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Marketed as a natural solution for the treatment of specific health problems in pets, Farmina Vet Life cat food is backed by clinical research. But is it the right choice for your cat? Find out in this unbiased, in-depth review.
The Cats.com Standard—Rating Farmina Vet Life Cat Food on What Matters
We’ve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
Ratings
Species-Appropriateness – 8/10
Ingredient Quality – 8/10
Product Variety – 6/10
Price – 2/10
Customer Experience – 8/10
Recall History – 10/10
Overall Score: 7/10
In total, we give Farmina Vet Life cat food a 42 out of 60 rating or a B- grade.
Why Trust Cats.com
Our experts have spent countless hours researching the cat food market, reading customer reviews, and consulting with pet nutrition professionals to learn what makes for a great cat food product. We aim to provide cat owners like you with a well-rounded understanding of the brand and its products to help you make the right decision for your cat.
When we review a brand, we come at it from all angles. We want to know what sets the brand apart from the competition and whether it lives up to its marketing promises. Our reviews are a deep dive into the company’s history and reputation, not just a detailed evaluation of individual products. By the time you finish this review, you’ll know without a doubt whether Farmina Vet Life is a viable option for your specific cat.
About Farmina Vet Life
Farmina foods emphasizes the quality and palatability of their diets. OlegD / Shutterstock.com
Farmina Vet Life is the prescription pet food arm of Farmina Pet Food Holdings, an Italian pet food company founded in 1965. The product line was born from a long-standing collaboration between the Farmina Vet Research team and the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II.
The Farmina brand appears to place equal emphasis on quality and palatability when formulating and manufacturing pet food products. Farmina claims to select only the highest quality raw materials and manufactures their products to preserve nutritional value without compromising aroma, texture or flavor.
In addition to collaborating with dozens of independent veterinarians and nutritional professionals in Italy, Farmina conducts clinical trials to test the efficacy and appeal of its products. The Farmina Vet Life product line is designed to address specific health concerns in cats such as urinary problems, skin issues, renal disease, weight loss, and sensitive digestion.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Farmina currently has a presence in over 60 countries around the world. While Farmina Pet Food Holdings is still headquartered in Italy, the company opened its North American headquarters in Reidsville, North Carolina, in 2021. It’s unclear whether any Farmina Vet Life products are currently being manufactured there.
It appears that most of Farmina’s pet food products are manufactured in Italy, Serbia, or Brazil. Ingredients are sourced primarily from Italy and other European countries, the exception being lamb from New Zealand.
Farmina claims to adhere to strict standards for quality control. Of the Vet Life line specifically, Farmina states all products “are scientifically developed and certified as effective by third parties.” You can find links to clinical research conducted on Farmina Vet Life products on the About Us page of the company’s website.
Recall History
Farmina Pet Food Holdings has been producing pet food for more than 50 years. During that time, the brand has never had a product recalled.
The only smudge on Farmina’s record occurred recently when, in February of 2024, the Russian veterinary body banned imports of Farmina pet food from Serbia. The ban appears to be part of a trend in banning European and American pet food imports that began following a change in regulatory practices in 2021.
What Kinds of Cat Food Does Farmina Vet Life Offer?
Farmina Vet Life offers both wet and dry cat food options. JRP Studio / Shutterstock.com
Farmina Vet Life is a relatively limited line of therapeutic pet foods for dogs and cats. The recipes require a prescription to purchase and are formulated to address specific aspects of canine and feline health.
The Farmina Vet Life line includes wet and dry food recipes designed to treat the following concerns:
Renal (kidney) insufficiency or failure
Food allergies and sensitivities
Gastrointestinal disorders and pancreatitis
Struvite urolithiasis (struvite urinary stones)
Nutritional recovery
Dermatitis
Diabetes and obesity
Farmina Vet Life cat foods are equally divided between wet and dry food formulas. Chicken and hydrolyzed fish appear to be the primary proteins, though a few recipes include pork. Most formulas are free from grains and are designed to be low-glycemic.
