Label analysisGrade DKibble (Extruded)

FirstMate

FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Small Bites

Editor ingredient insight

FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Small Bites fits small dogs that do better on a fish-and-potato structure than chicken-led foods, especially when richer foods add weight too easily. Ocean fish meal leads, followed by Burbank and Norkotah potatoes, and the numbers are modest: 23% protein, 10% fat, 8% fiber, and 3,060 kcal/kg. I would consider it for small dogs needing lower fat and smaller kibble, but not for high-activity or underweight dogs, potato-sensitive dogs, or dogs that get bulky stool or bloating from high-fiber kibble.

Logic-based verdict

This food can stay in comparison, but ingredient quality still needs a more conservative read.

Manufacturer-independentPublic-data basedIngredients · nutrition · safety

Protein source

Ingredient guide

Unclear animal protein source

Animal protein

Ocean Fish Meal (#1)

Animal-based does not always mean clearly sourced.

Unspecified animal protein is read conservatively.

Caution

Ingredient grade

D

Grade D

Top ingredient profile

Ocean Fish Meal
Burbank Potato
Norkotah Potato
No plant booster
Crude protein23%
Crude protein23%
Crude fat10%
Other 67%

Calcium

1.2%

Phosphorus

1%

Protein position, fat position, and calorie density position are relative to foods in the same processing type cohort.

biotechProtein position
Lower
query_statsFat position
Lower
local_fire_departmentCalorie density
Lower

There is enough public data to keep this food in comparison, but the top ingredient structure does not support a stronger positive claim yet.

What works well in this food

  • Calorie density is on the lower side.
  • Top ingredients do not show a prominent FDA-investigated non-hereditary DCM ingredient profile.

Check before feeding

  • Phosphorus is 1% on the label, at or above 1%. Senior dogs or dogs with kidney concerns should have phosphorus restriction reviewed with a veterinarian before using it as a staple food.
  • Family-level animal ingredients sit high in the recipe, so ingredient quality still needs a more cautious read.
  • Public data trust is usable, but it does not sit in the highest-trust tier.

Smart protein alternatives

Brand context

Brand background availableRecall research scope limited

Founded in 1989 in Canada. The currently searched public sources are not enough to make a confident recall or withdrawal call for this brand.

Ingredient analysis

This section matters more than usual because the ingredient read is not strong enough to summarize in one line.

restaurantIngredient Quality Analysis

D1.5/6
Ingredient Grade
Conservative
1Ocean Fish Meal
Family Meal · Mid
2Burbank Potato
Starchy Tuber · Mid
3Norkotah Potato
Starchy Tuber · Mid

Ingredient Analysis Comments

  • •Ocean Fish Meal is a family-level animal meal. Animal protein is present, but species transparency is one step lower. It reads as an mid-tier protein source.
  • •Burbank Potato is a starchy tuber ingredient. It is not a grain, but it still reads mainly as a starch and energy source. It reads as an mid-tier carb source.
  • •Norkotah Potato is a starchy tuber ingredient. It is not a grain, but it still reads mainly as a starch and energy source. It reads as an mid-tier carb source.
restaurantIngredient Grade DConservative

Full collected ingredient list

13 ingredients
Ocean Fish MealBurbank PotatoNorkotah PotatoTomato PomaceChicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)Dicalcium PhosphateCholine ChlorideCalcium Propionate (a preservative)Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Calcium Iodate)Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, D-pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid)TaurineYeast ExtractRosemary extract
Primary positive ingredients
Support positive ingredients
Alternative protein
Neutral ingredients
Caution ingredients
High-caution ingredients

Why did the base review land here?

Ingredient qualityNutrient disclosure levelManufacturing & trust

This review score combines ingredient composition, nutrient disclosure, manufacturing trust, and core nutrient caution signals.

Nutrient disclosure

Partial disclosure

Core guaranteed analysis is usable, but deeper rows still need a more cautious read.

Safety verification

No fails

No major red flag jumps out first, though undisclosed rows still define the limits of this safety read.

Public data trust (ETF)

C2 tier

Detailed nutrition is visible, but not at a product-level traceability standard.

Final word

Treat this review as an early screen. If the food stays interesting, verify it again with your dog-specific context before acting.

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