FirstMate Grain Friendly Line — Dry Dog Food Review
CanadaPetPicks.ca Score: 4.5 / 5 | Single product review | Made in Abbotsford, BC | All life stages incl. large breed puppies | No peas | No potato | 494 kcal/cup
Where to Buy
- FirstMate store locator — independent Canadian pet stores
- Global Pet Foods — widely stocked nationally
Overview
FirstMate Wild Pacific Caught Fish & Oats is the flagship recipe in the Grain Friendly line — earning a rare 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. It uses a blend of wild-caught Pacific herring, anchovies, and sardines as the sole protein source, paired with steel-cut oats and whole oats as the grain base. The formula is free of corn, wheat, soy, potato, and peas — making it one of the cleanest grain-inclusive dry dog foods available in Canada. At 494 kcal/cup, it is one of the most calorie-dense formulas in the FirstMate range, making it especially suitable for active, working, and high-energy dogs. Made at FirstMate’s own facility in Abbotsford, BC.
Our Assessment
Dog Food Advisor gives this formula 5 stars — their highest rating — noting above-average protein (31.1% dry matter), near-average fat (13.3%), and below-average carbohydrates (47.6%) for a grain-inclusive dry dog food. They note that 74% of protein comes from the fish content, with the remaining 26% from brewer’s yeast and other non-meat sources. The formula earns particularly strong reviews from owners of working dogs, sport dogs, and high-energy breeds who praise its caloric density and the quality of the fish protein for coat condition and joint health.
The combination of no peas, no legumes, no potato, and no corn/wheat/soy is genuinely unusual for a grain-inclusive dog food. Most grain-friendly dog foods still include potato or peas as backup carbohydrates — FirstMate uses only oats and brewers dried yeast, keeping the ingredient list extremely focused. Owner reviews specifically highlight coat quality improvement, reduced digestive issues, and strong palatability even in picky eaters.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ingredient quality | 4.5 / 5 |
| Canadian sourcing | 4.0 / 5 |
| Nutritional profile | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value for money | 4.5 / 5 |
| Palatability (owner reports) | 5.0 / 5 |
| CanadaPetPicks Score | 4.5 / 5 |
Best For
- Active, working, and high-energy dogs needing caloric density
- Dogs that have done poorly on legume-heavy grain-free diets
- Owners wanting grain-inclusive without corn, wheat, soy, potato, or peas
- Dogs with fish protein preference or chicken/beef sensitivities
- All life stages including large breed puppies
Ingredients
Ocean Fish Meal, Steel Cut Oats, Whole Oats, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dicalcium Phosphate, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Calcium 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), Taurine, Yeast Extract (a source of prebiotics), Rosemary Extract.
Ocean fish meal leads as the primary protein — wild Pacific herring, anchovies, and sardines, providing 74% of the total protein content. Steel cut oats and whole oats follow as the grain base — a meaningful distinction from rolled or processed oats, as steel-cut oats retain more fibre and have a lower glycemic response. Brewers dried yeast provides prebiotic B vitamins and palatability. Chicken fat is protein-free (centrifuge-processed), eliminating chicken allergen risk. The mineral package uses proteinate-chelated forms throughout. Selenium yeast rather than sodium selenite. Taurine supplemented. No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
Feeding Guide
| Dog Weight | Daily Amount (Adult) |
|---|---|
| 5 — 10 lbs (2 — 4.5 kg) | 1/3 — 2/3 cup |
| 10 — 20 lbs (4.5 — 9 kg) | 2/3 — 1 cup |
| 20 — 40 lbs (9 — 18 kg) | 1 — 1 2/3 cups |
| 40 — 60 lbs (18 — 27 kg) | 1 2/3 — 2 1/4 cups |
| 60 — 80 lbs (27 — 36 kg) | 2 1/4 — 2 3/4 cups |
| 80 — 100 lbs (36 — 45 kg) | 2 3/4 — 3 1/4 cups |
Due to higher caloric density (494 kcal/cup), feed less by volume than you would with a typical kibble. Adjust based on activity level and body condition. All life stages AAFCO compliant including large breed growth.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Brand | FirstMate Pet Foods |
| Product | Wild Pacific Caught Fish & Oats Dry Dog Food |
| Line | Grain Friendly |
| Made in | Abbotsford, British Columbia 🍁 |
| Primary protein | Wild Pacific herring, anchovies, sardines (ocean fish meal) |
| Bag sizes | 2.3 kg (5 lb) and 11.4 kg (25 lb) |
| Crude Protein (min) | ~28-30% |
| Calorie content | ~494 kcal/cup |
| Grain free | No — oats included |
| Pea free | Yes |
| Potato free | Yes |
| Corn/wheat/soy free | Yes |
| AAFCO profile | All life stages incl. large breed growth |
| Dog Food Advisor rating | 5 / 5 |
| Approx. price (CAD) | $32 — $38 / 2.3 kg | $85 — $95 / 11.4 kg |
Where to Buy
- FirstMate store locator — independent Canadian pet stores
- Global Pet Foods — widely stocked nationally
- Amazon Canada — search for FirstMate pet food
Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our ratings or recommendations.
