Farmina Cat Food Review
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When it comes to your cat’s nutrition, it’s all in the ingredients. High-quality ingredients provide the best nutrition, but it also has to be the right ingredients.
Farmina is the result of years of scientific research and careful formulation. Their pet foods are inspired by nature and backed by science, designed to deliver the perfect combination of nutrients for carnivores like your cat.
If you’re looking for a high-quality cat food you can trust to meet your cat’s nutritional needs. Farmina is one to consider. Read on to see what we think of Farmina and to see reviews for their products.
- High-quality nutrition with formulas backed by science
- Real animal proteins in every formula
- Wide variety of recipes to choose from
- May not be available in major pet store chains
- Expensive compared to average
- High-quality nutrition with formulas backed by science
- Real animal proteins in every formula
- Wide variety of recipes to choose from
- May not be available in major pet store chains
- Expensive compared to average
How We Review Cat Food Brands
You want your cat to live a long and healthy life – so do we! We can’t make your choice for you, but we want to do our best to provide you with informed recommendations to help you decide.
The quality of your cat’s health is directly related to the quality of his diet.
High-quality, whole-food ingredients are the best foundation for health in your cat and the majority of his nutrition should come from animal products. After all, your cat is an obligate carnivore and has a limited ability to digest plants.
A real source of animal protein like meat, poultry, or fish should be the first ingredient in your cat’s food – it’s certainly the first ingredient in anything we recommend. The more protein, the better, and animal sources are more nutritious when it comes to fats as well.
Overall, the carbohydrate content of your cat’s food should be limited and should only come from nutritious and digestible sources.
Here are some of the things we look for in a good cat food brand:
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Rich in healthy animal fats (ex: chicken fat or salmon oil)
- Few to no carbohydrate ingredients (especially within the top 5)
- Limited number of main ingredients plus supplements
- No low-quality fillers, grains, or by-products
As a cat owner, you want what’s best for your cat and so do we!
Not only do we think about the quality of the ingredients used in the cat food brands we recommend, but we do our research to evaluable the bigger picture. We take a look at the variety of recipes they offer as well as the brand’s recall history.
We also review the brand’s customer reviews, availability, and pricing when making recommendations.
Overview of the Farmina Cat Food Brand
Farmina is an Italian cat food brand, founded in 1965 by Mr. Francesco Russo. The Russo Mangimi company specialized in animal nutrition for years but, in 1999, shifted its focus to the pet food industry when Dr. Angelo Russo, son of the founder, took over.
Russo aspired to develop pet foods based on scientific evidence to improve the health and wellbeing of pets. To do so, he collaborated with Farmina, an English company specializing in food research and formulation.
He established the Farmina Vet Research team of veterinarians and nutritional formulation specialists to create Farmina pet foods.
Today, Farmina pet foods are developed with nature as the inspiration. They use only the finest raw ingredients in formulas scientifically developed to meet a carnivore’s nutritional needs.
Farmina believes that quality nutrition comes from a “perfect union between nature and science.”
In addition to offering a wide variety of products, Farmina also offers a unique service to pet owners. You can sign up to receive a custom nutritional plan for your pet based on his age, weight, activity level, and dietary preferences.
After providing basic information about your cat and choosing a product, Farmina will send you a detailed nutrition plan for 1 to 12 months right to your inbox.
What Kind of Cat Food Products Do They Offer?
Farmina currently offers two product lines for cats. The Natural & Delicious (N&D) line includes grain-free and low-grain options made with real animal proteins and other wholesome ingredients.
The Vet Life Feline line of products is formulated to address specific health concerns and requires a prescription.
In this review, we’ll be covering the Natural & Delicious line of products which includes over a dozen dry food formulas and nearly as many wet food recipes.
Farmina offers recipes formulated for adult cats as well as specialty options for weight management, urinary health, and skin and coat health.
