Frequently asked questions

While every animal is different, general feeding guidelines can be calculated based on the current life stage, weight of the animal and how active they are. These three factors determine how many calories are needed to meet their daily requirements. The recommended guidelines are suggested as a starting point and should be adjusted in 10% increments if a pet appears to be losing or gaining weight.

The abbreviation kcal stands for kilocalorie. It is more commonly known simply as a calorie. The calorie is a measure of energy and is a standard part of most nutrition facts labels.
When you see the term kcal on a label in a dietary context, it is simply referring to the caloric value of the food.

When it comes to feeding formats, there is no one way or set calculation that is perfect for all pets. As every pet is different, how much you feed of each format will often come down to a personal preference. Wet food adds a great source of hydration as well as mealtime enthusiasm. Increasing the amount of wet food is often considered advantageous for cats as a result to support their urinary tract health. The important part when it comes to feeding formats is to ensure the majority of their food is from a high quality complete and balanced source, especially when it comes to wet food. If the food is a mixer or topper, then it is best considered as a treat and should not exceed 10% of total daily intake.

All Wellness CORE feeding guidelines were developed based on the energy requirements (kcals/dog or cat/day) as recommended by the NRC (National Research Council) and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) for normally active pets. Weight reduction or maintenance diets take into consideration a less active energy requirement factor. In addition to the caloric content of the kibble, the product density makes a difference. Whilst we cannot comment on how other brands undertake their feeding guideline calculations, it is key to note that when comparing brands, you also need to consider the differing kibble density, which may mean you will feed a smaller amount, but if your kibble is lighter in weight, then you will feed a bit more to make sure you feed the right amount of calories per day.

New food should be gradually introduced to your dog or cat by mixing it with their current food. For optimal transition that helps minimize dietary upsets, replace the old food with
the new food in 25% increments over the course of 4 days or 7-10 if your pet is predisposed to dietary indiscretions. Please note that for more sensitive cats and dogs, it can take a few weeks for their digestive tract to fully adjust to a new diet so do not be alarmed if your pet’s transition takes a little longer.

Our Wellness CORE Low Fat recipes promote weight reduction with a decreased fat and total calorie content. In addition to calorie restriction, Wellness CORE supports an ideal body condition with increased protein for muscle health. Given most dogs with weight concerns often have some form of joint pain, this diet also includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joint health and omega fatty acids to support any inflammation.

Wellness CORE defines a large breed dog to be any dog with a mature size of approximately 25kg or more. The growth and development phase of a large breed dog (as well as any size dog) is the most critical and important phase of their life. Large breed puppies typically have a genetic tendency to grow too quickly and this can sometimes result in incomplete skeletal development and lifelong joint issues. Thus, it is crucial to control the growth rate of these larger puppies with the appropriate number of calories and tightly regulated levels of calcium and phosphorus (the main constituents of bone). As with any size of dog, it is important to keep large breed dogs lean and in an ideal body condition. Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints of the animal and can cause a multitude of joint issues as the animal ages. The use of foods with lower levels of energy and minerals can be helpful in managing these larger breed dogs’ growths. Therefore, large breed puppy foods are typically recommended or suggested as the best option.

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements requiring tailored recipes. For cats, if they are fed a dog recipe in the long term, they have the potential to become malnourished with severe cases resulting in death. Cats, unlike dogs, are true carnivores, requiring a diet higher in meat and meat products as well as having a total protein requirement higher than that of dogs. Along with this higher protein requirement come higher requirements for specific amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins. If a cat happens to ingest a bit of dog food on occasion, it should not cause them any harm, but it should not be encouraged as a common feeding practice. It is normally safe for dogs to consume cat food, but this is not recommended for optimal nutrition.

Wellness CORE recipes target an acidic urine pH of between 6.2-6.4 to promote a healthy urinary tract. For cats suffering from a urinary health issue, we always recommend pet parents work with their veterinarian as their cat may need a prescription recipe designed to treat cats with urinary upsets.

