Wellness Cat Food Ingredients

Wellness manufactures roughly 100 different cat food products. Each product utilizes a unique set of ingredients to achieve a desired nutritional profile.

In this article, we'll explore Wellness ingredients and answer many of the most common questions.

As of right now, our records indicate that Wellness uses roughly 137 different ingredients.

First 5 Ingredients

Cat food ingredients in the United States are listed in descending order of pre-cooked weight. The first 5 ingredients typically constitute a significant portion of the recipe.

For Wellness, these are the most common ingredients found within the first 5 cat food ingredients.

chicken
water sufficient for processing
water sufficient for processing
potato starch
dried egg whites

As you can see, the most common first ingredient in Wellness is chicken. The most common 2nd ingredient is water sufficient for processing, followed by water sufficient for processing, potato starch, and dried egg whites.

Artificial Food Coloring Dyes

Wellness does not use any artificial food coloring dyes. According to our records, none of the 100 Wellness cat foods contain artificial food dyes.

Artificial food coloring dyes are unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients. In general, we not not recommend feeding any pet foods that contain artificial dyes.

In 2010, the CSPI raised serious concerns regarding the safety of many artificial dyes. Most of the studies referenced by the CSPI involved prolonged or excessive consumption. Since most cats consume the same foods throughout their lives, concerns raised by the CSPI are alarming to say the least.

To read more about Artificial Food Dyes, click here.

Animal By-Products

According to our records, Wellness does not contain any animal by-products.

Animal by-products are basically the leftover parts of the the carcass after its been processed for meat. AAFCO defines by-products as the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals.

Although by-products are still fairly nutritious ingredients, consumers have equated them with slaughterhouse waste. Therefore, most premium brands, including Wellness have decided to remove by-products and instead use named organ meats (beef liver, chicken gizzards).

For further reading on the controversy over animal by-products, click here.

Anonymous Meat Ingredients

Anonymous meats are inexpensive low-quality ingredients that can come from practically any animal. These type of ingredients are often used to produce very inexpensive cat foods.

In general, we prefer ingredients which specify the animal source used to derive the ingredient. For example, ingredients such as duck fat are much better than animal fat or poultry fat.

In our analysis, we've looked through all 137 Wellness ingredients. According to our data, Wellness does not contain any anonymous animal-based ingredients.

Cereal Grains

Certain Wellness cat food recipes contain one or more grains. The specific ingredients are listed below.

For cats, we typically recommend choosing a grain-free recipe. Cats are obligate carnivores and therefore grains are not species appropriate.

The kibble production requires a binding agent. Grains are commonly used for this purpose in cat food. When purchasing grain-free cat food, grains are often replaced with another starchy source. This is also not ideal.

To avoid grains and other starchy additions, consider feeding wet or frozen recipes.

barley

5 Recipes

Barley is a nutritious carbohydrate source, naturally rich in dietary fiber and various minerals. Unlike pearled barley, regular barley contains the entire grain.

The following recipes contain barley:

brewers rice

1 Recipes

Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.

The following recipes contain brewers rice:

Wellness Natural Hairball Control Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe For Adult Cats

oats

3 Recipes

Oats are an excellent carbohydrate source with considerable nutrients in addition to dietary fiber. More specifically, oats are rich in B vitamins and various minerals including manganese.

The following recipes contain oats:

oatmeal

1 Recipes

Oatmeal is simply coarsely ground oats and therefore contains the entire oat grain. As with regular oats, oatmeal is rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins, and various minerals.

The following recipes contain oatmeal:

Wellness Complete Health Salmon & Salmon Meal Recipe For Adult Cats

rice

5 Recipes

Rice is a gluten-free carbohydrate source. As long as the bran and germ of the grain are intact, rice can provide a notable amount of fiber and nutrition. However, because the type of rice ("brown" or "white") is not specified, we cannot make this determination.

The following recipes contain rice:

ground brown rice

2 Recipes

Ground brown rice is naturally rich in fiber and various minerals including manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium. Relative to other grains, ground brown rice is easy to digest.

The following recipes contain ground brown rice:

Controversial Ingredients

In most cases, ingredients which are given the controversial classification can be substituted with higher-quality alternatives. You should evaluate each controversial ingredient independently to see if there is truly a valid cause for concern.

Keep in mind, certain sacrifices often must be made to produce cat foods at a reasonable price. In general, the more expensive the product, the fewer controversial ingredients you'll find.

In our analysis, we've identified 6 controversial ingredients inside Wellness products. These controversial ingredients are listed below. Click on each ingredient for more information.

dried tomato pomace

1 Recipes

Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

The following recipes contain dried tomato pomace:

Wellness Natural Hairball Control Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe For Adult Cats

brewers rice

1 Recipes

The following recipes contain brewers rice:

Wellness Natural Hairball Control Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe For Adult Cats

pea protein

3 Recipes

Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.

The following recipes contain pea protein:

canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols)

1 Recipes

Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.

The following recipes contain canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols):

Wellness Core Grain Free Salmon & Herring Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

canola oil

7 Recipes

The following recipes contain canola oil:

tomato pomace

19 Recipes

Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

The following recipes contain tomato pomace:

Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Harmful ingredients are those which have been linked to adverse health effects. In general, we do not recommend feeding any product which contains any harmful ingredients.

There are certain situations where these ingredients may be necessary. We always recommend contacting Wellness for further clarification regarding any harmful or controversial ingredient.

