Dry cat food "Farmina" - reviews, features, types and composition

Food for dogs and cats is produced by the Italian company Farmina Pet Food. The production was founded as a family business in 1965. Initially, the company specialized in developing feed for farm animals. For the last 20 years, Farmina has specialized in producing food for dogs and cats and researching their nutritional needs. The founders describe their mission as love, care from family, and attention and knowledge when it comes to food.

Feed is produced in Italy, Serbia and Brazil, and products are presented in forty countries around the world. The manufacturer conducts scientific research at universities and veterinary clinics. The feed does not contain ingredients or grains that potentially contain GMOs.

Seven companies in five cities are engaged in supplies to Russia: Uralbiovet CJSC (Ekaterinburg), Krasnodarzoovetsnab OJSC (Krasnodar), Sibagro Trade LLC (Novosibirsk), Supreme Neva LLC and Zooexpress LLC (St. Petersburg) , SIMBIO LLC and Vetprodaks (Moscow).

Dry cat food "Farmina"

More than fifty years ago, a company was opened that many years later became known as Farmina.
A large company produces dry food for cats and dogs. Farmina is distinguished not only by the high quality of its products, but also by its love for animals. The company never stops searching for the best solutions. Constant cooperation with veterinarians and leading experts allows us to create the best food that will not harm cats.

But not every cat owner can afford to buy expensive food. Therefore, Farmina has developed several lines of treats for your pets.

Variety of Farmina N&D products

Farmina ND produces both dry and wet food. Main lines of dry food: Natural Delicious Grain Free, Delicious Low Ancestral Grain, N&D PRIME, N&D QUINOA, N&D PUMPKIN, N&D OCEAN.

Natural Delicious Grain Free products contain over 70% high quality animal derived ingredients.

Natural Delicious Low Ancestral Grain contains 60% natural ingredients rich in animal protein, with some grains added. There are options with chicken and lamb.

N&D Prime features 98 percent animal protein, perfect for carnivores.

N&D QUINOA grain-free food with quinoa, plants with excellent nutritional properties. Best suited for preventing urolithiasis and improving digestion.

N&D PUMPKIN is a meat diet supplemented with pumpkin, a source of beta-carotene and natural antioxidants.

N&D OCEAN includes 30% dehydrated fresh herring plus various herbal additives.

The same lines of N&D ANCESTRAL GRAIN, N&D PRIME, N&D QUINOA, N&D PUMPKIN, N&D OCEAN are also present in grain-free wet food.

Advantages and disadvantages of Farmina N&D feed

Positive points include:

• a large number of meat ingredients,
• a small amount of cereals,
• well balanced vitamin and mineral supplements,
• use of natural antioxidants and preservatives,
• wide range of dry and wet food,
• sale in pet stores.

About the manufacturer

Farmina is an Italian manufacturer of cat and dog food, operating since 1965. Initially, the brand was called Russo Feed in honor of the founder Francesco Russo; at that time the company was developing food for large animals. The first dog food production plant was opened in 1999. Today Farmina has many factories in Serbia, Italy and Brazil. It produces several premium medicinal and basic foods for cats and dogs. The main activity remains the production of medical nutrition, which also formed the slogan.

Grain-free dry food

Farmina N&D Grain Free dry cat food receives the best reviews from veterinarians. The food belongs to the holistic class, that is, it does not contain grain crops. More than seventy percent of all ingredients used to create the food are high quality meat components. The remaining thirty percent are fruits and vegetables.

The food is perfect for cats of any age. It is non-GMO and gluten-free, but enriched with vitamins and minerals. Holistic food helps not only cope with obesity in cats, but also prevent it. Due to the high energy value, cats do not need much food per day.

But there are also a few disadvantages to being holistic. Firstly, the price of food is quite high. And secondly, it is difficult to find. Food of this class is sold only in specialized stores.

Feed overview

Farmina N&D food for cats belongs to the holistic class. Dry and wet formulas are divided into several lines and differ in composition. There are grain-free and low-grain foods. Farmina Pet Food also produces food under the brands Fun Cat, Ecopet Natural, Matisse, Vet Life and Farmina N&D for dogs. Information about Farmina food can be found on the manufacturer’s official website www.farmina.com/ru.

The main lines of Farmina N&D dry formulas:

• PRIME. Grain-free food for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, and adult cats.
• QUINOA. For cats with special needs, grain-free food with quinoa (digestive support, prevention of urolithiasis, weight control, skin and coat health).
• PUMPKIN. Grain-free with pumpkin for adult cats, sterilized cats and neutered cats.
• OCEAN. Complete food with fish for adult cats;
• ANCESTRAL GRAIN. Low grain for adult cats.

Farmina N&D wet food is available in cans. They are duplicated with the lines of dry food - Prime, Ocean, Quinoa, Pumpkin.

Advantages and disadvantages of Farmina N&D food for cats

The company produces a wide range of grain-free dry and wet food

There are several diets for cats with special needs.

At least 20% fresh meat is used as protein, as well as at least 20% dehydrated meat.

