Almo Nature honest review: the transparent Italian wet food that scores B
On the wet cat food shelf, Almo Nature occupies a singular position. The Italian brand does not try to sell you dreams with empty slogans: it lists its ingredients plainly, certifies that every component comes from the human food chain, and donates 100 pourcent of its profits to an animal welfare foundation. And yet it scores B (76/100), not A. Why?
That is exactly what this review explores. A B grade at PetFoodRate does not mean the product is bad - it means it has real strengths and identified limits. Version française : Almo Nature avis honnête.
Overall score and positioning
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall score | B (76/100) |
| Ingredients | 82/100 |
| Transparency | 91/100 |
| Nutrition | 68/100 |
| Ethics and sourcing | 88/100 |
| Value for money | 72/100 |
The score varies slightly by recipe: the Classic HFC tuna and chicken range sits at 76-78, beef and shrimp recipes drop to 72-74. Consistency is there, but so is the ceiling.
To calibrate: Applaws scores A (87), Schesir scores A (83). Almo Nature sits just below the A threshold - and understanding why helps you know whether this product suits your cat.
Who is behind Almo Nature?
Almo Nature was founded in 2000 in Genoa, Italy, by Pier Giovanni Capellino. What radically sets it apart from 95 pourcent of the market: in 2018, the entire company was transferred to the Fondazione Capellino, a non-profit foundation dedicated to coexistence between humans and wildlife, and to protecting stray cats.
Concretely: every euro of profit generated by selling cat food goes directly into animal protection projects. This model is rare. It is in fact unique at this scale in the European pet food industry.
The brand employs around 350 people, distributes to 70 countries, and generated over 100 million euros in revenue in 2023. All while remaining independent of the major groups - it belongs neither to Mars nor to Nestle nor to Colgate-Palmolive.
The HFC certification: what it actually means
HFC stands for "Human Food Chain." Every Almo Nature ingredient is certified fit for human consumption at the point of use. This is not marketing: it is a regulatory constraint the brand voluntarily imposes on itself and has audited by third parties.
Why does this matter? The vast majority of pet kibble and wet food uses by-products not intended for human consumption: carcasses, uncleaned offal, low-grade meals. That is legal, that is safe for animals, but it is opaque. Almo Nature says the opposite: if a human cannot eat this ingredient, it does not go into our recipes.
In practice, on a Classic HFC tuna pouch:
- Tuna (55 pourcent): skipjack tuna fillets from the human food chain
- Tuna broth: clear broth, non-gelled, no colourings or thickeners
- Agar-agar: natural gelling agent from seaweed
- No reconstituted meat, no flour, no sugar, no colourings
The ingredient list fits in four lines. That is rare.
Why B and not A? The nutritional analysis
Almo Nature Classic is a complementary food, not a complete food. The distinction is fundamental.
A complete food contains all the nutrients a healthy adult cat needs: proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids (taurine, methionine, arginine). You can feed your cat exclusively on it without any supplement.
A complementary food is formulated to be mixed with other foods. It may lack certain minerals, certain vitamins, or have an insufficient fat profile for exclusive feeding.
Here is what we observe across the Classic HFC range:
| Nutrient | Almo Classic | FEDIAF recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude protein | 17 pourcent | 6.5 pourcent (min) | OK |
| Crude fat | 1.2 pourcent | 4 pourcent (min) | Insufficient alone |
| Crude ash | 1.8 pourcent | - | Low in minerals |
| Taurine | Not declared | 0.1 pourcent | Not verified |
| Moisture | 80 pourcent | - | Excellent hydration |
The fat level is the primary limitation. An adult cat needs a minimum of 4 pourcent fat in its diet to maintain skin health, hormonal function, and energy levels. At 1.2 pourcent, Almo Classic does not cover this need as a sole food.
That is why the brand itself labels it "complementary" on the packaging. And that is why its score caps at B: an excellent product within a mixed diet, insufficient as a sole food.
