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Review of FirstMate Limited Ingredient Canned Dog Food
FirstMate Limited Ingredient canned dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
The FirstMate Limited Ingredient product line includes the 3 canned dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| FirstMate Wild Pacific Salmon Formula | 5 | A |
| FirstMate Cage Free Turkey Formula | 2.5 | A |
| FirstMate Cage Free Chicken Formula | 4.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
FirstMate Wild Pacific Salmon Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
FirstMate Wild Pacific Salmon Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Boneless/skinless salmon, water sufficient for processing, potato, minerals (salt, calcium carbonate, monodicalcium phosphate, choline chloride, potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, d-calcium pantothenate), taurine, kale
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 0.4%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 3% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 50% | 14% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 45% | 30% | 26% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most canned dog foods.
The third ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
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 this FirstMate product.
With 2 notable exceptions…
First, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
And lastly, 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.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, FirstMate Limited Ingredient Dog Food looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 28%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 41% and a mean fat level of 22%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 29% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
Which means this FirstMate product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical wet dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a canned dog food containing a notable amount of meat.
Our Rating of FirstMate Limited Ingredient Dog Food
FirstMate Limited Ingredient is a grain-free canned dog food using a notable amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Highly recommended.
However, because of its unusually high fat-to-protein ratio, the Turkey formula may not be suitable for some animals.
FirstMate Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to FirstMate.
No recalls noted
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
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More FirstMate Brand Reviews
The following FirstMate dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
- FirstMate 50/50 Dog Food Review (Canned)
- FirstMate Dog Food Review (Dry)
- FirstMate Grain-Free Dog Food Review (Dry)
- Kasiks Dog Food Review (Canned)
- Kasiks Dog Food Review (Dry)
- Skoki Dog Food Review (Dry)
Compare This Dog Food
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A Final Word
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