FirstMate offers both dry and canned cat foods, including limited-ingredient recipes, but its products are not interchangeable: ingredients, moisture, carbohydrate estimates, and life-stage statements vary by formula. Cats.com gives the brand 7.7/10 under its own review rubric, praising its recipe choices while raising concerns about carbohydrate levels. That score is an editorial assessment, not a veterinary diagnosis or safety certification.
How Cats.com rates FirstMate
In its review published April 3, 2026, Cats.com gives FirstMate an overall 7.7/10 (46/60, A−) using the Cats.com Standard. The component scores are:
| Category | Cats.com score |
|---|---|
| Species-appropriateness | 5/10 |
| Ingredient quality | 7/10 |
| Product variety | 8/10 |
| Price | 5/10 |
| Customer experience | 9/10 |
| Recall history | 10/10 |
These numbers describe Cats.com’s evaluation framework; they are not an objective certification or a substitute for checking whether a particular recipe fits your cat. The review highlights the availability of limited-ingredient choices, but flags carbohydrate levels in its analyzed examples and notes that dry food does not provide the moisture of canned food. Read the Cats.com FirstMate review.
What is in FirstMate cat food?
The range includes dry and canned recipes, grain-free and grain-inclusive choices, and single- or multi-protein formulas, according to Cats.com. The ingredient panel and nutritional adequacy statement matter more than a brand-wide label such as “limited ingredient.” For example, the manufacturer lists chicken, water, potato, minerals, vitamins, and taurine in its canned Cage Free Chicken recipe. Its Wild Tuna canned recipe lists tuna, water, potato, and supplemental ingredients; the company describes the tuna as wild-caught. The manufacturer also describes both canned recipes as grain-free and free of carrageenan and guar gum. These are product-page claims, and formulations can change. Check FirstMate’s Cat & Kitten and canned recipe pages, then confirm the current package label.
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- REAL CHICKEN MEAL: Made with chicken meal as the number one ingredient, this grain free recipe delivers concentrated protein to help support strong muscles in cats and kittens alike.
- LIMITED INGREDIENT RECIPE: A short, focused ingredient list makes this formula easier to digest and a thoughtful option for cats with food sensitivities or finicky appetites.
- GRAIN FREE FORMULA: With no grains, corn, wheat, or soy, this recipe focuses on quality protein and wholesome ingredients like blueberries for added antioxidants.
- FOR ALL LIFE STAGES: Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats and kittens at every stage, so one bag can support your cat from kittenhood through their adult years.
- DELICIOUS TASTE CATS LOVE: Blueberries add a touch of natural sweetness to this chicken recipe, creating a flavor combination that cats find genuinely appealing at every meal.
Limited ingredients are not an allergy treatment
A shorter or different ingredient list may help a buyer compare recipes, but it does not establish that a food is suitable for a diagnosed allergy. If your cat has symptoms or is on a therapeutic diet, work with your veterinarian and review the exact current ingredient panel rather than relying on a brand-level description.
Life-stage statements differ by recipe
FirstMate’s Cat & Kitten Formula page says the food is formulated to meet AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. The company makes the same statement for its canned Cage Free Chicken recipe; its canned Wild Tuna page says adult maintenance. Those are manufacturer statements, not a blanket claim about every FirstMate food. Before buying, read the nutritional adequacy statement on the package and follow its feeding directions for your cat’s life stage.
Rank #2
- Cage Free Duck Meal from France
- High Percentage of Meat Protein
- Veterinarian Formulated
- Blueberries for Added Urinary Health
Carbohydrate figures depend on the recipe and calculation
Carbohydrate numbers are useful only when the food and calculation basis are clear. Cats.com calculates that its reviewed Chicken Meal with Blueberries dry recipe derives 24.28% of calories from carbohydrate. In the same review, the Chicken canned formula is calculated at 19.74% of calories from carbohydrate. These figures apply to those specific reviewed recipes and use a calorie-weight basis; they should not be generalized to the brand’s full range.
A separate dry-food assessment from Cat Food Advisor gives a different kind of estimate for its analyzed Pacific Ocean Fish Meal recipe: on a dry-matter basis, 46.7% protein, 20% fat, and 25.3% carbohydrates. Dry-matter percentages and percentages of calories are not directly comparable. Cat Food Advisor rates the five-recipe dry range three stars and flags carbohydrate content and limited range. See Cat Food Advisor’s FirstMate dry-food review for its recipe analysis and methodology.