The full range: what is worth what
Almo Nature offers several product lines with very different profiles:
| Range | Type | Score | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic HFC | Complementary | B (76-78) | Mixed with complete food |
| HFC Complete | Complete food | B+ (81) | Exclusive feeding possible |
| Daily Menu | Complete food | B (74) | Budget, less pure formula |
| Green Label | Complementary organic | B (77) | Premium complementary |
| Holistic | Complete kibble | B (73) | Grain-free kibble |
The HFC Complete range deserves attention: it is Almo Nature's answer to Classic's limitation. It adds the vitamins and minerals needed for complete nutrition while keeping the short ingredient list. Its score rises to 81 - still B, but right at the A border.
The Daily Menu range is more affordable but uses slightly lower quality ingredients (non-HFC certified fish in some references). It remains decent at 74 but loses the brand's distinctive advantage.
Direct comparison: Almo vs its closest competitors
| Brand | Score | Price/100g | Complete? | First ingredient | Independent? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almo Classic HFC | B (76) | 0.28 EUR | No | Tuna 55 pourcent | Yes (foundation) |
| Almo HFC Complete | B+ (81) | 0.35 EUR | Yes | Tuna 50 pourcent | Yes (foundation) |
| Applaws | A (87) | 0.42 EUR | No | Tuna 70 pourcent | No (Mars) |
| Schesir | A (83) | 0.38 EUR | Partial | Tuna 60 pourcent | No (Agras Delic) |
| Sheba | D (45) | 0.18 EUR | Yes | Sauce/gelatin | No (Mars) |
| Whiskas | D (42) | 0.15 EUR | Yes | Reconstituted meat | No (Mars) |
Applaws scores A (87) and lists 70 pourcent tuna. Why does Almo not do the same? The answer lies in formulation policy: Almo Nature deliberately chooses a less aggressive protein level to maintain natural texture with fewer thickeners. That is a formulation choice, not a flaw.
It is also worth noting: Applaws was acquired by Mars in 2022. Almo Nature remains genuinely independent. For buyers who care about that, it matters.
The ethical angle: what few brands do
Beyond HFC certification and the foundation model, Almo Nature launched in 2019 the "OK del Bosco" project in Italy: a 2,500-hectare nature reserve in the Apennines purchased with cat food profits. The goal is to protect local biodiversity and demonstrate that pet food can have a concrete positive impact on the environment.
The brand also publishes an annual impact report detailing:
- The number of stray cats sterilised and reintegrated (the "Gattile" programme in Italy)
- Human-large carnivore coexistence projects (wolves, bears)
- CO2 tonnes offset through the forest reserve
This level of non-financial transparency has no equivalent in the European pet food sector.
What vets say about it
Veterinary nutritionists take a nuanced position on Almo Nature. Unanimous positives: quality ingredients, short list, excellent hydration (80 pourcent moisture), high biological quality proteins.
Unanimous point of caution: using Classic as a sole food is a nutritional mistake. Vets systematically recommend either the HFC Complete range, or a combination of Classic plus complete dry food.
The practical rule I hear most often: "Almo Classic as a supplement to a good complete dry food gives an excellent ration. Almo Classic alone is not enough."
How to integrate Almo Nature into your cat's diet
Option 1: mixed feeding (recommended)
- Morning: complete kibble grade A or B (30-35g depending on weight)
- Evening: 1 pouch Almo Classic HFC (85g)
This combination delivers high protein intake, excellent hydration, and a complete mineral profile. It is how the majority of loyal Almo Nature users feed their cats.
Option 2: 100 pourcent wet food
- Use only the HFC Complete range (not Classic)
- 2-3 pouches of 55g per day depending on the cat's weight
- Monitor body weight every 2 months
Option 3: tasty supplement
- 1 Classic pouch 2-3 times per week as a complement to a complete food
- Ideal for fussy cats or cats in recovery who need appetite stimulation
Price and value for money
| Format | Indicative price | Price per 100g |
|---|---|---|
| 55g pouch (Classic) | 0.55 EUR | 1.00 EUR |
| 400g tin (Classic) | 2.20 EUR | 0.55 EUR |
| 24x70g multipack | 18.50 EUR | 0.28 EUR* |
| HFC Complete 70g | 0.70 EUR | 1.00 EUR |
*Multipack price - the most economical format.
