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Wellness vs NutriSource

Wellness vs. NutriSource

In this comparison article for Wellness vs NutriSource, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Wellness and NutriSource, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this NutriSource vs Wellness comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Wellness Review Page or NutriSource Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: NutriSource vs. Wellness

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Wellness Dog Food vs. NutriSource Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodWellnessNutriSource
Crude Protein34.6%28.9%
Crude Fat15.8%16.8%
Crude Fiber5.6%7.1%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodWellnessNutriSource
Crude Protein41.8%43.4%
Crude Fat24.1%33.0%
Crude Fiber4.9%7.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Wellness and NutriSource. On average, NutriSource dry dog food recipes contain 5.78% less protein than Wellness recipes. For wet dog foods, NutriSource and Wellness provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, NutriSource provides significantly more fat (about 8.95% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, NutriSource typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.30% more).

Wellness Cat Food vs. NutriSource Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodWellnessNutriSource
Crude Protein42.0%36.4%
Crude Fat16.0%17.9%
Crude Fiber4.7%7.8%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodWellnessNutriSource
Crude Protein45.0%46.4%
Crude Fat24.7%31.4%
Crude Fiber5.6%5.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

NutriSource dry recipes contain 5.57% less protein than Wellness dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Wellness and NutriSource. For wet cat foods, NutriSource and Wellness provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

As you can see, Wellness and NutriSource guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, NutriSource provides more fat (about 6.69% more).


There is a small difference between the fiber content of NutriSource and Wellness. We can see that NutriSource guarantees about 3.13% more fiber than Wellness. For wet cat foods, Wellness and NutriSource provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Wellness Pet Food Ingredients vs. NutriSource Pet Food Ingredients

Wellness and NutriSource both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Garlic
Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Dried Tomato Pomace

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Wellness.

Caramel Color
Garlic Powder
Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by NutriSource.

White Rice

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Wellness and NutriSource both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Wellness.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Wellness & NutriSource?

Wellness has been recalled 5 times.

  • March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
  • Feb. 10, 2017: foreign material
  • Oct. 30, 2012: High Moisture
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • Feb. 28, 2011: Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

According to our records, NutriSource has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodWellnessNutriSource
Per Pound$3.61$2.64
Per Calorie$0.0022$0.0015
Dry Cat FoodWellnessNutriSource
Per Pound$3.90$3.25
Per Calorie$0.0023$0.0018
Wet Dog FoodWellnessNutriSource
Per Pound$6.74$3.21
Per Calorie$0.0140$0.0061
Wet Cat FoodWellnessNutriSource
Per Pound$9.09$6.39
Per Calorie$0.0223$0.0119

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Wellness or NutriSource, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Wellness or NutriSource will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Wellness and NutriSource. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Wellness Pet Foods

You can purchase Wellness pet foods from the following stores:


213 Recipes In-Stock Today

166 Recipes In-Stock Today

172 Recipes In-Stock Today

21 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy NutriSource Pet Foods

You can purchase NutriSource pet food products from these retailers:


75 Recipes In-Stock Today

30 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductWellnessNutriSource
Dry Dog Food59 Recipes41 Recipes
Wet Dog Food53 Recipes13 Recipes
Dog Treats25 Treats11 Treats
Dry Cat Food19 Recipes8 Recipes
Wet Cat Food74 Recipes10 Recipes
Cat Treats5 TreatsNone

Top Rated Wellness Recipes

Dog Food
Wellness
Core Grain Free Original Formula - Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe
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Core Grain Free Beef, Venison & Lamb Formula
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Core Grain Free Original Formula - Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe
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Pate Turkey Dinner
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Top Rated NutriSource Recipes

Dog Food
NutriSource
Pure Vita Turkey & Sweet Potato Entrée
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Dog Food
NutriSource
Wet Dog Food Chicken, Lamb & Ocean Fish Recipe
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Cat Food
NutriSource
Pure Vita Chicken & Peas Entree
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Cat Food
NutriSource
Grain Free Cat Food Country Select
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