Wellness Pet Food CORE+ Grain Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken
Dry Extruded · complete
Our verdict
Is Wellness Pet Food CORE+ Grain Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 50/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists turkey
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (54)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- supplement 44.3%
- veg 28.9%
- meat 11.8%
- oil 4.5%
- additive 4.1%
- carb 2.4%
- fibre 2.3%
- mineral 1.8%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deboned Turkey | Turkey | meat · medium | - | 2.5 |
| 2 | Turkey Meal | Dehydrated turkey protein | meat · good | - | 2.4 |
| 3 | Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate) | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | - | 2.4 |
| 4 | Dried Ground Potatoes | Potatoes | carb · medium | - | 2.4 |
| 5 | Lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 2.4 |
| 6 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 7 | Chicken Fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 2.3 |
| 8 | Dried Plain Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 2.3 |
| 9 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 10 | Turkey Liver | Turkey liver | meat · good | - | 2.2 |
| 11 | Turkey Hearts | Poultry Heart | meat · good | - | 2.2 |
| 12 | Natural Flavor | Flavor | additive · poor | - | 2.2 |
| 13 | Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 2.2 |
| 14 | Dried Chicory Root | Chicory root | veg · good | - | 2.2 |
| 15 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 16 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 17 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 18 | Spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 2.1 |
| 19 | Broccoli | Broccoli | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 20 | Carrots | Carrots | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 21 | Parsley | Parsley | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 22 | Apples | Apples | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 23 | Blueberries | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 24 | Kale | Kale | veg · good | - | 1.9 |
| 25 | Spearmint | Spearmint | veg · good | - | 1.9 |
| 26 | Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness | Tocopherols | additive · good | - | 1.9 |
| 27 | Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Vitamin B complex | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
| 28 | Zinc Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 29 | Ferrous Sulfate | Iron sulfate | supplement · good | - | 1.8 |
| 30 | Zinc Sulfate | Zinc sulfate | supplement · medium | - | 1.8 |
| 31 | Iron Proteinate | Iron Proteinate | mineral · good | - | 1.8 |
| 32 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 33 | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate) | Vitamin B complex | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 34 | d-Calcium Pantothenate | Calcium pantothenate | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 35 | Sodium Selenite | Sodium selenite | supplement · poor | - | 1.7 |
| 36 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement · good | - | 1.7 |
| 37 | Copper Sulfate | Copper sulphate | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 38 | Manganese Sulfate | Manganese sulfate | supplement · medium | - | 1.6 |
| 39 | Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Vitamin B complex | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 40 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.6 |
| 41 | Copper Proteinate | Copper proteinate | supplement · good | - | 1.5 |
| 42 | Biotin | Biotin | supplement · good | - | 1.5 |
| 43 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement · good | - | 1.5 |
| 44 | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 1.5 |
| 45 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement · good | - | 1.5 |
| 46 | Folic Acid | Folic acid | supplement · good | - | 1.4 |
| 47 | Calcium Iodate | Calcium iodate | supplement · medium | - | 1.4 |
| 48 | Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Vitamin C | supplement · good | - | 1.4 |
| 49 | Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product | Enterococcus Faecium | supplement · good | - | 1.4 |
| 50 | Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product | Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 1.3 |
| 51 | Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product | Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product | supplement · good | - | 1.3 |
| 52 | Rosemary Extract | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 1.3 |
| 53 | Green Tea Extract | Green Tea | veg · good | - | 1.3 |
| 54 | Spearmint Extract | Spearmint | veg · good | - | 1.2 |
- 1. Deboned Turkey2.5% estimated
- 2. Turkey Meal2.4% estimated
- 3. Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate)2.4% estimated
- 4. Dried Ground Potatoes2.4% estimated
- 5. Lentils2.4% estimated
- 6. Peas2.3% estimated
- 7. Chicken Fat2.3% estimated
- 8. Dried Plain Beet Pulp2.3% estimated
- 9. Flaxseed2.3% estimated
- 10. Turkey Liver2.2% estimated
- 11. Turkey Hearts2.2% estimated
- 12. Natural Flavor2.2% estimated
- 13. Salmon Oil2.2% estimated
- 14. Dried Chicory Root2.2% estimated
- 15. Choline Chloride2.1% estimated
- 16. Taurine2.1% estimated
- 17. Vitamin E Supplement2.1% estimated
- 18. Spinach2.1% estimated
- 19. Broccoli2.0% estimated
- 20. Carrots2.0% estimated
- 21. Parsley2.0% estimated
- 22. Apples2.0% estimated
- 23. Blueberries2.0% estimated
- 24. Kale1.9% estimated
- 25. Spearmint1.9% estimated
- 26. Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness1.9% estimated