The price positioning is honest: Almo Nature costs 40 to 80 pourcent more than Whiskas or Sheba, but for radically superior ingredient quality. Compared to Applaws (0.42 EUR/100g in multipack), Almo Classic is slightly cheaper for a slightly lower score.
What we like and what we like less
Strengths
- Ultra-short ingredient list (4-5 components max)
- HFC certification verifiable by third-party audit
- 55 pourcent of identified meat without euphemisms
- Unique ethical model (foundation, nature reserve)
- Excellent hydration (80 pourcent)
- Independent from major industrial groups
Weaknesses
- Classic = complementary only, not complete
- Low fat content (1.2 pourcent) for exclusive feeding
- Taurine not declared on the Classic range
- High unit price when buying individually
- Variable availability depending on region
Frequently asked questions
Can Almo Nature be given to kittens? Yes, but only the specific "Kitten" range or HFC Complete. The Classic adult range does not cover the high protein and energy needs of kittens.
Is Almo Nature suitable for neutered cats? Yes. The low fat content of the Classic range is actually an advantage for neutered cats prone to weight gain. See our neutered cat food guide.
Where to buy Almo Nature? Available online at Zooplus, Amazon, and specialist pet retailers. Rarely found in supermarkets.
What is the difference between Classic and HFC Complete? HFC Complete is a complete food (vitamins and minerals adjusted), Classic is complementary. If your cat eats only wet food, choose HFC Complete.
Is Almo Nature Bio worth the premium? The Green Label Organic range adds organic certification at a 20-30 pourcent higher price. The nutritional gain is marginal. If budget is tight, Classic HFC is the best value.
User reviews: what cat owners say
After analysing several hundred reviews on Zooplus, Amazon and specialist forums, here are the points that come up most consistently:
What owners unanimously appreciate:
- The cat eats with enthusiasm and always finishes the pouch - palatability is high
- The natural texture: you can actually see the tuna, not a uniform homogeneous paste
- The smell is "normal" (fish) without the overpowering artificial aromas some industrial brands use
- The feeling of giving something healthy without having to decode an esoteric ingredient list
Recurring criticisms:
- The price is considered high when buying individually (which is objective)
- Some cats refuse the less protein-rich variants (beef, duck) but love the tuna
- Physical store availability is limited depending on the country
- Occasional batches with a more gelatinous texture than usual (reported but rare)
The average user rating on European platforms is around 4.3/5 - consistent with our grade B, which recognises an honest and well-liked product.
Almo Nature and raw feeding: an alternative to BARF?
Many owners interested in BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) use Almo Nature Classic as an alternative or transition. The similarities are real: simple ingredients, visible protein, high moisture content (80 pourcent compared to 70-80 pourcent for raw rations).
The fundamental difference: BARF uses raw meats, Almo Nature uses cooked meats. For owners who want the benefits of natural-style feeding without the food safety constraints of raw, Almo Classic is frequently cited as the best compromise.
What the comparison should not obscure: Almo Classic remains a complementary food. A correctly formulated BARF ration is a complete food. The two are not equivalent on that point.
Environmental impact and carbon footprint
Almo Nature publishes data on the carbon footprint of its products. The tuna range is the most documented and most debated.
The skipjack tuna used in Classic HFC is caught in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Industrial tuna fishing is a high-impact activity on marine ecosystems (bycatch, stock pressure). Almo Nature uses MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified tuna for some references, but not all.
The foundation partially offsets this impact through the OK del Bosco forest reserve (carbon sequestration). The net balance remains positive compared to the industrial average, but intensive tuna use as the main protein is an environmental consideration the brand acknowledges in its reports.
