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Home > Articles by: Above1 Support

9 Reasons We Love Rescue Pets

Posted on by Above1 Support

“Adopt, Don’t Shop!” You’ve certainly heard that catchphrase for the pet adoption movement that continues to make headway with every year. And at Wellness, we couldn’t agree more; we think every pet is special! November 3-9 is National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week, and this year we want to take a moment to recognize the reasons we love rescue pets. 

1.    They Usually Have a Good Story

That scruffy, half-chihuahua, half-some kind of terrier dog that has one eye and a heart of gold? She’s got a great story, some of which you may never even know. But many rescue dogs come with a backstory worth telling, for better or for worse. This dog survived a hurricane but lost his family along the way, this dog was found twenty miles into the desert with a mouthful of cactus spikes and no water for days. Whatever your rescue dog’s story, you can rest assured that one of the best chapters in her book is the one where you brought her home to rest, heal, and spend the rest of her story being loved and appreciated.

2.    The Adoration is So Mutual

No one loves you like your dog. No one. There is no one else who is going to literally sit at the front door while you are gone and count the seconds until you return, even if only just to be in the same room as you. Whatever love and time you put into your relationship with your dog, they will return that adoration tenfold. And rescue dogs? They know who changed their world: you. And they won’t let you forget it! 

3.    A Life: Saved

Animal shelters around the country are regularly overpopulated, and the unfortunate truth of that is that many perfectly adoptable pets are euthanized each day because there is simply not enough room. If you rescue a dog or a cat, you have just saved a life. Think about that for a moment. This is your opportunity to truly save a life. Why not seize this chance?

4.    Here’s to Your Health and Theirs

Studies have proven time and time again that pets are a powerful antidepressant for people, that homes with dogs and/or cats are happier all around. There is even a direct link between pet ownership and better health. So why wouldn’t you have pet? And why not make that a pet that needs you, too?

5.    You’re Fighting Puppy Mills

No matter how adorable that little bundle of canine fur may be on an online ad or in a store, there is a good chance that he came from a puppy mill. So many “designer pets” today are bred in backyard breeding factories that encourage animal abuse and neglect in horrific conditions. If you rescue a dog from a shelter, that’s one more puppy mill purchase that didn’t happen. And if it happens enough? Puppy mills can’t stay in business. That’s a long road to travel, but at least you can make a small step towards that greater cause. Join the Wellness Foundation’s movement and help support Best Friends Animal Society mission to make all shelters no kill.

6.    Discounts for Days

Have you purchased a purebred lately? Yikes! The price for clean genes is steep! There’s certainly nothing wrong with purebreds (we love them too!), but a pooch or kitty from an animal shelter will cost you a fraction of the cost. In fact, many shelters often have adoption specials, offering even greater discounts on adoption fees or free vaccinations, spays or neuters. And luckily a discounted price doesn’t mean a discounted pet ownership experience.

7.    Lifelong Friend

The nighttime guard, the kid entertainer, the dinner taster, the exercise partner, the confidante, the friend. Pets come into our lives, and though they may go quicker than we are ever ready, they are our true friends for their entire lives. Rescuing a pet is giving yourself the gift of a lifelong friend, for you both.

8.    Up Your Social Game

Need an excuse to leave the house? Want a way to meet people? Or maybe your Instagram feed just needs a little boost. Pets have a way of majorly upping your social game, getting you out of your comfort zone and encouraging you to get out there and be social. Want-to-be-extrovert? Rescue a dog and be amazed at how many people you can meet at the dog park or at dog-friendly Saturday brunch. Introvert but still love making friends online? We imagine that pic of you and your newly adopted cat will get you more than a few likes.

9.    You’re Doing a Good Thing

At the end of the day, it comes down to this: adopting a pet is giving you the chance to do a really good thing. There are so many animals in this world that need a home, and when you make the choice to adopt rather than shop, you’re saving a life, providing a home and doing the right thing. We’re proud of you, and you should be too. Now go adopt that pet!

Wellness CORE Bestie Bars are the best way to show your new rescue dog or cat just how much you really care, by offering wholesome, nutritious food in their bowl each and every day.

