Choosing the right food for your feline companion is a crucial decision for any cat owner. With a plethora of options available, it’s essential to navigate through the marketing claims and ingredient lists to find a food that truly supports your cat’s health and well-being. Wellness Cat Food has emerged as a popular brand, promising premium nutrition and high-quality ingredients. But does it live up to the hype?
In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into Wellness cat food, examining its product range, ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, customer experience, and more. We’ll provide an unbiased assessment to help you determine if Wellness is the right choice for your beloved cat.
The Cats.com Standard: Evaluating Wellness Cat Food
At Cats.com, we employ a rigorous standard to evaluate cat food brands, focusing on six key criteria that are vital for feline health and well-being. Here’s how Wellness cat food measures up against our benchmarks:
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Our Ratings for Wellness Cat Food:
- Species-Appropriateness: 8/10
- Ingredient Quality: 8/10
- Product Variety: 10/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 6/10
Overall Score: 8/10
Wellness cat food earns an overall score of 8 out of 10, which translates to a B- grade. This positions Wellness as a commendable brand, offering above-average quality cat food options.
Why Trust Cats.com’s Review?
Our review is built upon extensive research and hands-on testing to provide you with reliable and trustworthy information. Our evaluation process for Wellness cat food included:
- In-depth Brand Research: We investigated Wellness’s history, manufacturing practices, ingredient sourcing, and recall history.
- Product Analysis: We scrutinized ingredient lists, guaranteed analysis, and dry matter basis of various Wellness cat food recipes.
- Palatability Testing: Our team of feline testers sampled Wellness wet and dry food formulas to assess palatability and acceptance.
- Independent Lab Testing: We submitted Wellness CORE wet food to a certified food chemistry lab for nutrient analysis, microbial content, and heavy metal testing. This ensures that the food meets its nutritional claims and safety standards.
This multi-faceted approach ensures that our review is thorough, unbiased, and focused on providing cat owners with the information they need to make informed decisions about their cat’s diet. All products tested were purchased at full retail price, and our testing process is funded entirely by Cats.com, maintaining our independence and objectivity.
A Closer Look at Wellness: Brand History and Philosophy
Wellness Pet Food emerged in 1997 as part of WellPet LLC, a company with a long history in pet food manufacturing dating back to 1926 with Old Mother Hubbard Dog Treats. The merger of Old Mother Hubbard and Eagle Pack led to the formation of WellPet, LLC. Today, Wellness operates as a subsidiary of Berwind Corporation, a private investment management firm, and is headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Wellness’s commitment to quality is evident in their investment in manufacturing facilities. In 2012, they expanded their Mishawaka, Indiana plant, adding 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 100,000 square feet of warehouse space.
Beyond business, Wellness demonstrates a commitment to animal welfare through the Wellness Foundation, established in 2019. This non-profit organization focuses on providing meals to pets in need, reflecting the company’s broader mission of delivering safe, healthy, and high-quality nutrition for pets.
Wellness Cat Food: Sourcing and Manufacturing Transparency
Wellness emphasizes quality control and transparency in their sourcing and manufacturing processes. The majority of their cat food is produced in their Mishawaka, Indiana facility. However, certain product lines, including Wellness Signature Selects, Divine Duos, and all wet foods in pouches, are manufactured in Thailand.
Wellness Cat Food product range showcasing their commitment to diverse nutritional options for feline wellness.
According to their website, Wellness partners with “respectable ingredient suppliers” and adheres to strict manufacturing protocols to ensure the quality and safety of their products. They claim to exceed the food safety standards set by the FDA and AAFCO, incorporating rigorous testing for mold toxins, heavy metals, and pathogens. Detailed information about their testing guidelines is publicly available on the Wellness website, reinforcing their commitment to transparency and quality assurance.
Wellness Cat Food Recall History: A Point of Consideration
While Wellness generally maintains a strong reputation, it’s important to acknowledge their recall history. Since 1997, Wellness has issued several recalls, which potential consumers should be aware of:
- 2017 (February): A precautionary recall of several canned cat food varieties due to potential metal contamination from a third-party manufacturing facility.
- 2017 (March): Recall of a single dog food variety due to potentially elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.
- 2012 (May): Recall of dry dog food due to possible salmonella contamination.
- 2012 (October): Recall of a single dry dog food variety because of excessive moisture content, raising concerns about potential mold growth.
- 2011 (February): A significant recall of 21.6 million cans of Wellness canned cat food due to insufficient levels of thiamine.
While these recalls are noteworthy, it’s also important to consider the context. Many recalls were precautionary and initiated by the company itself to ensure pet safety. However, the 2011 recall for thiamine deficiency, a critical nutrient for cats, is a more serious event. A brand’s recall history is a crucial factor for pet owners to consider when choosing a cat food.
Exploring the Range of Wellness Cat Food Options
Wellness Cat Food offers two primary product lines: CORE and Complete Health, catering to different dietary philosophies and feline needs. All Wellness foods are formulated with whole foods and are free from wheat, corn, soy, and artificial additives.
Wellness CORE: This line emphasizes protein-rich, grain-free nutrition, designed to align with a cat’s carnivorous dietary needs. The CORE range includes:
- Dry Food: Limited to seven options, including original recipes, air-dried food, and RawRev formulas with freeze-dried meat pieces.
- Wet Food: A diverse selection featuring pates, Hearty Cuts (high animal protein), Signature Selects, Divine Duos, and Simply Shreds snacks.
Wellness Complete Health: This line offers balanced nutrition with both grain-free and grain-inclusive options, targeting everyday health and specific life stages or lifestyles. The Complete Health line includes formulas for kittens, indoor cats, and weight management.
- Dry Food: Grain-free and grain-inclusive kibble options tailored for different life stages and health needs.
- Wet Food: A wide array of textures and formats, including pates, gravies, minced, sliced, morsels, and Healthy Indulgence recipes.
- Treats & Toppers: Wellness Kittles treats and Bowl Boosters to enhance meals.
This extensive product variety demonstrates Wellness’s commitment to providing options for diverse feline preferences and nutritional requirements.
Palatability Assessment: What Did Our Test Cats Think of Wellness?
A feline tester enthusiastically enjoying Wellness Chicken Entree Smooth Loaf Pate, indicating high palatability.
Our feline testers provided valuable insights into the palatability of Wellness cat food. Overall, Wellness cat food, particularly the CORE line, received positive feedback from our test cats. The high-protein, animal-ingredient-focused formulas were generally well-accepted. The Complete Health line also proved palatable, especially the canned food recipes.
While palatability is subjective and can vary from cat to cat, our testing suggests that Wellness cat food is appealing to most felines. This is a significant factor for cat owners, as even the most nutritious food is useless if a cat refuses to eat it.
Wellness Cat Food: Top 4 Recipes Reviewed in Detail
To provide a deeper understanding of Wellness cat food quality, we’ve reviewed four popular recipes in detail:
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.47 per oz | B+ |
| Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree in Broth Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.68 per oz | B+ |
| Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food | Dry | $6.15 per lb | C |
| Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Food | Wet | $0.6 per oz | B+ |
#1 Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
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This popular recipe is a meat-centric, grain-free canned food featuring chicken, chicken liver, and turkey as primary protein sources. Customers describe the pate texture as similar to “ground meat,” which is appealing to many cats.
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree showcasing its smooth, palatable texture.
Close-up view of Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree, highlighting its meat-rich composition.
Packaging of Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree, emphasizing its grain-free and health-focused formula.
Besides meat ingredients, it includes carrots and cranberries, along with gums (cassia, guar, xanthan) as thickeners. The nutrient profile is high in protein from animal sources, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates, providing 34 calories per ounce or 101 calories per 3 oz can.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Carrots
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 10.5%, Crude Fat: 7%, Crude Fiber: 1%, Moisture: 78%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 47.73%, Fat: 31.82%, Fiber: 4.55%, Carbs: 15.91%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 33.87%, Fat: 54.84%, Carbs: 11.29%
Pros:
- Rich in animal-based protein.
- High moisture content supports hydration.
- Free from artificial additives.
- Low in carbohydrates and plant content.
- Generally palatable to cats.
Cons:
- Contains carrots and cranberries, which are not essential for cats.
#2 Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree in Broth Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
This fish-based recipe features tuna, mackerel, and salmon in broth. While fish can be palatable to cats, it’s important to note the potential for heavy metal and toxin contamination in fish-based diets.
Wellness CORE Signature Selects Tuna & Salmon Entree showcasing its flaked fish and broth consistency.
Close-up view of Wellness CORE Signature Selects Tuna & Salmon Entree, highlighting the fish flakes in broth.
Packaging of Wellness CORE Signature Selects Tuna & Salmon Entree, emphasizing its high-quality fish ingredients.
Despite being labeled “flaked,” some customers found the texture more like a stew or “fancy gravy.” The broth is thickened with tapioca starch and guar gum, and sunflower oil is added. This recipe is relatively low in calories, with 25 calories per ounce or 70 calories per 2.8 oz can.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna, Mackerel, Salmon
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch, Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 10%, Crude Fat: 3.5%, Crude Fiber: 1%, Moisture: 85%, Ash: 2%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 66.67%, Fat: 23.33%, Fiber: 6.67%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 54.05%, Fat: 45.95%
Pros:
- Primarily animal protein sources.
- No artificial ingredients.
- Cats generally enjoy the flavor.
Cons:
- Inconsistent texture according to customer reviews.
#3 Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food
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This dry food recipe is marketed for indoor cats and emphasizes protein-rich, grain-free nutrition. Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the primary protein sources.
Wellness CORE Indoor Dry Cat Food kibble, showcasing its grain-free and protein-focused composition.
Close-up view of Wellness CORE Indoor Dry Cat Food kibble, highlighting its texture and size.
Packaging of Wellness CORE Indoor Dry Cat Food, emphasizing its grain-free and indoor cat formula.
While it contains more meat than typical dry foods, it also includes peas, potatoes, and potato protein. Like many indoor cat formulas, it’s high in fiber from tomato pomace, pea fiber, and flaxseed. The carbohydrate content is relatively high for a “grain-free” food, with 445 calories per cup.
