FirstMate Canned Line — Wet Dog Food Summary
CanadaPetPicks.ca Aggregate Score: 4.4 / 5 | Based on 5 independent sources | Made in Abbotsford, BC | Zero recalls since 1989
Where to Buy
- FirstMate store locator — independent Canadian pet stores
- Global Pet Foods — widely stocked nationally
Overview
FirstMate operates its own cannery in Abbotsford, British Columbia — a rare distinction in the Canadian pet food industry, where most brands co-pack their wet food at third-party facilities. This in-house cannery gives FirstMate full control over the quality, sourcing, and production of its canned formulas. The canned dog food line is built on the same limited ingredient philosophy as the dry line: single animal protein per can, no artificial gums or thickeners, no peas or lentils, and food-grade ingredients sourced from the Pacific Northwest where possible.
The canned line includes several formats: the flagship Limited Ingredient grain-free cans (Pacific Ocean Fish, Cage-Free Turkey, Cage-Free Chicken), and the Grain Friendly canned range (Wild Pacific Salmon & Rice, Wild Pacific Salmon & Wild Tuna 50/50). All cans are BPA non-intent and epoxy-free. Available in 12.2oz (345g) cans.
Our Assessment
FirstMate canned dog food earns strong marks from every reviewer consulted. The Whole Dog Journal has included FirstMate canned in its annual wet food ratings. Dog Food Advisor rates the brand 4.5 stars overall. Owner reviews on the FirstMate website average 4.6/5 across the canned line, with most reviews specifically noting improvement in dogs with allergies, skin conditions, and digestive sensitivity. The combination of single protein, no peas, no lentils, no gums, and in-house cannery production makes this one of the cleanest canned dog food options available in Canada.
The main limitation of the canned line is variety — only a handful of recipes compared to the extensive dry line. The 12.2oz can size is useful for medium to large dogs as a complete meal, or for smaller dogs as a 2-day supply. At approximately $4-$5 per can, it is priced competitively for a premium single-ingredient Canadian canned food.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ingredient quality | 5.0 / 5 |
| Canadian sourcing | 4.5 / 5 |
| Production quality | 5.0 / 5 |
| Value for money | 4.0 / 5 |
| Recall history | 5.0 / 5 |
| CanadaPetPicks Aggregate | 4.4 / 5 |
Product List
| Product | Line | Protein | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Ocean Fish Meal | Limited Ingredient / Grain-Free | Wild herring, anchovies, sardines | No gums, no peas |
| Cage-Free Turkey | Limited Ingredient / Grain-Free | Cage-free turkey | No gums, no peas |
| Cage-Free Chicken | Limited Ingredient / Grain-Free | Cage-free chicken | No gums, no peas |
| Wild Pacific Salmon & Rice | Grain Friendly | Wild Coho salmon + rice | Single protein, no potato, no peas |
| Wild Pacific Salmon & Wild Tuna 50/50 | Grain Friendly | Wild salmon + wild tuna | Dual wild fish protein |
| KASIKS Wild Caught Coho Salmon | KASIKS (sister brand) | Wild Alaskan Coho salmon | Human-grade salmon, grain-free |
Why the In-House Cannery Matters
Most pet food brands — even premium ones — co-pack their wet food at third-party canneries, often sharing production lines and facilities with other brands. FirstMate’s ownership of their own cannery in Abbotsford means they control every step: ingredient sourcing, preparation, sealing, and quality testing. This is directly comparable to Boreal’s ownership of their own dry food manufacturing facility in Ontario. It eliminates the co-packing risk where ingredient cross-contamination or quality control failures at a shared facility can affect a brand’s product without their knowledge. It is also a significant capital investment that signals long-term commitment to manufacturing quality over outsourced convenience.
Reviewer Scores
| Source | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Food Advisor | 4.5 / 5 | Above-average, named proteins, no artificial additives |
| The Whole Dog Journal | Recommended | Annual wet food approval rating |
| FirstMate owner reviews | 4.6 / 5 avg | Strong allergy and digestion outcomes reported |
| Wag! editorial | 4 / 5 | High quality sourcing, in-house production noted as positive |
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.
