Kasiks is a premium dog food line under the parent company Firstmate. The company believes in having total control over the quality of ingredients to produce the best dog food money can buy.
Kasiks has a solid reputation online for making premium-quality healthy dog foods free from grain and gluten. The products are all manufactured in Canada, with free shipping throughout most of the US and Canada.
At first glance, Kasiks’ ingredients look similar to the rest of the healthy dog food brands, with meat as the first ingredient followed by starchy peas or lentils.
But Kasiks’ fiber content is noticeably higher than most others brands, which we find very favorable, even when some buyers had their objections to it.
In this article, Kasiks Dog Food Review, we take a look at everything that the brand’s highest-rated dog food products have to offer. While some pet parents find the products quite expensive, others find good value in them for the foods’ quality.
Read on to find out if Kasiks suits your pup’s preference and nutritional needs.
Firstmate Pet Foods founder Michael Florian used to fish commercially as a deckhand in the North Pacific. Early in his career, he noticed the depleting fish stocks on the West Coast, which prompted him to take action to help grow the fish population naturally and harmlessly.
He started Taplow Ventures that focused on producing fish feed for the salmon farming industry in British Columbia.
Interestingly, dogs were used to guard the stock against predators and humans alike in the fish farms. The dogs did a great job as guards but also feasted on the high-quality fish, which they seemed to enjoy very well.
But the expensive inventory being consumed by the dogs became a problem for the farm owners. And so they thought of asking Florian to develop a high-protein, fish-based food specifically for dogs. And soon, Firstmate was born.
A few years later, Firstmate grew into a worldwide brand, while Taplow still manufactured all the fish feeds, including those turned into dog foods. Today, the Vancouver-based plant feeds dogs and cats of all ages, and levels of health.
In this section, we are breaking down the best dog food products within the Kasiks line. This includes the highest-rated dry and wet dog food products.
We will go in-depth in this review including the breakdown of ingredients, nutrition analysis, and results.
This recipe uses free-range, grass-fed Australian lamb meal as the sole protein, blended with antioxidants, coconut and kale. The lamb is hormone- and antibiotic-free and rich in B vitamins, omega 3 & 6, selenium, and zinc, making it a nutritious, flavorful option for dogs.
Chickpeas, lentils, and peas follow as main ingredients, supplying fiber, protein, and slow-digesting carbohydrates that provide steady energy and help dogs feel full longer. These legumes are healthier alternatives to wheat and grains.
Chicken fat adds palatability and omega-6 fatty acids. Since allergies are triggered by proteins, purified chicken fat is generally safe for dogs sensitive to chicken meat.
However, fillers like pea starch and tomato pomace appear high on the list, which may disappoint given the brand’s price. The formula also contains about 3–4% more fiber than average—great for digestion and satiety, but potentially causing excessive stool in some dogs.
Overall, owners praise its taste and long-term acceptance. With lamb’s naturally higher fat content, this food works especially well for active dogs or those needing healthy weight gain.
This savory formula features wild herring, anchovies and sardines, using whole fish instead of just frames. It’s boosted with antioxidants from berries, coconut and kale. These Pacific-caught fish provide lean, digestible protein, omega-3 fatty acids and key minerals like calcium, selenium, zinc, iodine and iron.
Fish is naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive stomachs, making it ideal for dogs with allergies or digestive issues. Herring supplies vitamins A and D for healthy vision, bones and teeth, while omega-3s support skin, coat, joints and help reduce itching and inflammation.
Chickpeas, lentils and peas add fiber and slow-release carbs for steady energy and fullness. Chicken fat improves taste and supplies omega-6s and since allergies are protein-based, purified chicken fat is typically safe even for chicken-sensitive dogs.
Some fillers like pea starch and tomato pomace appear in the recipe and the fiber level is higher than average, which may not suit every dog. Still, most reviews praise its flavor, value and satiety.
Overall, this fish formula delivers a strong mix of whole fish protein, fiber and nutrients, making it a satisfying option for dogs needing a gentle, omega-rich diet.
This grain- and gluten-free recipe uses free-run chicken from British Columbia, Canada, with added fiber and antioxidants from berries, coconut and kale. Its savory taste makes it appealing to adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
Chicken is a popular, affordable protein rich in B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, and natural glucosamine for joint health. It’s also lower in fat than beef or lamb, making it suitable for dogs needing weight control. However, chicken is also one of the more common allergens for dogs, so sensitive pups may not tolerate it.
