
An independent Feed Wise evaluation of FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Small Bites, built from the published ingredient panel, guaranteed analysis, certifications and processing method.
Complete diet: complete and balanced (aafco)
Share of scoring criteria backed by published evidence.
Manufacturer statement: “FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal - Original Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including the growth of large size dogs (70lb. or more as an adult).” (source: manufacturer product page)
Protein
23%
Fat
10%
Estimated carbohydrate
40%
Processing
Extruded
Feed Wise rates this below the standard we look for in this category for FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Small Bites, a dry kibble formula led by ocean fish meal and chicken fat. The manufacturer publishes an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement, so it can be fed as a complete daily diet for the life stage named on the label. Supporting the rating, it is manufactured in Canada and the label declares 23% crude protein.
Ocean Fish Meal, Burbank Potato, Norkotah Potato, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Propionate (a preservative), Minerals ( Zinc Proteinate Iron Proteinate Calcium Carbonate Manganese Proteinate Copper Proteinate Selenium Yeast Calcium Iodate ), Taurine, Yeast Extract, Rosemary extract
1. Ocean Fish Meal
Tier C, moderate or neutral ingredient
Ocean Fish Meal
Species identity is verified by manufacturer evidence on file.
2. Burbank Potato
Tier C, moderate or neutral ingredient
Whole Carbohydrate
Whole carbohydrate source. Evaluated on position, quantity and combined plant load rather than treated as automatically poor.
3. Norkotah Potato
Tier C, moderate or neutral ingredient
Whole Carbohydrate
Whole carbohydrate source. Evaluated on position, quantity and combined plant load rather than treated as automatically poor.
4. Tomato Pomace
Tier B, high quality supportive ingredient
Whole Food Plant
Whole food plant ingredient contributing fibre, antioxidants and micronutrients.
5. Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Animal Fat
Named animal fat. Species is identified, which supports transparency and fat quality.
This is the largest single category in FeedWise. It looks at which animal ingredients are present, whether the species is named, whether organs, egg and named fats are included, and whether concentrated plant proteins are diluting the animal content.
Named animal protein first
Ocean Fish Meal is an animal ingredient in position 1; manufacturer evidence on file identifies its species blend.
Animal Prominence Index
Animal Prominence Index 28 of 100. This is a FeedWise position-weighted measure of how far animal ingredients dominate the ingredient panel. It is a label-position index, not a manufacturer-disclosed recipe percentage.
Liver
No liver in the ingredient panel.
Heart
No heart in the ingredient panel.
Other appropriate organs
No additional organ meats identified.
Whole egg
No meaningful egg inclusion.
Named animal or marine fats
Named animal or marine fat sources: Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols).
Verified animal ingredient proportion
The manufacturer has not published an animal ingredient percentage. Excluded from the score rather than counted against the product.
Every ingredient is classified into a quality tier and weighted by its position on the label, so ingredient number one counts far more than ingredient number fifteen.
Position weighted ingredient quality
5 food ingredients assessed by quality tier with early positions weighted most heavily. 7 fortifying nutrients or preservatives excluded from the average.
Manufacturer-verified animal species
Manufacturer evidence on file identifies the species represented by Ocean Fish Meal.
Estimated carbohydrate, calculated as 100 minus protein, fat, moisture, fibre and ash.
Carbohydrate burden
Calculated with a published ash value carbohydrate of 40 percent.
Ingredient based plant load
Plant load assessed as HIGH. Carbohydrate bearing plant ingredients: Burbank Potato (starchy vegetable), Norkotah Potato (starchy vegetable), Tomato Pomace (fibre ingredient).
Processing method: Extruded. This category measures food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control, so a raw food can score well here and still lose safety points.
Processing method
Extruded processing. Food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control.
Animal species clearly identified
Every animal ingredient names its species.
Ingredient sourcing disclosed
The manufacturer publishes ingredient sourcing information.
Country or region identified
Country or region of origin published: Canada.
Manufacturing location identified
Manufacturing location published: FirstMate-owned and operated manufacturing facilities, Canada.
Detailed nutritional analysis
A detailed nutritional analysis is published.
Traceability information
Traceability information is available.
Manufacturer provides sourcing detail
Not publicly verified
Overall formulation transparency
A complete ingredient panel and an identified manufacturer are on file.
Marketing language alone does not count. Anything that has not been published is shown as not publicly verified rather than as a failure.
Complete and balanced for the stated life stage
FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal - Original Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including the growth of large size dogs (70lb. or more as an adult).
Detailed nutritional analysis available
A full guaranteed analysis with energy content is on file.
Qualified formulation expertise
Qualified formulation expertise is documented.
Feeding trial or validation
Not publicly verified
Calcium and phosphorus disclosed
Calcium 1.2 percent and phosphorus 1 percent disclosed.
Batch testing
Not publicly verified
Pathogen testing
Not publicly verified
Supplier verification
Not publicly verified
Lot traceability
Lot level traceability is documented.
Nutrient verification
Not publicly verified
Manufacturing quality program
A recognised manufacturing quality program is documented (for example HACCP, SQF or CFIA registration).
Recall context and corrective action
No recalls on file.
A recall alone does not destroy a score. Severity, cause, frequency, recency and documented corrective action are all considered.
Unknown information is not treated as bad information. It is scored as unverified and it lowers the confidence rating instead.
Canadian retailers on record. Stock and price vary by store and province.
FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal - Original Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including the growth of large size dogs (70lb.
Published certifications and manufacturer claims appear with their source where available. A source link documents the claim; it is not independent certification.
| Animal Protein Quality | 5.9 / 25 |
| Ingredient Quality | 10.9 / 20 |
| Carbohydrate and Plant Load | 6.5 / 15 |
| Processing and Food Integrity | 5 / 10 |
| Transparency and Sourcing | 9.5 / 10 |
| Nutritional Formulation | 9 / 10 |
| Safety and Quality Control | 4 / 10 |
| Total | 50.8 / 100 |
FeedWise Score 5.1 · Fair · Moderate Confidence
How FeedWise Scores Dog Food →Scored by the FeedWise 100 point model. Read the full methodology.
Community reviews do not affect the Feed Wise score.
Real experiences from Paw Privileges members. Reviews never affect the Wise score — scoring is based only on label evidence.









