analyticsBrand Review
Wellness: Ingredient Data Review
CORE (~38% DM protein, grain-free) and Complete Health (oats and brown rice, ~30% DM) live in the same brand. No artificial additives across both. There's also a DCM concern for CORE and a private equity acquisition in 2018. Here's the full picture.
Brand at a Glance
| Origin | USA — WellPet LLC (also owns Holistic Select and Eagle Pack) |
| Founded | 1997. Acquired by L Catterton (private equity) in 2018 |
| Price Tier | Premium natural — positioned above Hill's and Royal Canin, comparable to Acana |
| AAFCO Status | Meets AAFCO nutritional standards |
| Key Lines | CORE (grain-free, high-protein) / Complete Health (grain-inclusive) / Simple (limited ingredient) |
| Brand Policy | No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives across all lines |
Key Lines
CORE — High-Protein Grain-Free
Deboned turkey and chicken lead. Peas, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, carrots. 34% protein as-fed (~38% DM), grain-free.
Same CORE formulation with adjusted calorie density and smaller kibble size for small breeds. 36% protein as-fed.
Growth-optimized DHA and calcium. Turkey and chicken lead. 36% protein as-fed.
Complete Health — Grain-Inclusive
Deboned chicken first, then oatmeal and ground brown rice. Lower DCM concern profile. 26% protein as-fed (~30% DM).
Chicken first + oatmeal and brown rice. Small breed kibble size. 28% protein as-fed.
Simple — Limited Ingredient
Turkey as the sole animal protein. Potato carbohydrate. For elimination diet protocols. 25% protein as-fed (~28% DM).
Salmon as the sole animal protein. Potato carbohydrate. Alternative for chicken or beef sensitivities.
Lines with Limited Korean Distribution
CORE Large Breed, CORE Whitefish, TruFood (freeze-dried/baked), and WellBites treats have limited official Korean distribution. Available via import specialists.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Based on Wellness CORE Original (Turkey & Chicken).
Top 10 Ingredients
Fresh turkey at full moisture weight. Primary animal protein source.
Fresh chicken alongside turkey — dual poultry protein base.
Dehydrated concentrated turkey. The functional protein workhorse once fresh turkey loses water weight.
Dehydrated concentrated chicken. Adds protein density.
Primary grain-free carbohydrate. The ingredient at the center of the FDA DCM investigation.
Secondary carbohydrate alongside peas.
Primary fat source. Rich in omega-6 linoleic acid.
Antioxidant lycopene source. Start of the vegetable/fruit blend.
Vitamins C and K. Part of the vegetable diversity blend.
Iron and folate. Rounds out the leafy green content.
Guaranteed Analysis (CORE Original)
| Nutrient | As-Fed | Dry Matter (DM) | AAFCO Adult Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | min 34.0% | ~38.6% | 18% |
| Fat | min 16.0% | ~18.2% | 5% |
| Fibre | max 4.0% | ~4.5% | — |
| Moisture | max 12.0% | — | — |
| Calcium | 1.5% | ~1.7% | 0.5% |
| Phosphorus | 1.0% | ~1.14% | 0.4% |
DM basis = as-fed value ÷ (1 − moisture fraction). Calculated at 12% moisture.
CORE vs Complete Health — Which Line Is Right?
| Metric | CORE | Complete Health |
|---|---|---|
| Grains | None (grain-free) | Oats & brown rice |
| Protein (DM) | ~38–40% | ~29–31% |
| DCM concern | Yes (high pea content) | Lower (grains reduce legume ratio) |
| Primary carbs | Peas, potatoes | Oats, brown rice, barley |
| Calorie density | Higher | Moderate |
| Best for | Active dogs, high-protein goal | DCM-susceptible breeds, general adults |
warningCORE and the DCM Investigation — Peas as the Primary Carbohydrate
CORE Original lists peas as the first carbohydrate source. Peas are one of the ingredients the FDA has specifically noted in its DCM investigation reports. As of 2022, causation has not been confirmed. If your dog is a Golden Retriever, Doberman, or another DCM-susceptible breed, this is worth discussing with your vet before committing to long-term CORE feeding.
If DCM is a concern: Complete Health eliminates the legume-dominant carbohydrate profile and is the safer within-brand choice.
Pros & Cons
thumb_up Strengths
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives across all lines — ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT absent from every formula.
Two distinct nutritional tracks in one brand — CORE for high-protein grain-free, Complete Health for grain-inclusive balanced nutrition. Lets you switch based on your dog's needs without changing brands.
CORE's ~38% DM protein sits between Acana (~33%) and Orijen (~43%) — a practical middle ground at a comparable or slightly lower price than Acana.
Simple line covers limited-ingredient needs — single protein for allergy identification alongside the mainstream lines.
Vegetable and fruit variety — tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, carrots, blueberries included for antioxidant diversity.
thumb_down Weaknesses
CORE is grain-free with high pea content — falls within the FDA DCM investigation context. The same concern applies as with Orijen and Acana.
WellPet acquired by private equity (L Catterton) in 2018 — post-acquisition formula adjustments are possible, though no official changes have been announced.
