Why Farmina?
Farmina is nature and science in perfect harmony. Our mission is to develop the best all-natural, nutritious, and scientifically validated food that both cats and dogs will love. That’s why in our kitchen, we mix and cook only the finest raw ingredients following strict guidelines set by nutritional experts. With their expertise, we have designed a scientifically validated diet specific to a carnivores nutritional needs.
Dogs and cats are our four-legged family members that emanate the emotions found at home. With nutrition as the basis of their wellbeing, a balanced meal can leave them feeling happy and joyful which they can then pass onto you. That’s why our motto is: Happy Pet, Happy You.
NATURE IS OUR INSPIRATION
Nature is our biggest source of wealth which is why we preserve our food’s characteristics using tools and methods Mother Nature gave. We use:
ONLY NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS
We use Tocopherol rich extracts as a natural preservative for our products.
> Learn about the importance of using natural preservatives.
NO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
We exclude any potential GMO ingredients from our products and instead use only GMO-FREE ancestral cereals (spelt and oats).
> Why you should choose GMO-Free.
PRESERVED UNDER A PROTECTIVE ATMOSPHERE
Another way we naturally preserve our food is by using nitrogen during the packaging process. By introducing nitrogen into our food bags, we can displace any oxygen that’s present to eliminate the potential for fat oxidation and, therefore, rancidity. This technique is also widely used in human food packaging.
> Learn about the importance of using natural preservatives.
SCIENCE IS OUR METHOD
Science guides our actions, which is why we established a working relationship with the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II. Clinical findings are developed and led by public entities to ensure scientific validity and are the basis for our food formulation. During our collaboration, many of our lines of research were published in high bibliometric scientific journals. The cooperation between Farmina and the University of Naples Federico II gave life to Farmina Vet Research whose purpose is to research and formulate new food based on the latest scientific findings.
For example, the research highlighted below highlights the benefits of feeding a low glycemic diet.
> Learn more about the importance of a low glycemic index.
FARMINA: NATURE AND SCIENCE IN PERFECT HARMONY
The perfect union between nature and science led to our revolutionary line of clinical Veterinarian Food, Farmina Vet Life and our Natural & Delicious Grain-Free (without cereals) and Low Ancestral Grain (with only ancestral grains- spelt and oats) food lines designed for a carnivores nutritional needs.
Our Ingredients
We carefully select the raw materials we use to provide the optimum nutritional intake and biological value for the well-being of pets. At Farmina, our Vet Life and Natural & Delicious nutritional systems use only the best selection of raw materials. The result is a high-quality pet food that meets all of the nutritional needs of cats and dogs.
PROTEINS
The fish, chicken, lamb, wild boar, and eggs used in our products come only from certified farms that we carefully selected for their high-quality standards. We only use meat from the animal, never any meals or by-products. All of our protein sources consume GMO-free diets and are raised without antibiotics and hormones.
Free-Range Italian Chicken - A high biological value protein source that helps our product have a 95% digestibility rate.
New Zealand Lamb - This meat has a high biological value due to its naturally occuring essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, and also has a healthy ratio of lean to fat mass when compared to other red meats. Our grass-fed lamb is born and raised in New Zealand without the use of antibiotics or hormones.
Wild Italian Boar from Tuscany and Umbria- Though it is not a commonly used ingredient in cat and dog food, we purposefully selected it because of its high biological value.
Wild-Caught Cod and Herring from the North Sea - The result is a higher quality fish
Like our chicken, all of the eggs we use are sourced in Italy. We transport the eggs fresh to our shelling plants that transform the eggs into powder through the process of dehydration. This process guarantees the preservation of nutrients.
Fats
Fats represent an important energy source as well as a source of essential fatty acids for carnivores. Fats are also used to help increase the palatability of our food.
Two of the fat sources used in our food are chicken fat because it provides a higher value of polyunsaturated fatty acids than bovine or swine and is also highly palatable for animals and fish oil because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids particularly EPA and DHA to help support the immune system.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates act as a source of readily available energy for cats and dogs. We use only GMO-Free spelt, oats, potato, and rice as our carbohydrate sources. Unlike many pet food manufacturers, we do not use corn in our products. We use ancestral cereals such as spelt and oats because they guarantee a better modulation of energy availability throughout the day. In foods and diets that require it, we sometimes will use potato and rice because they can provide a rapid energy boost.
Using our innovative technology and accurate controls over the raw ingredients we use, we can guarantee excellent digestibility of our food.
Fiber plays a significant role in regulating the transportation of food through the intestinal tract and the absorption of nutrients. We use beet pulp, pea fiber, pure cellulose, dehydrated alfalfa, and psyllium seed husk as fiber sources in our food. These sources of fiber help to provide healthy digestion.
Some ingredients we use also have prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS). Prebiotic fibers help support a healthy digestive tract.