Wellness CORE recipes target an acidic urine pH of between 6.2-6.4 to promote a healthy urinary tract. For cats suffering from a urinary health issue, we always recommend pet parents work with their veterinarian as their cat may need a prescription recipe designed to treat cats with urinary upsets.

Our Wellness CORE Adult Sterilised Original & Adult Sterilised Ocean promote weight management with a tailored recipe that includes decreased fat and total calorie content. In addition to reduced calories, Wellness CORE Adult Sterilised Original & Ocean further support an ideal body condition with increased protein to optimize muscle health during weight loss. As every cat is different, we recommend that pet parents monitor their cat’s weight loss and decrease feeding recommendations by 10% if their cat’s weight plateaus.

By excluding all common protein and carbohydrate allergen ingredients in addition to adding dietary fibre, prebiotics and probiotics to every recipe, Wellness CORE delivers a naturally hypoallergenic, highly digestible recipe that supports most pets with a sensitive stomach. For pets who are known to be more sensitive, we always recommend pet parents complete an extended transition period of 7-10 days to allow their pet a gradual transition.

Wellness CORE Cat recipes contain increased amounts of dietary fibre and added cellulose to help the ingested hair pass through the digestive tract. As a poorly fermentable fibre, cellulose resists microbial effects to help maximize the sweeping of any ingested hair out into the stools to minimise the occurrence of hairballs. With added omega fatty acids plus rich meat protein sources, every Wellness CORE Cat recipe also promotes a lustrous skin and coat to help minimize hair fall and ingestion. The dual approach helps minimize the total amount of hair ingested as well as reduce the likelihood of hairballs being vomited up by gently moving them through the digestive system.

Yes, by nature cats are obligate carnivores and require a diet rich in meat and meat products as well as a higher total protein requirement. This feeding philosophy ensures every cat will receive the complete amino acid profile they need for their total health and wellbeing, which is only available from meat-based proteins.

The guaranteed analysis is a specific set of nutritional information required by The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) to be printed on pet food labels.
The guaranteed analysis states minimum or maximum nutritional values for a set of nutrients for a specific product. This provides information that pet owners, professionals, retailers, and veterinarians need to know when making decisions about the food and the amount to offer.

Small amounts of gas are a normal product of digestion. Some pets produce more gas than others. Excessive flatulence may be caused by overeating, eating too fast, or a change in diet.
If your pet has just switched foods, the problem may disappear on its own after a few weeks as the digestive fibres and prebiotics start to support digestive health. If your pet is very young, the flatulence may diminish as their digestive system matures.

Loose stools or diarrhea can be caused by a number of things. Three of the more common ones are switching to a new food too quickly, sudden over-feeding, or an underlying health issue.

Switching foods too quickly often causes loose stools. While most pets transition smoothly to their new diet, the full benefit of a new food can take up to 4 weeks, especially if they are more sensitive or prone to food allergies. Should a pet parent think their pet may be more sensitive, it is recommended to follow a more gradual transition over 7-10 days to ensure optimal digestive health and well-being.

Sudden over-feeding is also another common cause that can result in a pet suffering loose stools. The key reasons for this include the sudden increase in nutrient energy, especially with higher levels of dietary fat that can place additional stress on the digestive system. When reducing their intake to the appropriate feeding amount, the pet’s stool should return to normal in a day or two.
If you do not feel that either of these explanations fit your situation, we recommend consulting your veterinarian to determine what the underlying cause could be.