Farmina Vet Life Cat Food — Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
What Do Customers Think of Farmina Vet Life Cat Food?
The Farmina brand as a whole appears to be well-liked by people and pets. The brand has a global reach, but it appears that Farmina products weren’t sold in the United States until the last decade. This limits the number of reviews from American pet owners.
Farmina Pet Foods is a verified company on Trustpilot and has a 4.1-star average rating with about 200 reviews. Farmina products are sold primarily by small, independent retailers but some products are available on Chewy and Amazon. Here are some reviews by Farmina customers who purchased from these retailers.
Positive Reviews
Satisfied customers frequently comment that their cats seem to prefer the flavor of Farmina Vet Life products over other prescription cat foods. Though there are exceptions to the rule, picky eaters even appear to like the food and some customers said their cats tolerated the hydrolyzed formulas better than other brands.
“When my vet told me about this brand, I was excited as it is fish based, which is the 1st hydrolyzed food being fish. ALL my cats LOVE this food. It has not caused any negative side effects and I’m already through one full bag and have ordered a 2nd.” – Jen on Chewy.com, June 10, 2024
“I have a very picky eater that has recently been diagnosed with CKD and had to switch to this special diet. We tried some other prescription foods and she would not eat them, but she loves the vet life wet food.” – Lisa on Chewy.com, June 26, 2024
Negative Reviews
As is true for many cat food brands, dissatisfied customers frequently comment that their cat simply doesn’t like Farmina Vet Life for whatever reason. Preferences aside, some customers describe the cans of wet food as difficult to open. Several customers have also noted that their cat developed loose stools after switching to Farmina Vet Life.
“Unfortunately, this food gave my cat diarrhea. She has IBD, and I only gave her a total of less than 2 teaspoons slowly throughout the day, little bits at a time. The next morning, stinky, mushy poop in her litterbox. She did love the taste.” – Lynn on Chewy.com, July 27, 2024
“There is one issue: the cans are nearly impossible to open. I would imagine that they would BE impossible to open for folks with arthritis, carpal tunnel or any type of joint issue in the hands.” – Crystal on Chewy.com, February 25, 2024
How Much Does Farmina Vet Life Cat Food Cost?
Prescription products tend to be a little more expensive than the average cat food and this appears to be true for Farmina Vet Life versus Farmina’s non-prescription products. All Farmina Vet Life canned foods are priced at $2.29 each, or about $0.77 per ounce. The estimated daily cost to feed a 10-pound cat Farmina Vet Life wet food is about $4.40.
Farmina Vet Life dry food costs vary depending on the recipe and the volume of food in the bag. Prices range from $6.36 to $8.86 per pound on the Farmina website, or about $0.40 to $0.55 per ounce. The estimated daily cost to feed a 10-pound cat Farmina Vet Life dry food is between $0.70 and $1.10.
Where Is Farmina Vet Life Cat Food Sold?
Farmina pet food products are sold around the world. In the United States, it appears that the brand is carried in-store primarily by small, independent retailers. Find a retailer near you using the brand’s Store Locator.
If you’re shopping online, you may be able to find select Farmina cat foods on Amazon.com. Chewy.com appears to carry the entire Farmina Vet Life cat food line. You can also purchase products directly via the Farmina website.
Overall, Is Farmina Vet Life a Good Choice?
Farmina appears to be a trustworthy brand and the products are generally well received by cats and their caretakers. The Farmina Vet Life product line in particular seems relatively unknown compared to US-based prescription pet food brands like Hill’s and Royal Canin, but many customers who tried it based on a veterinarian’s recommendation were pleasantly surprised.
Given the use of hydrolyzed fish protein, Farmina Vet Life may be particularly appropriate for cats with food allergies or sensitive digestion who have trouble tolerating other therapeutic diets. Though a prescription is required, the food is pretty easy to access and the price is on-par with similar brands. Overall, it may be worth considering if you’re not having luck with standard options.
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