Choosing Wet Dog Food
Some people refer to wet dog food as canned dog food, but it now comes in other forms, including small tins and pouches. Wet dog food mixes a variety of different ingredients together with a gravy poured over the top. The pet food comes in several different flavors such as chicken, beef stew, pot roast and grilled chicken. You can also find some wellness dog food that adds vegetables to the meat and gravy. Canned dog food is a good choice for puppies and older dogs because these pets have softer teeth and cannot easily chew dry food.
Wellness Trufood Baked Blends
The TruFood Blends are available in a variety of flavor profiles, and each one combines a dizzying array of readily identifiable ingredients. Dog owners who prefer a more natural approach to nutrition will appreciate seeing lentils, flaxseed, pumpkin, ginger and more listed on the side of the bag.
Being able to choose from chicken, lamb and salmon-based formulas allow the chance to vary the diet, or find a favorite and stick with it. The line also includes wet foods and treats made in the same all-natural manner.
Bag size is limited to either 3 pounds or 18 pounds, but this may be good enough for many people. The kibble is baked, and Wellness touts that TruFood blends have 70% more raw protein than typical kibble.
PROS:
- Some owners may be put off by large amounts of fruits, vegetables and herbs
- May not be good for dogs with allergies
Why You Should Feed Your Dog Wellness Brand Dog Food
So, why should you consider filling your furry best friends dog bowl with Wellness brand dog food over other brands that are available? In short, because the food options offered by this company feature only the best possible ingredients to ensure maximum nutrition you can rest assured that all of the unique nutritional requirements of your canine companion will be met when you feed him Wellness.
This company also offers a variety of recipes that are specially formulated to meet the unique dietary requirements that many dogs have. For example, if youre looking for a food for large dogs that can help manage healthy weight, then their low calorie formula is a great option. Or if youre looking for a high protein dog food, then youll find that virtually any of the Wellness recipes will meet your needs.
Wrapping It Up
Theres a dizzying amount of dog food products on the market, which can make it difficult to narrow down your choices and select something that you can truly count on to offer the best possible nutrition. With Wellness dog food, you can rest assured that your dog will be consuming a well balanced diet that will meet all of his needs and help him live a long, happy, and healthy life. The five Wellness formulas featured in our review are, what we believe, to be the best options available however, every product from Wellness will offer complete nutrition for your dog.
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Cooking Our Way To A Healthier Dog Diet
Ever since I started raising my own dogs, Id always wanted to make their food at home but thought it would be too expensive or too time consuming, or that they wouldnt get the nutrition they needed.
During the month of Bugs doggy depression, I vowed to make her precious life as comfortable as possible.
Both of my pugs had a range of health issues growing up, which I unfortunately found out were common for the breed.
My older one had persistent hot spots and itchiness that no commercial dog food could cure .
Bug was overweight for a while when she was younger, even though she ate the recommended amount of food for her target weight. Eventually, I settled on Wellness kibbles and they did well with that brand.
But, I wanted to explore other options. I wanted to give them real food fresh, nutritious ingredients that I recognized and could even eat myself.
Ive mentioned in my post on homemade whole grain chicken feed that the entire household all share the same whole grains and seeds that we buy in bulk, as well as the bounty that comes from our edible garden.
Everything our animals eat, we can eat.
When it comes to homemade feed for our laying hens, we stick to a tried-and-true formula that works for every layer: 16 to 17 percent protein , vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a wide variety of grains and seeds, and free range of a pasture for weeds, greens, and insects.
Dogs, on the other hand, arent bred for a standard function the way chickens are.
Examined: Wellness Dog Food
Wellness is a highly regarded brand that offers a diverse product line, including premium-grade dog food in:
- wet
- cups
- and treat forms.
Their catalog offers products suitable for dogs of different breed sizes and at different life stages as well as varying nutritional and allergy needs.
Ahead: We venture into the Wellness pet food brand, its brand rating, whether its safe or if theres room for caution, who produces it and where, any/all recalls, and more. Strap on your seat-belt!
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What Others Are Saying
DogFoodAdvisor:
Looking specifically at the CORE line of dry kibble, this site has rated Wellness very highly. They endorse the list of major ingredients and consider this an above average dry dog food. They recommend the product without hesitation.RATING: 5 Stars
Dog Food Guru:
This site has reviewed several Wellness product lines. Their overall feeling is that these are high-quality products, though they are concerned about the use of peas, flaxseed, and rye flour in certain formulas. They recommend both the CORE and Simple varieties.RATING: 5 Stars
Chewy:
Chewy is a great resource for genuine feedback from previous buyers and current users of pretty much any physical product, and that includes dog food. Click here to
Transitioning To Homemade Dog Food
Most dogs dont have a problem making the switch to homemade food. If yours is prone to digestive issues, start slowly by mixing a little bit of the homemade food with the commercial food.
Over the course of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of homemade food while decreasing the commercial food.
If your dog vomits or has diarrhea, try introducing only a couple of new ingredients at a time until their systems are well adjusted to the fresh diet.