Rank #3
- LIMITED INGREDIENT WET CAT FOOD – This wet cat food features a simple and clean ingredient panel with wild salmon as the primary protein, making it an ideal cat food for cats with sensitivities or limited ingredient diets
- WILD CAUGHT SALMON CAT FOOD – Made with food grade wild caught salmon from sustainable fisheries, this wet cat food delivers high protein nutrition that supports muscle maintenance and overall feline health
- GRAIN FREE CLEAN CAT FOOD – This wet cat food is completely free from grains, carrageenan, guar gum, soy, and wheat, providing a clean cat food option for cats with dietary restrictions and sensitivities
- HIGH PROTEIN WET CAT FOOD – With 98% of protein sourced from wild salmon, this wet cat food provides a protein-rich formula that supports energy levels, lean muscle, and overall cat food nutrition
- NO GUMS OR ARTIFICIAL THICKENERS – This wet cat food is formulated without gums or artificial thickeners, ensuring a natural texture and clean ingredient profile in every can of cat food
One example of the ingredient trade-off
For Chicken Meal with Blueberries, Cats.com lists chicken meal first, potato among the first three ingredients, and blueberries fourth. The presence of potato or a particular carbohydrate estimate alone does not determine whether a food is healthy for an individual cat. Consider the full formula, adequacy statement, calorie density, feeding amount, and your veterinarian’s advice where relevant.
Dry versus canned: moisture and daily cost
Dry and canned foods differ in moisture as well as price. Cats.com’s review gives historical estimates of about $0.40 per day for dry food and $1.82–$2.80 per day for wet food for a typical 10-pound cat. These are reviewer estimates from the review, not current price quotes, and the actual amount depends on the recipe, the cat’s feeding needs, package price, and portion size.
Rank #4
- HIGH PROTEIN, NUTRIENT DENSE: Featuring 90% cage-free chicken, wild-caught fish, organs, and bone, this grain-free cat food delivers nutrition with a mouth-watering taste for all cats. Our innovative two step process uses gentle steam to lock in the nutrients and then air-dried to preserve the nutrients this food supports indoor cat food needs and is perfect for all life stages, from kitten food to senior or adult cats.
- FRESH FOOD NUTRITION with SHELF STABILITY: Packed with essential Omega 3 fatty acids from wild-caught fish, it's great for all life stages, including kitten food to support digestion, joint health, and healthy shiny coats. The Steam & Dry process provides all the shelf stability of freeze dried pet food with the nutritional benefits of fresh cat food.
- GRAIN FREE RAW ALTERNATIVE: Our innovative two step process delicately steams and gently air-dries raw ingredients for a nutritious, raw alternative dry cat food with a stimulating crunchy texture that cats love. This process preserves the nutrition and flavor needed for healthy indoor cat food needs and is perfect for all life stages, from kitten food to senior cat snacks, with added vitamins and minerals. This formula is free from fillers commonly found in dry cat food.
- MEALS and FOOD TOPPERS: Serve as a complete balanced meal or adds to their bowl as a mixer cat food topper to provide texture stimulation with a supplement boost.
- ETHICALLY SOURCED FROM NEW ZEALAND: ZIWI sources only 100% free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished meats, and wild-caught seafoods, all from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Farmed without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants.
To compare current options, use the live package price and the amount your cat would actually eat each day. Normalize the price to a daily feeding cost rather than comparing package prices alone, and check the calorie content and feeding directions. Do not assume that every dry or canned FirstMate recipe has the same cost or nutrient profile.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the recall score does—and does not—tell you
Cats.com awards FirstMate 10/10 for recall history and says in its April 2026 review that the brand had never had a recall as of that publication, citing Petful. That is a dated, attributed review finding, not a guarantee against future recalls or a complete independent verification of current regulatory records. Check current product and recall information when making a purchase.
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Best Value
- NATURAL INGREDIENTS: This all natural cat food features cage-free chicken as the first ingredient and made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives
- POWER OF RAW: Instinct Original cat dry food is coated in freeze dried cat food for enhanced flavor and nutrition, while crafted to remain minimally processed and never cooked
- NUTRIENT DENSE: Contains 81% animal ingredients and oils and 19% vegetables, fruits, and other wholesome foods, making this high protein cat food a nutrient-dense choice to support energy and lean muscles
- SUPPORTS WELLNESS: This grain free cat food includes guaranteed levels of live probiotics, natural omegas, and antioxidants to promote healthy digestion, nourish skin & coat, and support immune health
- CRAFTED IN THE USA: Instinct cat food is made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world for dependable quality, carefully sourced nutrition, and confidence in the pet food you choose.
How to decide whether a FirstMate recipe fits your cat
- Read the package adequacy statement. Confirm that the specific recipe is intended for your cat’s life stage.
- Compare the named proteins and complete ingredient list. Check the actual formula, especially if your cat has a diagnosed allergy or dietary restriction.
- Choose a format with moisture in mind. Canned food supplies more moisture than dry food; assess the whole diet and your cat’s needs rather than assuming one format suits every cat.
- Compare carbohydrate claims on the same basis. A percentage of calories is not the same measure as a dry-matter percentage.
- Calculate cost from current prices and portions. Use package price, calorie density, and the amount your cat eats—not an old daily estimate.
- Watch acceptance and consult your veterinarian when needed. A review score or customer account cannot predict an individual cat’s response.
For the dry range, Cat Food Advisor’s assessment is available at its FirstMate review; the manufacturer’s current recipe and adequacy claims are on FirstMate’s product page.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
