Key Takeaways
- Wellness grain-free dry food earns a 5-star rating on Dog Food Advisor (12 grain-free formulas)
- The brand has a 2.6 TrustScore on Trustpilot, based on just 14 reviews
- Customer complaints include plastic, bugs (spiders, moths, worms), and pancreatitis in a mini schnauzer
- Some products (Tiny Tasters pouches) are made in Thailand
- Wellness is owned by WellPet, same company behind Eagle Pack and Old Mother Hubbard
If you're new to buying dog food, start with our The Ultimate Dog Food Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog to understand what to look for in ingredients and labels. For overall best options, check out our 10 Best Dog Foods in 2025: Top-Rated and Tested list.
What is Wellness Dog Food?
Wellness is headquartered in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and calls itself the "#1 Independent Family-Owned Natural Pet Food Company." The brand focuses on natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives, and species-appropriate nutrition. Their dry food range includes grain-free and grain-inclusive options, plus wet food, treats, and toppers.
Variety of Recipes
Wellness offers multiple product lines:
- Complete Health – Balanced nutrition for all life stages, includes probiotics and balanced fiber for digestion
- CORE – High-protein, grain-free recipes
- Simple – Limited ingredient diets for sensitive stomachs. If your dog has allergies, see our Best Dog Food for Allergies & Sensitive Stomach (2025 Guide)
- Tiny Tasters – Small-breed wet food pouches
Ingredient Quality: What's Inside?
Dog Food Advisor gives Wellness grain-free dry formulas a 5-star rating. The ingredients typically include deboned chicken or salmon, chicken meal, ground brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. However, some Facebook commenters warn against chicken meal, lamb meal, and legumes, pointing to potential links to DCM. The FDA has been investigating a possible connection between grain-free diets and DCM since 2018.
Customer Reviews: The Good and the Bad
On Trustpilot, Wellness has a low 2.6 TrustScore from just 14 reviews. While this is a small sample, the complaints are concerning:
- One reviewer found plastic in their cat's food
- Another reported bugs (spiders, moths, worms) in dry dog food
- A mini schnauzer owner says their dog got pancreatitis after eating Wellness
- A former seller of Wellness says they never recommend it because of the ingredients
On the plus side, many customers praise the brand's natural ingredients and the fact that their dogs have healthy coats and good energy.
Are There Any Red Flags?
The low TrustScore and specific complaints are red flags. Finding foreign objects like plastic or bugs in your dog's food is unacceptable. The pancreatitis case is also concerning, though it may be an isolated incident. We recommend always checking the batch number and contacting the company if you find anything unusual. For proper food handling tips, read How to Store Dog Food Properly: Keep It Fresh and Safe.
Who Should Buy Wellness?
Wellness is a good option for owners who want a natural, grain-free diet from a major brand. It's suitable for most healthy adult dogs. However, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or allergies, you might want to consider the Simple line or look at limited ingredient diets from other brands.
Who Should Avoid Wellness?
- Dogs with grain allergies (though grain-inclusive options exist)
- Dogs prone to pancreatitis (due to high fat content in some recipes)
- Owners who want to avoid any risk of DCM (choose grain-inclusive formulas)
FAQs
Is Wellness dog food good for puppies?
Yes, Wellness offers Complete Health Puppy recipes for small, medium, and large breeds.
Does Wellness cause DCM?
The FDA has not confirmed a direct link, but some grain-free formulas contain legumes and potatoes, which are under investigation.
Is Wellness made in the USA?
Wellness dry food is made in the USA, but some treats and pouches (like Tiny Tasters) are made in Thailand.
What is the best Wellness dog food?
The Complete Health line is a solid choice for most dogs. For sensitive stomachs, try Simple.
Where can I buy Wellness dog food?
It's available at Petco, PetSmart, Chewy, and independent pet stores.
This review is based on information available as of 2025. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
