelf life - and a food that smells as good on the last serving as the first, which matters enormously for palatability and acceptance in young puppies who are learning what "food" smells and tastes like for the first time.

How to Feed Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Starter To A Puppy?

For weaning puppies, the Starter formula can be softened with warm water (or mother's milk replacer for orphaned litters) in the first weeks of the transition to solid food. As dentition develops, most puppies transition fully to the dry kibble form by 6 to 8 weeks.

Approximate Daily Feeding Guidelines:

Always make fresh water available. For lactating mothers with large litters, free-choice feeding (leaving food available at all times) is acceptable and often recommended during peak lactation.

Pack Size and Value Guide:

Safety Advice

• For puppies under 3 weeks, this dry food should always be moistened - young puppies cannot handle dry kibble
• Transition between any two foods gradually over 7 days - abrupt switches cause digestive upset in young puppies who are still establishing their gut microbiome
• After 2 months, transition puppies to the appropriate life-stage variant for their breed size - N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Mini for small breeds, or N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Medium Maxi for medium and large breeds
• Do not supplement with additional calcium or phosphorus when using as the complete primary diet - the formula is precisely calibrated, and oversupplementing minerals in young puppies can cause developmental skeletal problems
• Store sealed, in a cool dry place away from sunlight; the nitrogen packaging preserves freshness after opening but seal the bag tightly between uses
• Do not feed to cats - this is a canine formula; see the N&D cat range for feline-specific options

What If You Miss a Feeding?

• For weaning puppies under 6 weeks, do not allow gaps longer than 4 to 6 hours between meal opportunities - their metabolic reserves are minimal and blood sugar stability depends on frequent feeding
• For puppies above 6 weeks, missing a single scheduled meal is not a health concern; continue at the next feeding
• For lactating mothers on free-choice feeding, ensure the bowl is refilled consistently - gaps in food availability directly affect milk production quality and quantity within hours
• Do not compensate for missed meals by doubling the next portion - large meals in weaning puppies cause digestive stress and diarrhoea

All Substitutes

N&D Ancestral Grain Starter Puppy is the premium grain-inclusive starter option in India. Here are confirmed live alternatives on Supertails at different price points and formulation philosophies:

N&D Ancestral Grain Starter's specific distinction from all of these is the combination of Italian manufacturing standards, Farmina's University of Naples Federico II research-backed nutritional system, cold-injected vitamin processing, nitrogen packaging, and the specific 60/20/20 animal-to-ancestral-grain-to-vegetable ratio developed to mirror a carnivore-appropriate diet. For breeding kennels, serious breeders, or pet parents who want the absolute best nutritional foundation for a litter, it represents the premium benchmark in India.

Quick Tips for Getting the Best Out of This Food

• For the first week of weaning (usually 3 to 4 weeks of age), soak the Starter kibble in warm water until it becomes a soft, porridge-like consistency - puppies at this stage are learning to eat and cannot yet chew properly
• Gradually reduce the water content each day so that by week 6 to 7, puppies are comfortably eating the dry kibble form
• For gestating females, begin transitioning to the Starter formula around week 5 to 6 of gestation (mid-pregnancy) - this is when foetal growth begins accelerating and nutritional demands increase meaningfully
• Nitrogen packaging does not make the food shelf-stable indefinitely once opened - once the seal is broken, reseal tightly and use within 6 to 8 weeks; store in a cool, dry pantry, not a warm kitchen
• Cold-injected vitamins are pressed into the kibble surface - do not mix with water and leave standing for long periods, as the vitamins can leach out. Soak briefly and serve promptly
• For breeding kennels ordering the 12kg pack, verify the best-before date on arrival to ensure adequate shelf life for the full bag - some Supertails buyers have noted short remaining shelf life on large packs; this is worth confirming with customer support for bulk orders
• Transition to the N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy variant (Mini or Medium Maxi depending on breed size) at 2 months, not later - the Starter formula's nutritional profile is calibrated for the weaning and neonatal phase and is not ideal as a long-term puppy food past this stage
• Browse the full Farmina N&D range on Supertails to understand the complete life-stage pathway within the N&D Ancestral Grain line

You Might Also Be Interested In...