Chickpeas, lentils, and peas follow as main ingredients, supplying fiber, protein, and slow-digesting carbs for steady energy and longer satiety. Chicken fat adds flavor and omega-6 fatty acids, while dicalcium phosphate supports calcium levels and dental health.
Some fillers like pea starch and tomato pomace are included, and the fiber level runs about 3–4% higher than average, which can help digestion but may not suit every dog.
Most reviews praise the taste, value, and noticeable health improvements, including better stools, higher energy, and leaner muscle tone. Overall, this chicken formula offers good quality and palatability at a solid value, though more fruits and vegetables would be a welcome upgrade.
4. Wild Coho Salmon Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Boneless/Skinless Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate
This limited-ingredient canned food is made primarily from wild-caught Pacific salmon, with berries, kale and coconut for balance. It’s suitable for all life stages and free from grain, gluten, soy, wheat, corn, potato and chicken, making it ideal for sensitive dogs.
Wild salmon supplies about 97% of the protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium. These nutrients reduce inflammation, support the heart and brain, and improve skin, coat and joint health—especially helpful for dogs with allergies or irritated skin.
Water is added only as needed for processing. Pea starch acts as the main filler, while minerals like calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate support bones and texture. Added potassium, choline, and taurine help with heart, brain, liver and eye health.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many owners noting better coats and strong palatability despite the natural fishy smell. Some mention the price and slightly watery texture as downsides.
Overall, this is a high-quality, omega-rich wet food that works especially well for allergy-prone or sensitive dogs, though it’s less budget-friendly and could include more fruits and veggies.
5. Cage-Free Chicken Canned Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Boneless Chicken, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate
This limited-ingredient wet food is made mainly from cage-free, food-grade chicken raised on large farms in BC, Canada with no added hormones. It’s blended with berries, kale and coconut for balance and is free from grain, gluten, soy, wheat, corn and potato, making it suitable for all life stages, breeds, and sizes.
Chicken provides lean protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium and natural glucosamine for joint support, while its low fat content helps with weight control. However, chicken is a common allergen, so sensitive dogs may not tolerate it.
Pea starch acts as the main filler, with salt for flavor and minerals like calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate for bone health and texture. Added potassium, choline, and taurine support heart, brain, liver and eye health, while kale contributes extra minerals and antioxidants.
Reviews are mostly positive, praising digestibility, texture and taste, though some note lower protein than before and a higher price point.
Overall, this chicken canned food offers high-quality ingredients and good nutrition, but it’s pricier than many similar chicken-based options.
6. Cage-Free Turkey Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Boneless Turkey, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Minerals
This limited-ingredient canned food is made from cage-free, food-grade turkey raised without hormones in a family-owned facility in the Great North. With added berries, kale and coconut, it provides a balanced meal for dogs of all life stages and is free from grain, gluten, soy, wheat, corn, and potato.
Turkey delivers lean, highly digestible protein along with riboflavin and phosphorus for energy, kidney support and healthy heart function. It’s also a good alternative for dogs sensitive to beef or chicken.
Water is included only in the amount required for processing. Pea starch acts as the primary filler, while salt enhances flavor and calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate support strong bones and improve texture.
Chicken liver contributes extra protein and nutrient density, supplying selenium plus vitamins A, C, D, and B-complex. Added potassium, choline, and taurine help maintain healthy heart, brain, liver, eye and muscle function.
Though reviews are limited, feedback so far praises the smell, texture and nutrient quality. Overall, this is a premium turkey wet food with humane sourcing, good palatability, and strong nutrition, though it’s pricey and could benefit from more fruits and vegetables.
What Types of Dog Food Do They Offer?
Kasiks' products are processed in the same facility as Firstmate’s other brands, and share some of the same ingredients with them as well. Like many other pet food companies, Firstmate creates a unique line that focuses on a specific issue within the pet’s diet, and Kasiks is among such lines.
The Kasiks product line promotes a free-range and cage-free meat based diet. The brand takes pride in the way the meat ingredients are processed as well as its treatment of the animals used for the meat.
The animals are either caught from the wild or raised in a free-range farm. They are fed with all-natural foods and slaughtered in the most humane manner. All Kasiks dry dog foods are grain-free as well.
Here are the three dry food options:
Wild Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Formula
Free Range Lamb Meal Formula
Free Run Chicken Meal Formula
Apart from its dry food line, Kasiks also has a canned wet dog food line. A small family-run business, the owners choose to personally oversee the entire production process, including the canning and packaging instead of outsourcing.