Formulated to ensure dogs and cats thrive from the CORE, Wellness CORE recipes contain key nutrition that is scientifically proven to promote superior well-being with a demonstration of these signs of health in 4 main areas:
• Nourished Skin & Coat: Wellness CORE goes above and beyond the FEDIAF requirements (European Food Industry Federation) for omega fatty acids to ensure an improved skin and coat health of dogs and cats and can be attributed to the presence of our guaranteed levels of fatty acids in the pet’s diets
• Optimal Nutrient Digestibility: All nutrients chosen for a Wellness CORE recipe are selected to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption with the pet’s stools also being evaluated to determine the long-term health and nutrient absorption. Wellness CORE recipes are formulated to optimize digestive health with added dietary fibres, prebiotics and probiotics to nourish the cells lining the pet’s digestive tract.
• Optimal Energy: The careful selection of increased meat proteins, wholesome fats and reduced carbohydrates ensure that every Wellness CORE recipe delivers the energy a dog and cat need for a healthy and active life.
• Strong Immunity: Since much of a pet’s immunity system lies within their gut, Wellness CORE recipes include a tailored blend of dietary fibres, prebiotics and probiotics to create a healthy intestinal tract that ensures not only improved nutrient digestibility and absorption but also one that creates an effective barrier for pathogens in the digestive tract. Alongside a nutrient-rich diet, these inclusions help support overall immune health.

In accordance with FEDIAF guidelines, all Wellness CORE recipes are complete and balanced pet foods that provide all the nutrient requirements established for the life stage for which the pet food was intended. In addition to FEDIAF guidelines for establishing nutritional adequacy, Wellness CORE undertakes additional non-required nutrient analysis to further provide assurance of a recipe’s nutritional adequacy and performance. These non-invasive studies evaluate and confirm nutrient consumption, stool quality and diet palatability.

By excluding the top protein and carbohydrate allergens as well as having a limited number of protein and carbohydrate ingredients, Wellness CORE delivers a recipe that can be helpful
for pets prone to food sensitivities.

Rather than relying on the “grade” of meat, we focus on the specific nutritional qualities of the meat. We only use meat that fits our strict specifications for protein, fat, moisture, and ash. All animals have received ante- and post- mortem inspection at approved facilities with no evidence of systemic disease of animal and human health significance. The meat meets all standards for product safety, where applicable.

We do not add salt to our dry recipes. If salt was to be added, it is required to be listed under composition as this is considered an ingredient. All sodium and chloride in our diets are naturally occurring from the ingredients. All recipes meet the minimum and maximum nutritional requirements established by FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation).

The amount of ash stated on the dog or cat food label is an indication of mineral content, expressed as a percentage found in the food, usually between 5 and 8% in dry food and 1 to 2% in wet pet food. The ash content of pet food refers to bone fragments found in bone meal or fish meal, as well as some of the minerals found in plant products. As a high protein diet, Wellness CORE will contain greater amounts of ash than that of low protein diets, however, these are not excessive amounts, but simply a reflection of the increased meat content in the diet. All Wellness CORE recipes have a balanced mineral profile that ensures the optimal health and wellbeing of all pets in accordance with FEDIAF guidelines (European Pet Food Industry Federation), to which all pet food complies.

Some products may have calcium and phosphorus levels included on the back of the packaging when highly relevant to that recipe, such as our growth recipes for puppies and kittens. Every Wellness CORE recipe contains balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus and should you need to know the specific level of any diet, our consumer services team can best advise you.

All fish must meet the Environmental Protection Agency requirements for heavy metals and all fish used must comply with the EU regulations. We test all of our products for nutritional
adequacy or safety hazards.

Cranberry extract has been found to help normalize urine pH, which may help prevent the formation of urinary crystals. Research has also identified compounds in cranberry that prevent
E. Coli bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract, which helps prevent it from multiplying and creating infection. Cranberries are also rich in antioxidants and are a natural source of vitamin C.

Wellness CORE recipe contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate from both natural sources (dried chicken, turkey and fish) as well as supplemental sources (Glucosamine Hydrochloride 400 mg/kg, Chondroitin Sulphate 300 mg/kg). In combination with a high meat protein diet and a moderate fat level to promote optimal body condition, omega fatty acids to support inflammation and balanced minerals for strong bones, Wellness CORE recipes support healthy mobility and acitvity.

