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FirstMate vs Hill's Science Diet

FirstMate is made by FirstMate Pet Foods (owned by Nasta Pet Food), and Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition (owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Hill's Science Diet averages 9.6 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.7 for FirstMate. Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer, while FirstMate does not.

FirstMate and Hill's Science Diet compared

FirstMate Hill's Science Diet
Manufacturer FirstMate Pet Foods Hill's Pet Nutrition
Parent company Nasta Pet Food Colgate-Palmolive Company
Founded 1989 1907
Headquarters North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Topeka, Kansas, USA
Manufacturing Whether a brand makes its own food in-house or has it produced by an outside contract manufacturer or co-packer.
In-house In-house
Made in Canada United States
Manufacturing region British Columbia Kansas
Products listed 56 74
Serves Cats & dogs Cats & dogs
Price tier A relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost.
$$$$ $$$$
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No Yes
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No Yes
Score The average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science. How scoring works .
8.7 (avg of 56) 9.6 (avg of 74)
Recalls on record We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
None 2
Where to buy
Amazon
Amazon

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FirstMate vs Hill's Science Diet: how they compare

Scores

Hill's Science Diet scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 9.6 out of 10 across 74 scored foods, compared with 8.7 across 56 for FirstMate. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science.

Who makes them

FirstMate is made by FirstMate Pet Foods, owned by Nasta Pet Food, based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, founded in 1989. Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition, owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, based in Topeka, Kansas, USA, founded in 1907.

Standards and range

Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria, while FirstMate does not. Hill's Science Diet is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; FirstMate is not. KibbleLab lists 56 FirstMate foods and 74 Hill's Science Diet foods.

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Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, FirstMate or Hill's Science Diet?

Hill's Science Diet scores higher: it averages 9.6 out of 10 across 74 scored foods, compared with 8.7 for FirstMate. Scores reflect published veterinary science.

Who makes FirstMate and Hill's Science Diet?

FirstMate is made by FirstMate Pet Foods, which is owned by Nasta Pet Food. Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition, which is owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Hill's Science Diet has 74 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 56 for FirstMate.

Where is each brand based?

FirstMate is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Hill's Science Diet is based in Topeka, Kansas, USA.

Do FirstMate and Hill's Science Diet meet WSAVA criteria?

Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer; FirstMate does not, based on public information. WSAVA publishes criteria; it does not certify or endorse brands.

Are FirstMate or Hill's Science Diet PSC Accredited?

Hill's Science Diet is a PSC Accredited business. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification.

Have FirstMate or Hill's Science Diet been recalled?

FirstMate has no recalls on record in the KibbleLab database; Hill's Science Diet has 2 recalls. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

See the full profiles: FirstMate and Hill's Science Diet .

More comparisons

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA filings, and a filing may name the parent company rather than the brand. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.