Kasiks wet dog foods are made of at least 95% meat-derived protein, with the fiber and carb content coming from fresh vegetables and fruits. The canned products are also 100% rain-free, with zero GMOs, fillers, and artificial flavors.
Here are the canned food options:
Wild Coho Salmon Formula
Cage-Free Chicken Formula
Cage-Free Turkey Formula
Grub Formula
Recall History
No dog food products from Kasiks or Firstmate have been recalled as of this time.
Customer Reviews
The best way to get a feel for a company is to read real-life reviews from customers who already took the jump. You don’t want to play around with a product you’re feeding to your household companion.
The consensus on Kasiks is that the extra fiber in their food helps a lot with dogs who struggle from anal gland issues. The fiber helps dogs who have a hard time expressing their anal glands which result in infections.
On the opposite side, many pet parents say that the extra fiber is too much for their pups and they’re afraid they aren’t getting the nutrients they need.
We suppose it depends a lot on your pup’s individual genetics. It might work for some, but maybe not for you.
Here are some verified reviews from people who purchased on Chewy.com.
Positive
Recommend this product!
My dog went through many dog foods in the past to no help. First for diarrhea, then due to his anal glands filled due to loosening stool and last he kept getting ear infections that would cost me $300 to clear. We decided to go to the holistic pet store in town and were told to try a different diet, so we were introduced to this one. Three years later and NO EAR INFECTION!!! Another good thing about this food is that you can switch between the three flavors without any problem, so the dog gets different flavors each month. – Chewy Customer
Great food for maintaining weight for active dogs
I purchased this for my hyperactive three y/o boxer. He tends to lose weight in the summer since he is outdoors more. I wanted to give him something with a high kcal/cup, and Kasiks is 500kcal/cup. He has been on Kasiks for about four weeks now and has maintained his weight. He loves food. His stool is a little softer since being on Kasiks but doesn't seem to be a problem. I rated it a four because I wish the bag were bigger for the price. I will continue to buy during the summer months but change during the winter due to cost. – Chewy Customer
Negative
Way Too Much Fiber
My dogs all of them were pooping so much more, so I suspect the nutrition wasn't getting into them. Not good, and not safe for puppies that need all the nutrition they can get. I am moving back to NuLoh or Acana. I am throwing the other bags away …don't want to give to a rescue. – Chewy Customer
Too much fiber maybe (soft stools)
Our ten month was struggling to gain weight on this food. We just switched to Fromm's, and her poops went from enormous 5X/day to small 2-3X/day. I can't help but wonder how much of this nutrition went straight through her. Also – the final thing that made us switch is she just flat out started refusing to eat it. She would only eat it with broth on it (homemade) and then started refusing even that. – Chewy Customer
Solid Reputation, Solid Ingredients
We find it highly commendable for a dog food manufacturer to emphasize the importance of getting the best ingredients for its products. Kasiks has always been about caring for the main ingredients before these are served to our four-legged friends.
From the welfare of the farm animals to the processing of their meat, the company has always adopted the best and most humane methods to help ensure the high quality of the main ingredients. We find this to be both refreshing and eye-opening.
Not many companies practice humane methods in processing animal meat. Oftentimes, the animals are subjected to terrible living conditions and maltreatment, which hugely diminishes the quality of the meat. Kasiks weighs heavily on getting the best quality meat through its careful and humane methods of raising the animals.
Aside from the carefully selected ingredients, Kasiks’ recipes are also highly palatable. The natural flavors of the high quality meats and wholesome produce in the foods are enjoyed by numerous dogs. All recipes are tasty even without artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.
For this, we give our two thumbs up to Kasiks even as we recommend adding more antioxidant-abundant ingredients and reducing the amount of peas and lentils.
While peas and lentils are low-calorie complex carbs that are also nutritious, some pet parents prefer to avoid these veggies due to claims of a potential dietary link between them and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
However, such claims have not been proven at this time, and there are numerous dogs that thrive on grain-free foods that contain peas, lentils, legumes, and potatoes.
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For an impressive duration of four years, Elaine has been embarked on a voyage as a freelance writer within the domain of dog care. The profound fondness she nurtured for animals, ignited by the cherished companionship of her family's treasured pets during her developmental years, has flourished into a genuinely satisfying vocation focused on everything related to dogs.
