Skip to content

6,000+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

FirstMate vs Wellness

FirstMate is made by FirstMate Pet Foods (owned by Nasta Pet Food), and Wellness by Wellness Pet Company (owned by Clearlake Capital Group), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, FirstMate averages 8.4 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.2 for Wellness. Wellness is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; FirstMate is not.

FirstMate and Wellness compared

FirstMate Wellness
Manufacturer FirstMate Pet Foods Wellness Pet Company
Parent company Nasta Pet Food Clearlake Capital Group
Founded 1989 2021
Headquarters North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA
Products listed 56 259
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 No
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, and no one can pay for a higher score. How scoring works .
8.4 (avg of 56) 8.2 (avg of 259)
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy Amazon Amazon

Affiliate links · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

FirstMate vs Wellness: how they compare

Scores

FirstMate scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.4 out of 10 across 56 scored foods, compared with 8.2 across 259 for Wellness. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

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. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, owned by Clearlake Capital Group, based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA, founded in 2021.

Standards and range

Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. Wellness is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; FirstMate is not. KibbleLab lists 56 FirstMate foods and 259 Wellness foods.

Not sure which is right for your pet?

Sign in free to see FirstMate and Wellness scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.

Example foods

Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, FirstMate or Wellness?

FirstMate scores higher: it averages 8.4 out of 10 across 56 scored foods, compared with 8.2 for Wellness. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes FirstMate and Wellness?

FirstMate is made by FirstMate Pet Foods, which is owned by Nasta Pet Food. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, which is owned by Clearlake Capital Group.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Wellness has 259 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 56 for FirstMate.

Where is each brand based?

FirstMate is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Wellness is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA.

Are FirstMate or Wellness PSC Accredited?

Wellness 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 Wellness been recalled?

Neither FirstMate nor Wellness has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

See the full profiles: FirstMate and Wellness .

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 and manufacturer notices, and a notice may name the parent company rather than the brand. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

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.