For owners concerned about environmental impact, Almo Nature's chicken or duck ranges have a slightly lower footprint than the tuna ranges.
Recipe-by-recipe breakdown: the best and the weakest
Not all Almo Nature references are equal. Here is our recipe-by-recipe analysis:
| Recipe | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic HFC Tuna | 78/100 | Best reference, visible protein |
| Classic HFC Chicken | 77/100 | Good tuna alternative |
| Classic HFC Beef | 72/100 | Slightly lower protein level |
| Classic HFC Salmon | 74/100 | Good omega-3 profile |
| Classic HFC Shrimp | 70/100 | Less protein than tuna |
| HFC Complete Tuna | 81/100 | Best choice for exclusive feeding |
| HFC Complete Chicken | 80/100 | Solid all-round |
| Daily Menu Tuna | 72/100 | Cheaper, less pure formula |
The Classic HFC Tuna recipe is the most iconic and highest-scoring in the range. If you are starting with Almo Nature, this is where to begin.
Transitioning to Almo Nature: how to do it
If your cat currently eats Whiskas, Sheba, or a similar wet food, an abrupt switch to Almo Nature can cause digestive upset - not because of Almo Nature itself, but because of the dietary change. This is normal with any significant food switch.
Recommended transition plan (10 days):
- Days 1-3: 25 pourcent Almo Nature + 75 pourcent previous wet food
- Days 4-6: 50 pourcent / 50 pourcent
- Days 7-9: 75 pourcent Almo Nature + 25 pourcent previous wet food
- Day 10+: 100 pourcent Almo Nature
Some cats transition without issue in 5 days. Others, more sensitive, need 2-3 weeks. Mild diarrhoea in the first few days is normal and does not mean the product does not suit your cat.
What competitors look like at this price point
If you are considering Almo Nature and wondering what else exists at this price, here is the honest picture:
- Below 0.20 EUR/100g: Whiskas, Felix, Sheba - grades D-E, heavily processed, low transparency
- 0.20-0.30 EUR/100g: Almo Classic (0.28 EUR in multipack) - grade B, transparent, complementary
- 0.35-0.45 EUR/100g: Almo HFC Complete (0.35 EUR), Schesir (0.38 EUR), Applaws (0.42 EUR) - grades B+ to A
- Above 0.45 EUR/100g: specialist or therapeutic ranges
At 0.28 EUR/100g for a multipack, Almo Classic is priced in the lower end of the transparent quality segment. There is no grade A complete wet food at this price point. The honest choice is Almo HFC Complete at 0.35 EUR if you want a complete food, or Almo Classic at 0.28 EUR if you mix with good complete kibble.
Final verdict
Almo Nature Classic earns its B score (76/100). It is not a product to recommend as a sole food - the brand itself says so clearly. But within a mixed diet or as a complement, it is one of the most transparent and most ethical wet foods on the European market.
If you want an exclusive wet food for your cat, look at the HFC Complete range (81/100). If your budget allows Applaws (87/100), the protein intake is superior. But if the ethical dimension of your purchasing decisions matters to you, Almo Nature is the only brand at this scale where each purchase directly funds animal protection.
Explore our best wet cat food ranking to compare with the full market. For the sharpest quality contrast at similar price points, our Whiskas vs Applaws comparison is the most direct analysis available.
Sources
- FEDIAF - Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (2023 edition): https://www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition.html
- Fondazione Capellino - Annual Impact Report 2023: https://www.fondazionecapellino.org/en/annual-report
- Almo Nature HFC - Human food chain certification: https://www.almonature.com/en/hfc-quality/
- European Pet Food Industry Federation - FEDIAF Annual Report 2023: https://www.fediaf.org/images/FEDIAF_Annual_Report_2023.pdf
- Veterinary Evidence Journal - Nutritional assessment of complementary wet foods for cats (2022): https://www.veterinaryevidence.org
- Theo Blanchard, Animal Nutrition Analyst, PetFoodRate