Dry and wet formulas contain vitamins and minerals

Quite a high price, not affordable for all cat owners

All formulas are designed for adult cats and kittens; there are no separate lines for different age groups

High protein content for inactive and older cats may lead to excess weight gain

Features of Vetlife food

One of the features of Vetlife is that it is only dry food. The products of this brand are designed to promote the health of the animal, and the best specialists and veterinarians of the company work on the recipe. Dry food is more nutritious because moisture does not take up a large part of the composition. All Vet Life therapeutic and preventive foods are complete, and they can become the basis of a cat’s diet.

Indications for use

A cat owner can choose Vet Life to prevent the development of a disease (if the cat is prone to it) or as a therapeutic diet (it is recommended to consult a veterinarian). Indications for use:

• kidney disease, sometimes heart disease (Renal);
• urolithiasis (Struvite);
• exacerbation of urolithiasis, cystitis (Struvite Management);
• diseases of the cardiovascular system (Cardiac);
• liver failure (Hepatic);
• food allergies, intolerance to specific foods (UltraHypo);
• obesity, tendency to gain weight (Obesity);
• castration (Neutered Male) and sterilization (Neutered Female);
• gastrointestinal diseases, postoperative period, etc. (Gastrointestinal);
• diabetes mellitus (Diabetic);
• long wool (Hairball).

Some owners choose medicinal/preventive food “at their own discretion”. For example, in my building there lives a woman who bought Urinari food for her cat. When I asked her what the animal’s diagnosis was, she replied that he was urinating. The woman did not go to the vet because she decided that the cat had weak kidneys. At the store she asked for “kidney food.” After some time, she still had to go to the veterinary clinic. And there they made a diagnosis - the cat was simply in heat, and he was not urinating, but marking; does not writhe in pain - but calls for the female. This could have harmed the cat, but everything turned out okay.

You cannot try to independently determine the diagnosis of a cat; only a specialist can prescribe therapeutic or preventive food

Composition of Vetlife food

Feed manufacturer Vet Life claims that all raw materials for production are delivered from Italy. Moreover, factories operate in such a way that natural raw materials do not lose their quality. Feed is produced only upon order from distributors, and not in advance, so the products do not sit in warehouses, which means they do not have time to spoil. Main ingredients of Vet Life food:

• protein sources (hydrolysates of fish, chicken, lamb or pork, eggs, corn gluten, dehydrated chicken);
• fats and oils of vegetable origin (essential fatty acids contained in animal or fish oil are easier to digest);
• sources of carbohydrates (rice starch, rice, corn, spelled, oats);
• sources of fiber - sugar beet pulp (removes wool from the gastrointestinal tract), pea fiber (provides a feeling of satiety);
• plantain and/or calendula extracts (source of lutein);
• antioxidants - extracts of natural tocopherols (protecting the body from free radicals)
• vitamins, minerals and other supplements.

Some cat owners are confused by the fact that the composition does not contain, for example, fresh chicken fillet, but hydrolyzate. Many people imagine offal, production waste or a synthetic analogue of meat, but this is not so. Most veterinarians also advise choosing foods that contain fresh meat. I consulted with a veterinarian when I switched one of my cats to commercial food. He explained to me that hydrolyzate is something like broth, a product of meat processing using hydrolysis (and this can be the processing of fresh meat or offal), and dehydrated means “dehydrated.”

Cat owners may also be confused by the spelled content in their food. Spelled (Triticum spelta) is a type of wheat with chaffy ears. It is believed that most grains are used in feed production to reduce the cost of production, but premium and super-premium feeds do not imply 100% meat content. And spelled, unlike more common types of cereals, is popular due to its property of not accumulating harmful substances in the grains. By the way, spelled is often consumed by people seeking a healthy diet or as part of diets.

Most of the composition is occupied by meat components processed in various ways, cereals, sugar beets and peas.

The following components are used as useful additives in Vet Life food:

• plantain extract (increases digestibility);
• prebiotics FOS and MOS (improve the microflora of the digestive tract);
• DL-methionine and calcium salts (provide control over urine pH levels);
• taurine (allows you to control the body's resistance to insulin and has a positive effect on heart function);
• dry brewer's yeast (the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is rich in B vitamins and protein);
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (help relieve inflammation in the digestive tract);
• calcium salts (pH control), potassium, sodium (maintaining osmotic pressure of cells);
• electrolytes (help restore cellular energy metabolism after diarrhea, improve heart function);
• phytoestrogens (soy isoflavones improve metabolism and normalize hormonal levels);
• acids EPA and DHA (immunocorrectors), pantothenic and folic acids;
• ammonium chloride (regulates the acidity of dry food);
• microcrystalline cellulose (complex carbohydrates allow you to fill the food with fiber and give it the shape of granules);
• L-lysine, L-tryptophan, L-cystine and L-carnitine (promotes muscle growth and fat breakdown).

EPA and DHA are amino acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic). The first is found in fish, fish oil and grass-fed meat. Substances that are formed due to EPA have anti-inflammatory properties. The second acid is found in the same products, but also in milk. DHA improves brain activity and has a positive effect on vision. In addition, this acid can reduce the risks of many diseases (heart attack, diabetes, arthritis, etc.).

Folic acid was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. The body can produce it on its own, but a lack of this substance can lead to decreased immunity and health problems. It is found in large quantities in yeast, legumes and cereals, liver, etc. However, excess folic acid also leads to disorders (decreased antiviral and antitumor immunity), so it is contained in minute quantities in animal feed. The group “folic acid” also includes its derivatives.

