FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Small Bites
FirstMate

Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Small Bites

Submit correction or new panel
Kibble

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.

Named ocean fish meal first
Kibble
Complete and balanced (named standard)
Manufactured in Canada
Size
Not recorded
Food type
Kibble
UPC
Not recorded
Brand
FirstMate
Country
Canada
Feed Wise Score
5.1out of 10
FAIR

Complete diet: complete and balanced (aafco)

89%
Confidence
Moderate confidence

Share of scoring criteria backed by published evidence.

Product type
Complete & Balanced Food
Complete & balanced
VERIFIED
Large breed growth
INCLUDED
Standard named by source
AAFCO

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

Where to Buy

Expert Summary

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.

What is actually in this food?

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

First 5 ingredients

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.

Animal Protein Quality

5.9 / 25

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.

    +4 / 8
  • 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.

    +0.2 / 5
  • Liver

    No liver in the ingredient panel.

    0 / 2
  • Heart

    No heart in the ingredient panel.

    0 / 2
  • Other appropriate organs

    No additional organ meats identified.

    0 / 2
  • Whole egg

    No meaningful egg inclusion.

    0 / 1
  • Named animal or marine fats

    Named animal or marine fat sources: Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols).

    +1 / 2
  • Verified animal ingredient proportion

    The manufacturer has not published an animal ingredient percentage. Excluded from the score rather than counted against the product.

    NOT SCORED

Ingredient Quality

10.9 / 20

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.

    +13.9 / 20
  • Manufacturer-verified animal species

    Manufacturer evidence on file identifies the species represented by Ocean Fish Meal.

    -3

Carbohydrate and Plant Load

6.5 / 15
  • Estimated carbohydrate: 40 percent
  • Pulse ingredients detected: none
  • Plant protein concentrates: none
  • Ingredient splitting: not detected

Estimated carbohydrate, calculated as 100 minus protein, fat, moisture, fibre and ash.

  • Carbohydrate burden

    Calculated with a published ash value carbohydrate of 40 percent.

    +3 / 7
  • 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).

    +3.5 / 8

How is it made?

5 / 10

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.

    +5 / 10

How transparent is the manufacturer?

9.5 / 10
  • 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.

Nutritional Formulation

9 / 10
  • 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.

Safety and Quality Control

4 / 10
  • 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.

What we could not verify

Unknown information is not treated as bad information. It is scored as unverified and it lowers the confidence rating instead.

  • Verified animal ingredient percentage
  • Pathogen testing
Submit a correction or supply missing evidence

Where to Buy

Canadian retailers on record. Stock and price vary by store and province.

    Guaranteed Analysis

    As-fed basis
    Protein
    23%
    26% dry matter
    Minimum crude protein as declared on the label.
    Fat
    10%
    Minimum crude fat as declared.
    Fibre
    8%
    Maximum crude fibre as declared.
    Moisture
    10%
    Maximum moisture as declared.
    Ash
    9%
    Mineral content remaining after combustion.
    Calcium
    1.2%
    Declared calcium level.
    Phosphorus
    1%
    Declared phosphorus level.
    Energy
    3060
    kcal / kg
    Metabolisable energy per kilogram.
    Energy per cup
    475
    kcal / 8 oz cup
    Calories per standard 8 oz measuring cup as published by the manufacturer.

    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.

    Certifications & Claims

    Published certifications and manufacturer claims appear with their source where available. A source link documents the claim; it is not independent certification.

    AAFCO nutrient profile statement
    Manufacturer claim
    Made in Canada
    Manufacturer claim

    FeedWise Findings

    The FeedWise Verdict

    5.1/ 10FairModerate Confidence

    Why it scored this way

    • Complete diet: complete and balanced (aafco)
    • Limited animal protein contribution relative to the plant content
    • High carbohydrate load at 40 percent
    • No concentrated plant protein inflating the protein figure
    • Strong disclosed transparency criteria; undisclosed sourcing details remain unverified

    Full score breakdown

    Animal Protein Quality5.9 / 25
    Ingredient Quality10.9 / 20
    Carbohydrate and Plant Load6.5 / 15
    Processing and Food Integrity5 / 10
    Transparency and Sourcing9.5 / 10
    Nutritional Formulation9 / 10
    Safety and Quality Control4 / 10
    Total50.8 / 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.

    Owner reviews

    Real experiences from Paw Privileges members. Reviews never affect the Wise score — scoring is based only on label evidence.

    • No reviews yet — be the first.

    Similar Products

    More from FirstMate