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Our Verdict
The Farmina Vet Life dry product range is made up of seven recipes which are not rated due to their intentional therapeutic design. All the recipes in Farmina Vet Life dry range are designed for specific health conditions.
Although this is a prescription product, our review has nothing to do with the accuracy of claims made by the manufacturer as to the product’s ability to treat or cure a specific health condition.
So, to find out whether or not this product is appropriate for your particular pet, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian.
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Strict production and quality control processes
- Veterinary formulas
Cons
- Expensive
The table below shows each recipe in this range and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Unspecified. They are complete and balanced, but to the specific requirements for each particular nutritional purpose, rather than the usual AAFCO profile.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Farmina VetLife Gastrointestinal | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife Urinary ST/control | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife Urinary ST/management | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife Renal | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife Caloric Control | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife HP Derma | Unrated | U |
| Farmina VetLife Derma Management with Fish | Unrated | U |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Farmina VetLife HP Derma was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Farmina VetLife HP Derma
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Rice starch, hydrolyzed fish, herring oil, powdered cellulose, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, 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, selenium yeast, calcium iodate, DL-Methionine, taurine, mixed tocopherols (a preservative)
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.9%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 18% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 19% | 15% | 57% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 17% | 33% | 50% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is rice starch, a starchy powder extracted from rice and most likely used here as a thickening agent.
The second ingredient is hydrolyzed fish. Hydrolyzed fish meal is considered a meat concentrate, as fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself. Being hydrolyzed means that the fish has been chemically broken-down into its component amino acids. Hydrolyzed proteins are considered hypoallergenic as they are not identifiable by the body to trigger allergy reactions.
The third ingredient is herring oil. Herring oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, herring oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The fourth ingredient is powdered cellulose, an insoluble plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing. As a fiber isolate cellulose can convey a number of functional benefits in the diet, from reducing the energy density and promoting satiety in a weight control diet, to supporting digestion and dental health.
The fifth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.
The sixth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.
The seventh ingredient is monocalcium phosphate, likely used in this recipe as a calcium and/or phosphorus dietary supplement.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has two notable exceptions.
First, we find taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view the presence of Taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Also, this food also contains chelated minerals, that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Farmina VetLife HP Derma looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 20.7%, a fat level of 16.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 54.3%
Farmina Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Farmina through May 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Farmina Vet Life Dog Food
Farmina Vet Life recipes are specialized meals designed to support dogs with certain health conditions, using only the highest quality meats and vegetables.
Farmina is a premium brand that we highly recommend.
About
Francesco Russo founded the Russo Mangimi company in 1965 specializing in animal nutrition. In 1999, the company’s focus shifted to the pet food industry with a new perspective of developing foods based on scientific studies focused on the well-being of pets.
The Mangimi company started to collaborate with Farmina, an English company specializing in food research and formulation.
Mangima manufacturing facilities are based in Europe and Farmina foods are mostly sourced from Italy. Some ingredients are sourced from Europe and New Zealand.
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A Final Word
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