The additives contained in Vet Life food are needed not only to maintain the quality of the product, but also to enrich the food with beneficial properties

In addition to the listed ingredients, the manufacturer claims that Vet Life food contains the following vitamins:

• vitamin A is necessary for the growth and development of the cat, the health of the coat and skin, as well as vision;
• vitamins B, B1, B2, B6, B12 (have a positive effect on the functioning of all organs and systems);
• vitamin D3 (strengthens bones and joints);
• vitamin E (strengthens the cat’s antifungal immunity, is good for vision and hematopoiesis);
• vitamin C (increases the body's resistance to chronic diseases);
• vitamin H (improves metabolism, appearance of coat and skin);
• niacin (regulates carbohydrate-fat metabolism in cells);
• beta-carotene (needed for the synthesis of vitamin A);
• selenomethionine (functions as an antioxidant and stimulates the immune system);
• glucosamine (protects the bladder mucosa from toxins, relieves pain, regulates the functioning of the genitourinary system).

Class affiliation

Farmina does not classify Vetlife food as a specific class, but veterinarians characterize these products as premium diets. Some experienced cat owners believe that Vet Life is closer to the super premium class. The fact is that this dry food contains up to 50% protein (in economy food - up to 30% protein, in premium food - up to 35%). In addition, the detailed composition of Vetlife states that it contains a good vitamin and mineral supplement, and does not include cheap processed meat products (offal, meat and bone meal, etc.). Although said dehydrated chicken may be chicken meal. Vet Life is not advertised, unlike budget and premium foods.

Another feature that speaks to the class of the food is the absence of synthetic antioxidants. Vet Life is also non-GMO. In fact, the European Union allows small amounts of genetically modified organisms in cat diets, but Farmina fundamentally refuses questionable ingredients (for example, corn). The spelled and oats contained in the diets do not contain GMOs.

In addition, the phosphorus-calcium balance also indicates the high quality of the feed. The veterinary clinic said that according to AAFCO standards, calcium and phosphorus should be contained in a ratio of 1.2 to 1 (if calcium is 1.2%, then phosphorus should be no more than 1%). In Vet Life food, this balance is disturbed by only 0.1–0.01%.

Most of the symbols on the packaging of Vetlife food are in English, but the main signs are already clear (Natural ingredients, P, Ca, etc.)

Where to buy and approximate cost

Vetlife food cannot be bought in a regular supermarket. Veterinary food in this line can be found in a specialized store or ordered in an online store. There are representative stores in large Russian cities (Ekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.). The price depends on the store itself, the size of the package and the type of food. So bags of 400 g can cost from 277 to 479 rubles. Packages of 2 kg cost from 930 to 2229 rubles, and 10 kg bags can cost up to 4985 rubles.

Large bags and sacks of dry food are much more profitable than small packages. However, in this case you need to be sure that this food is suitable for your cat. The disadvantage of large packages is that the food may deteriorate (for example, the expiration date will pass, or the product will deteriorate due to violation of storage conditions). Recommendations for storing and consuming food are on the back of any package. When I have to buy a big pack of food, I don't keep these crickets in their original packaging. I pour the food into a plastic sealed container and store it in the dark in a cabinet. The fact is that dry food tends to “dissipate”, and my older cat is a gourmet (she does not eat dry food without odor).

The cat owner can choose a better offer on Yandex Market

Cat food lines

For a balanced diet for cats, a balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements is important. The main source of protein in Farmina products is chicken, fish, lamb and eggs. Chicken and fish oil, flaxseed and other vegetable oils are used as a source of amino acids. They control inflammation and keep the skin and coat in good condition.

Carbohydrates are obtained from oats, rice, corn and spelled (a type of wheat, spelt). Complex carbohydrates and fiber are represented by beet pulp and plantain seeds.

The food contains prebiotics, fructooligosaccharides and mannanoligosaccharides, which help smooth intestinal function. Most foods additionally contain the carotenoids beta-carotene and lutein, green tea and grape seed extracts.

Important! For a shiny coat, the composition includes fish oil and flaxseed oil, and for good intestinal function - prebiotics.

Natural & Delicious: Grain Free and Low Grain

The highest quality line of food. More than 70% of the ingredients in the nd line consist of high-quality animal ingredients - duck, quail, venison, lamb, herring instead of chicken and turkey. The rest of the composition is fruits, vegetables and minerals. They do not contain rice or corn.

Dry and wet food is available in the form of mousse. Mousses from the N&D line appeared on the Russian market at the beginning of 2022, so it is still difficult to find them in small cities.

Low grain feed Farmina

The raw meat used is boneless and dehydrated, without by-products.

Feeds based on pumpkin and quinoa have also been developed to help reduce weight and cholesterol levels, affecting the cardiovascular system.

Grain-free types of food are suitable for sensitive digestion and animals prone to allergies.

Farmina grain-free food

Important! The grain-free line is suitable for cats prone to allergic reactions.

Vet Life

The line accompanies the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and urolithiasis in cats. For the results to be effective, you need to feed the animal for at least seven weeks. Veterinarians prescribe these foods as an addition to the treatment of exacerbations or chronic diseases. The appearance of Vet Life food packaging is very similar to the Hills veterinary food line.

There are no GMOs in the composition, but there are grains with a low glycemic index and natural antioxidants.

