wellness core salmon dog food

Wellness Simple Grain Free

Salmon, Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Natural Fish Flavor, Chicory Root Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.This is a naturally preserved product.

Wellness CORE Grain Free

Whitefish, Herring Meal (source of Glucosamine), Salmon Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Lentils, Dried Ground Potatoes, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Ground Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

Wellness Core Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Our Final Verdict

We give Wellness Core Dog Food a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Introduction

Many companies have a tender, heartwarming origin story like how an everyday David decided to take on a world of Goliaths, armed with nothing more than a belief in his methods.

Wellness is not one of those companies.

Thats not a dig at all. Wellness Pet Food (a subsidiary of Wellpet LLC) was created in 1997 for one simple reason: the founders believed they could make a high-quality, profitable dog food.

There was no sob story about a dog brought back from the brink of death by premium ingredients or anything like that, but the company didnt need one. They did quite well making dog food for dog foods sake, thank you very much.

The company continues to crank out that food from its factory in Tewksbury, MA, with an emphasis on creating recipes that are as healthy as they are delicious.

At a Glance: The Best Wellness Core Dog Food Recipes

Wellness Core Dog Food Reviewed

Who makes Wellness Core Dog Food and Where Is It Produced?

Wellness Core Dog Food is made by Wellpet LLC, a dog food company based out of Tewksbury, MA. The company owns several other dog and cat food brands, all of which place an emphasis on natural, healthy ingredients.

Which Types of Dogs Is Wellness Core Dog Food Best Suited For?

Any owners who want to feed their pets food made from high-quality, natural-if-possible ingredients should consider Wellness Core. The food is high in protein and fat, so it should be a good choice for both active dogs and those who could stand to lose a few pounds.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

While the recipes are grain-free, they use a lot of potatoes, lentils, peas, and other vegetables with a high glycemic index. This can be troublesome for dogs with diabetes or cancer.

If your dog suffers from either of those conditions, consult your vet to determine the best food to give her. We recommend Primal Freeze-Dried Dog Food (Lamb Formula).

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients in Wellness Core

The primary ingredient is deboned turkey. Were big fans of feeding turkey to pooches, as its lean and packed with protein. Its also easy for most dogs to digest, making it an excellent choice for animals with sensitive stomachs.

The next two ingredients are turkey and chicken meal. This is usually a mash-up of internal organs, which may not sound very appetizing, but its filled with important vitamins and nutrients that dogs need.

The next few foods are somewhat troublesome: peas, potatoes, and dried ground potatoes. While these add some fiber, theyre also a source of cheap calories, and wed prefer to see them replaced with healthier veggies.

If you go further down the ingredients list, youll find foods that are packed with important vitamins and nutrients like omega fatty acids and antioxidants. These foods include chicken fat and liver, salmon oil, kale, blueberries, broccoli, and more.

Wellness Core Is Grain-Free

Theres quite a debate in the dog food community over whether grains are good for pups: some say theyre essential, while others argue theyre the devil. Theyre not necessarily bad, and vets often recommend grain-free foods for dogs with certain health conditions only.

Wellness Core omits grains entirely but makes up for it by including a balanced menu of other nutritious fruits and vegetables.

The Company Completely Avoids Artificial Colors and Flavors

The manufacturer places a premium on natural ingredients, so you wont find a bunch of hard-to-pronounce chemicals in each bag. Instead, the kibble is made from real food much of which you would do well to eat yourself.

Wellness Core iIs Just One Aspect of an Entire System

While the kibble is excellent on its own, its designed to be part of an entire dog food system. You buy the kibble, then you get a can or two of their topper to sprinkle on it, and you mix it in with wet food.

While you dont technically need anything besides the kibble, the company can make you feel like youre abusing your dog if all youre feeding them is their wet food.

