Feature Pet Page

Our feature pet page is FirstMate’s opportunity to share some of the amazing stories or feedback we receive.

Having our dogs, and our foster dogs on First Mate has been amazing and educational on so many levels over the past several months!  Tico, our shepherd cross, was only 4 weeks old when we got him, and wanting to do what's best, went with what the pet stores were telling us was best..... boy were we surprised!  In the beginning it seemed to be working out quite well, but after extended use Tico got gassy, I mean clear out a room gassy!  I spoke with my vet, and did some research, what we discovered scared us!

Gassiness can be a side effect of having too much protein!  What's worse was the discovery of the long term effects of a high protein diet on a dog that wasn't sufficiently using up all he was taking in!  Now don't get me wrong, Tico gets his exercise, in fact, his exercise exceeds anyone else's that I've personally met (excluding working dogs on the job) typically hitting

4-6 and on nice sunny days, 8 hours per day.  We made the decision to switch and after trying several of your competitors we finally landed with First Mate and haven't been happier!  First Mate Fish and Potato formula is fed not only to our permanent dogs, but to the fosters as well, causing zero upset tummies.  I'll admit I was nervous at first, the feeding guide seemed to be small in quantity, but you know, everyone is happy and full and aren't putting on weight but rather maintaining their ideal stature.  The only time I had tried another brand was when I had a foster who was on a special diet, so to make things easier I switched all our dogs over to the foster's food..... and what a regret.  Our lovely, soft-as-butter, German Shorthaired Pointer and our Shepherd cross lost all the luster in their coats.... they felt coarse and stringy.  From that moment on I wouldn't even allow the rescue to send us food, because, as it turned out, the foster's allergy was not in your ingredient panel.  To say that First Mate is a top of the line food wouldn't do it justice, from being locally produced and regionally sourced to creating the most amazing coats, I refuse to feed any other.

Erin Sparks

“Zerubbabel Should be the new face of First Mate dog food!"

"He is currently #4 on the all breed list and #7 on the griffon only list.  He is an International Show champion and earned a Reserve Best in Show in the International Area.  Z finished his UKC Championship with all group placements.  Z earned an award of excellence at the Eukanuba last year. What makes this most remarkable is that this dog has been always owner handled and owner trained.  We compete with the professionals showing the #1 and #3 dogs in the country."

"However he isn’t only just a pretty face. At the time he was the young male griffon to ever earn a perfect score 112 points Prize I for Natural Ability with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.  He earned his Junior Hunter in four straight trials with 2 high in trial both at the griffon national.  He won the puppy of the year from the Greater Seattle Bird Dog association and the following week won a fun trial against the adult dogs.  He has placed in the Western Washington Bird Dog challenge.  He currently holds his Senior Hunter title – again in four straight attempts.  In the same day he finished his senior hunter, he moved up and earned his first qualifying score in Master Hunter – with the highest scores of the day in any stake!"

"Our one problem as you know has been finding a food that the boy would eat and would help him sustain his performance and grow the coat he needs.  After trying dozens of food, including one that turned him red – we have finally found a food that helps this boy achieve the performance and looks that he needs.”

These shots come in from Katalin. Ladybug, a 9 year old Collie, had been suffering from skin irritation.

"The below pictures we spoke about you cant tell on the before pictures but ladybugs( she is a 9 year old Collie cross) left front paw had a hole in it from her licking it raw just the same as you can tell on here rear left paw and just after one bag of senior fish and potato no hole see last picture and the rear right flank has almost completely cleared up as well!! AWESOME."

Thank you for a great product!!

Katalin
Old Dog New Tricks 

The below photos have been provided by a FirstMate customer in the Czech Republic. We were happy to hear that the results on our Pacific Ocean Fish Formula have dramatically improved the quality of this loved pet.

Prior to Using FirstMate:

After FirstMate:

Michelle wrote in to us from Washington State about her cat Hughie and included some photos!

FirstMate,

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my gorgeous Russian Blue, Hughie. Hughie came to us as a kitten and we immediately transitioned him on to a high end kibble that we had found success with in the past. However, even with supplements, Hughie’s coat was always dull and dry. We decided to try your Grain Free cat food with blueberries and we are so pleased with the results! Hughie simply thrives on FirstMate. His coat looks and feels amazing! Thank you FirstMate for this wonderful product- Hughie looks incredible. Now both our cats and dogs enjoy FirstMate for every meal!

 Derby's owner was kind enough to provide this recent photo and her comments:

"To all of you FirstMate, I want to share how much Derby enjoys eating your food.  First Mate is definitely a factor contributing to Derby's love for life and why he is so healthy.

Derby has always been a fussy eater, but he simply loves when I serve him with your High Performance Formula.  I am impressed every time I feed him to notice how enthusiastic he is about FirstMate.  About two months ago, we had the opportunity to find your Australian Lamb Formula at our local pet food store and Derby simply loves it!