Here is the nutritional information for some of the most popular cat food recipes:
Dry Food Recipes |
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Recipe | Protein % | Fat % | Fiber % | Moisture % | Calories/Cup |
N&D Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Dry Kitten Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 412 |
N&D Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 412 |
N&D Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Neutered Dry Food | 46 | 11 | 5.1 | 8 | 358 |
N&D Prime Feline Boar & Apple Adult Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 412 |
N&D Prime Feline Lamb & Blueberry Adult Dry Food | 42 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 410 |
N&D Ocean Feline Herring & Orange Adult Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 412 |
N&D Ocean Feline Herring, Pumpkin & Orange Adult Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 10 | 412 |
N&D Ocean Feline Cod, Spelt, Oats & Orange Adult Dry Food | 36 | 20 | 1.9 | 8 | 388 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Quail & Pomegranate Adult Dry Food | 46 | 11 | 5.5 | 8 | 356 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Venison & Apple Adult Dry Food | 42 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 411 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Duck & Cantaloupe Adult Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 8 | 412 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Quail & Pomegranate Neutered Dry Food | 44 | 20 | 1.8 | 10 | 412 |
N&D Ancestral Grains Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Dry Food | 36 | 20 | 1.9 | 8 | 388 |
N&D Ancestral Grains Lamb & Blueberry Adult Dry Food | 36 | 20 | 1.9 | 8 | 388 |
N&D Ancestral Grains Chicken & Pomegranate Neutered Dry Food | 38 | 10 | 5.5 | 8 | 349 |
Wet Food Recipes |
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Recipe | Protein % | Fat % | Fiber % | Moisture % | Calories/Kg |
N&D Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Wet Food | 13 | 5 | 0.4 | 77 | 1,118 |
N&D Prime Feline Boar and Apple Wet Food | 12 | 5 | 0.7 | 78 | 1,101 |
N&D Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Wet Food | 12.5 | 4.5 | 0.7 | 78 | 1,101 |
N&D Prime Feline Lamb & Blueberry Wet Food | 11 | 6.5 | 0.7 | 78 | 1,182 |
N&D Ocean Feline Cod, Shrimp & Pumpkin Kitten Wet Food | 11 | 4.5 | 0.7 | 80 | 1,108 |
N&D Ocean Feline Cod, Shrimp & Pumpkin Adult Wet Food | 10.5 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 80 | 1,099 |
N&D Ocean Feline Salmon, Cod & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 10.5 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 80 | 1,120 |
N&D Ocean Feline Sea Bass, Sardine & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 11 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 80 | 1,120 |
N&D Ocean Feline Sea Bass, Squid & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 10.5 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 80 | 1,120 |
N&D Ocean Feline Tuna & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 12.3 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 78 | 1,105 |
N&D Ocean Feline Tuna, Cod & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 11.8 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 80 | 1,105 |
N&D Ocean Feline Trout, Salmon & Shrimp Adult Wet Food | 10.5 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 80 | 1,109 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Boar, Pumpkin & Apple Wet Food | 12 | 5 | 1 | 78 | 1,086 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Chicken, Pumpkin & Pomegranate | 13 | 5 | 1 | 78 | Unlisted |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Duck & Pumpkin Wet Food | 12.5 | 4.5 | 1 | 78 | Unlisted |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Lamb, Pumpkin & Blueberry Wet Food | 11 | 6.5 | 1 | 78 | 1,167 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Quail & Pumpkin Wet Food | 12.5 | 4.5 | 1 | 78 | 1,087 |
N&D Pumpkin Feline Venison & Pumpkin Wet Food | 13 | 4.5 | 1 | 78 | 1,069 |
Product Recall History
Though the pet food industry isn’t as heavily regulated as food for human consumption, there are guidelines in place and the FDA responds to customer complaints. When there is a problem with a product, the FDA may force a recall if the company doesn’t do it voluntarily.
Recalls can happen for a variety of reasons, the most concerning of which is contamination with food-borne pathogens. They can also happen for issues as simple as labeling errors, however.
When evaluating a brand for quality, it’s always a good idea to check for recalls. Having a recall or two doesn’t necessarily indicate a poor-quality brand, but a long list of recalls is certainly a red flag.
It’s definitely a good sign that Farmina doesn’t have any recalls in its history.
