Wellness core original formula review – yay or nay?

Video: Source Naturals Wellness Formula Product Review

If you know dry dog food well, then you definitely known Wellness, the most popular dog food brand in America. In this Wellness Core Original Formula review we’re going to take an objective look at the pros and cons of the product so that you can decide for yourself whether you should buy it or not.

Natural holistic dog food is becoming more popular among dog owners as they begin to realize how it can positively affect their pet’s health, quality of life and even prolong their lifespan. If you’re new to this, Wellness brands could be the best way to start and continue from there.

As always, please remember: you owe it to your dog to read the reviews of experienced customers on Amazon and elsewhere before making the purchase.

Dog food manufacturer: WellPet

WellPet LLC was formed in 2008 from a combination of Old Mother Hubbard and Eagle Pack Pet Foods companies. The company is mostly famous for their popular Wellness® and CORE® trademarked brands, which focus on holistic natural pet food.

“Like you, we know that our pets provide us unconditional love, and providing uncompromising nutrition is one way we can do the same for them.” – Wellness

While their products aren’t organic, they are producing natural dog food (two different things). All of their pet foods always come with no artificial stuff and no fillers. Please also note that in the past, the company has been sued for “lying about their human-grade ingredients” and the case was dismissed by the court with prejudice, which means the party filing the lawsuit carried it with misconduct and would not be allowed to file the suit again.

Key Benefits of Wellness CORE Original Formula Food

• One of the most popular and best reviewed dog food products on Amazon!
• 100% grain-free and gluten-free- very high protein content.
• No by-products, wheat, soy or corn.
• Includes antioxidants, probiotics, Omega fatty acids and glucosamine.
• No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
• Nutrient rich ingredients like kale, broccoli and more.
• Optimal fat and calorie content, best for healthy dogs over 1 year old.

Full Wellness CORE Original Formula Review

Wellness CORE pet foods are based around the philosophy that pets thrive on diets that are made up mainly of meat. Each of their different formulas are packed with a high concentration of top-quality animal protein.

This item in particular has no grains or added fillers and it’s made with a superior blend of nutritional supplements and botanicals. Wellness Core Original formula dry dog food is completely grain-free and is an ideal blend for maintaining the best daily health in canines that are older than one year.

CORE Original Formula offers 54 percent more protein than Wellness’ Super5Mix Complete Health Recipes (another popular product of theirs). It has been specially formulated for healthy dogs and contains ideal fat and calorie levels and is absolutely perfect for everyday feeding.

Just as all other items from Wellness shelf, this one also carries a label of “natural dog food” because Original is packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like spinach, parsley, kale, and broccoli, and contains no meat by-products, corn, soy, wheat, or artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

In addition, it also contains de-boned chicken and turkey, turkey and chicken meal, apples, spinach, potatoes, chicken liver, and tomato pomace along with other ingredients, all of which are beneficial for a healthy dog (you can find a full list of ingredients below).

Wellness Core Original Formula is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and protein, and contains 80 percent more meat than traditional dog foods. The grain-free concept aids your canine in weight management and the potatoes help provide your dog with energy and keep the kibbles firm.

Pros of Wellness Core Grain Free Formula

Premium quality ingredients equals great health benefits. This dog food more closely resembles the natural diet of carnivorous animals, so your dog’s stomach is filled with the things it needs and not the grains and fillers in other products. This dry dog food provides a lower carbohydrate diet, which promotes healthier weight, a reduced incidence of diabetes, and is just plain better for digestion.

Positive impact on dog’s coat. Because of the higher levels of fats and amino acids in Wellness CORE Original Formula, you will notice a positive change to your dog’s coat and skin. This dog food has been known to decrease shedding as well as leave dogs’ coats shinier and softer.

Perfect for allergic dogs. Some of the most common allergy issues in dogs are associated with grain based diets. Allergies can manifest in strange ways including ear infections and respiratory problems. Grain free food has been known to ease digestive problems as well as help with skin and other allergies in dogs.

Cheaper and not as fattening in the long run. Aside from direct health benefits, Wellness CORE Original dog food is full of more nutritional ingredients than other traditional dog foods you can get in Costco or other shops, so you only need to feed your dog about half the amount of food as you would a food with those that include grains and fillers. Your dog will also get all the good stuff without the massive amounts of calories.