When I feed Derby with FirstMate, I know that he gets all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  I also know that FirstMate will help Derby and I enjoy more quality time and a long life together!  I do not hesitate to recommend your food to all dog owners I come across.

Thanks for providing a high quality product for concerned dog owners.

 Derby and his loving owner"

Joyia writes to us from Nunavit, Canada about her dog Anuk.

Anuk is a 2yr and 3 months old Bernese Mountain Dog. She spends her winter months in and around her home in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. During the summer months in remote parts of Nunavut, living out of a tent with her Geologist owner (Joyia) Anuk acts as the camp watch dog.

She is described by Joyia as head strong, goofy, gentle and great with people as well as other animals. Anuk has been on FirstMate’s Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed (Formerly named Potato & Fish) and occasional Lamb formula for over one year. Joyia describes her diet as “the highest quality food I could find.”

“Anuk looks great with a shiny coat that is soft to the touch and completely free of dandruff,” which her owner attributes to her diet.

Anuk on her first Helicopter ride!

Anita writes to us from a Grey Hound rescue organization, TriState, located in West Virginia.

Anita found us while looking for a food to improve Fortress’s, one of their rescue dogs, quality of life.

Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for the food for Fortress. He is really enjoying it. It arrived yesterday afternoon and I took it to thekennel and fed him with it this morning. He LOVES it!!! He was a littleleary at first and then finally took a bite and then started guarding itfrom his neighbors, getting all snarley whenever they tried to smell it. Igave him the recommended amount and added a little water and he finished itup in no time and was standing waiting for more. He knows where I am keepingthe bag and has gone to the canister looking for a way into it.

Thank you again!!! It means so much to know that there is someone out therethat cares about this guy when everyone else wanted to put him down and be done with him. He really is a good boy and will make someone a wonderful pet. You have changed his life by relieving his pain and I will be eternally grateful.

Anita

I just wanted to drop you a line and give you an update on Fortress. You should see this big beautiful guy. He is a totally new man!!! He actually lies down in the turnout pen amongst a group of 7 other dogs and tries to entice them to play with him. His ears are barely pink now and he never cries out when you touch them or put his muzzle on to go outside. He looks forward to going outside and being with the other dogs instead of being mean and grouchy. This dog finally enjoys waking up in the mornings and being alive.

Thank you for your insight into Fortress' pain and suffering and providing the answer that he needed to be pain free.

Anita

Fortress:

Below is a great testimonal we receved from a customer who dog previously suffered from food related allergies

We have two dogs. Bazil (who is 4 years old) and Cassie (Bazil's daughter - 1 yr old).
When Bazil was less than a year old he became itchy. The Veterinarian recommended we put Bazil on a vet food. This peticular vet food has all of the protein hydrolized. The purpose of this hydrolization is to fool the body into not realizing that protein is present. The theory being that perhaps the dog is reacting to a protein.
 
I kept Bazil on this very expensive food ($85.00 per 30 pounds), and he ate 1 cup twice a day. He did well off and on. And on occasion when he was not doing so well I would have to put him on Prednisone.
 
I was not really convinced that protein was his problem, and we were spending an awful lot of money on the vet food. I tried several different types of food in hopes of finding a food that would agree with Bazil.
 
As a last ditch effort I decided to try First Mate. I had heard many good things about the food. I switched Bazil over to First Mate and took him off of his Prednisone medication. It has been 6 months since we have been on First Mate.
 
I believe that perhaps the problem Bazil was having was with the heat generating grains. Whatever the problem was - it is virtually non-existant now.
 
Bazil and Cassie are both on First Mate. They are both doing so well! Their eyes are clear and bright! No coat staining whatsoever! Their coats are in beautiful shape! I am just really pleased with First Mate.
 
I am thrilled that we are supporting a local company. I feel good that the product has ingredients which I can pronounce. It is important to me that I feed my dogs healthy food.
 
I also breed Bichon/Havanese. One of my puppies came to me for babysitting. Her coat was dull, thin and she was biting herself. I switched her off of the 'chicken' vet food that she had been put on. Emma reacted beautifully to First Mate, and within 3 weeks she had a full, shiny coat!
 
I plan to raise my next litter of puppies on First Mate! And I will be recommending this food to all of their new parents!
 
Sincerely,
 
Sharon Valero

This story was prvided by a customer in the Czech Republic. Her dog had been suffering from food allergies prior to finding FirstMate.

"I am sending to you photos of  my Argentine Bandog before and after feeding FirstMate. I have been feeding FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish for 2 months."    

"I am planning to write the new article for a specialize magazine. Could you give me any comments for these pictures? We should explain to people why diatary and allergy problems could be solved by using FIRSTMATE products."

Best regards,

Gerhard Stein

Prior to using FirstMate:

Two months using FirstMate: