Kasiks Cat Food Review
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When you scan a pet food label, you probably look for the “Made in the USA” stamp, but does that mean a pet food is bad if it is lacking? Not necessarily.
Canada is quickly becoming a major exporter of high-quality pet foods and Kasiks, a FirstMate brand, is definitely one you should consider.
Family owned and operated since 1989, Kasiks is a brand you can trust. This brand pays attention to every last detail to make sure what they promise is exactly what they deliver. We really couldn’t ask for too much more from a pet food manufacturer.
Read on to see what we think of the brand and to see our reviews for their top products.
- Largely made with a single source of protein
- Offers high-quality nutrition for cats
- They are all grain-free and free from artificial additives.
- Limited product selection and availability
- Largely made with a single source of protein
- Offers high-quality nutrition for cats
- They are all grain-free and free from artificial additives.
- Limited product selection and availability
How We Review Cat Food Brands
Before you go off and follow our recommendations, we want to make sure you understand how we make them. First and foremost, we want you to know we’d never recommend anything to you we wouldn’t be perfectly happy to feed our own cats.
Second, you should know that all of our recommendations are based on the actual nutritional requirements of cats. If the product isn’t made from quality ingredients and the brand isn’t worth it’s salt, we’re not going to give it a good rating or our recommendation.
So, What Does That Equate To When It Comes Down To Our Honest Cat Food Reviews?
Simply put, we look for recipes that start with a real source of animal protein as the first ingredient – no exceptions. We prefer recipes that value animal proteins over carbohydrates and we want everything to be as digestible and natural as possible.
We understand that pet food manufacturers are in it to make a buck, but we look for brands that strike the right balance between keeping your pet’s interests in mind as well as their own. We avoid anything made with low-quality grains like corn, wheat, and soy as well as recipes loaded with artificial additives.
Here are some of the things we look for in a good cat food brand:
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Rich in healthy animal fats (ex: chicken fat or salmon oil)
- Few to no carbohydrate ingredients (especially within the top 5)
- Limited number of main ingredients plus supplements
- No low-quality fillers, grains, or by-products
In addition to making sure any cat food brand we recommend is made with high-quality ingredients, we evaluate several other factors as well.
We prefer brands that offer a wide variety of recipes and those that provide plenty of information about their ingredients and products. We also consider pricing and recalls as well as the availability of the brand as a whole.
Overview Of The Kasiks Brand
Though you may not be familiar with the name Kasiks, FirstMate might ring a bell. Founded in 1989, FirstMate is a Canadian brand that is family-owned and -operated. This company delivers protein-rich formulas for cats and dogs made in company-owned facilities in British Columbia, Canada.
FirstMate was founded by Michael Florian, a commercial fisherman, and the company evolved from a commercial feed business called Taplow Feeds into what became FirstMate as Florian developed an interest in dog nutrition. He started working with professional nutritionists on his staff to develop the brand, starting with dog food products and eventually expanded into cat food.
Kasiks takes the FirstMate commitment to quality up a notch, delivering grain-free and gluten-free recipes featuring a single source of animal protein. Though there are only four cat food formulas to choose from, each of them offers protein-packed, high-quality nutrition.
What Kind of Cat Food Products Do They Offer?
FirstMate offers a wide selection of cat and dog food products, both under the FirstMate name and Kasiks. The Kasiks line is a little more specialized and limited then FirstMate’s selection.
In terms of their wet food, Kasiks offers an assortment for formulas, some of which are available in small 5.5-ounce cans as well as larger 12.2-ounce cans. They offer single-source protein formulas as well as a unique option: insect protein. For dry cat food, Kasiks doesn’t offer any recipes for cats, only for dogs.
Here is the nutritional information for some of the most popular cat food recipes:
Wet Food Recipes |
|||||
| Recipe | Protein % | Fat % | Fiber % | Moisture % | Calories |
| Wild Coho Salmon Formula for Cats | 13 | 3.5 | 0.2 | 78 | 134 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
| Cage-Free Chicken Formula for Cats | 10 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 78 | 331 kcal/can (12.2 oz.) |
| Cage-Free Turkey Formula for Cats | 10 | 5 | 0.2 | 78 | 146 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
| Grub Formula for Cats | 12 | 4 | 0.1 | 78 | 156 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
Product Recall History
If you don’t know anything about a cat food brand, it’s always a good idea to check the recall history. Product recalls happen when there’s a problem with the product and it needs to be removed from production.
It can happen for something as minor as a labeling error or could be caused by something serious like contamination with food-borne pathogens.
