Wellness CORE vs Wellness Complete Health
Wellness CORE against Wellness Complete Health, measured across 44 and 23 kibble recipes: 32.6% vs 26.7% protein and 32% vs 40% starch, as fed.
Main Differences
- Wellness CORE's recipes average 32.6% protein as fed, higher than Wellness Complete Health's average of 26.7% protein.
- Fat is close between the lines, averaging 13.8% for Wellness CORE and 12.7% for Wellness Complete Health; estimated starch is higher for Wellness Complete Health, averaging 40% versus 32% for Wellness CORE.
- Calories per cup are close, averaging 418 for Wellness CORE and 412 for Wellness Complete Health.
- Wellness CORE's recipes are 57% grain-free, while Wellness Complete Health's recipes are 26% grain-free.
- Wellness CORE has 44 kibble recipes, including 3 for All Life Stages, at an estimated median price of $3.48 per pound; Wellness Complete Health has 23 recipes, with none for All Life Stages, at an estimated median price of $2.73 per pound.
The Two Lines in Figures
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Wellness CORE | Wellness Complete Health | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 44 | 23 | 1,747 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 32.6%21.0% to 38.0% | 26.7%22.0% to 32.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 13.8%8.0% to 18.0% | 12.7%10.0% to 18.0% | 14.3% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 32%24% to 47% | 40%30% to 48% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 418339 to 510 | 412334 to 505 | 398 |
| Grain-free recipes | 57% | 26% | |
| Life stages | Adult 34, Puppy 5, All Life Stages 3, Senior 2 | Adult 16, Puppy 4, Senior 3 | |
| Breed sizes | All Breeds 40, Small Breed 10, Large Breed 4 | All Breeds 22, Small Breed 7, Large Breed 3 | |
| Price per pound, estimate | $3.48/lbEstimate, median of 38 of 44 recipesRecipes run $2.29 to $6.00Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | $2.73/lbEstimate, median of 22 of 23 recipesRecipes run $1.96 to $5.00Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 15, 2026 | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None | None1 older, not counted |
Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.
Top Recipes in Each Line
Wellness CORE
Most protein in the line, 38.0% as fed
Wellness Core RawRev Wholesome Grains Puppy Food Formula + 100% Raw Turkey Dry Dog Food
Protein 38%
Fat 18%
Starch 25% 438 kcal/cup
Least starch in the line, about 24%
Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Protein 38%
Fat 18%
Starch 24% 510 kcal/cup
Fewest calories in the line, 339 kcal per cup
Wellness CORE+ Wholesome Grains Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food
Protein 30%
Fat 10%
Starch 40% 339 kcal/cup
Wellness Complete Health
Best seller of the line on Amazon
Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food
Protein 24%
Fat 11%
Starch 44% 427 kcal/cup
Most protein in the line, 32.0% as fed
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Protein 32%
Fat 16%
Starch 31% 505 kcal/cup
Least starch in the line, about 30%
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free For Puppy Dry Dog Food
Protein 32%
Fat 17%
Starch 30% 498 kcal/cup
Who Each Line Suits
Wellness CORE
- Dogs needing more protein from kibble, since CORE recipes average 32.6% protein, above Complete Health's 26.7%.
- Owners preferring grain-free kibble, as 57% of CORE's recipes are grain-free, versus 26% for Complete Health.
- Owners wanting a raw-boosted recipe, since CORE's RawRev line adds 100% raw turkey or fish.
Wellness Complete Health
- Owners wanting a lower cost kibble, since Complete Health's estimated price is $2.73 per pound.
- Toy breed owners, since Complete Health has a recipe made for toy breeds.
- Owners fine with grain-inclusive kibble, as only 26% of Complete Health's recipes are grain-free.
Every Wellness Line
| Line | Kibble recipes | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | Grain-free | Price / lb, est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORE | 44 | 32.6% | 13.8% | 32% | 418 | 57% | $3.48 |
| Complete Health | 23 | 26.7% | 12.7% | 40% | 412 | 26% | $2.73 |
Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.
The Wellness Lines
Wellness Against Other Brands
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.
Think You Know What Your Dog Can Eat?
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Think You
Know?
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
Want the reason behind every answer? The 80-page e-book, $7.99
Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,207 foods.