They produce food that helps remove hair from the stomach of cats, food for diabetic animals and cats suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The veterinary line is also recommended as a diet after illness. The increased content of electrolytes allows the cat’s body to recover. However, corn in the composition can cause allergic reactions.

Cimiao

Veterinarians recommend it for animals that are transitioning from a poor diet and do not respond well to high-protein or low-grain feeding.

The line includes food for adult and elderly cats, sterilized cats and neutered cats, against the formation of hairballs in the stomach, food for picky cats and those with sensitive digestion, as well as for Persians.

Although the composition includes corn in its pure form and in the form of flour, high-quality fresh meat and fish are still in the lead. Also used are psyllium seeds, fish oil, whole eggs, sugar beets, animal fats and flaxseed. Ash level is 7%, fiber is present. Added vitamins A, D3, C, B2, B6, B1, B12 and folic acid.

Important! Super-premium lines are suitable for animals that are being transferred from low-quality feed. They contain more flavoring additives, but they are healthier than the economy series.

Matisse

Premium food without harmful chemicals and GMOs. Contains chicken, salmon and tuna. Their percentage is slightly lower than in super-premium food, but taurine, vitamins and fiber remain in the composition.

There are varieties for kittens, lactating and pregnant cats, with mineral and vitamin complexes, and sterilized animals. Food for mature cats and cats has 32% crude protein and only 6.6% crude ash.

Dry croquettes and Matisse wet food in the form of mousse are presented.

Fun Cat

The most affordable food option. Not recommended for a regular diet. Here we use chicken bone meal. There is even less animal protein than in other lines; it is represented only by meat or fish meal, but there are more grain additives.

Fun Cat is one-quarter chicken meal, as well as meat, wheat and fish meal, corn, chicken fat, hydrolyzed animal protein, beet pulp and sodium chloride.

Important! Economy class food is not recommended for regular feeding.

Feeds with low grain content

Reviews of the low-grain cat food Farmina N&D LOW ANCESTRAL GRAIN are also positive. It no longer belongs to the holistic category, but at the same time it is located significantly above the super premium class.

The food contains sixty percent meat products, twenty percent fruits and vegetables, and twenty percent grain crops, namely spelled and oats. It is worth noting that the food does not contain corn, which is harmful to cats.

Like holistic foods, this food helps combat obesity and is also great for spayed and neutered pets.

Price and where to buy

You can buy food of this brand in online pet stores:

1. "MAGIZOO.ru" (link):
   Dry food Farmina N&D 0.3 kg - from 322 rubles;
2. Dry food Farmina N&D 1.5 kg - from 1154 rubles;
3. Dry food Farmina N&D 5 kg - from RUB 3,488.
4. Dry food, packaging 10 kg - from 6517 rub.
5. "Yandex Market" ():
   Packaging 1.5 kg - from 1147 rubles;
6. Packaging 5 kg - from RUB 3,484;
7. Packaging 10 kg - from 5850 rub.

The above prices are current as of September 2022 and may change significantly over time (for exact prices, see the links in pet stores above). The price of grain-free feed is significantly higher than low-grain feed.

Cimiao super premium food

Farmina also produces super premium food. These include the Cimiao line. The food consists of thirty-four percent dehydrated chicken, twelve percent chicken fat and rice, and twelve percent corn.

Based on the composition, it can be noted that the meat content in the feed is still high. However, in terms of benefits for the animal’s body, they are significantly inferior to holistic ones.

Farmina N&D cat food review

Farmina N&D cat food is produced by Farmina Pet Food in factories in Italy, Serbia and Brazil.
The official website is (in Russian), it contains everything important about the entire line of food (compositions, feeding rates, description of ingredients, etc.). This food belongs to the super-premium class; grain-free formulas can be considered holistic. The N&D (Natural & Delicious) brand also produces dog food. Farmina also produces food under the brands CIBAU, Vet Life (veterinary food), Fun Dog, Fun Cat, Ecopet Natural, MATISSE, and Vet-Active vitamins.

Farmina N&D feed composition

Let's get acquainted with the composition of Farmina N&D food using the example of the CHICKEN & POMEGRANATE NEUTERED option (low grain for adult cats, chicken and pomegranate). You can see it in the image below, click on it to enlarge for easier reading:

On the left is a photo of the composition from the packaging, on the right is data from the official website.

The first two ingredients, fresh chicken fillet 24% and dehydrated chicken meat 24%, are good sources of protein. Further in the composition there are also ingredients rich in animal proteins - dehydrated whole eggs, fresh herring, dehydrated herring. Hydrolyzed animal protein - it is more of a flavoring agent.

There are no ingredients rich in vegetable protein; you can be sure that the bulk of the 38% of proteins indicated in the analysis are of animal origin. It should also be noted that grain-free options do not contain spelled or oats.

Sources of carbohydrates are spelled 10% (essentially a type of wheat) and oats 10%. Note that in grain-free formulas the source of carbohydrates is potatoes, not spelled and oats. The main source of fiber is sugar beet pulp, but it is also rich in ingredients such as dried carrots, pea fiber, and dried apples.

Sources of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are chicken fat and fish oil, respectively. The remaining ingredients are also rich in certain beneficial substances. Natural preservatives and antioxidants - rosemary extract and tocopherols (vitamin E).

