Published Sep 23, 2024
Zhuravlev Andrey / Shutterstock.com
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
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Price | Our Grade |
| Farmina Vet Life Renal Recipe in Gravy Wet Cat Food | Wet | Chicken | $0.77 per ounce | B |
| Farmina Vet Life Gastrointestinal Recipe Wet Cat Food | Wet | Chicken | $0.77 per ounce | B |
| Farmina Vet Life Hydrolyzed Protein Derma Feline Dry Cat Food | Dry | Fish | $1.82 per ounce | B- |
#1 Farmina Vet Life Renal Recipe in Gravy Wet Cat Food
Featuring chicken muscle meat as the primary ingredient, this pate-style wet food also contains hydrolyzed fish protein and egg yolk. Most of the recipe’s fat content appears to come from animal sources, including fish oil which is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
This recipe is formulated for cats suffering from renal insufficiency or kidney failure, though it may also be beneficial for cats with cardiac disease or hepatic encephalopathy. The food has reduced phosphorus and protein content to limit its impact on your cat’s kidneys. Measured as dry matter, it contains 28.6% protein and 0.6% phosphorus.
For cats with acute kidney disease, this food is intended as a temporary diet—fed for just 2-4 weeks. It is also suitable as a long term diet, however, for cats with chronic renal insufficiency.
Ingredients
Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Hydrolyzed Fish, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver, Sardines, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Quinoa Seed, Egg Yolk, Calcium Carbonate, Pea Fiber, Fructooligosaccharide, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Psyllium Seed Husk, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Taurine.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Hydrolyzed Fish, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver, Sardines, Chicken Fat, Egg Yolk.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Relies primarily on animal-sourced protein and fat
- Reduce phosphorus for cats with kidney problems
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Soft pate texture is easy for cats to eat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains over 30% dry matter carbohydrate
#2 Farmina Vet Life Gastrointestinal Recipe Wet Cat Food
Formulated for cats suffering from gastrointestinal disorders or pancreatitis, this wet cat food formula is rich in protein and hydrating moisture. It may also be appropriate for cats recovering from gastrointestinal surgery.
This wet cat food recipe relies primarily on animal protein and fat from chicken and fish sources. Measured as dry matter, it contains about 33.6% protein and 21.4% fat. It’s moderately calorie-dense at about 35 calories per ounce.
Though higher in protein than the previous formula, this recipe still contains around 30% dry matter carbohydrate. With its limited list of ingredients and the inclusion of hydrolyzed protein, however, it still appears to be highly digestible.
Ingredients
Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Hydrolyzed Fish, Chicken Liver, Fish Oil, Sardines, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Quinoa Seed, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate, Fructooligosaccharide, Yeast Extract, Salt, Pea Fiber, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Brewers Dried Yeast, Powdered Cellulose, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Taurine.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Hydrolyzed Fish, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver, Sardines, Chicken Fat.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Appears to be easily digestible for cats
- Formulated for cats with GI issues or pancreatitis
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
- Soft pate texture is easy for cats to eat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains around 30% dry matter carbohydrate
#3 Farmina Vet Life Hydrolyzed Protein Derma Feline Dry Cat Food
This dry food formula is specifically designed to be used as an elimination diet for cats with suspected food allergies or intolerances. It’s one of the few cat food products on the market made with hydrolyzed fish as the sole source of protein.
Like any other dry cat food, this recipe is higher in carbohydrates than the typical wet food. Measured as dry matter, it contains just under 30% protein and about 11% fat. This puts the dry matter carbohydrate content over 40%.
Though higher in carbs than we’d prefer, we love that this formula has a limited list of ingredients and that it appears to be highly digestible. Cats also seem to find the flavor appealing. It’s worth noting that the food is marketed as a temporary elimination diet to be fed for 3 to 8 weeks, though there’s no clear reason why it couldn’t be a long term option.
Ingredients
Hydrolyzed Fish, Rice Starch, Herring Oil, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, 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, Calcium Iodate, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative).
Ingredients We Liked: Hydrolyzed Fish, Herring Oil.
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Rice Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with hydrolyzed fish as the only protein
- Limited list of ingredients
- Appears to be easily digestible
- Designed to be an elimination diet for 3-8 weeks
What We Didn’t Like:
- No dry food provides the moisture your cat needs
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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TO Kate Barrington, Please explain more re your comment Farmina VET LIFE Renal food is for short term use. My cat has beginning CKD And I recently put him on the wet and also dry VET LIFE food. Need to know if switching renal brands is needed
Hi Cynthia,
The short term mention was related to what stage of CKD your kitty is in. You can read this post which addresses a similar question:
https://cats.com/community/health-care/feeding-advice#post-1221
You can also comment on that thread and Dr Chris can reply to your specific situation
Interesting, I see that Farmina has either switched or added a new line called Farmina Vet Life. I fed my 4 year old cat,(at that time) Farmina. She was O.K. with the taste. But gradually over the following eight months, the look of her fur horrified me. Her beautiful short, black shiny coat became Matted greasy looking, and full of dandruff. She bit all her fur off from underneath her belly and legs. Terrible.. I couldn’t believe that such a high rated kibble caused this. I searched for a better Quality and tried Dr. Elsey’s kibble. What a Change ! Noticeably, gradually her fur started to become once again Shiny, Silky, soft, and those terrible white specks eventually all disappeared. Her fur underneath also grew all back in.
I would think twice before ever considering to feed my kitty that brand again. Despite the name change.