Dec. 4, 2024

FirstMate Dog Food Reviews

FirstMate Dog Food Reviews, Ratings and Analysis
XX
Top 5 Ingredients*
  1. Lamb meal (australian)

  2. Brown rice

  3. Pearled barley

  4. Oatmeal

  5. Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)

Artificial Ingredients No
Contains By-products No
Price Range $$$
*FirstMate Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food was selected as the recipe for this ingredient list
What's good about this pet food
  • Produced in their own facility
  • high-quality proteins
  • most proteins are local
  • grain-free options
What's not so good about this pet food
  • none

Our Analysis

We cannot really say anything bad about FirstMate dog food, which means that the food definitely deserves our highest rating of five stars. Since 1989, FirstMate has been producing pet foods in their own facility in Chilliwack, British Columbia. This means that the company has complete control over what goes in their food and how they process it. The facility meets all of the government health and safety standards for not just Canada, but also the US and the European Union. In addition, the company sources all of their high-quality animal proteins locally, except for the lamb, which they get from Australia. The Classic formulas contain high protein meat meals, fish oils for omega-3 essential fatty acids and healthy whole grains. The Grain-free blends also contain plenty of protein, fruits for antioxidants, and vitamin and mineral rich vegetables. With such superior ingredients, it should come as no surprise that FirstMate dog foods meet and exceed AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. In our books, this brand is a clear winner.

The Word on the Street...

FirstMate dog food comes highly recommended by pet owners, and many have excellent things to say about this brand. Dog owners like the fact that the ingredients are 100% natural, and that the dry foods and Grain-free formulas do not contain animal by-products, wheat or corn. Many pet owners who switched to this brand noticed that their dogs had shinier eyes, glossier coats, and fewer skin problems after eating a regular diet of FirstMate dog food. It seems that even dogs with allergies seem to enjoy the Grain-free formulas. Quite a few pet owners reported that their dogs with allergies showed fewer symptoms after making the switch to this food, including less itchy skin, runny stools, bloating, and gas. The only concern that some dog owners had was that the formulas do not contain probiotics or chelated minerals. However, despite the lack of these additives, customers still seem to agree that FirstMate is a very high-quality dog food brand.

  • Kim Kirby

    We have two Scotties, Simon will eat anything, but Mackie is a little more choosy. So far he loves the FirstMate wet food. We’ve given them the salmon and the tuna, and he enjoys both. We mix it in with their kibble (Kirkland) and puréed veggies.

  • Ted

    Feed my little boy (mini Aussie) this food and he LOVES it. He wags his tail like it’s the best treat in the world. To vary it up, I add either 1 tbsp of: natural pumpkin or fish oil or greek yogurt (no sugars) with probiotics. His coat is lovely and he’s a very happy boy.

  • Russell

    We have been using the Large Breed Pacific Ocean Fish for our Airedale for quite a while now (2yrs+). His skin and coat are great, he digests it easily and has no problem maintaining a healthy weight. Would definitely recommend.

  • Cirelle

    I’m very happy with First Mate Chicken with Blueberries small bite. I have a little rescue dog. He was skinny and malnourished and had digestion issues when I got him. He has been eating First Mate for about a year and a half and his health is great, his coat is great and he eats this food. Every dog is different, but this has worked for Jemmy.

  • Michele

    Firstmate vs other brands. I have switched my little maltese to firstmate and have been very happy thus far. I don’t think people are aware that alot of dog food companies don’t actually manufacture their food where the company is located! ie) it may say a BC company but the contents and the manufacturing are ALL done in another province! Alot of dog food companies foods are made at dog food manufacturing plants where alot of other dog foods are also made. So thats why when you here of recalls there usually is alot of them being recalled because they are all using the same manufacturing plant! Firstmate has it’s own manufacturing plant! as does Acana and Evangers. Please note your ingredient list, I have done alot of research on dog foods and the company can say No ingredients sourced from China BUT some vitamins and/or minerals can be from CHINA! Just call the company and ask. Also beware of sodium selenite it is carcinogenic, they know this but it is cheaper and easier to use, look for selenium yeast instead. Do your research, you can look up every manufacturing plant in the US and see which foods are made there. Hope this info has helped.