 

Why Black Cats Make the Best Pets

Posted on by Above1 Support

National Black Cat Day is October 27. The reason we need such special recognition days is because black cats have been so misunderstood and maligned throughout history. So, on this day, here’s a chance to think about some of the ways in which black cats make the best pets. It’s a chance to educate and spread the word about how wonderful black cats are.

Here are just eight reasons to get you started. (In reality though, there are countless reasons!)

1.Let’s start with the absolute outward beauty of the coat. Black cats look sophisticated. If the cat is kept healthy and fed excellent quality food, the black coat should be sleek, shiny and simply gorgeous. A black cat always looks as if they are ready for a formal night out on the town.

2.    In addition to the black cat’s elegance, they also look like a little panther gracefully roaming around. It’s as if you have a little piece of the wild in your home. A black cat walking or running through the house is the picture of grace, stealth, mystery and beauty.

3.    The expressive eyes of a black cat are striking against the black fur. The amount of melanin is what gives the black cat’s eyes a golden color. Some black cats have green eyes as well. Those beautiful eyes are perfectly framed by the sleek, black fur. When a black cat is looking at you, it’s hard to resist the expression in those magnificently highlighted eyes.

4.    Research suggests that the genetic mutation in black cats may help make them more resistant to certain illnesses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus.

5.    Black cats have long endured cruelty and horrible misconceptions due to myths and superstitions. For so many years, countless black cats have also been passed over in terms of adoption due to inaccurate beliefs. Black cats are no different than any other cat. By adopting a black cat you have the opportunity to help put an end to misconceptions. Friends and family who may view black cats negatively will visit your home and see for themselves how wrong they have been in their attitude toward these beautiful and loving felines.

6.    Black cats are almost always available at shelters. Imagine, being able to adopt such a gorgeous cat for a nominal fee. Such beauty awaits you at your local shelter. Though many uninformed people may pass by the black cat due to misconceptions, you can truly be the lucky one who gives a forever home to a cat so deserving. 

7.    Your black cat will help you become a much better photographer. It takes a little more skill to capture the facial features of a black cat. You need to pay attention to lighting and background. If you make sure there’s adequate lighting across the face (don’t use a flash), you can capture those magnificent eyes as well as the delicate outlines of the nose and mouth. Proper lighting will also highlight the sleekness of the stunning black coat. Some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve ever seen are of black cats. 

8.    While black cats have been maligned, they have also been viewed as good luck in many parts of the world. In many countries, a black cat is considered good luck. In Japan, if a single woman owns a black cat, it’s believed to increase the number of her romantic interests. England and Scotland also view black cats as good luck. In Russia, all cats are considered good luck. So instead of believing in bad luck, choose to believe the good fortune that black cats are known for.

The bottom line is that by believing black cats bring bad luck or that they are associated with evil, everyone loses – the cats and the people who miss out on experiencing the love they offer. Black cats make the best pets, just as any cat makes the best pet because you and your cat get to experience love and a special bond.

Keep your cat’s black coat looking its best with Wellness CORE RawRev food. A diet with higher protein promotes shiny fur and healthy skin, along with stronger, leaner muscle! 
 

 

Wellness Global Service Day

Posted on by Above1 Support
day of service

This past month the entire Wellness organization celebrated Global Service Day! Over 250 Wellies’ spent their time at local shelters and other animal rescue organizations around the world. Teams were spread out all over the U.S , Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia and Canada.

Take a look at some of the photos!

grs

Great Dog Rescue New England – Woburn, MA

meg

Cape Ann Animal Aid – Gloucester, MA

aus

West Australian Dingo Association, Australia

s

Salem Animal Rescue League – Salem, NH

can

Save My Tail, Canada

We’d like to thank all of the organizations who let us spend the day with them. If looking to adopt a new pet, check out the list below.