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of this food:

• source of proteins - meat ingredients;
• rich in vitamins and minerals;
• There are grain-free formulas;
• natural preservative and antioxidants;
• common, sold in many pet stores.

Among the disadvantages:

• relatively high price (comparable to many analogues).

Premium food "Matisse"

Reviews of Farmina Matisse cat food are quite varied. Some owners claim that this food is an excellent replacement for more expensive analogues. “Matisse” saturates cats well and is not harmful to health.

However, veterinarians leave other reviews about Farmina Matisse cat food. Although the food consists of thirty-two percent dehydrated meat and twenty-five percent rice, it still contains corn. This food is good compared to other premium foods, but for your pet it is better to choose a higher quality line.

Economy class food "Fan Cat"

A representative of the lowest class of food from Farmina is the economy class food “Fan Cat”. The food has a lower energy value and a large number of third-party additives.

The composition of the food is also not particularly impressive. “Fan Cat” consists of twenty-five percent meat flour, ten percent grain additives. Everything else is proteins, fats and flour of various origins.

Veterinarians do not recommend purchasing economy-class food for your pets. In this case, the price fully corresponds to the quality of the food.

Features of Farmina N&D feed

The N&D food line is a nutritional system based on the study of the natural physiological needs of four-legged animals. The double sign stands for Natural Delicious (Natural and Tasty). This corresponds to the two main characteristics of the products: high quality ingredients of animal origin with the exception or minimal presence of grains and without GMOs. When testing, not only the texture, shape and size of the granules were taken into account, but also high taste qualities, as well as compliance with the physiology of animal digestion.

In the composition of the feed on the packaging you can easily find a complete specific (in percentage) list of quantitative composition. These can be: fresh and freeze-dried (dehydrated) meat and fish products, offal, dried fruits, dried vegetables and berries, lentils, pea starch, rice, potatoes, vitamins and minerals in the form of additives, natural antioxidants.

Nutrients and energy values ​​are listed in detail on each product. Ingredients of chemical or synthetic origin are out of the question.

Dietary food "Vet Life"

Another high-quality food line that has received positive reviews is Farmina Vet Life cat food. This is a veterinary nutrition series aimed at combating a variety of problems and diseases in cats. The line consists of feed:

• For cats with gastrointestinal diseases.
• For cats suffering from liver failure.
• Helping to dissolve uroliths.
• For cats suffering from cystitis.
• For pets with heart failure.
• For overweight cats.
• For diabetics and so on.

Range

Thanks to the company’s good scientific potential, as many as 12 types of diets are available in the Vetlife cat food line, each for its own disease. Below are reviews of each of the items, indicating its features and differences from conventional dry food:

• GASTROINTESTINAL – a special diet for pets with problems with digestion in the stomach and absorption in the intestines. Electrolytes in the composition help to improve the digestion of food, and a specially selected symbiosis of products makes this task easier for a weakened body.
• HEPATIC – food for pets with liver problems. Recommended for cats with chronic liver failure. With a low percentage of protein and a high amount of fatty acids, this veterinary diet takes the load off the liver, facilitating its regeneration. A low percentage of copper relieves the toxic effect on affected liver cells.
• STRUVITE – nutrition that promotes the dissolution of uroliths (stones in the genitourinary system). Effective against struvite type deposits. The therapeutic effect is achieved by acidifying urine with DL-methionine, which allows you to dissolve existing stones and also prevents the formation of new ones. In addition to normalizing pH, this food contains a small percentage of protein, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which prevents the formation of struvite stones in the urine.
• STRUVITE MANAGEMENT – food for cats with chronic urolithiasis. Indicated for idiopathic cystitis. The composition and mechanism of action is similar to STRUVITE food, but additionally contains ammonium chloride, which effectively prevents the formation of sediment in the urinary system of cats. Has a powerful antioxidant effect.
• RENAL – food for animals with renal failure (acute and chronic forms). Also used as maintenance nutrition for congestive heart failure. This food has a reduced percentage of protein and minimized phosphorus content to reduce the load on the kidneys.
• CARDIAC is a diet designed for cats with heart failure. Thanks to the optimally selected content of potassium, sodium and phosphorus, the load on the heart muscle is reduced and the balance of electrolytes in the blood is restored. Taurine and L-carnitine have a beneficial effect on the absorption and transport of nutrients important for the heart. The composition also contains high-quality, easily digestible protein, which promotes rapid saturation.
• OBESITY is a special diet for animals with various forms of obesity. For a therapeutic effect, the fat content in the food has been reduced, and the percentage of complex carbohydrates has been increased, which, breaking down slowly, provide a feeling of fullness for a long time. Total calorie content is reduced.
• DIABETIC – food for animals suffering from diabetes. Special sources of sugars and starches in the diet's list of nutrients help maintain the required level of glucose in the blood, preventing it from increasing.
• ULTRAHYPO – hypoallergenic food for individuals with food intolerances and allergies. The mechanism of action is based on the content of fish hydrolyzate as the only source of protein. As a result, the body digests the protein “without noticing” that it was animal protein. The source of carbohydrates - rice starch - is the safest product in terms of allergies. Fish oil, which is a source of lipids, is also easily digestible and does not cause allergic reactions.
• NEUTERED MALE – diet for sterilized cats. Developed taking into account the needs of such animals, namely: reduced nutritional value, which eliminates the manifestations of obesity, and also contains L-carnitine and light protein, which helps maintain muscle mass and burn fat reserves. A reduced percentage of magnesium and phosphorus, coupled with calcium sulfate, prevents the development of urolithiasis.
• NEUTERED FEMALE – the composition is almost identical to cat food, but is intended for feeding sterilized cats. The differences are in the percentage of nutrients, which takes into account the nutritional characteristics of animals of different sexes.
• VETLIFE HAIRBALL is a cat food that helps eliminate hairballs from the digestive tract. Due to its fiber content, this formulation has a beneficial effect on the bowel movement process. And probiotics normalize the absorption of nutrients.