Although Wellness CORE delivers the highest quality natural ingredients from the finest, freshest and most real wholefood ingredients, our recipes are not classified as organic.

Rather than relying on the “grade” of meat, we focus on the specific nutritional qualities of the meat. We only use meat that fits our strict specifications for protein, fat, moisture and
ash. All animals have received ante- and post-mortem inspection at approved facilities with no evidence of systemic disease of animal and human health significance. The meat meets all standards for product safety, where applicable.

Wellness CORE pet foods are all natural and preserved with natural preservatives including Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) and Vitamin C. We do not use any chemical or artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.

No. Our Wellness CORE petfood is complete and balanced nutrition. Our formulas furthermore meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the Nutrient Profiles set by FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation). Therefore, supplements are not required for normal, healthy animals consuming a Wellness CORE food. If you do wish to supplement for a specific health reason, we recommend consulting your veterinarian, who can help you to determine the recommended way to do so.

Both prebiotics and probiotics work to enhance the normal, healthy flora or bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract.
Probiotics (also known as “direct-fed microbials”) are live micro-organisms that are added to the kibble after the product has cooled during the coating step of kibble production.
Probiotics or “good bacteria” are thought to improve the intestinal balance of microbes by introducing more, healthy bacteria into the gut, while inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria or “bad bacteria.” This is very similar to the live cultures that are present in yogurt. The probiotic included in Wellness CORE recipes is Enterococcus Faecium NCIMB 10415,109 cfu.
Prebiotics are typically soluble fibers (oligosaccharides) that encourage the growth of “good bacteria” in the gut. They are not bacteria themselves, unlike probiotics. Prebiotics are typically added in small quantities during the dry mix step of kibble production. The prebiotic used in Wellness CORE is dried chicory root (source of fructooligosaccharides and inulin).

Whole peas are considered a high-quality addition to our food. They provide carbohydrates, dietary fibre and small amounts of beneficial vitamins. Some examples of these beneficial vitamins are Vitamin K and Manganese. Peas also contain a noticeable quantity of protein to support overall wellbeing.

The dried chicken, lamb, turkey, herring and salmon that Wellness CORE uses, are concentrated sources of protein and fats as well as essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty
acids. Due to product design and finished product characteristics, it is not possible to use fresh meats exclusively in dry foods and still deliver the high protein, meat-rich nutrition that pets love. Dried proteins are rich in nutrients allowing us to obtain nutrients directly from the ingredient and requiring less supplementation.

Wellness CORE is committed to delivering the highest quality all-natural recipes for cats and dogs. It is for this reason that what we exclude is as important as what we include. Wellness CORE will never contain artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, grains such as corn or wheat, by-products, unnamed meat proteins or unnecessary fillers.

Every Wellness CORE dry or wet recipe delivers grain-free nutrition. This nutritional philosophy helps avoid common grain allergens that some pets may have a sensitivity or food allergy to, as well as create a recipe that is crafted to be ‘grain-free the right way’. This approach enables Wellness CORE to deliver grain-free carbohydrates (such as peas and potatoes) in a decreased amount to subsequently increase the total amount of meat proteins that can be included in every recipe. With more of the good stuff and no fillers, Wellness CORE delivers nutrition that helps dogs and cats thrive from the CORE.

As a dog ages, difficulties may start to develop such as digestion problems, joint problems, weight gain and/or lower activity level. Whilst these changes are often more pronounced in pets over 10 years of age, it is recommended to start proactively feeding your older pet before the visible signs. This differs by breed size but the following chart is a helpful guide:

Breed size age to transition to Senior:
– Small breed: 7 years of age
– Medium breed: 7 years of age
– Large breed: 6 years of age
– Giant breed: 5 years of age

Wellness CORE Senior is developed to meet the specific requirements of aging pets with increased protein to support lean muscle mass for continued mobility, lowered fat to match energy needs, and glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Although Wellness CORE Senior is our preferred diet for aging pets, the majority of CORE’s adult formulas are balanced for all life stages of a dog’s or cat’s life.

