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Summary
Nutrition
Recipe
Protein
Verdict
1/3
Wellness
CORE Small Breed
Dog
Dry
Rating
★★★★☆
4.5 / 5
Protein Clarity
High
Animal Protein
High
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Legumes
Poultry
Fish
Free From:
Gluten grains
Grains (gluten-free)
Dairy
Egg
Nuts
Red meat
Shellfish
Unknown Meal
Pros
Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Cons
Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.
Is Wellness CORE Small Breed dry dog food good?
Wellness CORE Small Breed is a dry dog food rated 4.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. However, most minerals are supplied in inorganic forms that may be less well absorbed. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
Nutrition Breakdown
Dry Matter
As Fed
Protein
40%
Fat
19%
Est. Carbs
28%
Fiber
5.6%
Ash
7.8%
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
Tips
Protein is Super High (40% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This can fit very active, working, or growing dogs, but dogs with kidney disease or other medical conditions need vet-guided diet targets.
References
Fat is High (19% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It can support calorie needs for active or growing dogs, but portion control and pancreatitis history deserve extra attention.
References
Ingredients Analysis
54 of 54 matched
Prefer
6
Concerned
5
Notice
0
1
Deboned Turkey
2
Turkey Meal
3
Chicken Meal
4
Peas
5
Lentils
6
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
7
Pea Fiber
8
Flaxseed
9
Dried Ground Potatoes
10
Chicken Fat
11
Natural Flavor
12
Dried Chicory Root
13
Salmon Oil
14
Vitamin E Supplement
15
Taurine
16
Choline Chloride
17
Spinach
18
Broccoli
19
Carrots
20
Parsley
21
Apples
22
Blueberries
23
Kale
24
L-carnitine
25
Spearmint
26
Mixed Tocopherols
27
Niacin
28
Zinc Proteinate
29
Ferrous Sulfate
30
Zinc Sulfate
31
Iron Proteinate
32
Vitamin A Supplement
33
Thiamine Mononitrate
34
D-calcium Pantothenate
35
Sodium Selenite
36
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
37
Copper Sulfate
38
Manganese Sulfate
39
Riboflavin
40
Manganese Proteinate
41
Copper Proteinate
42
Biotin
43
Vitamin D3 Supplement
44
Yucca Schidigera Extract
45
Vitamin B12 Supplement
46
Folic Acid
47
Calcium Iodate
48
Ascorbic Acid
49
Dried Enterococcus Faceium Fermentation Product
50
Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product
51
Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product
52
Rosemary Extract
53
Green Tea Extract
54
Spearmint Extract
Tips
Named animal proteins near the top: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal are listed early in the ingredient panel.
Plant protein signal: Peas, Lentils may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
Ingredients worth checking: Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pea Fiber, Dried Ground Potatoes.
Higher-caution ingredients: Kale have caution notes in the ingredient database.
Possible digestion triggers: Peas, Lentils, Pea Fiber, and 1 more have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High
High
Named
100%
Strong clarity: 100% of Wellness CORE Small Breed's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 0% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Deboned Turkey
Turkey Meal
Chicken Meal
Animal Protein
High
High
Animal
86%
Plant
14%
Meat-forward: 86% of the weighted protein in Wellness CORE Small Breed comes from animal sources. Plant signals are modest (14% whole plants, 0% plant concentrates), so the protein profile leans on real meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Deboned Turkey
Turkey Meal
Chicken Meal
Plant
Peas
Lentils
Wellness CORE Small Breed dry dog food Review
Wellness CORE Small Breed is a strong choice — rated 4.5 stars with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. A confident pick when the ingredient panel matches your pet's needs.
Best for
Owners who want clearly named protein sources
Pets avoiding gluten grains
Pets that thrive on muscle-meat protein
Avoid if
You're avoiding legumes
Key takeaways
Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
Contains common allergens: Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
On a dry-matter basis: 40% protein, 19% fat, 28% estimated carbohydrates.
86% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wellness CORE Small Breed good for dogs?
Yes — rated 4.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content.
Does Wellness CORE Small Breed contain Dairy?
Does Wellness CORE Small Breed contain Egg?
Does Wellness CORE Small Breed contain Legumes?
Does Wellness CORE Small Breed contain Nuts?
Is Wellness CORE Small Breed grain-free?
What are the main protein sources in Wellness CORE Small Breed?
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