Composition of dry food

H&D grain-free “Chicken and Pomegranate”

Food class: holistic, for adult cats and kittens.

Protein comes from 30% fresh boneless chicken and 28% dried chicken. Further ingredients include potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs. Also contains herring, fish oil, dried carrots, 0.5% pomegranate powder, apples and oranges, spinach, plantain, black currants, blueberries.

ND food contains vitamins A, D3, E, C, PP, as well as folic acid, aloe vera extract, green tea and rosemary extract. The ash level is 8-8.7%, hydrolyzed animal proteins are present.

Probiotics and medicinal herbs help digestion and deliver beneficial vitamins. Due to the low glycemic index, the food prevents the onset of obesity and diabetes.

Energy value per 100 g:

420.4 Kcal – 1.759 MJ.

H&D low grain “Lamb and blueberry”

Food class: holistic for adult cats.

Contains 22% fresh boneless lamb, 20% dehydrated lamb. 10% each includes spelled and oats. Other ingredients: dehydrated whole eggs, herring, animal and fish oils, sugar beet pulp, peas, dehydrated carrots, alfalfa meal. There are vitamins A, D3, E, C, PP, B2, pantothenic acid and others.

Energy value per 100 g:

416.5 Kcal – 1.742 MJ.

Important! Farmina does not use products containing genetically modified organisms in its production.

Cimiao for sterilized cats

Food class: super-premium for kittens, pregnant, lactating and sterilized cats.

Fresh meat content reaches 40%. Other sources of protein: fish, eggs. Also contains corn flour, carbohydrates, and a large amount of fiber.

Energy value per 100 g:

no data.

Vet Life UltraHypo (hypoallergenic)

Feed class: veterinary.

The main ingredient here is fish protein hydrolyzate. Also contains rice starch and fish oil. The herbal ingredients include calendula extract. In addition to vitamins, it contains pantothenic and folic acids.

Energy value per 100 g:

353 Kcal – 1,480 MJ.

There are other medicinal foods in the Vet Life line:

• CARDIAC (Cardiac) - strengthens the heart in chronic heart failure.
• DIABETIC (Diabetic) - introduced into the diet for diabetes.
• GASTRO-INTESTINAL (Gastro Intestinal) - used for digestive disorders.
• HEPATIC (Hepatic) - prescribed for chronic liver failure.
• HAIRBALL - helps remove hairballs from the gastrointestinal tract.
• OBESITY (Obesity) - weight loss.
• RENAL (Renal) alleviates renal failure.
• STRUVITE Management – ​​prescribed for urolithiasis and idiopathic cystitis.
• STRUVITE (Struvite) – helps with urolithiasis (struvitis).
• ULTRAHYPO (Ultrahypo) is a hypoallergenic food, included in the diet for food allergies or food intolerances.

Matisse Salmon & Tuna (salmon and tuna)

Food class: premium for adult cats.

The basis of the food is dried fish, 10% salmon and tuna each. A fifth of the composition is rice. Also included are dried chicken meat, corn, chicken fat, hydrolyzed animal proteins, sugar beet pulp, fish oil, vegetable oil, corn gluten, dehydrated eggs, salt, calcium sulfate, dried brewer's yeast. Vitamins - A, D3, E, C, B2, B6, niacin, pantothenic acid.

Energy value per 100 g:

336.7 Kcal – 1.492 MJ.

Fun Cat Meat

Food class: economy for adult cats.

A quarter of the food consists of chicken meal. Also in 10% meat meal, wheat and fish meal, corn, chicken fat, hydrolyzed animal protein, beet pulp and sodium chloride. In addition to vitamins, food additives include food coloring.

The feed contains 27% crude protein, 10% fat and oils, 10% ash.

Energy value per 100 g:

335 Kcal – 1.401 MJ.

Veterinarians and cat owners about Farmina food

Reviews from veterinarians about Farmina dry cat food can be found on specialized websites and forums dedicated to cats in particular and pets in general.

Farmina is a large Italian company that specializes in the production of food for cats and dogs. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is trying to reach all segments of the market. A wide variety of food is produced: from economy class to holistic and a specialized veterinary line of food.

However, reviews, testimonials and recommendations for Farmina cat food range from positive to completely negative. It all depends on the food line. For example, Farmina cat food of two lines receives only positive reviews from veterinarians: Holistic and Vet Life. These feeds belong to the highest class; only the best ingredients were used for their production. This is the kind of food that we recommend purchasing for your four-legged pets. Food from the holistic and veterinary series is perfect for all breeds of cats. The lines also include food for cats with special needs.