Wellness CORE Puppy foods are truly focused on the growth and development of small and medium breed puppies. The nutrient requirements of puppies can be up to five times higher than those of adults, so puppy foods typically contain higher amounts of protein, fat, fatty acids and vitamins to aid in their growth and development. In addition, special attention is given to the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, for brain and eye development.

You can switch to adult food when you feel your pet has reached their full-body frame size. This typically occurs around 12 months of age for small and medium breeds. However, if you are concerned, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian to find out if your dog is ready to make the switch to an adult formula.

Breed size age to transition to Adult
– Small breed: 12 months
– Medium breed: 12 months
– Large breed: 18 months
– Giant breed: 24 months

You can switch your large breed puppy to the adult formula when the dog has achieved its full adult size and weight. This age can vary depending on the breed, but typically occurs at 18 months of age for a large breed between 25-40kg and 24 months of age for giant breed dogs over 40kg.

Reproduction and lactation require increased energy demands on the breeding bitch and the amount of nutrition she receives in this time is necessary to be adjusted to help support her higher energy needs. The below chart summarizes the increased amounts that her daily maintenance volume of food needs to adjust to at the corresponding week.

One of the most important considerations when selecting the best puppy food for a large breed dog is avoiding excesses and providing well-rounded, breed-specific nutrition. The right balance of highly digestible nutrition in the formula means less food wasted and more nutrients available to your dog to support and maintain healthy skin and coat, strong bones and joints, and a healthy immune system. Large breed puppies typically have a genetic tendency to grow too quickly and this can sometimes result in incomplete skeletal development and lifelong joint issues. Thus, it is critical to control the growth rate of these larger puppies with the appropriate number of calories and tightly regulated levels of calcium and phosphorus (the main constituents of the bone). For these reasons, we recommend our Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy formula.

While a cat may look fully grown from as early as 9 months of age, there are still many changes occurring on the inside which is why we consider a cat fully grown by 12 months of age. It is for this reason that it’s recommended they remain on a kitten diet until the age of 12 months before transitioning into an adult recipe.

Our Wellness CORE Kitten Original recipe is formulated for growth and lactation. As a nutrient-dense kibble, this recipe delivers the key nutrition a queen needs in addition to other key nutrients such as DHA, vitamins and antioxidants for immune health, and tailored energy from high-quality meats and healthy fats to support every kitten’s growth and development. For feeding amounts, it’s recommended to let the queens free fed to match their nutritional needs.

As a board member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, we strive to be the leading organization for sustainable advancement in the pet industry. To us, taking care of our pets also means
taking care of our environment, so we actively continue to find creative, business-minded solutions in order to maintain and improve the environment.

Wellness CORE products are manufactured by one of three different methods (baking, canning or continuous extrusion cooking) and the cooking temperature can vary depending on the
method. Cooking does not influence our guarantee that all of the essential nutrients are available in the appropriate amounts in the final product.

Both the raw materials and the finished products undergo quality monitoring throughout the production process. This is necessary to ensure full traceability throughout production. For every bag we sell, we can trace the origin of every single ingredient. Each of our productions sites has its own team of quality-control professionals to ensure high-quality products and in addition to our own internal quality assurance programs, our production process also adheres to independent, third-party certifications that are tightly controlled by EU agencies. The following lists cover the different QA programs we implement as well as the external mandatory compliances to which as a company, we ensure our recipes are crafted to meet:
• BRC Food Safety: An international food safety management systems standard that sets clear requirements for building an effective food management system
• International Food Standard: A food safety standard with a uniform evaluation system used to qualify and select suppliers. It helps retailers ensure the food safety of their products and monitors the quality level of producers of retailer branded food products.
• Feed Chain Alliance: The Feed Chain Alliance Standard is an independent reliable and internationally accepted quality system created by the joint efforts of the whole feed sector. Its purpose is to guarantee feed safety and quality throughout the entire feed chain and was formerly known as Good Manufacturing Practices
• Auto Control System: A Belgian food safety system focused on high levels of quality and standardization

