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Review · Dog food · dry
Wellness CORE Original — review & rating
Is Wellness CORE Original a good choice?
A solid high-protein mainstream option: named turkey and chicken meals, added taurine and joint support claims at sensible levels. Legumes feature in the grain-free recipe — the brand also offers grain-inclusive CORE lines worth considering for predisposed breeds.
Nutrition (dry-matter basis)
| Parameter | Value | Threshold / context |
|---|---|---|
| Food format | dry | formats compared on a dry-matter basis |
| Protein | 37.8% DM | FEDIAF/AAFCO min 18–21% |
| Fat | 17.8% DM | min 5,5% |
| Energy | 372 kcal ME/100 g | — |
| Cost per 1,000 kcal | ~$2 | the only fair measure across dry, wet and fresh formats |
Score across 4 pillars
| Pillar | Score | Max |
|---|---|---|
| A · Recipe & protein quality | 30 | 35 |
| B · Compliance (FEDIAF/AAFCO) | 21 | 25 |
| C · Manufacturer credibility (WSAVA) | 19 | 25 |
| D · Additives & processing | 13 | 15 |
Pros
- Named meat meals (turkey, chicken)
- 37.8% protein DM at a mid-premium price
- Added taurine
- Legumes high in the grain-free recipe (DCM context)
- Contains chicken
- Glucosamine claims — evidence for dietary doses is weak
📋 Hands-on test pending — this rating is based on label analysis and public manufacturer data (that is always how we score; a hands-on test adds photos, our own measurements and Bekon’s verdict, but never changes the score).
Frequently asked questions
Does the added glucosamine in CORE help joints?
Meta-analyses show no significant clinical effect for glucosamine/chondroitin in dogs, and dietary doses are lower still. We treat it as neutral — neither a benefit nor a flaw. For joints, look for declared EPA/DHA instead.
Where to buy
The links above are affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The rating was finalised before we checked where the product can be bought.