When it comes to Cimiao food, not only positive reviews come up. Although this food belongs to the super premium class, it is one step below holistic food. The food has a lower energy value and contains less meat and more grain. This food will not cause serious harm to cats, but furry friends will need a much larger portion to be satisfied.

"Matisse" is a premium food. The line still contains a fairly large percentage of meat, but its effect on the pet’s body leaves much to be desired. A large number of additives and low energy value are not the best combination for daily feeding.

The economy-class food “Fan Cat” receives the most negative reviews. Veterinarians categorically stand their ground, saying that such food only harms cats. They argue that it is better to switch to natural food than to use any economy-class food.

Experts also advise not to buy a lot of food at once, even if it is holistic. When switching to a new brand or line, cats may experience an allergic reaction. Therefore, the first step is to purchase a small food package and check whether it suits your cat.

Farmina (Farmina) - Medicinal feed

Farmina products are the modern standard for impeccable feed quality. Natural ingredients, minerals, vitamins allow you to create a balanced diet at the best price. The products are made from Italian raw materials.

How is Farmina different from other manufacturers?

Farmina line includes all classes of food, as they say, for every taste and budget: Fun Dog (economy class), Ecopet, Cibau, N&D, Vet Diet (veterinary food) and Team Breeder (especially for nurseries). The food contains a sufficient amount of high-quality animal proteins, and there are also very interesting additives, such as orange, pomegranate, and blueberry. One of the advantages of Farmina food for dogs and cats is its low glycemic index. This factor is especially important if pet owners want to avoid obesity in their pets.

Should I feed my dog ​​other food?

Thanks to the balanced composition of premium food, you will not need to feed your pet with additional food, because... they contain all the microelements and vitamins necessary for the body. It is better not to use economy class food as the main food, but to give it as a treat in small portions.

Can Farmina cause allergies in a dog?

Nutritional sensitivities are very common in pets. The most common are skin problems (itching and hair loss), vomiting or diarrhea. Farmina's premium products minimize the risk of food sensitivities and are specially formulated to help your pet live a long, happy life. In dry food, the main allergens are dyes, preservatives (for long shelf life), flavor enhancers (flavoring additives), grains (contain gluten and gluten). Premium food uses only natural ingredients . Economy class food should be treated with caution, observing the animal’s reaction.

Are there medicinal foods in the line?

It must be remembered that medicated food can only be purchased after consultation with a veterinarian. Yes, Farmin 's line includes veterinary foods aimed at treating the gastrointestinal tract, food allergies, inflammation of bone and joint tissues, kidney failure, diabetes, urolithiasis and many other diseases. Be healthy!

Is the food suitable for sterilized and overweight dogs?

Thanks to the wide variety of products, each buyer can choose exactly the line of food that matches the habits, age and health of his pet. The brand has special food for spayed and neutered animals, as well as dietary food for obese dogs.

How does Farmina affect wool?

The brand has special food “for skin and fur,” and according to customer reviews, after just a week of using the food, the animal’s coat becomes shiny and glossy.

Advantages and disadvantages

Farmina food has both advantages and disadvantages. Positive qualities include:

• natural composition, presence of beneficial vitamins and microelements;
• absence or low content of grain components;
• natural complementary products;
• a wide variety of types, you can choose to suit every taste;
• produced not only in dry, but also in wet form;
• lower glycemic index, which helps avoid the development of serious diseases.

Important! An undoubted advantage is that animals really like this brand of food. Cats eat such food with pleasure, and their condition improves. Switching to Farmina from another species occurs without problems with the digestive system.

All food has a natural color and regular shape, which once again confirms the absence of chemicals in the composition

However, Farmina also has negative sides:

• high price, not everyone can afford to buy this food;
• rarely found in stores and veterinary clinics;
• short-lived packaging;
• cats can swallow the pellets due to their small size.

The disadvantages also include the likelihood of getting a counterfeit when buying food in bulk.

Farmina - cat food - excellent nutrition for cats. Many types of products are produced under the brand. The food is popular with many owners and pets themselves. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian before choosing. The disadvantage is considered to be the high price, but it also confirms that the pack contains really high-quality food.

*Prices are as of October 2022.

Pros and cons of Farmina food

Pros:

• presence of meat ingredients, vitamins and fiber;
• grain-free and low-grain formulas;
• natural preservatives and antioxidants;
• wide selection of flavors and combinations;
• the presence of dry and wet forms;
• a low glycemic index prevents the occurrence of obesity and diabetes.

Minuses:

• high price;
• low availability in veterinary stores;
• short service life of the lock connecting the zipper on the packaging of dry croquettes;
• some cat owners note a stronger smell of feces;
• lack of low-grain food for kittens;
• the granules may be too small for large cats - then they do not chew it, but swallow it.

Recommendations

After reading the reviews about Farmina cat food, you can start switching your pet to food from this company. But before you start giving your cat food, the owner should familiarize himself with some of the nuances of feeding dry food.

Reviews of Farmina cat food are varied: some are completely satisfied with the quality of the product, others are not. Don't forget that cats' reactions to food are individual. Some members of the cat family may be allergic to any of the ingredients used in the preparation of the food. But whatever the pet’s reaction to the food, the owners agree on one thing: the cat should always have access to water. Dry food is very concentrated and therefore causes extreme thirst.

