When it comes to feeding our canine companions, “natural” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a promise of transparency, quality, and better health. One brand that’s consistently committed to these values is FirstMate. Here’s why FirstMate stands out in the natural pet food space, what you should know, and how to decide if it’s a good choice for your dog.
Who Is FirstMate?
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Founded in Canada in 1989 by Michael Florian. The brand grew out of Florian’s experience in the commercial fishing industry. He observed that the feed used in aquaculture led to noticeably healthier working dogs—this sparked the idea for a high-quality dog food made with the same care.
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All FirstMate products are manufactured in their own facilities—a dry food plant and a canning facility in British Columbia. That gives them direct control over ingredient sourcing, safety, and consistency.
What Makes FirstMate “Natural”?
Here are the natural / quality-focused features that pet parents often look for, and how FirstMate measures up:
| Feature | FirstMate’s Approach |
|---|---|
| Ingredient quality & sourcing | |
| Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) | They have various limited-ingredient canned and dry foods, which help reduce risks of food sensitivities. |
| No artificial thickeners / fillers in wet food | Their wet formulas are made without gums, artificial thickeners, or unnecessary preservatives. |
| Transparency & safety | FirstMate points out that apparent variation in color or texture (especially in canned products) is natural. Their facilities are designed for safety, and to date, there have been no recalls for FirstMate’s dry food line. |
Strengths & Things to Keep in Mind
Pros
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Nutrition-rich formulas — Many FirstMate recipes have high protein content and include antioxidants from fruits & vegetables.
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Variety — Lots of options: grain-free, grain-friendly, limited-ingredient, different life stages (puppy, adult, senior), weight control, large breed, etc
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Quality control — Owning their own manufacturing plants gives them better oversight over consistency, safety, and source verification.
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Good reputation — Reviewers like Wag! and DogFoodAdvisor give FirstMate high marks. They note the brand’s formulas meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient standards; the dry formula line averages 4.5–5 stars in many recipes.
Considerations / Potential Downsides
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“Meals” as primary protein source in some dry foods – Some FirstMate dry formulas list meat or fish meals first (rather than fresh meat). While meals can be very nutritious, some pet parents prefer whole meats as the lead ingredient.
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Cost – Higher quality ingredients tend to come with higher prices. For many pet parents, FirstMate can be more expensive than generic or lower-end natural brands. Wet food variety – The wet food line has fewer flavors/options compared to dry. If you prefer feeding wet food, options may be more limited.
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Transition period – As with any diet change, dogs may need a gradual transition to adjust. Some may find certain recipes richer or more calorie-dense than what they’re used to. (This is true across most premium pet foods, not specific only to FirstMate.) — implied from reviews.
Is FirstMate a Good Choice for Your Dog?
Here are some guiding questions to help you decide:
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Does your dog have known allergies or sensitivities (grains, proteins, fillers)? If yes, a limited ingredient formula or grain-free line from FirstMate may be especially helpful.
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What life stage is your dog in? (Puppy, adult, senior) Make sure the recipe is formulated for that stage.
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What is your dog’s activity level? Highly active dogs or working dogs may benefit from the higher-protein “performance” formulas.
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Budget constraints: Are you willing to invest more per pound/can for higher ingredient quality?
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How important is whole meat vs. meal sourcing for you? If you strongly prefer whole meat as first ingredient, you might want to examine labels closely or compare with other brands.
Final Thoughts
FirstMate is a strong contender in the natural pet food world: high quality, well-sourced ingredients, transparency, and lots of dietary variety. If you’re looking for dog food that balances nutrition, integrity, and natural sourcing—and are okay with paying a premium for that—FirstMate is very much worth considering.