Products Included in This Review |
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Name | Type | Protein % | Fat % | Top 5 Ingredients |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Pomegranate Ancestral Low-Grain Formula Dry Food | Dry | 36 | 20 | Boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats, chicken fat |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Lamb & Blueberry Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | 42 | 20 | Lamb, dehydrated lamb, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Herring & Orange Adult Dry Food | Dry | 44 | 20 | Herring, dehydrated herring, sweet potatoes, herring oil, dried whole eggs |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Recipe Canned Food | Wet | 13 | 5 | Chicken, herring, eggs, sweet potato, herring oil |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Feline Small Tuna, Cod & Shrimp Canned Cat Food | Wet | 11.8 | 4.5 | Tuna, cod, herring, sweet potatoes, shrimp |
Compare Farmina Cat Food
1. Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Pomegranate Ancestral Low-Grain Formula Dry Food |
2. Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Lamb & Blueberry Adult Dry Cat Food |
4. Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Recipe Canned Food |
5. Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Feline Small Tuna, Cod & Shrimp Canned Cat Food |
|
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Wet |
Type of Food
Wet |
First 5 Ingredients
Boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats, chicken fat |
First 5 Ingredients
Lamb, dehydrated lamb, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs |
First 5 Ingredients
Herring, dehydrated herring, sweet potatoes, herring oil, dried whole eggs |
First 5 Ingredients
Chicken, herring, eggs, sweet potato, herring oil |
First 5 Ingredients
Tuna, cod, herring, sweet potatoes, shrimp |
Guaranteed Analysis
36% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.9% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
42% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.8% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
44% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.8% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
13% Protein Min, 5% Fat Min, 0.4% Fiber Max, 77% Moisture Max |
Guaranteed Analysis
11.8% Protein Min, 4.5% Fat Min, 0.6% Fiber Max, 80% Moisture Max |
Calories per Cup
388 kcal/cup |
Calories per Cup
410 kcal/cup |
Calories per Cup
412 kcal/cup |
Calories per Cup
1,118 kcal/kg |
Calories per Cup
1,105 kcal/kg |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$4.34/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$4.60/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$5.01/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.71/ounce |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.66/ounce |
Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Pomegranate Ancestral Low-Grain Formula Dry Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt, whole oats, chicken fat
- Guaranteed Analysis: 36% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.9% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 388 kcal/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $4.34/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Boneless Chicken, Dehydrated Chicken, Whole Spelt, Whole Oats, Chicken Fat, Dried Whole Eggs, Herring, Dehydrated Herring, Herring Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Pea Fiber, Dried Carrot, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharide, Yeast Extract, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Apple, Dried Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, etc..
This chicken recipe dry cat food belongs to Farmina’s Ancestral Low-Grain product line. In addition to featuring fresh and dried chicken, it also contains whole spelt and whole oats, two nutritious and digestible sources of carbohydrate.
The estimated carbohydrate content of this recipe is about 25%. This puts it on par with some of the lower-carb cat foods we’ve reviewed, but we still wouldn’t call it low in carbohydrates – certainly not as low as high-quality wet foods tend to be.
Overall, this recipe is made with quality ingredients and seems to offer good nutritional balance. In addition to being loaded with real animal protein, it also contains dried fruit and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients with supplements as needed for nutritional balance.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Lamb & Blueberry Adult Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, dehydrated lamb, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, dried whole eggs
- Guaranteed Analysis: 42% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.8% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 410 kcal/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $4.60/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Lamb, Dehydrated Lamb, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat, Dried Whole Eggs, Herring, Dehydrated Herring, Herring Oil, Pea Fiber, Dried Carrot, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharide, Yeast Extract, Dried Blueberry, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Apple, Dried Spinach, Psyllium Seed Husk, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, 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, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative)
With fresh lamb as the first ingredient and dehydrated lamb as the second, this formula is packed with real animal protein. If you’re looking for a single source protein recipe, however, keep looking.
In addition to lamb, this recipe contains both fresh and dehydrated herring as well as whole eggs. Sweet potatoes are the primary carbohydrate with pea fiber and dried carrot for dietary fiber.
You’ll also find several other dried vegetables and some dried fruits for a nutritional boost.
Not only is this recipe full of animal protein, but it contains nutritious sources of animal-based fat as well. Chicken fat is the primary source of fat and herring oil is supplementary.
This recipe is rich in omega-3 fatty acids as a result which will benefit your cat’s skin and coat.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Herring & Orange Adult Dry Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Herring, dehydrated herring, sweet potatoes, herring oil, dried whole eggs
- Guaranteed Analysis: 44% Protein Min, 20% Fat Min, 1.8% Fiber Max, 8% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 412 kcal/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $5.01/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Herring, Dehydrated Herring, Sweet Potatoes, Herring Oil, Dried Whole Eggs, Pea Fiber, Dried Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Inulin, Fructooligosaccharides, Yeast Extract, Dried Sweet Orange, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Apple, Dried Spinach, Psyllium, Dried Blueberry, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Turmeric, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, 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, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Aloe Vera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Natural Preservative).
If you’re looking for a single source protein recipe, this formula might be the closest you’ll find in Farmina dry food. Featuring fresh and dehydrated herring, this recipe’s only other protein ingredient comes from dried whole eggs.