  • Lowell Humane Society, Lowell, MA
  • Salem Animal Rescue League, Salem, NH
  • Cape Ann Animal Aid, Gloucester, MA
  • MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Methuen, MA
  • Animal Rescue League of NH, Bedford, NH
  • Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem, MA
  • Paws, Wakefield, MA
  • Operation Delta Dog, Hollis, NH
  • Great Dog Rescue of NE, Woburn, MA
  • Albuquerque Best Friends
  • Best Friends LA
  • Burlington Humane Society
  • California Animal Shelter
  • Carver-Scott Humane Society, Minnesota
  • Feline Café of Ottawa
  • Greenville North Carolina Humane Society
  • Humane Society of St. Joseph County, Indiana
  • Hunter T Cronin Cat Room
  • Best Friends, Kanab Utah
  • PAWS, Chicago IL
  • Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary
  • Salt Lake City Best Friends
  • Shamroq Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute
  • Rescue of Queensland, Australia
  • South Bend Animal Rescue
  • The Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Singapore
  • West Australian Dingo Association, Australia

We know that every home is better with a pet, and so we are so happy to have had a chance to spend time working with a Best Friends Animal Society partner shelter that helps homeless pets find a forever home.

To learn more about our Wellness Foundation, watch a video from our CEO Camelle Kent and Join the Movement visit: https://wellnessfoundation.org/
 

10 Things That Make Someone a Cat Person

Posted on by Above1 Support

October 29th is a special day. This is the day we celebrate National Cat Day. If you share your life with cats, you most likely believe every day is National Cat Day (or should be), but this special day gives people a chance to educate others about how wonderful cats are. It’s also a day to celebrate what it means to be a cat person. 

1. A cat person is someone who loves and appreciates the language of cats.

Cats can make 100 different vocal sounds, as well as having quite an extensive body language. They also rely heavily on scent communication. The cat person loves the cat for the soft purr heard during times of closeness, but also loves that same cat for the unrelenting meow at 5 a.m. in the morning when kitty thinks breakfast is overdue.

2. A cat person enjoys the delicate and exquisitely elegant movements of a cat.

Stealth and speed combine to create beauty in motion. Whether the cat is stalking prey or just walking through a room, the gait is pure poetry. A cat person loves the cat for how beautiful and silent his movements can be and marvels at how a 6 pound cat can also sound like a team of horses galloping down the hallway when chasing a toy. A cat person appreciates the beauty of a ballet and the pratfalls of a comedy.

3. A cat person provides for the unique requirements that enable a cat to live a happy and healthy life.

Many people think cats are low maintenance and that it’s responsible for their appeal for cat people. That is not accurate at all. While cats don’t need to be walked and can be left alone for longer periods, they aren’t second-rate substitutes for dogs. The care of a cat differs in some ways from the care of a dog but still requires commitment, time, patience, love and attention 

4. A cat person knows it’s not about shortcuts.

While the cat may enjoy looking out the window at activity in the trees, it’s better to have one’s own tree indoors. A cat person is also good at role playing and can use toys to imitate birds, mice and other critters. It’s not about throwing a ball and having the pet fetch, but rather, mimicking a mouse so the cat can stalk and pounce, using accurate timing, precision and athleticism. A cat person knows playtime is the feline version of playing chess. It’s all about the right moves at the right time.

5. A cat person understands everyone needs some personal space.

Cat people don’t expect the cat to follow close behind and wait for the next command. When the cat is looking away and appears distant, it means he feels safe… he trusts. He’s also doing a favor by keeping watch for any mice, spiders or flies that try to sneak into the room. A cat person knows the cat has a job to do.

6. A cat person understands the cat’s appreciation for viewing life from all angles.

For a cat, life is very vertical. Whether it’s the top of the refrigerator, balancing on the top of a door, sitting on the highest bookshelf, sleeping in the bathroom sink or napping in the dirty clothes hamper in the closet, the cat can find joy in multiple places we wouldn’t view as comfortable.

7. A cat person accepts that cat hair will be found in the most unlikely places.

8. A cat person has an amazing ability to stay in one position for what seems like an intolerable amount of time.

When a cat is curled up in a lap or sleeping close by, the cat person develops the remarkable strength to avoid scratching an itchy nose, sneezing, coughing, or the need to use the bathroom. The only weakness, however, is that the cat person can’t resist the urge to slowly and silently pull out the smartphone and take a picture of the sleeping cat. A cat person knows you can never have too many cat photos.

