Vet Life Gastrointestinal Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a veterinary therapeutic wet dog food designed to support dogs with digestive issues such as maldigestion, acute intestinal problems, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It uses chicken and hydrolyzed fish as highly digestible protein sources, with sweet potato and quinoa as gentle carbohydrate options. The relatively low fat level and added prebiotic fiber, omega-rich fish oil, and electrolytes make it suitable for dogs that need extra digestive support under veterinary supervision.
Formulated as a prescription gastrointestinal diet, this food is well-suited for dogs with sensitive digestion or diagnosed digestive disease who need a highly digestible, lower-fat canned option. The combination of chicken, hydrolyzed fish, and egg yolk provides good quality protein, while sweet potato and quinoa offer easily tolerated carbohydrates. It’s a strong choice for dogs needing a moist GI-support diet, as long as chicken and fish are appropriate for that individual dog and it is used under a veterinarian’s guidance.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Uses chicken, hydrolyzed fish, egg yolk, and organ meat (chicken liver) as primary protein sources, which are generally highly digestible and appropriate for GI support diets.
- Relatively low fat content for a wet food, which can be helpful for many dogs with pancreatic issues or fat-sensitive digestive problems.
- Includes prebiotic sources such as fructooligosaccharides, pea fiber, and brewers yeast to help support a healthy gut microbiome.
- Contains multiple omega-3–rich fish ingredients (herring oil, sardines, tuna) that can contribute beneficial fatty acids for overall health and gut support.
Considerations
- Contains chicken and multiple fish sources, which are common food allergens; not ideal for dogs with known chicken or fish allergies.
- Because this is a targeted veterinary diet, it is meant to be used under veterinary supervision and may not be necessary or ideal for otherwise healthy dogs with no digestive issues.
- Moderate calorie density per can means portion control is important, especially for smaller or less active dogs, to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Hydrolyzed Fish Protein
Hydrolyzed fish protein is a processed protein ingredient used in pet foods as a highly digestible protein source and flavor enhancer, commonly included in hypoallergenic or elimination diets because enzymatic hydrolysis breaks proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids that are less likely to trigger immune reactions. It provides essential amino acids and can improve palatability, but severely fish‑allergic pets may still react to incompletely hydrolyzed material, and owners should be aware that quality, sodium content, and processing (to limit histamine) can vary between manufacturers.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
05
Herring Oil
Herring oil is a fish-derived oil used in dog and cat diets as a concentrated source of long-chain omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support healthy skin and coat, help modulate inflammation, and can benefit joint and cardiovascular health. It is calorically dense and can cause fishy odor or gastrointestinal upset in some pets, so quality, freshness, and dosing matter—products should be properly processed to limit oxidation and contamination and a veterinarian should be consulted for pets with bleeding disorders, pancreatitis, or when combining with certain medications.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Farmina is the flagship brand of Farmina Pet Foods, known for its Natural & Delicious (N&D) and Vet Life lines. The brand focuses on diets that combine natural ingredients with scientific research. Farmina’s offerings target premium pet owners seeking nutritionally balanced recipes made with high-quality proteins and low-glycemic carbohydrates.
Visit FarminaManufacturer
Farmina operates its own manufacturing facilities in Italy, Serbia, and Brazil, allowing complete control over ingredient sourcing, formulation, and production quality. The company follows strict quality assurance protocols and complies with international food safety standards including HACCP and ISO-certified processes.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Farmina Vet Life Gastrointestinal Wet Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Farmina ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Farmina. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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