Chicken & Rice Formula Cage-Free Canned Dog Food, 12.2-oz can, case of 12
Graded by The Sniff System
Firstmate Chicken & Rice Formula Cage-Free Canned Dog Food is a wet food, featuring a chicken and rice formula.
There isn't much to highlight in the data for this product. No specific positive drivers were noted in our analysis.
A significant concern is the absence of an AAFCO statement, meaning we can't confirm it meets nutritional standards. The protein quality is noted as low, and there's no declared omega-3 source.
Hard to recommend for any dog, given the lack of an AAFCO statement and other nutritional concerns.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022 (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for adult Golden Retrievers navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. The ingredient deck, with zero pulses in the top 15.
Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 28/100, this formula sits below where we look for everyday picks. The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The cap isn't the binding constraint here. Protein quality would also need to improve to reach the next band.
No positive drivers crossed our reporting threshold.
Low protein quality. first ingredient delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.
- Lowest protein quality in Firstmate's lineup (0/27)
- Top quartile for DMB protein in Firstmate's lineup (40.9%)
- Lowest fat quality in Firstmate's lineup (4/16)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
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Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 41%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.