In the United States, recalls can be issued by the FDA in response to customer complaints or voluntarily enacted by the company itself. Though the regulations for pet food may not be the same in Canada, First Mate (Kasiks) guarantees the quality and safety of their products.
They feel “to truly produce a superior quality product you must have control over the quality of your ingredients and manufacturing.”
As such, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that the FirstMate company (founded in 1989) nor the Kasiks brand hasn’t had any product recalls in its history. Again, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee the quality of a brand, but it is always a good thing to see a company living up to its promises.
Products Included in This Review |
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| Name | Type | Protein % | Fat % | Top 5 Ingredients |
| Wild Coho Salmon Formula for Cats | Wet | 13 | 3.5 | Boneless/skinless salmon, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate |
| Cage-Free Chicken Formula for Cats | Wet | 10 | 4.3 | Boneless chicken, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate |
| Cage-Free Turkey Formula for Cats | Wet | 10 | 5 | Boneless turkey, water, pea starch, chicken liver, sodium chloride |
| Kasiks Grub Formula | Wet | 12 | 4 | Boneless skinless salmon, water, pea starch, black soldier fly larva meal, salt |
Compare Kasiks Cat Food
|
Type of Food
Wet |
Type of Food
Wet |
Type of Food
Wet |
Type of Food
Wet |
|
First 5 Ingredients
Boneless/skinless salmon, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate |
First 5 Ingredients
Boneless chicken, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate |
First 5 Ingredients
Boneless turkey, water, pea starch, chicken liver, sodium chloride |
First 5 Ingredients
Boneless skinless salmon, water, pea starch, black soldier fly larva meal, salt |
|
Guaranteed Analysis
13% protein, 3.5% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture |
Guaranteed Analysis
10% protein, 4.3% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture |
Guaranteed Analysis
10% protein, 5% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture |
Guaranteed Analysis
12% protein, 4% fat, 0.1% fiber, 78% moisture |
|
Calories per Cup
134 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
Calories per Cup
kcal/can (12.2 oz.) |
Calories per Cup
146 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
Calories per Cup
156 kcal/can (5.5 oz.) |
|
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.27/ounce |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.30/ounce |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.30/ounce |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
Unknown |
KASIKS Wild Coho Salmon Formula for Cats
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Boneless/skinless salmon, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate
- Guaranteed Analysis: 13% protein, 3.5% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 134 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.27/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Boneless/Skinless Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins: (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Coconut.
Kasiks keeps things simple and nutritious with their grain-free, single-source protein recipes like this Wild Coho Salmon Formula. Featuring boneless/skinless salmon as the first ingredient, this recipe is exactly what the name suggests. In fact, the only other main ingredients are water and pea starch.
Pea starch is likely used as a thickener in this recipe, especially considering the fiber content is only 0.2% and the estimated carb content is only about 3%.
In addition to these three ingredients, this formula contains an assortment of chelated minerals and essential vitamin supplements. You’ll find blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and coconut at the end of the list as well, but they aren’t likely used in concentrations over 1%.
All of Kasiks canned foods are manufactured in company-owned and -operated, state-of-the-art facilities in British Columbia, Canada. They are BPA free and made using sustainably sourced ingredients.
KASIKS Cage-Free Chicken Formula for Cats
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Boneless chicken, water, pea starch, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate
- Guaranteed Analysis: 10% protein, 4.3% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: kcal/can (12.2 oz.)
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.30/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Boneless Chicken, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate) Vitamins: (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement) Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries Coconut.
This cage-free chicken formula looks nearly identical to the previous recipe with the exception of the first ingredient. Made with fresh boneless chicken, this is another single-source protein recipe made with a very limited number of main ingredients.
It isn’t particularly surprising that these recipes are so similar, nor is it concerning. It’s very common for pet food brands to use a similar formula for different recipes and to simply change a few ingredients. In fact, AAFCO doesn’t even require the brand to get the recipe approved as long as the formula isn’t significantly different.
Kasiks likely uses the same base for all three of these recipes to ensure balanced nutrition, making adjustments as needed for the different proteins.
KASIKS Cage-Free Turkey Formula for Cats
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Boneless turkey, water, pea starch, chicken liver, sodium chloride
- Guaranteed Analysis: 10% protein, 5% fat, 0.2% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 146 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.30/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Boneless Turkey, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pea Starch, Chicken Liver, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Kale, Minerals: (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins, (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Coconut.
Much like the previous two recipes, this formula features a real source of animal protein as the first ingredient: boneless turkey. Where this recipe differs is in the inclusion of chicken liver as the fourth ingredient. Not only is this a supplemental source of protein, but it is rich in nutrients as well.