  • Marty B

    Hi, I live in Ocean Park WA and noticed your dog food. Wondering if it is Certified Organic. You have a couple of pretty bad reviews and this page. Have you spoken to those people to see what is going on. Only a couple more reviews are on this website. I have a cockapoo and Portuguese water dog and am looking for non GMO food.
    Thanks,
    Marty
    PS My closest store is Astoria, OR and that is fine but wanted to know before I drove over there.

  • Juli

    Sheila, I was wondering what you found out. I just switched my dogs to Chicken and Blueberry. My German Shep’s allergys are now gone, but my Cocker Spaniel now is scratching like crazy and very uncomfortable. They love the food, but I am scarred now ???

    • Bev

      My toy poodle mixture loves the Chick w/blueberries formula but soon after started developing small “bald spots” but it did help her “weeping eyes”. Switched to another grain free and the bald spots are growing hair again…..darn as she loved it!!!

  • Sheila

    We have been using the original fish for a couple of weeks and are a little puzzled about how our dog is currently acting. Shortly after eating she seems in distress, shaking and trying to find a way to get comfortable. Still not sure if its the food but an xray and blood work both showed her to be healthy. We are hoping its not the food, it has a good reputation but for now we will change and see if the symptoms go away.

    • Pauline

      Hi Sheila

      Did the symptoms go away after you took her off Firstmate?

      Thanks Pauline

  • Jennifer

    Both times I have tried to switch my two large breed dogs to Skoki they developed liquid diarrhea right away. There appears to be something seriously wrong with this dog food.

    • Jan

      I feed FirstMate – Classic Formulas Maintenance,Chicken With Blueberries,Pacific Ocean Fish Original.Excellent food.

More Information

Who Makes FirstMate?

The company who makes FirstMate dog food is called Taplow Feeds. The founder of both companies, Michael Florian, still owns them. FirstMate is currently headquartered in Chilliwack, Canada.

FirstMate Dog Food Recall

As of right now, FirstMate dog food has not been involved in any recent pet food recalls, and is not currently listed on the FDA recall list. However, recall information may change. In order to make sure that your dog’s food is safe, it’s always highly recommended that you check the FDA’s pet food recall website. This will help you to stay updated on the latest pet food recall information.

FirstMate Recipes

FirstMate Dry Recipes:

  • FirstMate Classic Formulas Lamb Meal And Rice
  • FirstMate Classic Formulas Trim And Light
  • FirstMate Classic Formulas Maintenance
  • FirstMate Classic Formulas High Performance
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Australian Lamb
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken With Blueberries
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken With Blueberries – Small Bites
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Pacific Ocean Fish Original
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Pacific Ocean Fish Puppy
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Pacific Ocean Fish Senior/Weight Control
  • FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diets Potato & Fish Treats

FirstMate Canned Recipes:

  • FirstMate Limited Ingredient Grain Free Chicken Formula
  • FirstMate Limited Ingredient Grain Free Salmon Formula
  • FirstMate Limited Ingredient Grain Free Turkey Formula

FirstMate Consumer Info

Where can I buy FirstMate?

You may be wondering, “Where can I buy FirstMate Dog Food?”. To assist you, we have included links on the specific FirstMate formula pages to purchase FirstMate dog food.

How much FirstMate should I feed my dog?

A common question that many pet owners have, is “How much FirstMate dog food should I feed my dog?”. Since the answer is dependent on several factors (such as your dog’s age, weight, activity level, etc) always follow the specific instructions on your formula’s packaging.

Have you fed your dog any of the FirstMate dog food dry or canned formulas? Do you have feedback that could help other pet owners? Please share your review of FirstMate dog food!

Ingredient List*

FirstMate Dog Food Ingredient List

*for FirstMate Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food

Dog Food Coupons

Dog Food Coupons

Posted on Oct.08.2014
Buy FirstMate Dog Food from Wag - 15% off of pet food at Wag.com.
Posted on Jun.18.2014
Save on FirstMate Dog Food from Wag - $10 off at Wag.com.