A Quick Look at Wellness Core Dog Food

Calorie Breakdown:

• Uses premium, natural ingredients
• Grain-free formula
• High in protein and fat
• Filled with highly-nutritious fruits and veggies

• Uses lots of high-glycemic vegetables
• Fairly expensive

Recall History

In May 2012, the company issued a voluntary recall of their Large Breed Puppy formula due to concerns over Salmonella. The food was believed to have become tainted at one of their food processing plants; after the recall, Wellness Core severed their relationship with that processor.

In October of that same year, the company recalled their Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food due to concerns of a possible moisture contamination. The contamination was not believed to pose a health risk.

In March of 2017, the company recalled its 95% Beef Topper due to elevated levels of a naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone. There were no reports of any dogs being affected by the food.

Reviews of the 3 Best Wellness Core Dog Food Recipes

While many of Wellness Cores recipes are very similar, there are a few key differences between them that are worth knowing. We took a closer look at three of our favorites below:

1. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Original Turkey & Chicken

This food combines two very lean protein sources with a wide array of fruits and vegetables, giving your dog a well-balanced meal in each scoop.

Its hard to find any vitamins and minerals that this food lacks, because it gets its nutrition from so many sources. In addition to the poultry listed on the package, theres kale, broccoli, flaxseed, blueberries, and a whole lot more.

Its high in protein and fat (34% and 16%, respectively), so your dog should get long-lasting energy from each bowl. Our biggest problem with it is that it uses ingredients like peas and potatoes, which can spike your dogs blood sugar and may cause gas in some animals.

• Well-balanced nutritional profile
• High in protein and fat
• Includes superfoods like kale, broccoli, and blueberries

• May cause spike in blood sugar
• Can cause gas in some dogs

2. Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Ocean Whitefish, Herring & Salmon

Not every dog loves fish, but those that do will be rewarded with a diet thats full of omega fatty acids and other important nutrients.

This food is excellent for creating a shiny, healthy coat, and the ingredients inside can also be essential for building a highly functioning immune system. Theres also added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, making this a good choice for larger dogs. We also like that the company added taurine, which is essential for heart health.

The package doesnt indicate how the fish was procured, though, so we dont know if its wild-caught or farm-raised. That can affect the mercury levels inside, as well as the overall nutritional profile of the fish.

Also, in addition to the potatoes and lentils that all Wellness Core products have, this recipe uses canola oil, which is extremely fattening. Youll want to feed it to your pooch in moderation.

• Extremely high in omega fatty acids
• Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
• Has added taurine for heart health

• No idea how fish was caught
• Includes fattening canola oil

3. Wellness Core Air Dried Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food

This food contains bowl boosters, which are little nuggets of protein designed to make it irresistible to dogs. They certainly seem to succeed in that respect, although theyll put a dent in your pocketbook along the way.

This gives the kibble the taste and texture of raw food, without requiring you to refrigerate it. Theres quite a bit of chicken and turkey inside, as well as spinach, broccoli, and dried kale.

Its worth noting, however, that the latter ingredients arent as prevalent as they are in other Wellness Core foods, as this particular recipe is heavy-handed on the protein.

This recipe also has skim milk, which many dogs have issues tolerating. Its higher in salt than wed like, too.

Overall, this is a good choice for picky eaters, but youll get a less-balanced nutritional profile than you would with some of the companys other brands.

• Dogs likely to love the taste
• Heavy emphasis on protein
• Similar to raw food without need to refrigerate

• Extremely expensive
• Less-balanced nutritional profile than other Wellness foods
• High salt content

What Other Users are Saying

• HerePup What youll find are natural, real ingredients that should be in your dogs food to help him thrive.
• Dog Food Guru Wellness provides some of the highest quality, healthiest ingredients on the market.
• Amazon As pet owners, we always double-check with Amazon reviews from buyers before we buy something. You can read these by clicking here.

Conclusion

While many dog food manufacturers talk the talk when it comes to relying on natural ingredients, Wellness Core is one of the few that walks the walk. The company eschews artificial flavors and chemicals at every turn, choosing instead to pack their kibble with high-quality meats, fruits, and vegetables.

