Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds Review

Compare Prices To Find The Lowest Price
22.80 + Shipping ($4.95)
$14.82 First Auto-Ship Order
Free 1-3 Day Shipping Orders $49+
35% Off First Auto-Ship
11.55 + Shipping (By Weight)
Free Shipping On Orders $25+
14.95 + Shipping (By Weight)
Free Shipping On Orders $35+
28.40 + Shipping ($4.95)
$18.46 First Auto-Ship Order
Free 1-3 Day Shipping Orders $49+
35% Off First Auto-Ship

PawDiet has been helping pet owners since 2015. To fund our efforts, articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission.


Review of Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds

According to our data, this Wellness recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds, we'll examine all 33 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

  2. Chicken broth is a flavorful, hydrating ingredient that adds moisture to your dog's food, making it more palatable. It also contains essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to support your dog's overall health and well-being.

  3. Water sufficient for processing is a necessary component in wet dog food recipes. It provides the required moisture to create a palatable texture and consistency, making it easier for your pet to consume and digest their food.

  4. Potato starch is a carbohydrate source that can provide energy for your dog while being gentle on their digestive system.

  5. Turkey is a lean protein source that can help build and maintain muscle mass in dogs. It is also rich in essential nutrients like vitamin B6 and niacin.

  6. Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.

  7. Egg is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle growth, coat health, and overall wellness.

  8. Tapioca starch is a grain-free carbohydrate source derived from the root of the cassava plant. It is used in dog food as a binding agent and energy source. Tapioca starch is easily digestible, making it a suitable ingredient for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies.

  9. Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.

  10. While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.

  11. Tricalcium phosphate is used as a calcium supplement in dog foods, contributing to strong teeth and bones.

  12. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that promotes a healthy coat and skin.

  13. Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the guar bean, used to improve the texture of your dog's food. It also serves as a source of soluble fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and support overall gastrointestinal health.

  14. Magnesium Sulfate is a source of magnesium, necessary for many biochemical reactions in your dog's body, including protein synthesis and nerve function.

  15. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  16. Thiamine hydrochloride, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that supports your dog's nervous system, metabolism, and energy production. It's important for maintaining overall health and well-being in dogs.

  17. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.

  18. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  19. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  20. D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.

  21. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  22. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  23. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

  24. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  25. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  26. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  27. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  28. Zinc amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your dog's immune system, skin, and coat health. This ingredient also plays a crucial role in wound healing and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

  29. Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall health in dogs.

  30. Manganese amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, a trace mineral that supports bone health and metabolic function.

  31. Copper amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's connective tissue formation, metabolism, and overall health.

  32. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  33. Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of iodine in your dog's diet. Iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of your dog's thyroid gland.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis of the Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds indicates a minimum crude protein content of 8.00%. The primary contributors to this protein value are the chicken, turkey, and chicken liver listed in the ingredients. These are all high-quality sources of animal protein, which are essential for the growth and maintenance of muscles and other body tissues in dogs.

The crude fat content is at a minimum of 3.00%. This fat likely comes from the chicken and turkey, as both are sources of animal fat, but also from the added sunflower oil. Fats are crucial for providing energy, supporting cell structure, and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Crude fiber is listed at a maximum of 1.00%. Fiber in pet foods can come from various sources, but given the ingredients list, the potato starch, tapioca starch, and guar gum are likely contributing to the fiber content. Fiber is important for digestive health, although the low percentage reflects the product's focus on high digestibility and the fact that dogs require less fiber compared to humans.

The caloric content is given as 1052.00 kilocalories per kilogram. This energy density is a result of the combined macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates present in the ingredients. The chicken and turkey provide not only protein but also calories from their fat content, while the potato and tapioca starches contribute calories from carbohydrates. The overall caloric content is important for pet owners to understand in order to feed their pets appropriately for weight management.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Wellness Core Mini Meals Shredded Chicken & Turkey Dinner In Gravy For Small Breeds costs approximately $8.54 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult
5 lbs $173.82
10 lbs $292.33
15 lbs $396.22
20 lbs $491.63
30 lbs $666.36

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers who have finicky dogs seem to find Wellness Core Mini Meals a hit, with several noting that their picky eaters, including breeds like chihuahuas and yorkies, enjoy the food. The shredded texture and real food ingredients are frequently mentioned as positives, satisfying dogs who might otherwise turn their noses up at mealtime.

Some dogs with health issues, such as a senior dog with congestive heart disease or a bichon with diabetes, have benefited from the Wellness Core Mini Meals. Owners appreciate being able to hide medication in the food or offer a diet-friendly option that their dogs still love. Additionally, a dog with a history of seizures is reported to have experienced fewer episodes since switching to this food.

Despite a few instances where dogs experienced digestive upset or rejected the food, the majority of reviews are positive, with pet owners observing that their dogs eagerly consume the Mini Meals. The convenience of the packaging and the suitability of the food for both meal enhancement and standalone feeding are also praised. The food's smell, which is likened to regular human food, seems to be appetizing to dogs, even if it seems unusual to some owners.