We have identified 2 harmful ingredients used in certain Wellness recipes. To learn more, click on the ingredient's name.

menadione sodium bisulfite

1 Recipes

Menadione sodium bisulfite is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

The following recipes contain menadione sodium bisulfite:

Wellness Core Grain Free Salmon & Herring Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

menadione sodium bisulfite complex

7 Recipes

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

The following recipes contain menadione sodium bisulfite complex:

Wellness Cat Food Ingredient Lists

Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe For Adult Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Adult Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Kittens

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Senior Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Deboned Chicken & Turkey Meal Recipe For Healthy Weight Indoor Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Salmon & Herring Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Salmon & Salmon Meal Recipe For Adult Cats

Wellness Complete Health Healthy Weight Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal Recipe

Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Complete Health Salmon & Salmon Meal Recipe For Adult Cats

Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe For Senior Cats

Wellness Core Grain Free Deboned Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Meals Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Core Grain Free Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Deboned Chicken For Kittens

Wellness Core Grain Free Original Formula - Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe

Wellness Core Grain Free Salmon & Herring Meal Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Core Grain Free Turkey, Turkey Meal & Duck Formula For Adult Cats

Wellness Natural Hairball Control Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe For Adult Cats

Wellness Core RawRev Indoor - Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe

Wellness Core RawRev Original - Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe

Wellness Core 95% Beef & Chicken Smooth Pate

Wellness Core 95% Chicken & Salmon Smooth Pate

Wellness Core 95% Chicken Smooth Pate

Wellness Core 95% Turkey Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Classic Pate Beef, Venison & Lamb Recipe

Wellness Core Classic Pate Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe

Wellness Core Classic Pate Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Core Classic Pate Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe For Kittens

Wellness Core Classic Pate Whitefish, Salmon & Herring Recipe

Wellness Core Classic Pate Turkey & Duck Recipe

Wellness Core Hearty Cuts In Gravy Shredded Chicken & Turkey Recipe For Indoor Cats

Wellness Core Hearty Cuts In Gravy Shredded Chicken & Tuna Recipe

Wellness Core Hearty Cuts In Gravy Shredded Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Wellness Core Hearty Cuts In Gravy Shredded Whitefish & Salmon Recipe

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Chicken & Beef Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Chicken Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Chicken & Turkey Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Duck Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Tuna Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Tuna & Salmon Recipe Smooth Pate

Wellness Core Divine Duos With Beef Pate & Diced Chicken Liver In Gravy

Wellness Core Divine Duos With Chicken Pate & Diced Duck In Gravy

Wellness Core Divine Duos With Chicken Pate & Diced Salmon In Gravy

Wellness Core Divine Duos With Tilapia Pate & Diced Ahi Tuna In Gravy

Wellness Core Divine Duos With Tuna Pate & Diced Salmon In Gravy

Wellness Gravies Chicken Entree

Wellness Gravies Salmon Entree

Wellness Gravies Tuna Dinner

Wellness Gravies Turkey Dinner

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Chicken & Turkey Smothered In Gravy

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Tuna & Mackerel Smothered In Gravy

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Chicken Liver In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Salmon In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken & Turkey In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Salmon & Tuna In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Tuna In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Turkey & Duck In Savory Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Shreds With Chicken & Turkey In Light Sauce

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Shreds With Skipjack Tuna & Shrimp In Light Sauce

Wellness Minced Chicken Dinner

Wellness Minced Salmon Dinner

Wellness Minced Tuna Dinner

Wellness Minced Turkey & Salmon Entree

Wellness Minced Turkey Entree

Wellness Morsels Chicken Entree

Wellness Morsels Salmon Dinner

Wellness Morsels Tuna Entree

Wellness Morsels Turkey Dinner

Wellness Morsels Turkey & Salmon Entree

Wellness Pate Beef & Chicken Dinner

Wellness Pate Beef & Salmon Entree

Wellness Pate Chicken Entree For Kittens

Wellness Pate Chicken Entree

Wellness Pate Chicken & Herring Dinner

Wellness Pate Chicken & Lobster Dinner

Wellness Pate Salmon & Trout Entree

Wellness Pate Turkey Dinner

Wellness Pate Turkey & Salmon Entree

Wellness Signature Selects Chunky Beef & Boneless Chicken Entree In Sauce

Wellness Signature Selects Chunky Boneless Chicken & Turkey Entree In Sauce

Wellness Signature Selects Chunky Boneless Chicken & Wild Salmon Entree In Sauce

Wellness Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Shrimp Entree In Broth

Wellness Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entree In Broth

Wellness Signature Selects Shredded Boneless Chicken & Beef Entree In Sauce

Wellness Signature Selects Shredded Boneless Chicken & Turkey Entree In Sauce

Wellness Signature Selects Shredded Boneless Chicken & Chicken Liver Entree In Sauce

Wellness Sliced Chicken Entree

Wellness Sliced Salmon Entree

Wellness Sliced Turkey & Salmon Dinner

Wellness Sliced Turkey Entree

Wellness Core Simply Shreds Flaked Tuna & Shrimp Recipe In Broth

Wellness Core Simply Shreds Flaked Wild Salmon & Tuna Recipe In Broth

Wellness Core Simply Shreds Shredded Boneless Chicken & Mackerel Recipe In Broth

Wellness Core Simply Shreds Shredded Boneless Chicken Recipe In Broth

Wellness Kittles Chicken & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Kittles Duck & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Kittles Salmon & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Kittles Tuna & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Kittles Turkey & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Kittles Whitefish & Cranberries Recipe

Wellness Cat Food

Other Cat Food Brands

Wellness Cat Food Ingredients

First 5 Ingredients

Artificial Food Coloring Dyes

Animal By-Products

Anonymous Meat Ingredients

Cereal Grains

Controversial Ingredients

Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Wellness Cat Food Ingredient Lists