The only potential concern is that the use of chicken liver may exclude this recipe from technically being a single-source recipe, though many cats tolerate chicken as well as turkey. If you suspect your cat has a chicken allergy, however, it may be best to stick with the salmon formula.
KASIKS Grub Formula
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Boneless skinless salmon, water, pea starch, black soldier fly larva meal, salt
- Guaranteed Analysis: 12% protein, 4% fat, 0.1% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 156 kcal/can (5.5 oz.)
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: Unknown
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Boneless/skinless Salmon Water sufficient for processing Pea Starch Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal Minerals (Salt Calcium Carbonate Monodicalcium phosphate Choline chloride Potassium chloride Zinc Proteinate Iron Proteinate Copper Proteinate Manganese Proteinate Calcium Iodate) Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement Niacin Vitamin A Supplement Thiamine mononitrate Riboflavin Biotin Vitamin B12 Supplement Folic Acid Vitamin D3 Supplement D-calcium pantothenate) Taurine Kale Astaxanthin Blueberries Raspberries Cranberries Coconut.
If you were to grab this recipe off the shelf without knowing anything about it, you’d probably recoil in horror upon reading the ingredients list. It starts off in a familiar way with salmon and water as the first two ingredients – even pea starch is not uncommon. Then things get weird.
The fourth recipe is black soldier fly larva meal. Grubs (hence the name).
This formula is made with a mixture of fresh salmon and insect protein, making it a clean, eco-friendly option that still provides for your cat’s nutritional needs. Insect protein is still fairly new on the pet food scene, so we don’t know a lot about it, but we don’t have any major qualms considering the primary ingredient is still animal-based.
We’re happy to see low carbohydrate content under 4% and assume most of it comes from the pea starch, likely used as a thickener considering the fiber content is so low. Kale, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries appear at the end of the list, but likely in concentrations well under 1%.
Overall, we don’t really know what to think about this recipe but it doesn’t seem to be a bad option.
What Do Customers Think of Kasiks Cat Food?
As a Canadian brand, Kasiks doesn’t have as many customer reviews as some of the bigger U.S. brands. That being said, all three of the cat food formulas available on Chewy have over 20 reviews and carry around a 4-star average rating.
About half of the reviews praise the quality of the ingredients and say their cats love it but a significant number say their cats simply wouldn’t touch it. Customers agree, however, that it does seem to be a good brand and the products seem to be nutritious.
How Much Does Kasiks Cat Food Cost?
In terms of pricing, Kasiks might not be what you expect. Their products are largely made with a single source of protein including wild-caught fish and cage-free poultry.
Surprisingly, their cat foods average under $0.30 per ounce. This may be partially to do with the fact that they’re sold on Chewy in 12-packs of the larger 12.2-ounce cans rather than smaller cans.
To give you a better idea how Kasiks stacks up against other cat food brands, here is a quick chart to show you some average prices:
| Brand/Recipe | Type | Quality | Price/Ounce | Price/Pound |
| Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Food | Dry | Low | X | $0.90/pound |
| Friskies Classic Pate Mixed Grill Canned Food | Wet | Low | $0.07/ounce | $1.16/pound |
| Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Moderate | X | $2.53/pound |
| Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Chicken Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | Moderate | $0.36/ounce | X |
| Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | Dry | High | X | $3.45/pound |
| Ziwi Peak New Zealand Venison Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | High | $1.21/ounce | X |
Where Can You Buy Kasiks Cat Food?
When it comes to their product availability, you have to remember that Kasiks is a Canadian brand. That being said, you can still find it in some U.S. pet stores.
Your options are likely to be limited, however, to independent and local stores as well as specialty pet food stores. If you’re shopping online, you can find several Kasiks products at Chewy.
Kasiks isn’t sold on Amazon but you may be able to find it on certain specialty pet food retail sites.
Our Final Thoughts: Is Kasiks a Good Brand?
Overall, we have nothing particularly bad to say about Kasiks. Though limited in their variety, this brand offers high-quality nutrition for cats in simple, limited ingredient diets. Most of the recipes are made with a single source of animal protein and they are all grain-free and free from artificial additives.
The primary reason Kasiks doesn’t rate higher in our opinion is because of the limited product selection and availability. We understand that it is a Canadian brand, so we don’t personally hold it against them.
We simply aim to compare all of the cat food brands we review to the same set of standards.
If you’re looking for a single-source protein recipe for your cat and you don’t want to pay a fortune or subject him to unusual ingredients, Kasiks is definitely a brand to consider.