Animal ingredient percentage not disclosed — unlike Acana (60%+) or Orijen (85%), Wellness does not publish an explicit animal ingredient ratio.
Complete Health's ~30% DM protein is similar to Purina Pro Plan but comes at a higher price point.
Some lines have limited Korean distribution — CORE Large Breed, TruFood (freeze-dried), and WellBites treats require import specialists.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy Wellness
Good fit
Owners wanting no artificial additives but preferring grain-inclusive
Complete Health removes artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors while keeping grains in the formula. If you want cleaner ingredients than Hill's or Royal Canin without the grain-free DCM concern, Complete Health is the most natural fit.
Dogs needing higher protein without going all-in on Orijen
CORE at ~38% DM is meaningfully higher than Acana (~33%) and considerably more affordable than Orijen. For healthy active adults where protein density matters but the full Orijen price isn't justified, CORE is a reasonable middle point.
Chicken-sensitive dogs wanting a fish-based CORE option
CORE Whitefish (available via import) uses fish protein without chicken or turkey. Worth exploring if digestive issues have been associated with poultry-based foods.
Poor fit
DCM-susceptible breeds fed CORE long-term
CORE's primary carbohydrate is peas — placing it squarely in the dietary pattern the FDA has been investigating since 2018. For Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, and other DCM-susceptible breeds, Complete Health is the safer within-brand option.
Budget-conscious owners
Complete Health's protein level is comparable to Purina Pro Plan, but Wellness costs more. If nutritional parity is the goal, Pro Plan offers better value with the added benefit of AAFCO feeding trial documentation.
Dogs with kidney disease
CORE's protein and phosphorus levels are not appropriate for dogs with compromised renal function. A prescription renal diet is the correct choice.
compareAlternatives Worth Considering
Higher protein than CORE: Orijen Adult Original — ~43% DM protein, 85% animal ingredients, higher price
Complete Health equivalent at lower cost: Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken — ~30% DM protein, AAFCO feeding trial tested, meaningfully less expensive
DCM-safe high protein: Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy — chicken first, ~35% DM protein, grain-inclusive
Single protein limited ingredient: Acana Singles or Natural Balance L.I.D. — for allergy identification protocols
자주 묻는 질문
Q. Wellness CORE vs Complete Health — which should I choose?
The decision comes down to two factors: protein needs and DCM concern. If your dog is a DCM-susceptible breed (Golden Retriever, Doberman, Boxer), Complete Health is the safer within-brand option — its grain content lowers the legume ratio that the FDA investigation has focused on. For healthy adult dogs without breed-specific DCM concerns, CORE's higher protein density (~38% DM) offers a meaningful upgrade over Complete Health (~30% DM).
Q. How does Wellness CORE compare to Acana and Orijen?
On protein density: Orijen (~43% DM) > CORE (~38% DM) > Acana (~33% DM). Price-wise, CORE is comparable to Acana or slightly less expensive, and meaningfully less than Orijen. The key difference from Acana and Orijen is that Wellness does not publish an explicit animal ingredient percentage, so the transparency benchmark is lower. On the DCM side, all three are grain-free with legumes as primary carbohydrates — the same concern applies.
Q. Is the 'no artificial preservatives' claim meaningful for dog food?
It's a real formulation difference. Natural preservation (via mixed tocopherols, vitamin E, rosemary extract) is less shelf-stable than synthetic preservatives like BHA or ethoxyquin, which means the food has a shorter shelf life and is more sensitive to storage conditions. For most owners, the practical implication is to check the best-before date carefully and store opened bags in a sealed container. The question of whether natural vs synthetic preservation produces a measurable health difference in dogs hasn't been conclusively studied.
Q. Did L Catterton's acquisition change Wellness formulas?
No official recipe changes have been announced since L Catterton acquired WellPet in 2018. Current ingredient labels are consistent with pre-acquisition formulations. Private equity ownership creates margin pressure that can lead to ingredient substitutions over time, but there's no confirmed evidence this has occurred. If you're transitioning a dog that has been on Wellness for years, buy a small bag and check the current label against what you remember before committing.
Q. Wellness Simple vs Natural Balance L.I.D. — which is better for allergies?
Both use a single animal protein and a starch-based carbohydrate for elimination diet purposes. The protein content is nearly identical (~28% DM). The practical differences are minor: Simple uses potato while L.I.D. uses sweet potato as the carbohydrate. Availability and price may vary by region. For allergy identification purposes, either product works — the more important variable is consistent feeding of the chosen formula for 8–12 weeks without introducing other proteins.
References
- [1] AAFCO. (2023). Official Publication: Dog and Cat Food. Association of American Feed Control Officials.
- [2] WellPet LLC. Wellness CORE Original Ingredient Statement (2024).
- [3] WellPet LLC. Wellness Complete Health Adult Deboned Chicken Ingredient Statement (2024).
- [4] FDA. (2022). Investigation into a Possible Connection Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Update Report.
- [5] L Catterton. (2018). L Catterton Completes Acquisition of WellPet LLC. Press Release.
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