For dogs with health issues, please consult with a veterinarian if you arent sure what kind of supplements are needed. Use your best judgment, the way you would when feeding yourself or your family.
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Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
From the Simple line of dog food products, this formula lives up to its name, having noticeably fewer ingredients than many other Wellness offerings. This particular blend has just one source of protein, namely turkey. This may help for anyone trying to isolate an allergy, or simply eliminate red meat from the dogs diet.
Pay attention if your dog is a sensitive one:
The lack of gluten and grains of any kind should be of benefit to dogs with sensitive stomachs. Non-meat ingredients are also kept to a minimum there are no berries or fruits, save for tomato pomace. There seem to more than enough supplements to make up for their absence, however.
Owners may appreciate the variety of bag sizes, it being available in 4.5, 10.5, and 26 pound bags. It is marginally higher in calories than the CORE blend described above, but not enough to make weight gain a concern.
PROS:
Lets Talk Dog Nutrition Six Essential Nutrients Dogs Need
Here is a link to an article regarding Dog nutrition, originally published in Dogster Magazine in 2017. You can also link to the article by clicking on the picture below.
Diana Laverdure-Dunetz, M.S., is a canine nutritionist and co-author, with M. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., of two books including Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health. Their online course, Complete Canine Nutrition can be found at myhealthydog.dog.
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Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food Original Turkey & Chicken
This has guaranteed levels of Omega fatty acids because it includes ingredients like flaxseed and salmon oil. Your dogs skin and coat will be healthier than ever. Their heart will be boosted by the antioxidants, probiotics, and taurine. Here is more info from the Amazon product page:
- ADVANCED NATURAL NUTRITION TO FUEL YOUR DOGS BEST LIFE: Premium protein expertly balanced with nutrient rich superfoods for a complete and balanced dog food, with guaranteed levels of all the nutrients your dog needs to thrive and no fillers
- SAVORY FOOD DOGS LOVE: Wellness CORE is available in grain and grain free recipes, as well as limited ingredient diets for dogs with food sensitivities
- LEANER BODY MASS AND MUSCLE TONE: Wellness CORE dog food is made with a high concentration of protein from fresh meat ingredients
Wellness Complete Health Natural Large Breed Dry Dog Food
You can pick up either a 15-pound, 24-pound, or 30-pound bag of this for your adult dog. Utilizing this will help all of your dogs body systems, including coat and skin, energy, muscles, and more. It is well-balanced with ingredients like proteins, blueberries, spinach, and flaxseed. Here is more info from the Amazon product page:
- Large breed dog food for a lifetime of wellbeing: High quality proteins and wholesome grains are balanced to deliver a complete diet packed with the nutrients your large breed dog needs to thrive No meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Optimal energy and healthy immune systems: Antioxidant rich ingredients support strong immune systems, balanced nutrients promote optimal energy and guaranteed levels of Omega Fatty Acids ensure healthy skin and coat
- Whole body health: Supported by omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine for a healthy heart
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Wellness Core Dog Food
- Wellness Core Puppy Formula
- Wellness Core Ocean Formula
- Wellness Core Original Formula
- Wellness Core Wild Game Formula
- Wellness Core Large Breed Formula
- Wellness Core Small Breed Formula
- Wellness Core Reduced Fat Formula
- Core Grain Free Puppy
- Core Grain Free Weight Maintenance
- Core Grain Free Beef, Venison and Lamb
- Core Grain Free Turkey, Pork Liver and Duck
- Core Grain Free Whitefish, Salmon and Herring
- Core Grain Free Turkey, Chicken Liver and Turkey Liver
Core Tender Bites
- Wellness Core Tender Bites Puppy Formula
- Wellness Core Tender Bites Ocean Formula
- Wellness Core Tender Bites Original Formula
Core Reduced Fat
- Wellness Core Reduced Fat
Core RawDev
- Wellness Core RawRev Original
- Wellness Core RawRev Wild Game
- Wellness Core RawRev Small Breed Original
Core Hearty Cuts
- Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Turkey and Duck
- Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Beef and Venison
- Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Chicken and Turkey
- Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Whitefish and Salmon
Core Chunky Centers
- Core Chunky Centers Tuna, Chicken and Kale
- Core Chunky Centers Salmon, Tuna and Spinach
- Core Chunky Centers Lamb, Turkey and Kale
- Core Chunky Centers Beef, Lamb and White Sweet Potato
- Core Chunky Centers Chicken, Chicken Liver and Spinach
- Core Chunky Centers Turkey, Duck and White Sweet Potato
Core 95 Percent
- Wellness Core 95% Chicken with Broccoli
- Wellness Core 95% Beef with Carrots
- Wellness Core 95% Turkey with Spinach
Buyers Guide To The Best Wellness Dog Food
As a pup parent, making sure that your dog receives the very best of care is your top priority. After all, hes more than just a pet hes a member of your family! To that end, you have probably put a lot of research into selecting the best quality products for your furry family member. He has the most secure dog crate, the comfiest dog bed, a well-equipped dog house to keep him safe outside, an outdoor dog kennel that offers plenty of space, and perhaps even a dog playpen where he can play and explore in safety when you cant give him your undivided attention. Of course, he also has the most comfortable dog collar and dog harness to keep him protected while hes exploring outside.
