Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Wellness Protein Bowls product range consists of eight recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
Gently cooked recipes with real meat as the #1 ingredient, and wholesome, visible vegetables and grains.
Pros
- Premium brand yet affordable
- No added meat by-products, wheat, corn, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Transparency with ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures
Cons
- Adult only formulas
- Some recipes have added sugar
The table below shows each recipe in this range, including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Protein Bowls Beef, Potato and Green Beans | 4 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Beef, Red Pepper and Egg | 4.5 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Chicken, Potato and Peas | 4 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Chicken, Quinoa and Pumpkin | 4 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Duck, Sweet Potato and Cranberries | 3 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Lamb, Red Rice and Peas | 4 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Salmon, Whitefish and Rice | 5 | M |
| Wellness Protein Bowls Turkey, Cranberries and Peas | 3 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Wellness Protein Bowls Salmon, Whitefish and Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Wellness Protein Bowls Salmon, Whitefish and Rice
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, whitefish, tuna, rice, chicken, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, fish bone broth, potato starch, tricalcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, dried chicory root, taurine, magnesium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, parsley, dill, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin A supplement, anise seed, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, niacin, riboflavin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, potassium iodide, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 12% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 40% | 17% | 35% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 35% | 35% | 31% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is whitefish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The third ingredient is Tuna. Tuna is an oily marine fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1
The fourth ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fifth ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.2
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The sixth and seventh ingredients are red and yellow peppers, a carotene-rich member of the bell pepper family. Peppers are high in fiber and antioxidants.
The eighth ingredient is fish bone broth. Although they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, bone broths are a common component in many wet products. However, since broths consist almost entirely of water, the trace nutrients they contain account for only a fraction of the overall finished dog food.
The ninth ingredient is potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has three notable exceptions.
First, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, chicory root. Chicory is rich in , a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
This food also contains chelated minerals, that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Wellness Protein Bowls Turkey, Cranberries and Peas looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 39.7%, a fat level of 17.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 33.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 36% and a mean fat level of 23.2%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 32% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 65%.
This means this Wellness Product line contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical wet dog food.
Wellness Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Wellness through March 2026.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Wellness Protein Bowls Dog Food
Wellness Protein Bowls is a grain-inclusive wet dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
About
Wellness was founded in 1997. Both dog and cat food are manufactured by Wellness Pet Company, and are produced in the USA, specifically at facilities in Minnesota and Indiana.
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Sources
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