Also, do not mix professional food and natural complementary foods. Cat owners must immediately decide what their pet will eat. In this matter, you should not rely on reviews of Farmina cat food. If you can feed your cat natural foods, then that’s great. But not everyone is able to prepare suitable natural food on time. Also, when feeding “natural” food, a number of problems may arise: cats cannot be given fish every day, milk is contraindicated for them, and so on. A huge list of recommendations can turn off many.

Matisse wet food

The lines are represented by mousses for cats. They are produced in tin cans. A special ring makes it easy to open the package without kitchen tools. Formulas for cats come in chicken, rabbit, salmon, sardine, and lamb flavors.

Wet food has an increased percentage of moisture. In this line it is 78%. The protein ratio is 11%. Crude fats and oils are included in the proportion of 7%, crude fiber – 0.5%, crude ash – 3%.

Pets love wet food. They are just as balanced for animal nutrition as dry ones, but they contain more moisture. They contain fiber and generally have a higher percentage of meat than dry croquettes. The packaging allows you to store this delicacy for much longer.

You should not give wet food to animals constantly to avoid the risk of developing dental diseases. Since cats are carnivores, they need food that is dense and chewable.

Give wet food as a treat. When feeding, transfer the mousse from the jar to the animal's bowl. Do not leave uneaten food to prevent it from spoiling. Your pet should always have access to clean drinking water.

Cost of dry and wet food Farmina

Prices shown are current as of early 2022 and may vary depending on the location of purchase.

Dry food price

Wet food price

If you feed your cat Farmina food, be sure to share your impressions of this food in the comments. We will indicate the most useful reviews in the article so that the information about the food is as complete and truthful as possible.

So which class should you prefer?

But there is no need to despair. It is important to remember that veterinarians and manufacturers in reviews of Farmina cat food note that this is a complete diet food. If your cat switches only to professional food, then there is no need to worry, she will still receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

But owners should not buy food without prior preparation. Breeders agree on Farmina food and other brands: it is better to overpay for food than to later treat your pet for urolithiasis.

The most advertised foods are economy-class food, which negatively affects the health of the pet. Therefore, if you have decided to switch to dry food, then it is better to purchase premium food and higher.

If you purchased high-quality food for your cat, then you should not add third-party vitamins produced by various companies to it. The food already contains all the necessary additives.

Also, when purchasing, you should pay attention not only to owner reviews of Farmina cat food. An important criterion is the cat itself and its needs. Specialized lines of food have been developed for many breeds. For castrated and sterilized male cats, it is also necessary to purchase certain types of food.

Compound

Dry food. In the first and second places in the compositions, sources of animal protein are indicated - fresh and dehydrated meat (boar, fish, lamb, quail, duck, chicken, venison). Potatoes and pea starch are listed as carbohydrates in grain-free formulas. In the lines with a low grain content (Ancestral Grain and Ocean), 10% oats and 10% spelled (wheat) are used. Chicken and fish oil - saturate the animal’s body with fatty acids. Pea fiber, dried apples, and alfalfa are sources of fiber. The composition contains preservatives and antioxidants of natural origin, necessary for life, as well as vitamins and minerals.

Wet diets. Contain from 30% to 60% meat components. This includes directly fresh meat (various types depending on taste). Vegetables, vitamins and minerals are also added to the meat ingredients. Despite the large percentage of meat component, the protein content in wet diets is about 12%.

Farmina N&D Low Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult

Information on the composition of Farmina N&D feed from the manufacturer’s official website

Farmina N&D Chicken & Pomegranate Adult

Information on the composition of Farmina N&D feed from the manufacturer’s official website

Owner reviews

Leonid, owner of the Scottish Fold cat

:

“My pet is a purebred Scotsman, and the doctor warned us that urolithiasis may develop with age - this is typical for this breed. Therefore, starting this year, they began to give STRUVITE FELINE from the FARMINA company as a preventative measure. The cat is already 5 years old, and so far everything is ok - we take tests regularly, all indicators are normal. We are pleased with the effect!”

Sveta, breeder of a mongrel cat:

“In her old age, our Musya began to have heart problems - the doctor said that heart failure had developed and she needed support for the heart muscle, and recommended CARDIAC food. We read reviews on the Internet and bought a pack. Well, what can I say - the doctor turned out to be right - VetLife cat food is something with something! Our beloved came to life, became active, although not as much as before, but it is understandable - the years take their toll. I hope we extended her life by a couple of years thanks to this miracle!”

Feeding rate

In addition to reviews of Farmina coma for cats, owners need to familiarize themselves with feeding standards.

• For kittens aged 1 to 3 months, the daily intake of dry food is only 30-50 grams.
• From three to six months – 60-70 grams of food.
• For kittens that have reached the age of 7-12 months, the dosage must be increased to 70-80 grams of food per day.

Next, the daily food intake is calculated not according to age, but relative to the weight of the cat.

• For cats weighing 2 kilograms, 27 to 40 grams of food should be given per day.
• For pets weighing three kilograms – 35-55 grams.
• If a cat weighs four kilograms, then she needs 45-65 grams of food per day.
• For cats that have reached the 5 kilogram mark - 50-80 grams.
• Cats weighing 6 kilograms need 60-90 grams of food.

The amount of food for one weight category varies depending on the pet’s lifestyle. If an animal leads an active lifestyle, then it needs more food. And if the cat is lazy and moves little, then, accordingly, it needs much less food per day.