Ingredients We Liked: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Fat
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Peas, Potatoes
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 38%, Crude Fat: 12%, Crude Fiber: 5%, Moisture: 10%, Ash: 8.31%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 42.22%, Fat: 13.33%, Fiber: 5.56%, Carbs: 29.66%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 40.5%, Fat: 31.06%, Carbs: 28.44%
Pros:
- Primarily animal protein sources.
- Free from artificial ingredients.
- Cats generally find it palatable.
Cons:
- High carbohydrate content for a cat food.
- Dry food inherently lacks the moisture cats need.
#4 Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Food
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This kitten-specific formula is meat-based and packed with animal-derived ingredients, including turkey, chicken liver, chicken meat, and chicken meal.
Wellness CORE Kitten Food Pate, showcasing its smooth texture ideal for kittens.
Close-up view of Wellness CORE Kitten Food Pate, highlighting its nutrient-dense composition.
Packaging of Wellness CORE Kitten Food Pate, emphasizing its kitten-specific nutritional needs.
Chicken meal, often misunderstood, is a concentrated protein source beneficial for growing kittens. The inclusion of herring and menhaden fish oil provides DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain and eye development. While grain-free, it contains small amounts of plant ingredients like flaxseed, kelp, and chicory root extract, the latter acting as a prebiotic. Each 3 oz can contains 108 calories.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Herring, Menhaden Fish Oil
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein: 12%, Crude Fat: 6%, Crude Fiber: 1%, Moisture: 78%
Dry Matter Basis:
Protein: 54.55%, Fat: 27.27%, Fiber: 4.55%, Carbs: 13.64%
Caloric Weight Basis:
Protein: 40.58%, Fat: 49.28%, Carbs: 10.14%
What We Liked:
- High protein content, ideal for kittens.
- Soft pate texture suitable for kittens.
- Calorie-dense for growth and development.
- Moisture-rich for hydration.
- DHA from fish oil for brain and eye development.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Slightly higher price point compared to some kitten foods.
- Contains some plant ingredients.
Customer Sentiment: What Cat Owners Are Saying About Wellness Cat Food
Wellness cat food generally enjoys positive customer reviews online. Many cat owners praise the high-quality ingredients and the positive impact on their cats’ health and well-being.
The Wellness Complete Health pate recipe, for example, holds a 4.3-star rating out of 5 on Chewy, with 90% of reviewers recommending it.
Positive Feedback Highlights:
- High-Quality Ingredients: Customers appreciate the meat-centric recipes and absence of fillers and artificial additives.
- Palatability: Many cats readily consume Wellness food.
- Health Benefits: Owners report improved coat quality, energy levels, and digestion in their cats.
Negative Feedback Points:
- Formula Changes (Perceived): Some recent negative reviews mention cats refusing food they previously enjoyed, suggesting potential formula changes, although no official changes have been confirmed.
- Digestive Issues: A small number of reviews mention loose stools or increased odor in cat feces.
- Fish-Based Concerns: Some customers express concern about fish-based recipes due to potential heavy metal contamination.
Overall, customer reviews for Wellness cat food are predominantly positive, reflecting general satisfaction with the brand’s quality and effectiveness.
Wellness Cat Food: Cost Considerations
Wellness cat food prices vary depending on the product line and format. Wet food options generally range from around $0.50 to $0.70 per ounce, while dry food is more economical, ranging from $0.23 to $0.29 per ounce.
Daily feeding costs for wet food can range from approximately $1.34 to $3.42, while dry food costs are generally lower, between $1.22 and $1.48 per day. Air-dried formulas are at the higher end of the price spectrum.
While Wellness may be more expensive than some mainstream brands, it’s positioned as a premium cat food, reflecting its focus on high-quality ingredients and specialized formulations.
Final Verdict: Is Wellness Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat’s Wellness?
Wellness cat food is undeniably a quality brand that prioritizes feline health and well-being. The CORE line stands out for its high-protein, animal-based recipes, aligning closely with a cat’s natural dietary needs. The Complete Health line offers a broader range of options, with commendable canned food formulas.
While the brand’s recall history is a factor to consider, Wellness has generally demonstrated responsiveness in addressing issues. Customer reviews largely reflect satisfaction with the brand’s quality and palatability.
For cat owners seeking a premium cat food that emphasizes natural, high-quality ingredients and species-appropriate nutrition, Wellness cat food is a strong contender. It’s particularly well-suited for owners who prioritize wet food or protein-rich diets for their feline companions. However, owners should carefully consider individual recipes, particularly dry food options with higher carbohydrate content and fish-based formulas, and monitor their cat’s individual response to any new food.
Where to Purchase Wellness Cat Food
Wellness cat food is widely available through various retail channels:
- Pet Specialty Stores: Independent pet stores and major chains like Petco and PetSmart.
- Online Retailers: Conveniently available through online platforms such as Amazon and Chewy.
- Big Box Stores: Select Wellness products may be found in larger retail stores with pet food sections.
Wellness is also available in several countries beyond the United States, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia. This broad availability makes Wellness cat food accessible to a wide range of cat owners seeking quality nutrition for their pets.