9. A cat person understands commitment.

With advancements in veterinary medicine, nutrition and a greater understanding of what’s required for happy, healthy lives, cats are living longer. In many cases, long after the kids have grown up and gone off to college, the family cat is still there. Years ago, when the cat was a kitten, a cat person used to struggle to make the bed as the rambunctious little kitty would insist on playing under the sheet. These days, the bed is left unmade so as not to disturb the senior cat still sleeping there. A cat person’s compassion grows deeper as every day gets more precious.

10. A cat person understands love.

 

Photo by Ramiz Dedaković on Unsplash

On October 29, celebrate your cats, but also celebrate yourself for the wonderful cat person you are!

 

Oktoberfest Breeds & Brews: Find Your Ideal Pooch and Beer Pairing!

Posted on by Above1 Support

You’ve heard the comments about how often pet parents end up choosing a pup that looks like them, but what about Brews & Breeds? This Oktoberfest, we’re having a little fun with beer and pooch pairings! First, find your favorite beer, and see which pup’s personality matches it!

1. Pilsner:

A bit more hoppy than your average lager and pleasantly lighter than a generic pale ale, a pilsner is, put simply, a refreshing beer with rich German roots.

Your dog:

You enjoy a brew that has a bit more hop than the average beer, but still remains light and easy to drink – meaning you enjoy a hardworking companion that offers energy when needed yet often remains tame. A German Shepherd is the perfect mix of spirit and calmness, just like your pilsner!

2. Lager:

Known for its crisp, light taste and smooth, mellow flavor, lagers are one of the less bitter, more subdued brews in the beer world. 

Your dog:

You like things low maintenance, no frills or fuss – your perfect breed is a Bernese Mountain Dog. These large-breed canines play into the name of a lager itself, but more importantly, they are the easygoing, well-balanced pooch perfect for your lifestyle. When they aren’t sleeping, they’re up for a relaxing cuddle or a hangout on the couch—while you sip your brew. 

3. Sour Ale:

Intentionally acidic to pack a punch, sour ales have a distinctive, zippy flavor. Available in an array of shades from golden to amber, this beer looks as good as it tastes. 

Your dog:

Lovers of sour ales can handle just about anything, especially a tart kick, making them the perfect pet parents to Poodles. High in energy, these elegant pooches can zip around the yard in a manner that catches you off guard, much like the lively flavor of a sour ale. Poodles are also known to sport colorful bows varying in shades and tones, mirroring the diverse colors of the beloved sour brew. 

4. Hoppy:

Bursting with citrus, floral, fruity or piney flavors, this beer is bitter in taste and intensely aromatic.

Your dog: For these beer lovers, the more hop, the better – so you gravitate towards Australian Shepherds. Speaking in literal terms, these canines truly have a hop, and a quality one at that. Known for their impressive jumping skills (both high and far), these dogs are as “hoppy” as it gets without any of the bitterness.  

5. New England IPA:

Often described as “hazy” or “juicy,” New Englanders have put their own twist on the traditional IPA. These brews are both smooth and creamy, unlike the dryer characteristics of other IPAs, and emulate a tropical-esque sweetness that veers from the standard IPA bitterness.

Your dog:

There’s no place like New England, and if you’re a die-hard fan of this IPA, you’re an all-around Northeast fanatic – your perfect breed is a Boston Terrier. This pup’s personality makes it unique from other terriers, and there’s no better ode to New England than a dog named after the place where it all began. 

6. Dark Ale:

Deep in color and rich in flavors like chocolate and caramel, a dark ale is known for its malty and roasted taste. Full in body and slightly sweet, this brew offsets bitterness and is easy to drink.

Your dog:

The attraction of this beer is often the rich, sweet taste and the smooth, dark color – your perfect breed is a Chocolate Lab or a Black Lab. Both breeds boast a charming, friendly personality while flaunting that deep, dark color that catches the eye of every passersby. 

7. IPA :

It’s the most aggressively hopped beer style of them all! With a powerfully bitter taste and intense citrus aroma, the IPA family of beers tend to have a higher alcohol content and provides flavor that really works for you.

