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Wellness CORE Grain-Free Whitefish, Salmon & Herring Formula Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
Wellness

CORE Grain-Free Whitefish, Salmon & Herring Formula Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $5.61/lb

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Whitefish, Salmon & Herring Formula Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12 earns a Sniff Score of 66/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 45% ⓘ
Protein
10%
min (as fed)
Fat
7%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 45%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

42 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    whitefish

    Real fish meat. Lean protein with a clean amino acid profile.

  3. 3
    salmon broth
  4. 4
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  5. 5
    salmon

    Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.

  6. 6
    herring

    Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.

  7. 7
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  8. 8
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

  9. 9
    ground flaxseed

    Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.

  10. 10
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet.

  11. 11
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  12. 12
    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

  13. 13
    kale

    Leafy green with antioxidants and fiber. Small dose in kibble, but it's not just for marketing.

  14. 14
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

  15. 15
    parsley

    Real herb. Trace amount of vitamins K and C. The dose in kibble is small, mostly there for label appeal.

  16. 16
    broccoli

    Real vegetable. Adds fiber and some antioxidants. Fine in the small amounts used in kibble.

  17. 17
    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  18. 18
    cassia gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Functional, no major concerns at typical inclusion.

  19. 19
    xanthan gum

    Thickener common in wet food and gravies. Same emulsifier-microbiome conversation as guar gum, not a clear flag.

  20. 20
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  21. 21
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  22. 22
    dried chicory root

    Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.

  23. 23
    yucca schidigera extract

    Plant extract added to reduce stool odor. Functional, not nutritional. Fine in trace amounts.

  24. 24
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  25. 25
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

Showing first 25 of 42. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.