More Dog Food Coupons…

12 Responses to FirstMate

  1. Kim Kirby September 7, 2014 at 10:07 pm #

    We have two Scotties, Simon will eat anything, but Mackie is a little more choosy. So far he loves the FirstMate wet food. We’ve given them the salmon and the tuna, and he enjoys both. We mix it in with their kibble (Kirkland) and puréed veggies.

  2. Ted August 26, 2014 at 8:12 pm #

    Feed my little boy (mini Aussie) this food and he LOVES it. He wags his tail like it’s the best treat in the world. To vary it up, I add either 1 tbsp of: natural pumpkin or fish oil or greek yogurt (no sugars) with probiotics. His coat is lovely and he’s a very happy boy.

  3. Russell October 24, 2013 at 6:32 pm #

    We have been using the Large Breed Pacific Ocean Fish for our Airedale for quite a while now (2yrs+). His skin and coat are great, he digests it easily and has no problem maintaining a healthy weight. Would definitely recommend.

  4. Cirelle August 22, 2013 at 6:08 pm #

    I’m very happy with First Mate Chicken with Blueberries small bite. I have a little rescue dog. He was skinny and malnourished and had digestion issues when I got him. He has been eating First Mate for about a year and a half and his health is great, his coat is great and he eats this food. Every dog is different, but this has worked for Jemmy.

  5. Michele June 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm #

    Firstmate vs other brands. I have switched my little maltese to firstmate and have been very happy thus far. I don’t think people are aware that alot of dog food companies don’t actually manufacture their food where the company is located! ie) it may say a BC company but the contents and the manufacturing are ALL done in another province! Alot of dog food companies foods are made at dog food manufacturing plants where alot of other dog foods are also made. So thats why when you here of recalls there usually is alot of them being recalled because they are all using the same manufacturing plant! Firstmate has it’s own manufacturing plant! as does Acana and Evangers. Please note your ingredient list, I have done alot of research on dog foods and the company can say No ingredients sourced from China BUT some vitamins and/or minerals can be from CHINA! Just call the company and ask. Also beware of sodium selenite it is carcinogenic, they know this but it is cheaper and easier to use, look for selenium yeast instead. Do your research, you can look up every manufacturing plant in the US and see which foods are made there. Hope this info has helped.

  6. Marty B April 22, 2013 at 5:13 pm #

    Hi, I live in Ocean Park WA and noticed your dog food. Wondering if it is Certified Organic. You have a couple of pretty bad reviews and this page. Have you spoken to those people to see what is going on. Only a couple more reviews are on this website. I have a cockapoo and Portuguese water dog and am looking for non GMO food.
    Thanks,
    Marty
    PS My closest store is Astoria, OR and that is fine but wanted to know before I drove over there.

  7. Juli February 11, 2013 at 3:19 am #

    Sheila, I was wondering what you found out. I just switched my dogs to Chicken and Blueberry. My German Shep’s allergys are now gone, but my Cocker Spaniel now is scratching like crazy and very uncomfortable. They love the food, but I am scarred now ???

    • Bev September 21, 2013 at 1:34 pm #

      My toy poodle mixture loves the Chick w/blueberries formula but soon after started developing small “bald spots” but it did help her “weeping eyes”. Switched to another grain free and the bald spots are growing hair again…..darn as she loved it!!!

  8. Sheila January 7, 2013 at 8:29 pm #

    We have been using the original fish for a couple of weeks and are a little puzzled about how our dog is currently acting. Shortly after eating she seems in distress, shaking and trying to find a way to get comfortable. Still not sure if its the food but an xray and blood work both showed her to be healthy. We are hoping its not the food, it has a good reputation but for now we will change and see if the symptoms go away.

    • Pauline November 17, 2013 at 12:58 pm #

      Hi Sheila

      Did the symptoms go away after you took her off Firstmate?

      Thanks Pauline

  9. Jennifer July 10, 2012 at 6:20 pm #

    Both times I have tried to switch my two large breed dogs to Skoki they developed liquid diarrhea right away. There appears to be something seriously wrong with this dog food.

    • Jan April 13, 2013 at 3:46 pm #

      I feed FirstMate – Classic Formulas Maintenance,Chicken With Blueberries,Pacific Ocean Fish Original.Excellent food.