Your dog:

If you love a beer that has a real punch and has a lot to offer you, your best matched for a dog within the working breeds. Think a Great Dane or Saint Bernard. Just like there are different kinds of IPA, there are several working dogs to choose from, all of which are loyal, hardworking – and that everyone loves!

8. Blonde Ale:

As the most approachable style of beer, blonde or golden ales are known for being easy to drink. Well-rounded and smooth, this kind of beer is an all American classic.

Your dog:

If a blonde ale is your brew of choose, there’s no doubt that you’re born to be the proud pet parent of a yellow lab or golden retriever. Not only will they match in appearance and provide great photo ops at dog-friendly breweries, but both breeds are also easy-to-train, loyal and American classics themselves.

9. Flight:

It’s the best that a brewery has to offer! From IPA’s to ales and lagers, a flight of beer will give you a little bit of everything. You never know exactly which flavors you’ll get, but your taste buds are always pleased at the end.

Your dog:

It’s no surprise that flight lovers are best matched for mutts or mixed breeds. These pups are a combination of all the characteristics and personality traits that man’s best friend has to offer!

10. Stout:

The name may make you think small, but these beers are strong, dark and offer a firm, powerful aroma. With a lower alcoholic volume, stout beers are perfect for tasting and pairing with your favorite foods.

Your dog:

A stout beer goes best with a stout dog – like a Corgi! Corgis are “big dogs” on their lovable short legs. Despite being small in stature, these pooches are steady, dependable and athletic – they’re great to bring alongside your favorite activities as they are always looking for something to do!

Winners of the CORE RawRev Photo Contest

Posted on by Above1 Support

With over 500 submissions, the competition was surely tough for the Wellness CORE RawRev Photo Contest! We asked pet parents to share a fun photo of how they keep their dogs and cats active in celebration of the CORE RawRev Takeover!

Pets that are always on the move, need more protein and CORE RawRev allows you to add raw meat easily and safely with 100% freeze- dried meat pieces to every meal. Combined with the same CORE kibble you know and love this savory, nutrient-rich meal supports strong lean muscle, healthy skin and shiny coats! 

Lets meet the winners!

 

The Importance of High Protein Food in Active Pets

Posted on by Above1 Support
Andrew Muse active dogs

Photo by Andrew Muse

You don’t have to be a full-time adventurer in order to want to keep your active pet healthy. An active lifestyle means different things for different pet parents. However, there are some things we can agree on, like how many things there are to consider when choosing a diet for your pet that you’ll feel confident about feeding.

What are the best ingredients to feed your pet? What about the flavor options? Then, there’s your pet’s lifestage, breed size and even unique nutritional restrictions like allergies or medical challenges to consider. It can all start to feel pretty overwhelming. Well, one important place to start when evaluating options is by looking at protein. 

Why is it important to pay attention to protein?

Dietary protein is a nutrient that is vital to every dog and cat’s wellbeing.  Essential for growth and for the maintenance of almost all the tissues in their body, protein is highly digestible and naturally supplies all the amino acids necessary for a dog or cat to build hair, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. And on a molecular level, protein is key to the creation of enzymes that put into motion many metabolic reactions needed for day to day life, the hormones that act as the body’s chemical messengers and antibodies that comprise the immune system. Making sure there is enough good protein in your pets’ diet is of the upmost importance to ensure they’re receiving what they need to truly thrive. 

How to investigate protein in your pet’s food

When selecting a diet for your pet, there are certain ways to check if the protein content is where you want it to be:
1. Look at the ingredient list and search for named meat protein such as turkey, chicken or salmon. 
2. Look at the total amount of protein listed in the Guaranteed Analysis on the back of the bag.
3. Aim for protein levels in the mid 30s for dogs, and mid 40s for cats. 

What to expect when switching to a higher protein pet food

Before upgrading your pet to a higher protein food, remember that it’s important to slowly transition your pet to their new food over the course of at least 5-7 days in order to avoid digestive upset. And for certain pets with medical conditions, you’ll also want to confirm your choice with your veterinarian.