We pay particular attention to the fiber mix used in each formula by always taking into account the physiological and/or pathological condition of the animal. We also take the particular features of a species or breeds that are most predispose to certain pathologic conditions into account.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for a proper nutritional diet as they drive biochemical reactions in the body. All Farmina products contain a complete and balanced vitamin supplementation according to the physiological and developmental stage of the animal including the specific diet formulas we have developed to ensure the smooth operation of all vital functions. Vitamin supplementation prevents vitamin deficiencies that in some cases present specific and obvious symptoms and in others more subtle symptoms and a general weakening of the pet.
Thanks to our post-extrusion process that protects vitamins from thermal stress and grants high bioavailability, our foods contain long lasting vitamins (Long Lasting Vitamin System).
MINERALS
Maximum care and attention went into our inclusion of macro and oligo-elements. We specifically balanced the minerals according to species, age, and the needs of your pet.
FUNCTIONAL COMPOUNDS
Some of the function compounds we use are glucosamine, extracted from crustaceans, and chondroitin sulfate, derived from cartilaginous fish. These compounds are useful in promoting healthy joints. We also use marigold and lutein as sources of natural antioxidants.
Several of the ingredients used in various combinations in our Natural & Delicious and Vet Life diets include:
Apple
Pomegranate
Blueberries
Orange
Spinach
Carrot
Rosemary
Aloe vera
Turmeric
Green tea
We developed a valuable mix of elements that are beneficial to the health of our four-legged family members.
DO NOT FEED RAW!!!!!!!!There are many reasons I discourage raw feeding. In no specific order ...
1. Have you ever seen a dog's stool
That is on raw? It's very dry, hydration can be very lacking bc the pet receives less and usually doesn't keep up drinking enough. Your last part of your large intestine is in charge of water resorption and whatever the body needs it will suck from the intestinal contents. Most stool from raw fed comes out very dry and is also in turn a lot more infrequent, not regular.
2. Risk of bacterial infections not only to the pet, but to the human in the household. In many dogs, they are resistant to the effects of salmonella and show no symptoms but carry it. They shed it in their stool, in their saliva after a feeding, and wherever the food was consumed (floor, rug, bed). It's mainly a concern in really young and old and Immunol compromised, but all can be infected. Amongst other bacteria. For example: echinococcus, crypto, campylobacter, listeria, clostrodium, etc
Mycotoxins as well, although any pet food can be contaminated in the processing company as we know. Poor handling, unclean manufacturing plants etc.
3.) parasites
Yes meat contains parasites. Specifically tapeworm in pork, sarcocystis, neospora, toxoplasmosis, etc
4.) unbalanced diet that can damage internal organs. I.e.: protein overload/kidney issues
Yes dogs used to live off raw meat, however in the wild they also die much quicker from bacteria disease, blockages from animal bone, intestinal perforation from animal bone, burnt out kidneys. Animals eat this way to survive. They are not true carnivores like a cat, they are obligate carnivores in the wild.
5.) also in the wild it is proven wolves eat ungulates (large hooved mammals like elk, moose, etc) yet raw calls for a lot of animals they don't typically eat in the Wild like cow , pig, fish etc. So raw feeding is not their "natural diet" even though "natural diet" has proven ineffective at maintaining them adequately.
6.)raw meats are a known carcinogen
7.)Siberian Huskies are so much like wolves, if you feed them raw meat you are causing aggression in the breed. You are introducing the taste of blood to them. Horrible Horrible idea!
1. Have you ever seen a dog's stool
That is on raw? It's very dry, hydration can be very lacking bc the pet receives less and usually doesn't keep up drinking enough. Your last part of your large intestine is in charge of water resorption and whatever the body needs it will suck from the intestinal contents. Most stool from raw fed comes out very dry and is also in turn a lot more infrequent, not regular.
2. Risk of bacterial infections not only to the pet, but to the human in the household. In many dogs, they are resistant to the effects of salmonella and show no symptoms but carry it. They shed it in their stool, in their saliva after a feeding, and wherever the food was consumed (floor, rug, bed). It's mainly a concern in really young and old and Immunol compromised, but all can be infected. Amongst other bacteria. For example: echinococcus, crypto, campylobacter, listeria, clostrodium, etc
Mycotoxins as well, although any pet food can be contaminated in the processing company as we know. Poor handling, unclean manufacturing plants etc.
3.) parasites
Yes meat contains parasites. Specifically tapeworm in pork, sarcocystis, neospora, toxoplasmosis, etc
4.) unbalanced diet that can damage internal organs. I.e.: protein overload/kidney issues
Yes dogs used to live off raw meat, however in the wild they also die much quicker from bacteria disease, blockages from animal bone, intestinal perforation from animal bone, burnt out kidneys. Animals eat this way to survive. They are not true carnivores like a cat, they are obligate carnivores in the wild.
5.) also in the wild it is proven wolves eat ungulates (large hooved mammals like elk, moose, etc) yet raw calls for a lot of animals they don't typically eat in the Wild like cow , pig, fish etc. So raw feeding is not their "natural diet" even though "natural diet" has proven ineffective at maintaining them adequately.