Like humans, canines have unique nutritional needs. As a pup parent, its imperative that you are feeding your furry family member a high quality dog food that will meet his unique nutritional needs. A well balanced diet that features protein and a range of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients is vital for a dogs overall health and well being. But there are so many different dog food brands on the market that it can be hard to decide which option to feed your pup. Furthermore, not all dog foods are created equal many are packed with artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, and fillers that can actually do more harm for your pup than good.
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Healthy Homemade Dog Food Ingredients
According to WEBMD your dog needs protein from animal meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. They need fat from meat or oil and carbohydrates from grains or vegetables. In addition, essential fatty acids from plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods. The question is in what amounts? After much research, we created a recipe that our dogs love they are healthy, have tons of energy, and their coats and eyes shine!
- From the Cutting Board.
- Joanies Ancient Food Processor!
- Finished Dog Food!
- Ready For Freezing!
The listed ingredients are used most of the time. Fresh meats like lean ground beef, ground turkey, and chicken gizzards provide a heavy dose of protein. Tuna, salmon, or sardines are always used. The eggs also add protein and essential oils. There are fruits and vegetables in the mix and even rice for digestion, although no wheat grains or sugars! Our homemade dog food is human grade. The main point is we know and control what goes into their food!
Wellness Dog Food Reviews Ingredients Recall History And Our Rating
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
The dog food industry is booming, and while thats a great thing for pet owners, I know that I cant be the only one feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices on the market.
Finding the right food has quickly become a nightmare. There are more brands on the market than you can reasonably count, and the product variations are mesmerizing grain-fee, reduced fat, limited ingredients, exotic protein, and so on.
Fear not Ive got the answer!
Were here to simplify matters with our unbiased guides to the best and worst pet food brands out there. You just sit back, take it all in, and then decide whats right for you and your dog.
Heres our look at Wellness Dog Food reviews, ingredient quality, recall history, company info and more.
At a Glance: 3 Formulas Featuring Heavily in our Wellness Dog Food Review
Note: The links above take you to more information, current prices and customer reviews on Chewy.
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Why Homemade Instead Of Purchased Dog Food
Myths and misconceptions abound on the Internet regarding homemade dog food. Also, there are a myriad of conflicting nutritional recommendations ranging from the 30-70% carbs found in commercial dog food to raw frozen foods that contains no carbs. Some owners feed raw meat and bones and say their dogs thrive.
However, many raw materials that are unfit for humans are legal for dog food. These may include spoiled supermarket food, slaughter house waste such as organs, heads, hooves, beaks, feet and other appalling ingredients. Ingredients often have vague names such as animal by-product meal and meat by-product meal. Read the article, The Shocking Truth About Commercial Dog Food by Dog Food Advisor. It will convince you that making homemade food is a safer alternative to much of the commercial food.
Before commercial dog food, dogs ate table scraps real food. During the Great Depression dog food companies marketed their products as an economical alternative. To boost their market, dog food companies advertised that their food was required for good health. Table scraps and real food suddenly became harmful. Pet food companies stepped up the onslaught and began using veterinarians to endorse their products.
Before You Start Cooking: Homemade Dog Food Needs To Be Balanced
Your homemade meal must contain protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Puppies require about 25 percent protein in their meals, while 18 percent is sufficient for adults. However, protein needs change according to your dogs age and vary according to breed, so check with your vet regarding the right amount for your dog. You might have noticed that commercial dog foods often dont list the percentage of carbohydrates. Thats because the proper percentage of carbs in the dogs diet is still not set in stone by the veterinary community and regulators. If youre making Fidos meals yourself, you have the freedom to purchase the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. Make sure you weigh your dog frequently to verify he stays a healthy weight. Take your dog to the vet before starting the homemade diet so your vet can determine Fidos ideal weight.
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Wellness Dog Food Recall History
May 2012
15lb, 30lb, and 5kg bags of Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy with a Best By date of Jan. 9-11, 2013, were recalled due to the possibility of salmonella. All batches were tested for salmonella before shipping and tested negative.
However, the food was made at a third-party facility linked to a salmonella contamination. Wellness issued a voluntary recall of the pet food as a precaution and has since stopped having food produced at that facility.
12lb bags of Wellness Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food with a Best By date of Aug. 18, 2013, were recalled due to a possible moisture contamination. The issue appeared to pose no risk to dogs, but may have caused the batch to go moldy prematurely. Wellness offered replacement bags to anyone who bought from this production run.
But should you be concerned?
Both of these recalls appear to be minor incidents and were well handled by Wellpet. Neither incident should be any cause for concern to a potential buyer.