• Browse the complete Farmina N&D dog food range on Supertails - all ancestral grain, grain-free, and wet food variants
• Explore the full Farmina collection on Supertails including N&D cat food for any cats in your household
• The next life stage: N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Mini for small breed puppies after 2 months
• The next life stage: N&D Ancestral Grain Puppy Medium Maxi for medium and large breed puppies after 2 months
• Grain-free alternative at the same life stage: Farmina N&D Grain-Free Starter Puppy
• Adult continuation: N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium Maxi
• Browse all puppy starter and weaning foods across brands
• For N&D kitten food: explore the Farmina N&D cat food collection - the cat range includes N&D Ancestral Grain kitten and adult variants
• Pair with a consistent puppy deworming schedule - weanling puppies are especially vulnerable to roundworm and hookworm infection
• For personalised weaning and breeding nutrition guidance: consult a vet on Supertails

Expert reads:

• Puppy Deworming Schedule: A Complete Guide
• Your Pup's Feeding Guide: Nourishment for Every Life Stage

The Best Start Is the Right Start

The eight weeks between weaning and two months old shape the rest of a dog's life. The gut microbiome. The immune baseline. The skeletal architecture. The neural foundations. Every single one of these is being established right now - which is exactly why this is not the time to feed an average food. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Starter gives weaning puppies and gestating mothers the Italian-engineered, 60% animal protein, cold-injected, nitrogen-packed nutritional system they deserve.

800g (MRP ₹950) | 2.5kg (MRP ₹2,690) | 12kg (MRP ₹10,850)

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FAQs

Is ancestral grain good for dogs?

Yes - ancestral grains like spelt and oats are genuinely beneficial in appropriate proportions for most dogs. Unlike corn and modern wheat, spelt and oats are lower on the glycaemic index (meaning slower, more stable energy release), have not been hybridised to maximise yield at the cost of nutritional value, and provide soluble fibre, B-vitamins, and minerals. In the N&D Ancestral Grain formula, they constitute only 20% of the formula - complementing, not competing with, the 60% animal protein content.

How good is N&D dog food?

Farmina N&D is widely considered the premium benchmark for dog nutrition in India by vets and experienced pet parents. Its 60% animal ingredient ratio, cold-injected vitamin processing, nitrogen packaging, GMO-free ancestral cereals, and University of Naples Federico II nutritional research backing distinguish it from virtually every other brand available in India. It consistently outperforms Indian brands and most international brands on measurable nutritional criteria - which is reflected in its price.

What grains should dogs avoid?

Dogs should generally avoid corn, modern wheat, and soy as primary dietary staples - these are high glycaemic, potentially allergenic, and are commonly used in cheaper pet foods as protein substitutes or energy fillers. Ancestral grains like spelt, oats, and barley are in a different category - lower glycaemic, less modified by modern agriculture, and genuinely nutritious as a small proportion of a balanced, high-meat diet. They are not the same as the corn and wheat found in standard kibble.

How is Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain? Are there any other recommendations or things I should add to this food?

N&D Ancestral Grain is one of the most comprehensively formulated dog foods available in India - no supplementation is needed when fed as the complete primary diet. Adding calcium, multivitamins, or protein supplements on top of a complete, balanced formula like N&D can actually disrupt the carefully calibrated nutrient ratios. If you want to add variety, a small amount of N&D wet food as a topper is the most compatible addition. For dogs with specific health conditions, consult your vet before adding anything.

Why is N&D so expensive?

Three cost drivers are the honest answer: Italian manufacturing with high-quality, often free-range or sustainably sourced animal ingredients (fresh boneless chicken, wild-caught herring, free-range eggs); premium processing technology including cold-injection vitamin infusion and nitrogen packaging that most brands don't use; and Farmina's ongoing investment in University of Naples Federico II nutritional research. Indian-made premium foods like Canine Creek Club or Drools Focus offer excellent quality at significantly lower prices - the question is whether the Italian manufacturing standards and research-backed formulation are worth the premium for your specific situation.