6.)raw meats are a known carcinogen
7.)Siberian Huskies are so much like wolves, if you feed them raw meat you are causing aggression in the breed. You are introducing the taste of blood to them. Horrible Horrible idea!
•WE FEED A HOMEADE DIET, THAT WE MAKE HERE AT BURNSBERG KENNELS FOR OUR PUPS STARTING AT 6 MONTHS OF AGE AND FOR OUR ADULT PACK. WE FEED ALOT OF FULLY COOKED VENISON, CHICKEN, LIVER, GROUND TURKEY, BEEF CUTS, AND ONCE IN AWHILE FISH. WE GET LARGE QUANTIES OF MEAT AT A TIME FROM OUR LOCAL BUTCHER AND OUR VENISON COMES FROM FROM LOCAL TAWAS DEER HUNTERS. WE TAKE ALL THE SCRAPS FOR THE 2 MONTHS OF DEER HUNTING SEASON. WE CUT ALL THE MEAT, HEART, LIVER OFF THE BONES, CUBE IT AND FREEZE IT IN GALLON FREEZER BAGS. WE HAVE SEVERAL HUGE DEEP FREEZERS THAT WE PUT ALL OUR MEAT IN AND IT LASTS A YEAR. WE BOIL THE BONES FOR A FEW HOURS AND ALSO KEEP THE BONE BROTH AND FREEZE IT. ALL OF THAT IS SO GOOD FOR DOGS. WE FULLY COOK EVERYTHING INCLUDING VEGETABLES AND BROWN RICE, ECT. ONCE IT COOLS WE DE-BONE AND THROW AWAY ALL THE BONES AWAY(CHICKEN BONES, HAM BONES, RIB BONES SPLINTER AND ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND EVEN DEADLY). THEN WE PUT IT ALL IN OUR FOOD PROCESSOR AND BLEND IT UP. WE DONT TURN IT INTO BABY FOOD BUT JUST ENOUGH SO ITS ALL MIXED UP. WE DO ADD A FEW CUPS OF PURINA PRO PLAN OR FARMINA TO OUR HOMEMADE FOOD. ALL THE GRAINS IN DOG FOOD ARE ESSENCIAL IN A DOGS DIET. YOU CAN SUBSTITUTE THAT WITH GRAINS SUCH AS BROWN RICE, LENTILS, BARLEY, ECT: BELOW IS A FEW THINGS WE ADD TO OURS INCASE YOUR INTERESTED. ITS ALOT OF WORK BUT ITS FUN AND SO HEALTHY FOR OUR DOGS.
* High quality proteins: chicken, venison, liver, beef, ground turkey, fish, eggs or legumes.
* Carbohydrates: sweet potatoes, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, barley. Do not use Potato skins. Potato skins can be bad for dogs because they contain oxalates and solanine, which can be toxic in large quantities.
* Fibers: vegetables and fruits (carrots, broccoli, green beans, peas, zucchinis, blue berries, apples, bananas).
• Fats: Coconut oil, olive oil, fish or krill oil, or flax seed oil, pumpkin seed oil.
WE DO NOT FEED RAW MEATS EVER, NOR DO WE AGREE WITH IT FOR OUR BREEDING PROGRAM. FOR THOSE THAT FEED RAW MEAT, TO EACH THERE OWN. WE ARE NOT HERE TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT OR TELL YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR LIFE. WE ALSO DON'T CARE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS BCUZ THIS IS OUR BREEDING PROGRAM AND YOUR OPINIONS WILL NOT CHANGE HOW WE DO THINGS HERE. NOT ONE OF OUR FIVE VETRINARIANS OVER 26 YEARS OF RAISING HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL DOGS AGREE WITH FEEDING RAW MEATS. INFACT THEY ALL STRONGLY DISAGREE AND HATE IT.
* High quality proteins: chicken, venison, liver, beef, ground turkey, fish, eggs or legumes.
* Carbohydrates: sweet potatoes, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, barley. Do not use Potato skins. Potato skins can be bad for dogs because they contain oxalates and solanine, which can be toxic in large quantities.
* Fibers: vegetables and fruits (carrots, broccoli, green beans, peas, zucchinis, blue berries, apples, bananas).
• Fats: Coconut oil, olive oil, fish or krill oil, or flax seed oil, pumpkin seed oil.
WE DO NOT FEED RAW MEATS EVER, NOR DO WE AGREE WITH IT FOR OUR BREEDING PROGRAM. FOR THOSE THAT FEED RAW MEAT, TO EACH THERE OWN. WE ARE NOT HERE TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT OR TELL YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR LIFE. WE ALSO DON'T CARE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS BCUZ THIS IS OUR BREEDING PROGRAM AND YOUR OPINIONS WILL NOT CHANGE HOW WE DO THINGS HERE. NOT ONE OF OUR FIVE VETRINARIANS OVER 26 YEARS OF RAISING HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL DOGS AGREE WITH FEEDING RAW MEATS. INFACT THEY ALL STRONGLY DISAGREE AND HATE IT.