Wellness Cat Food products and cat
In this comprehensive Wellness cat food review, we dive deep into one of the most popular brands for feline nutrition. Wellness offers a wide range of high-protein recipes designed for cats at every life stage, from kittens to seniors. Whether you’re seeking grain-free kibble, pate wet food, or broth-based options, this review evaluates species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, variety, pricing, customer feedback, and recall history against rigorous standards. Our testing includes hands-on trials with real cats and lab analysis for guaranteed accuracy.
If you’re comparing premium options, check out the diamond premium dog food review for insights into similar quality across pet foods.
Wellness logo
The Wellness Cat Food Ratings Breakdown
Wellness earns solid marks across key categories, making it a reliable choice for many cat owners.
- Species-Appropriateness: 8/10 – High meat content aligns with cats’ carnivorous needs.
- Ingredient Quality: 8/10 – Whole meats, no artificial additives, though some plant fillers appear.
- Product Variety: 10/10 – Extensive lineup for kittens, adults, indoor cats, and more.
- Customer Experience: 8/10 – Strong palatability and positive reviews.
- Recall History: 6/10 – Multiple past issues, but quick resolutions.
- Price: 7/10 – Mid-to-premium range.
Overall Score: 8/10 (B Grade) – Wellness excels in variety and protein focus but faces scrutiny on recalls and carbs in dry foods.
Why You Can Trust This Wellness Cat Food Review
Our evaluation stems from extensive research into Wellness’s history, manufacturing, and ingredients, plus real-world testing. Cats in our trial devoured samples of CORE wet food and grain-free kibble, assessing texture and appeal. Products were bought at retail, with no brand influence. Independent lab tests confirmed protein, fat, carbs, and contaminants like heavy metals.
Wellness prioritizes quality, sourcing from vetted suppliers and exceeding FDA/AAFCO standards.
Brand Background and Manufacturing
Founded in 1997 under WellPet LLC (roots in 1926 Old Mother Hubbard), Wellness is now part of Berwind Corporation, based in Tewksbury, MA. They expanded their Mishawaka, IN facility in 2012 for U.S. production. Pouch wet foods are made in Thailand.
Wellness emphasizes whole ingredients, free of wheat, corn, soy, colors, flavors, or preservatives. Their process screens for pathogens, molds, and metals—details on their site and testing page.
cat eating Wellness Chicken Entree Smooth Loaf Pate
Recall History of Wellness Cat Food
Wellness has faced recalls, per Petful:
- 2017: Canned cat food for metal; dog food for thyroid hormone.
- 2012: Dry dog food for salmonella and moisture.
- 2011: 21.6M cans of cat food low in thiamine.
Responses were swift, minimizing impact.
Wellness Cat Food Lines and Variety
CORE: Grain-free, protein-packed. Dry: 7 recipes (originals, air-dried, RawRev). Wet: Pates, 95% protein cuts, Signature Selects, Divine Duos, Shreds.
Complete Health: Grain-inclusive/grain-free for life stages. Dry/wet with salmon, chicken, rice, cranberries. Includes treats and toppers.
For balanced nutrition comparisons, see purina pro plan weight management dog food reviews.
In-Home Cat Testing Results
Our cats loved Wellness, especially CORE wets. It’s among top brands for palatability and quality.
Top 4 Wellness Cat Food Recipes Reviewed
| Product | Type | Price per oz/lb | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Health Pate Chicken | Wet | $0.47/oz | B+ |
| CORE Signature Tuna & Salmon | Wet | $0.68/oz | B+ |
| CORE Indoor Dry | Dry | $6.15/lb | C |
| CORE Kitten Turkey & Liver | Wet | $0.60/oz | B+ |
1. Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
This meaty pate leads with chicken, liver, and turkey (34 cal/oz). High protein (44% dry matter), low carbs.
Ingredients Highlights: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey. Skip: Carrots.
Dry Matter: Protein 44%, Fat 44%, Carbs 1%.
Pros: Hydrating, cat-approved, species-appropriate. Cons: Minor plants.
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat FoodWellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
2. CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon
Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree in Broth Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Fish-forward (tuna, mackerel, salmon; 25 cal/oz). Protein 56% dry matter, but watch mercury.
Liked: Tuna, Salmon. Not: Tapioca starch.
Dry Matter: Protein 56%, Carbs 16%.
Pros: Flavorful broth. Cons: Texture varies.
For organic alternatives, explore purina beyond organic dog food reviews.
Wellness Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree In BrothWellness Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree In Broth
3. CORE Grain-Free Indoor Dry Cat Food
Chicken-based kibble (445 cal/cup). Decent protein but high carbs from peas/potatoes.
Liked: Deboned Chicken. Not: Peas.
Dry Matter: Protein 42%, Carbs 30%.
Pros: Tasty. Cons: Dry lacks moisture.
Wellness Core Indoor Deboned Chicken Turkey & Chicken Meals RecipeWellness Core Indoor Deboned Chicken Turkey & Chicken Meals Recipe
4. CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Canned
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Food
Kitten formula with DHA from fish oil (108 cal/can). Protein 50% dry matter.
Dry Matter: Protein 50%, Fat 36%.
Pros: Growth-supporting, soft texture. Cons: Slight plants.
Wellness Core Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Kitten Smooth Classic PateWellness Core Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe Kitten Smooth Classic Pate
Customer Feedback on Wellness Cat Food
4-5 star averages on Chewy/Amazon. Praises: Protein, taste. Complaints: Occasional illness, pickiness, odor.
Positive: “Cats devour it, great ingredients.” Negative: “Caused loose stools.”
Pricing and Value
Wet: $0.47-$0.68/oz ($1.34-$3.42/day). Dry: $0.23-$0.29/oz ($1.22-$1.48/day). Premium but competitive.
For breed-specific options, review royal canin dog food is it good.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Wellness Cat Food?
Yes, especially CORE wets for protein and hydration. Avoid dry if carbs concern you. Strong variety and reputation outweigh recalls.
Consult your vet for your cat’s needs. Explore more reviews on our site!
References
- WellnessPetFood.com
- Petful Recall Tracker
- Independent lab reports (linked in recipes)
- Chewy/Amazon customer data (2025)