At Wellness CORE, we truly feel that it is our duty to pet owners and their pets to uphold only the best manufacturing practices, the strongest food and safety programs and the most comprehensive quality controls at all times.
Making superior natural pet food is a combination of selecting only the finest quality ingredients and combining them with the highest level of care and commitment: our pet food safety program is at the heart of our ability to make safe pet food. We undertake a prevention-based approach that employs a wide array of practices such as applying the latest advances in technology, adhering to strict testing protocols, practicing zero tolerance for the presence of certain elements, and continuously monitoring production throughout the manufacturing process. This is our commitment to all pet owners that the food that reaches the bowls of their dogs and cats is safe, as well as the highest quality natural nutrition that their pet deserves to thrive from the CORE.

“Wellness CORE provides balanced food that takes care of your pet from within. We are passionate about crafting natural, high quality, balanced nutrition since 1926. Wellness CORE not only tastes great; it also contains all the natural ingredients to help your companion thrive from the inside out.

• FRESH MEAT OR FISH FIRST, RICH IN MEAT PROTEINS
With high protein, meat or fish rich recipes, Wellness CORE delivers all the essential amino acids dogs and cats need for optimal energy, increased lean muscle mass, healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat and best of all, a taste they will love!

• THE FINEST FRESH, REAL AND WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS
Every Wellness CORE recipe is crafted the right way and never the easy way. That is why you will see only the finest quality natural ingredients carefully selected to deliver the finest complete and balanced nutrition for your pet.

• DECREASED CARBOHYDRATES & FILLER FREE
In addition to every recipe being grain free, Wellness CORE is different to other brands with a reduction in the total amount of carbohydrates in every bag. This ensures Wellness CORE delivers more of the good stuff and no unnecessary fillers.

• MODERATE FAT LEVELS FOR SUSTAINED ACTIVITY AND TRIM WAISTLINES
With moderate fat levels Wellness CORE helps ensure dogs and cats have the energy and vitality to play without excess calories to help minimize any unwanted weight gain to help maintain a healthy lean body condition.”

Yes! We offer smaller size kibble with our Wellness CORE Small Breed range (Adult Original, Adult Ocean and Adult Low Fat) recipes. In addition to our dry recipes, Wellness CORE also knows that smaller dogs love wet food, so caters to tailored Small Breed recipes, better known as our Savoury Medley range.

Wellness CORE does not provide exclusively veterinarian prescribed diets.

Every bag, can or pouch of Wellness CORE has a best before date printed on it to help pet parents. This will indicate 18 months from the date of manufacture for the dry foods and 3
years from the manufacturing date for the canned foods. This best before date is printed on every bag or can and can be found on the back of the packaging. Specifically, these can be found:
• For all dry food, the best before date is located on the back of the pack
• For all cans, the best before date is located on the bottom of the cans
• For all wet pouches, the best before date is located on the back of the pouch

After opening a bag, we recommend using it within 3 months. For our dry food, we recommend that you keep the food in the original bag with the top tightly rolled down, and store in a cool, dry, preferably dark place. If you want to store it in another container, we recommend storing the entire bag in the container rather than dumping it out of the bag and storing the container away from excessive light and heat. We do not recommend freezing the food.
For our wet products, they should also be protected from excessive heat. Opened cans can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days (72 hours).

Because we do not use artificial colours in our formulas, the colour of our food is dependent on our fresh meats, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. The foods may vary slightly in colour from batch to batch alongside the seasonal differences of our finest high-quality natural ingredients.

Wellness CORE recipes contain an easy pull tag that enables easy access with an added benefit of a resealable close. There’s no need to use scissors! Simply look for the easy open image and gently pull. This feature is present on all of our Wellness CORE bags.