The ingredients list for this formula is very similar to the others, filled with dried fruits and vegetables as well as nutritional supplements. We’re glad to see the mineral supplements are chelated.
This simply means they’ve been chemically bound to protein molecules which increases their absorption.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Feline Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten Recipe Canned Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, herring, eggs, sweet potato, herring oil
- Guaranteed Analysis: 13% Protein Min, 5% Fat Min, 0.4% Fiber Max, 77% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 1,118 kcal/kg
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.71/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Chicken, Herring, Eggs, Sweet Potato, Herring Oil, Pomegranate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine Complex, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, DL-Methionine, Taurine.
Wet food tends to be higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than dry food and that certainly seems to be the case with this Prime Feline recipe. The estimated carb content is under 2%.
This formula features fresh chicken, herring, and eggs as the top three ingredients. Sweet potato, herring oil, and pomegranate are the only other ingredients aside from supplements.
Not only is this recipe packed with animal protein, but the sweet potato is grain-free and highly digestible.
Overall, this formula seems to deliver high-quality nutrition in a digestible formula very low in carbohydrates. We would definitely recommend this recipe.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Ocean Feline Small Tuna, Cod & Shrimp Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Tuna, cod, herring, sweet potatoes, shrimp
- Guaranteed Analysis: 11.8% Protein Min, 4.5% Fat Min, 0.6% Fiber Max, 80% Moisture Max
- Calories per Cup: 1,105 kcal/kg
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.66/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Tuna, Cod, Herring, Sweet Potatoes, Shrimp, Herring Oil, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Choline Chloride, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Ferrous Glycine Complex, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, DL-Methionine, Taurine, L-Carnitine.
For cats who prefer seafood, this recipe is a great choice. Made with fresh tuna, cod, and herring, this recipe also contains shrimp and herring oil. It is definitely not short on seafood flavor.
This formula contains sweet potatoes as the only carbohydrate ingredient and, in total, only contains six main ingredients aside from supplements. Though it may not be a single source protein recipe, this formula could be a good option for cats allergic or sensitive to common proteins other than fish.
What Do Customers Think of Farmina Cat Food?
Perhaps because Farmina is a fairly expensive brand, and maybe because you don’t see it in every pet store, it isn’t one of the most well-known brands out there. That being said, some products have over 100 reviews on Chewy and most carry above a 4.5-star rating.
For the most part, customers seem pleased with the quality of the food and its ingredients, though there are naturally comments about the price and about picky eaters not liking the food.
How Much Does Farmina Cat Food Cost?
Farmina cat food is definitely one of the more expensive brands out there. Their dry food recipes range from $4.35 to just over $5.00 per pound, though you may be able to find lower prices in stores when purchasing larger bags of the food. Canned foods range from $0.60 to $0.75 per ounce.
To give you a better idea how Chicken Soup for the Soul stacks up against other cat food brands, here is a quick chart to show you some average prices:
Brand/Recipe | Type | Quality | Price/Ounce | Price/Pound |
Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Food | Dry | Low | X | $0.90/pound |
Friskies Classic Pate Mixed Grill Canned Food | Wet | Low | $0.07/ounce | $1.16/pound |
Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Moderate | X | $2.53/pound |
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Chicken Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | Moderate | $0.36/ounce | X |
Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | Dry | High | X | $3.45/pound |
Ziwi Peak New Zealand Venison Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | High | $1.21/ounce | X |
Where Can You Buy Farmina Cat Food?
Farmina is something of a specialty brand, so you may not find it in major national pet store chains like Petco and PetsMart. You’re more likely to find it in local or regional pet stores as well as specialty pet food stores.
You’ll find a large selection of Farmina cat food products online at Chewy or Amazon. You can also purchase directly from the Farmina website, if you prefer, with free shipping over $49.
Our Final Thoughts: Is Farmina a Good Brand?
Overall, we’re very pleased with the Farmina brand. We love that the brand is committed to delivering high-quality nutrition with formulas backed by science, and they use real animal proteins as the foundation of every formula.
Farmina dry foods are a little higher in carbohydrate than we like to see, but that’s fairly standard for dry food.
If you’re looking for a lower carbohydrate option for your cat, Farmina dry foods may be lower than the typical kibble. You’ll find the lowest carb content in wet food, however, and Farmina offers a wide variety of choices.
We’d recommend any Farmina wet food and we stand behind their dry food as well.