- 27. Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.9% estimated
- 28. Zinc Proteinate1.8% estimated
- 29. Ferrous Sulfate1.8% estimated
- 30. Zinc Sulfate1.8% estimated
- 31. Iron Proteinate1.8% estimated
- 32. Vitamin A Supplement1.7% estimated
- 33. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate)1.7% estimated
- 34. d-Calcium Pantothenate1.7% estimated
- 35. Sodium Selenite1.7% estimated
- 36. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride1.7% estimated
- 37. Copper Sulfate1.6% estimated
- 38. Manganese Sulfate1.6% estimated
- 39. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)1.6% estimated
- 40. Manganese Proteinate1.6% estimated
- 41. Copper Proteinate1.5% estimated
- 42. Biotin1.5% estimated
- 43. Vitamin D3 Supplement1.5% estimated
- 44. Yucca Schidigera Extract1.5% estimated
- 45. Vitamin B12 Supplement1.5% estimated
- 46. Folic Acid1.4% estimated
- 47. Calcium Iodate1.4% estimated
- 48. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)1.4% estimated
- 49. Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product1.4% estimated
- 50. Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product1.3% estimated
- 51. Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product1.3% estimated
- 52. Rosemary Extract1.3% estimated
- 53. Green Tea Extract1.3% estimated
- 54. Spearmint Extract1.2% estimated
Nutrition and feedingProtein 37% · Fat 15%
Declared analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Fibre | 5% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.50% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3% |
| Calcium | 1.50% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Additives & feeding info
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Zinc 100 mg/kg; Vitamin A 25,000 IU/kg; Vitamin E 400 IU/kg; Thiamine 5.00 mg/kg; Riboflavin 7.50 mg/kg; Niacin 50.0 mg/kg; Biotin 0.10 mg/kg; Taurine 0.20%; Glucosamine 1,200 mg/kg; Chondroitin Sulfate 700 mg/kg; Enterococcus faecium; Bacillus licheniformis; Bacillus subtilis
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-14
Brand and contact: Wellness Pet Food
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 1-800-225-0904
- Address
- Wellness Pet, 77 South Bedford Street, Suite 500, Burlington, MA 01803-5220, USA
- Contact page
- www.wellnesspetfood.com
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.wellnesspetfood.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: 2.6/5 · 14 reviews
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 50 out of 100 based on several key factors. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.7 points. Additionally, the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7, and being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.71 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 3.1% | -0.115 | -0.36 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 6.5% | -0.092 | -0.60 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.1% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.3% | 0.163 | +0.87 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 59.2% | -0.012 | -0.72 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.9% | -0.065 | -0.25 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.2% | 0.060 | +0.13 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -4.91 | 0.222 | -1.09 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.71 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 3.1% | -0.115 | -0.36 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 6.5% | -0.092 | -0.60 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 11.1% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.3% | 0.163 | +0.87 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 59.2% | -0.012 | -0.72 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.9% | -0.065 | -0.25 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.2% | 0.060 | +0.13 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -4.91 | 0.222 | -1.09 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 49.8
- Final score
- 50/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 37 | 40.9 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 15 | 16.6 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 5 | 5.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.5 | 1.7 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.5 | 1.5 (band 1 to 2%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 13 nutritional additives on the label
- Zinc 100 mg/kg
- Vitamin A 25,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin E 400 IU/kg
- Thiamine 5.00 mg/kg
- Riboflavin 7.50 mg/kg
- Niacin 50.0 mg/kg
- Biotin 0.10 mg/kg
- Taurine 0.20%
- Glucosamine 1,200 mg/kg
- Chondroitin Sulfate 700 mg/kg
- Enterococcus faecium
- Bacillus licheniformis
- Bacillus subtilis
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
Claims on file; none we can check against the label
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| At their core, your dog instinctively craves raw animal protein (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| CORE+ recipes give your dog the pure protein, natural enzymes and full flavor they need to thrive (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Contains a source of live (viable) naturally occurring microorganisms (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| thoughtfully prepare our CORE+ kibble and freeze dried bites to keep the ingredients in their purest form (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Alternatives to CORE+ Grain Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken
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