The food isnt without its limitations, as wed prefer to see them ease up on the potatoes and lentils and replace them with foods lower on the glycemic index. Thats a relatively minor quibble, though, and does little to diminish our enthusiasm for the food.

Pet owners who desire to feed their dogs a healthy, well-rounded diet would do well to start with one of the recipes that Wellness Core offers.

5 Best Salmon Dog Foods (2024)

How to Choose the Best Salmon Dog Food

Salmon is a powerhouse protein that dogs just love. There are many reasons to consider making the switch to a food that lists salmon as one of its protein sources. It is an extremely healthy meat filled with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, critical nutrients to nourish skin and coat and provide dogs with the energy they need to maintain an active lifestyle.

Joint health is also supported by the oils found in this flavorful fish. With so many benefits to be gained from a switch to a salmon-based diet, it is not hard to see why dog foods with salmon are among the best diets around!

Salmon is also believed to act as a powerful brain booster, encouraging cognitive function through its healthy fats such as DHA and APA. This is particularly helpful for young puppies undergoing sensitive periods of growth as well as for senior dogs experiencing some brain impairment.

Many types of fish contain ample servings of amino acids, and salmon is no exception. These vital nutrients assist with such important things as ensuring proper hormone function and building cartilage.

Salmon is also extremely rich in many important vitamins and minerals required for health and wellness both in people and in dogs. These include magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

But perhaps the biggest selling point when it comes to dogs is salmons potent flavor. Dogs love it canned, grilled on the barbecue, oven-baked, or as part of their daily kibble quota.

When selecting the best salmon food for a dog, it is important to carefully read labels to understand what the diet contains. Whole salmon is the best choice for dogs, and this is particularly important for dogs suffering from allergies or skin and stomach sensitivities as any additional ingredients may incur further health problems.

When it comes to choosing the best salmon dog food, one of the biggest considerations is whether you opt for wild-caught salmon or farm-raised salmon. Wild-caught salmon is considered to be the most natural and has fewer ingredients added to it, making it a healthier choice for your pup.

Additionally, wild-caught salmon is typically sourced from sustainable fisheries and contains a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids than farm-raised salmon. On the other hand, farm-raised salmon is often raised in large tanks with more added ingredients and a lower omega-3 content.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dog Foods with Salmon

Determining the correct amount of the best salmon food to feed a dog can be difficult. The best course of action is to consult the bag of food and follow the suggested serving size as a basic guideline. This can be adjusted with the dogs weight, appetite, and activity serving to help with ascertaining the proper portion size.

Care should be taken not to overfeed the dog as weight gain can occur rapidly. Measure all food and monitor intake to prevent the dog from becoming overweight.

Dietary Requirements for Dog Foods with Salmon

Any salmon-based diet that is ideal for dogs to enjoy should contain salmon or salmon meal as its first ingredient. Whole salmon is the best choice, but meat meals offer dogs excellent quality nutrition as well. By-products are not often seen in salmon; however, should a label list them, they should be avoided.

Should a diet contain plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, or soy, they are best left on the shelf. These are common allergens for many dogs and can neutralize some of the positive effects of salmon. Diets containing these ingredients cannot be considered among the best foods with salmon for dogs.

Carbohydrates included in a salmon-based diet should be easy for dogs to digest. Unless a dog has expressed sensitivity to grains, they may freely eat a grain-inclusive or grain-free formula without any ill effects.

The primary importance of any food included in a salmon-based diet is its fiber and antioxidant content. These items promote good digestion and a strong immune system to protect against disease.

Healthy fats are a vital element in a dogs diet. Salmon contributes a powerhouse punch of this all on its own; however, the addition of such ingredients as chicken fat, salmon, or herring oil provides additional benefits through their omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to encourage healthy skin and coat.

Any salmon-based diet that is optimal for a dogs daily food should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

Things to Look for in the Best Salmon Dog Food

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in premium salmon dog food:

• Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
• Enriched with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and helpful supplements
• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
• Includes healthy fats such as chicken fat or salmon oil