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Summary
Nutrition
Recipe
Protein
Verdict
Wellness
CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken)
Dog
Dry
Rating
★★★★★
5.0 / 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 Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) dry dog food good?
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) is a dry dog food rated 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
18%
Est. Carbs
28%
Fiber
6.1%
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 (18% 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
52 of 52 matched
Prefer
6
Concerned
5
Notice
0
1
Deboned Chicken
2
Chicken Meal
3
Turkey Meal
4
Potatoes
5
Lentils
6
Peas
7
Chicken Fat
8
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
9
Flaxseed
10
Salmon Oil
11
Natural Flavor
12
Salt
13
Dried Chicory Root
14
Taurine
15
Vitamin E Supplement
16
Choline Chloride
17
Spinach
18
Broccoli
19
Carrots
20
Parsley
21
Apples
22
Blueberries
23
Kale
24
Mixed Tocopherols
25
Niacin
26
Zinc Proteinate
27
Zinc Sulfate
28
Ferrous Sulfate
29
Iron Proteinate
30
Vitamin A Supplement
31
Thiamine Mononitrate
32
Copper Sulfate
33
D-calcium Pantothenate
34
Copper Proteinate
35
Sodium Selenite
36
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
37
Manganese Sulfate
38
Riboflavin
39
Manganese Proteinate
40
Biotin
41
Vitamin D3 Supplement
42
Yucca Schidigera Extract
43
Vitamin B12 Supplement
44
Calcium Iodate
45
Folic Acid
46
Lactic Acid
47
Dried Enterococcus Faceium Fermentation Product
48
Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product
49
Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product
50
Rosemary Extract
51
Green Tea Extract
52
Spearmint Extract
Tips
Named animal proteins near the top: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal are listed early in the ingredient panel.
Plant protein signal: Lentils, Peas may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
Ingredients worth checking: Potatoes, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor.
Higher-caution ingredients: Kale have caution notes in the ingredient database.
Possible digestion triggers: Lentils, Peas, Kale 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 Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken)'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 Chicken
Chicken Meal
Turkey Meal
Animal Protein
High
High
Animal
89%
Plant
11%
Meat-forward: 89% of the weighted protein in Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) comes from animal sources. Plant signals are modest (11% whole plants, 0% plant concentrates), so the protein profile leans on real meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Deboned Chicken
Chicken Meal
Turkey Meal
Plant
Lentils
Peas
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) dry dog food Review
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) is a strong choice — rated 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, 18% fat, 28% estimated carbohydrates.
89% 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 Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) good for dogs?
Yes — rated 5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content.
Does Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) contain Dairy?
Does Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) contain Egg?
Does Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) contain Legumes?
Does Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) contain Nuts?
Is Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken) grain-free?
What are the main protein sources in Wellness CORE Grain-Free Puppy (Fresh Chicken)?
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