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Firstmate New Zealand Beef Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
Firstmate

New Zealand Beef Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag

Evidence Fair
dry $3.88/lb

Firstmate New Zealand Beef Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 54/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.

MNI

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

Low protein quality. beef meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF
Guaranteed analysis
Protein
25%
min (as fed)
Fat
13%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4%
max (as fed)
Moisture
n/a
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

24 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef meal

    Beef cooked down to a dry concentrate. More protein per pound than fresh beef.

  2. 2
    burbank potato
  3. 3
    norkotah potato
  4. 4
    dried yeast

    Natural source of B vitamins and trace minerals. Adds a savory flavor that dogs respond well to.

  5. 5
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

  6. 6
    tomato pomace

    The fiber-rich byproduct of tomato processing. Sometimes flagged unfairly. It's a real fiber source, not a filler shortcut.

  7. 7
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  8. 8
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  9. 9
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  10. 10
    threonine
  11. 11
    dl–methionine
  12. 12
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  13. 13
    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

  14. 14
    cranberries

    Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.

  15. 15
    raspberries
  16. 16
    calcium propionate
  17. 17
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  18. 18
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  19. 19
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  20. 20
    calcium carbonate

    Source of calcium. Functional. Required in complete dog foods, especially those without bone-in meat meals.

  21. 21
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  22. 22
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  23. 23
    selenium yeast

    Organic selenium grown in yeast. The form premium brands use, gentler and more bioavailable than sodium selenite.

  24. 24
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

18 of 24 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.