Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains Review

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Review of Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains

According to our data, this Wellness recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for growing puppies and pregnant/nursing dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growing puppies and pregnant/nursing dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains, we'll examine all 55 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 meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.

  3. Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.

  4. Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.

  5. Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.

  6. Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.

  7. Ground flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. It can support your dog's skin and coat health, digestive system, and overall well-being.

  8. Tomato pomace is a fiber-rich ingredient that can help support healthy digestion and maintain a healthy weight in dogs.

  9. Quinoa is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free grain that provides your dog with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It supports healthy digestion and overall well-being, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and nutritious dog food.

  10. Salmon oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support your dog's skin and coat health, immune system, and cognitive function.

  11. Natural chicken flavor is a dog food ingredient used to enhance the taste and aroma of the product, making it more appealing to your pet. It is derived from real chicken and does not contain any artificial additives or chemicals. This natural flavoring helps encourage your dog to eat and enjoy their meals.

  12. 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.

  13. Chicory root extract is a natural source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that promotes healthy digestion and gut bacteria, supporting your dog's immune system and overall well-being.

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

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

  16. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

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

  18. Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable that offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog's overall health and wellbeing.

  19. Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote overall health in dogs.

  20. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.

  21. Parsley is a source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it also supports fresh breath.

  22. Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.

  23. Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.

  24. Kale is a nutrient-rich leafy green packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a strong immune system, healthy skin, and coat in dogs.

  25. Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.

  26. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

  27. Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.

  28. Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.

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

  30. Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.

  31. Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.

  32. Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.

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

  34. Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.

  35. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  36. Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.

  37. Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.

  38. Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.

  39. 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.

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

  41. 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.

  42. Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is essential for energy production, cell function, and fat metabolism in your dog's body.

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

  44. 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.

  45. Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.

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

  47. 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.

  48. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and helps reduce inflammation.

  49. The dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product is a probiotic that aids in maintaining a healthy gut flora.

  50. Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product is a beneficial probiotic ingredient used in dog food. It helps support a healthy digestive system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This probiotic also aids in nutrient absorption and can improve your dog's overall immune system function.

  51. Dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product is a probiotic ingredient that helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria in your dog, promoting optimal digestion and immune system function.

  52. Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product is a probiotic that can aid in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut, supporting overall digestive health.

  53. Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.

  54. Green tea extract contains antioxidants that help protect your dog's cells from damage and support overall health.

  55. Spearmint extract provides a natural and refreshing flavor to dog food, as well as offering potential digestive and oral health benefits for dogs.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The crude protein minimum of 36.00% is a reflection of the high protein content in the food, which is crucial for the growth and development of puppies. This high percentage is likely due to the inclusion of deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as the first three ingredients. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein that contribute significantly to the overall protein content of the pet food.

The crude fat minimum of 17.00% provides the necessary energy and essential fatty acids for a growing puppy. The primary contributors to this fat content are the chicken fat, salmon oil, and to some extent, the ground flaxseed. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of animal fat that is very palatable for dogs, while salmon oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health. Ground flaxseed also contains omega-3 fatty acids and contributes to the fat content, albeit to a lesser extent.

The maximum crude fiber content of 4.00% indicates the amount of indigestible plant material in the pet food, which aids in digestion and helps maintain bowel health. The ingredients that contribute to this fiber content include oatmeal, barley, tomato pomace, and chicory root extract. These ingredients provide dietary fiber which can help with the digestive process and contribute to the overall gut health of the puppy.

The calorie content of 3747.00 per kg provides a measure of the energy that the food can supply. This caloric density is influenced by the combined macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the food. Given that fats provide more calories per gram than proteins or carbohydrates, the caloric content is likely impacted significantly by the crude fat percentage, with contributions from the protein and carbohydrate content of the grains and other plant-based ingredients.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains costs approximately $4.03 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppy
5 lbs $14.75
10 lbs $24.81
15 lbs $33.62
20 lbs $41.72
30 lbs $56.55
40 lbs $70.16
50 lbs $82.94
60 lbs $95.10
70 lbs $106.75
80 lbs $118.00
90 lbs $128.90
100 lbs $139.49

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Many customers have expressed satisfaction with the nutritional content and quality of the Wellness Core Puppy Formula With Wholesome Grains. Pet owners appreciate the high protein content and the inclusion of wholesome grains, which are essential for a growing puppy's diet. One owner noted that their puppy's energy levels and stool consistency remained excellent after switching to this food, and their dog's coat stayed beautiful. Another highlighted the food's appeal to their picky eater, who eagerly waits for mealtime and consumes the kibble without the need for any wet food or toppers.

Several reviews mentioned the positive health benefits observed after transitioning to Wellness Core Puppy Formula. For instance, an owner reported that their puppy's gastrointestinal issues improved significantly after the switch, and another mentioned firm stools and a shiny coat as indicators of their puppy's well-being. Additionally, a customer was relieved to find a high-protein, grain-inclusive option that was recommended by their vet, which led to immediate improvements in their puppy's digestive health.

While some puppies experienced digestive discomfort, such as gas and soft stools, when first introduced to the high-protein diet, it's important to note that every puppy's digestive system is unique. Some dogs may require a gradual transition to new foods or may do better with a different protein level. In the context of negative reviews, it's worth considering that individual dietary sensitivities can play a role, and what may not work for one puppy could be perfect for another. Overall, the positive experiences with the Wellness Core Puppy Formula suggest that it is a high-quality option for many puppies, especially those needing a nutrient-rich, grain-inclusive diet.