Wellness Core Mini Meals Chunky Chicken & Tuna Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds Review

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Review of Wellness Core Mini Meals Chunky Chicken & Tuna Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds

According to our data, this Wellness recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Wellness Core Mini Meals Chunky Chicken & Tuna Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Wellness Core Mini Meals Chunky Chicken & Tuna Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds, we'll examine all 33 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

  2. Chicken broth is a flavorful, hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more palatable. It also contains essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to support your dog's overall health and well-being.

  3. Water sufficient for processing is a necessary component in wet dog food recipes. It provides the required moisture to create a palatable texture and consistency, making it easier for your pet to consume and digest their food.

  4. Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive system.

  5. Tuna is a high-quality protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can support your dog's skin and coat health, as well as cognitive function and overall well-being. It also provides essential nutrients such as selenium, vitamin D, and B vitamins for a healthy, balanced diet.

  6. Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.

  7. Egg is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle growth, coat health, and overall wellness.

  8. Tapioca starch is a grain-free carbohydrate source derived from the root of the cassava plant. It is used in dog food as a binding agent and energy source. Tapioca starch is easily digestible, making it a suitable ingredient for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies.

  9. Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.

  10. While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.

  11. Tricalcium phosphate is used as a calcium supplement in dog foods, contributing to strong teeth and bones.

  12. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.

  13. Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the guar bean, used to improve the texture of your dog's food. It also serves as a source of soluble fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and support overall gastrointestinal health.

  14. Magnesium Sulfate is a source of magnesium, necessary for many biochemical reactions in your dog's body, including protein synthesis and nerve function.

  15. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  16. Thiamine hydrochloride, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that supports your dog's nervous system, metabolism, and energy production. It's important for maintaining overall health and well-being in dogs.

  17. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.

  18. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  19. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  20. D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.

  21. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  22. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  23. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

  24. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  25. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  26. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  27. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  28. Zinc amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your dog's immune system, skin, and coat health. This ingredient also plays a crucial role in wound healing and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

  29. Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall health in dogs.

  30. Manganese amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, a trace mineral that supports bone health and metabolic function.

  31. Copper amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's connective tissue formation, metabolism, and overall health.

  32. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  33. Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of iodine in your dog's diet. Iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of your dog's thyroid gland.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The crude protein content is a minimum of 8.00%. This is likely contributed by the chicken, tuna, chicken liver, and egg listed in the ingredients. These are all high-quality sources of protein that are commonly used in pet foods to provide essential amino acids necessary for a pet's muscle development and maintenance.

Crude fat content is at a minimum of 2.00%. This is relatively low and is probably provided by the chicken, which naturally contains some fat, and the sunflower oil, which is added as a fat source. Fats are essential in the diet for energy, cell structure, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

The crude fiber content is at a maximum of 1.00%. This is a low fiber percentage, indicating that the food is not aimed at providing a high-fiber diet. The potato starch, tapioca starch, and guar gum may contribute to this fiber content, although they are primarily used as thickeners and to improve the texture of the gravy rather than as major sources of dietary fiber.

Lastly, the calorie content is 918.00 kcal/kg. This caloric density is influenced by the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the food. Given the low crude fat content, the calories are likely coming from a balanced mix of the proteins and carbohydrates (from ingredients like potato starch and tapioca starch) rather than from a high fat content. This caloric level is suitable for small breed dogs, which often have higher energy requirements per pound of body weight compared to larger breeds.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Wellness Core Mini Meals Chunky Chicken & Tuna Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds costs approximately $10.13 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult
5 lbs $236.49
10 lbs $397.73
15 lbs $539.08
20 lbs $668.90
30 lbs $906.62

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers are expressing high satisfaction with Wellness Core Mini Meals, particularly for their pets that have a discerning palate. The inclusion of both chicken and tuna is a hit among their furry friends, with the texture and the generous amount of gravy being especially appreciated. The meals seem to be a perfect fit for small breeds, providing just the right balance for their dietary needs.

Pets with health issues such as inflammatory bowel disease have also taken well to this food, indicating that it's gentle on sensitive stomachs while still being palatable enough to encourage medication compliance. Moreover, the brand's reputation is bolstered by veterinarian recommendations, suggesting a trust in the quality of ingredients used in the product.

The versatility of the product is also noted, with some owners using it as a topper to enhance the appeal of their dogs' regular meals. Even the most selective of dogs, described by their owners as "picky eaters," have been won over by the flavors offered in the Mini Meals line, leading to a more enjoyable and stress-free feeding experience for both pets and their owners. Despite a desire for more convenient packaging options, the overall consensus is one of contentment with the product's ability to satisfy finicky appetites.