Land on a diet with the right levels of protein for your pet, and you’ll soon notice some exciting improvements in their health and Wellness:

  • Softer, shinier skin and coat within a few weeks’ time
  • Increase in lean muscle mass
  • Increased energy levels and more playfulness
  • Healthy digestion
  • Smaller, firmer stools—less fillers mean less waste.

Of course, it’s not enough for a pet food to have just high protein. All Wellness CORE formulas ensure that this important nutrient is perfectly balanced with a moderate level of fat and a reduced amount of carbohydrates to optimize your pet’s energy levels. Additionally, we add fresh fruits and veggies for natural sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 

Making the most of your pet’s new-found vitality

Wellness CORE RawRev Puppy

Photo by @wholisticjen

Why does Wellness CORE continually strive for perfectly balanced diets that are rich in protein? Pets are an integral part of our families, and we want to give them every advantage possible to live a long, healthful, happy life. That means more rounds of fetch in the backyard, walks around the neighborhood, and more kisses and snuggles at the end of each day. 

How will you celebrate your pet’s healthy new leash on life? Maybe you’ll even be inspired to get on the trail, becoming more active yourself. The possibilities are endless. 

How do you have fun with your active pet? Share your photos using @wellnesspetfood and #WellnessCORE for a chance to be featured on our website or social media. 
 

Why Wellness CORE RawRev is Different

Posted on by Above1 Support
Wellness CORE RawRev dog

At Wellness, we’re driven each day to deliver uncompromising nutrition for the pets that depend on us. Let’s take Wellness CORE, for example. Wellness CORE, our high-protein recipes for dogs and cats, has become a tried-and-true approach to premium natural nutrition for pets. Wellness CORE offers high-protein, meat-rich formulas with lowered carbohydrates.

Start feeding one of our Wellness CORE foods, and you’ll notice your pet will likely develop strong, lean muscle mass, a silky, lustrous coat, and an improved level of energy to share in all of life’s experiences with you.

And to take that great nutrition one step further, now there’s Wellness CORE RawRev, formulas that give pet parents the opportunity to feed one of the most innovative advancements in the pet food category.

What is CORE RawRev?

With CORE RawRev we started with our CORE kibble and added 100% freeze-dried raw meat pieces. These pieces are evenly dispersed throughout the bag to ensure every meal contains the savory goodness of raw meat with the scoop and serve safety and convenience that you know and love.   

Why is CORE RawRev different?

Meat.

Wellness CORE RawRev comparison

Wellness CORE RawRev freeze-dried pieces are shown on the left.

Wellness CORE RawRev’s range stands out from other brands. Why? We use just 100% raw meat, diced and then freeze dried. With similar products, the inclusions are a mix of ingredients, there’s some meat, but with added fillers and binders. By using just freeze dried meat in CORE RawRev, we’re delivering key protein nutrients such as incremental amino acids and vitamins, with an incomparable taste.

Taste.

For your dog or cat this means that every bag of CORE RawRev delivers an exceptional savory, meat taste for heightened mealtime excitement. In other words, scoop and pour CORE RawRev, then sit back and watch your dog or cat reach a new level of mealtime joy.

With each bite your dog or cat takes, they’re getting to savor the aroma, texture and taste that only comes with freeze dried meat.

With pets becoming more and more fussy today, this makes for the perfect solution for all those fussy dogs or cats. In fact, when it comes to cats, a recent study showed that 9/10 cats loved CORE RawRev, which given how fussy cats can be, it shows just how much pets are loving this recipe. 

Has your dog or cat already tried CORE RawRev? Share your experience with other Wellness pet parents who might be curious about learning more by tagging your stories and photos with @wellnesspetfood and #WellnessCORE and we may feature you on our social media or website!

Wellness Foundation Partners With Best Friends Animal Society

Posted on by Above1 Support
wellness foundation

Here at Wellness Pet Food we are committed to making the world a better place for pets everywhere. That’s why we started the Wellness Foundation, with a mission that goes beyond nutrition to help pets be #RaisedWithLove!