Although the food is a little more expensive to buy, you use less of it, which ends up saving you money in many cases. Also, less food consumption leads to less stool volume, which is a huge benefit to many dog owners. Likewise, many dog owners struggle with dog flatulence. Because this food brand aids in digestion and is made with quality ingredients, it will actually decrease your dog’s flatulence.

Cons of Wellness Core Grain Free Formula

Price. As mentioned above, most of what comes out with Wellness logo will cost you more than a regular dog food at your local supermarket. However, aside from the benefits you get from premium quality brand, you should consider that their competitors of natural dog foods like Taste of the Wild and others are holding similar prices – sometimes slightly higher, sometimes slightly lower.

NOT poultry-free. Even though you will see this dog food advertised as poultry-free (not sure what’s going on there), it does indeed contain poultry, such as turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal. All of these are listed directly on the bag. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s bad, but you should research and/or consult with the vet whether your dog can or should consume poultry.

Amazon customers’ rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

At the time of this writing, Wellness CORE Original Formula is the #3rd most popular item in Amazon’s dry dog food category. There are currently 14 answered questions by customers who bought the product and 306 customer reviews.

Here are top 3 voted most helpful reviews:

“I really like this dog food” (read the full Amazon review): “I really like this dog food. I had a lab before and this was one food that she tolerated as she aged and gained weight. Now my GSP 1 year old just moved to this food and I couldnt be happier. Her sisters and mom have a much different coat….and I think it is because we are feeding her good food! Clear eyes, and she likes the food. Will continue to purchase. Subscribe and save makes this a good price!..” 4 out of 5

“Great food at a decent price” (read the full Amazon review): “Have been feeding my West Highland Terrier Core for a few years now. The food seems to be of the highest quality. My parents switched their American Bull Terrier mix to core and have stated their dog has more…” 5 out of 5

“Taste my dogs love and it keeps her happy and shiny” (read the full Amazon review): “While I can’t answer for its taste my dog loves it and it keeps her happy and shiny. We have been feeding her this for 2 years and have not wanted to change…” 5 out of 5

Nutrition of Wellness CORE Original Formula

The whole line of Wellness Core products meet AAFCO nutrient profiles, according to the manufacturer and Dog Food Advisor.

Calories: 3,660 per kilogram or 421 kcal per cup. For dogs that are over 115 lbs, please add 1/4 of a cup per every additional 10 lbs.

Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato Pomace, Chicken Liver, Natural Chicken Flavor, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Biotin, Folic Acid], Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate], Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Taurine, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract.

Guaranteed analysis:

All Wellness dog foods are naturally preserved products.

Feeding guidelines

Remember that every pet is a little different, therefore, optimal feeding amounts will vary with their age, size, activity level, breed and the environment they are in.

Always divide the total number of cups per day by the number of times you feed your canine. Please use the information below that has been provided directly by the manufacturer as an initial recommendation only and adjust as needed.

Directly from the manufacturer: “This food is formulated for adult, non-reproducing dogs over one year old as puppies and pregnant or nursing mothers have special nutritional requirements. It is important to slowly transition your dog from his/her current diet as it takes a few days for the body to adapt to new nutrient levels. To transition, gradually mix in the new food over a 5-7 day period, increasing the amount of Wellness each day, so that you are feeding 100% Wellness® CORE® by day 7.”

So is it worth it?

We believe that Wellness CORE Original Formula is definitely one of the best options in terms of natural dry dog food available online. But remember, if you’re looking for organic dog food – this isn’t it.

Dog owners report their pets being significantly more energetic. From a dog’s health stand point, Wellness products are one of those who actually seem to put the necessary effort into providing the quality ingredients, which is why the company earned dog owners’ respect.

The problem, however, is that it’s not the cheapest grain-free dog food on the market. It retails for about $65 for a 26-pound bag in regular brick-and-mortar pet stores, and around $55 on Amazon. But like the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

This is a top-quality product with plenty of health benefits. Many cheaper kinds of dog food do not offer half of the good stuff that Wellness CORE Original Formula does. So if you’re a dog owner who’s concerned about what is best for your canine rather than the price of it, you should be satisfied with Core Formula as well as most other Wellness’ products.

Because of the top quality ingredients, the taste of this dog food is more appealing than that of foods made primarily with grains and fillers. Even the pickiest of eaters should enjoy it. As dog owners, we spend a lot of time searching for products to make our dogs happier and healthier, and Wellness CORE Original Formula dry dog food is one of those better choices for dogs and owners alike.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from your purchase. Read more here.

Reviews & Comments