Our Verdict
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté product range is made of four recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.
This easily digestible formula includes prebiotic fiber and contains superfoods such as pumpkin & papaya to support digestive health.
Pros
- High protein and moisture content
- Includes high-quality protein & prebiotic fiber support Digestive Health
- Contains essential vitamins & minerals to support immune health
- Omega-3 fatty acids to help nourish skin & coat
- Superfoods such as pumpkin & papaya to support digestive health
- Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
Cons
- The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Chicken | 4 | A |
| Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Turkey | 4 | A |
| Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Whitefish | 4 | A |
| Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Salmon | 4 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Whitefish recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Digestive Health Paté Whitefish recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Whitefish, chicken, salmon broth, chicken liver, salmon, ground flaxseed, dried egg product, potassium chloride, apple powder, cranberry powder, pumpkin powder, taurine, inulin, choline chloride, cassia gum, xanthan gum, salt, magnesium sulfate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, blueberry powder, papaya powder, pomegranate powder, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, peppermint leaf powder, cinnamon, fennel powder, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is white fish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The third ingredient is salmon broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The sixth ingredient is ground flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The seventh ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch. In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The eighth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe receives an above average rating — 4 stars.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté Whitefish recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 45.5%, a fat level of 45.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 1.1%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 45.5% and above-average fat level of 34.1%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 12.5% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 75%.
This means the Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté product line contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
The Wellness CORE Digestive Health Paté contains a combination of high-quality animal proteins, wholesome grains, fruits, and vegetables. These ingredients are carefully selected to provide a balanced and complete diet for your cat’s nutritional needs while also promoting digestive health.
Similar to the dry cat food formula, the wet pate variety also includes a blend of prebiotics and probiotics. These ingredients help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, supporting optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy gut flora can contribute to improved digestion and overall well-being in cats.
Has Wellness cat food been recalled in the past?
Wellness has had a few cat food recalls. The most recent was in February 2017, when a number of canned cat foods were recalled due to the potential for foreign material.
In February 2011, the following Wellness canned cat foods were recalled due to inadequate levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Wellness (all flavors and sizes, including CORE) with “best by” dates of April 14–Sept. 30, 2013
- Wellness Chicken & Herring (all sizes) with “best by” dates of either Nov. 10, 2013 OR Nov. 17, 2013
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Wellness Pet Company’s headquarters is just outside Boston, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. It maintains the Farm Fresh Kitchen manufacturing facility in Minnesota and a manufacturing plant in Indiana.
The company consists of Wellness Natural Pet Food, Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness, WHIMZEES by Wellness, Sojos, Eagle Pack and Holistic Select.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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