                                  

As the Official Pet Food Partner of Best Friends, we are proud to provide natural pet food for the animals they rescue, so they have access to the healthiest nutrition possible.

We are also committed to helping the pets at Best Friends find forever homes. And when they do, we want their first meal to be from us, so we send their new families home with FREE Wellness pet food. Because pets deserve nothing less than the most nutrient-dense goodness in every bowl, starting with the first one.

                                       

By adopting a pet from responsible, no-kill animal shelters, you’re giving them room to save another pet from unhealthy environments. Adopting not only saves the life of your new pet, but it also makes a spot available for another pet to be at shelters like these. 

  Are you ready to join the movement?

best friends

       

CORE Dry Dog Recipe Updates

Posted on by Above1 Support
core pup

 At Wellness Pet Food we continually updates our products to include the best quality ingredients and adapt to consumer requests and pet needs. Below are the latest changes in our CORE Dry Dog food recipes. 

Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate 

Historically, we added supplemental glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate to our CORE Dry Dog diets. In doing so, we had to abide by a Texas State Regulation relative to the minimum value of these compounds that we could state in our guaranteed analysis (GA). 

Recent testing of our recipes confirmed that the great majority of our glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate in our diets comes, naturally, from our animal proteins. Therefore, we decided to stop supplementing our diets with additional glucosamine & chondroitin and reflect the naturally occurring amounts of these compounds in our guaranteed analysis.

As a result, you will no longer see glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate listed as individual ingredients in our ingredient panel. Instead they are noted as naturally occurring from our animal proteins.

Taurine 

We have been supplementing our diets with taurine since 2004, as serious medical conditions can arise when dogs are taurine-deficient. To assure pet parents that our recipes deliver adequate amounts of taurine, we now guarantee a minimum level in our guaranteed analysis. 

Since dogs can naturally synthesize taurine from the protein in their diets, AAFCO does not require that dog foods guarantee taurine level in their recipes. So not all brands list taurine in their GA’s, but Wellness does!

Lentils 

Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein that aid in maintaining optimal cholesterol and energy levels as well as support digestive health.  With twice the amount of protein and choline per weight unit as potatoes, we replaced a portion of our potatoes with lentils to deliver more protein without increasing carbohydrates. 

Formulas that will now have lentils are: CORE Original, CORE Puppy, CORE Small Breed, CORE Large Breed, CORE Reduced Fat,CORE Ocean, CORE RawRev Original, CORE RawRev Small Breed, CORE RawRev Healthy Weight, and CORE RawRev Puppy.

Chicken meal 

We replaced turkey meal with chicken meal to optimize calcium and phosphorous levels in our CORE Wild Game & CORE Raw Rev Wild Game recipes. In addition, dried eggs will be removed from the Wild Game recipe. 

Chicken Liver

While chicken livers are a great source of minerals and vitamin A, we found that other ingredients deliver these nutrients at optimal levels so we removed chicken livers from CORE Original, CORE RawRev Original, CORE Reduced Fat, and CORE Healthy Weight to simplify the protein sources in our diets. 

Freeze-Dried Meat Size

We heard a lot of feedback from consumers that they wanted pieces of freeze-dried meat in every bite of CORE RawRev food. To better achieve this, we reduced the size of the pieces, which means there will be more freeze-dried meat spread throughout the bag.

Vitamin A replacing Beta Carotene 

Beta Carotene is a precursor to the creation of Vitamin A (dogs’ biological systems use beta carotene to make vitamin A), however supplementing our diets with Vitamin A directly better ensures optimal levels of this nutrient. You will notice this change in the GA.

Feeding Guidelines 

We frequently test our diets to ensure accuracy of our caloric claims. We recently updated our packaging to reflect the latest results of this testing, which impacts the calorie content and consequently feeding guidelines.

Get In Touch

Have questions about our recipes or not sure which is best for you pup? If you have any other questions or would like more information please call 1-800-225-0904 and a member from our team can assist you. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm ET. You can also reach us by email at info@wellpet.com

 

About This Page

Pet Type:

DOG

Topic:

Diet Health & Nutrition

Date:

19/08/2019

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