Our Verdict
Wellness CORE Paté wet cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars
It contains wholesome ingredients that are free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Flaxseed, dried kelp and cranberries provide a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants.
Pros
- High in moisture content
- Contains above average protein
- Good quality meat sources
Cons
- Contains more than one controversial ingredient
- The brand has had product recalls
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Wellness CORE Paté product line includes five wet cat foods.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| CORE Paté Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver | 4 | A |
| CORE Paté Whitefish, Salmon & Herring | 4 | A |
| CORE Paté Kitten: Chicken & Turkey | 4 | A |
| CORE Paté Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver | 5 | M |
| CORE Paté Turkey & Duck | 4 | M |
Buy at 
Recipe and Label Analysis
Wellness CORE Paté Whitefish, Salmon & Herring recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
CORE Paté Whitefish, Salmon & Herring recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Whitefish, salmon broth, salmon, tuna, herring, dried ground potatoes, canola oil, ground flaxseed, guar gum, cassia gum, xanthan gum, cranberries, potassium chloride, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), choline chloride, taurine, salt, dried kelp, chicory root extract, yucca schidigera extract, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, niacin, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is whitefish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The second ingredient is salmon broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third 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 cat to sustain life.
The fourth 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 cat to sustain life.
The fifth ingredient is herring. Herring is a fatty marine fish naturally high in protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The sixth ingredient is dried ground potatoes, a dehydrated potato product usually made from by-products of a food processing plant. This item is equal to corn in calorie content yet possibly with more protein.
The seventh ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed. Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a cat than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
The eighth ingredient is ground flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
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.
Recipe star rating 4.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Wellness CORE Paté Whitefish, Salmon & Herring recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 45.5%, a fat level of 18.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 28.4%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 51.8% and an above-average fat level of 28.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 11.5% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 54%.
This means the Wellness CORE Paté contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
Wellness CORE Paté range is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for adult cats and all life stages.
These paté recipes typically have high-quality animal protein as the primary ingredient, such as chicken, turkey, or fish. These proteins provide the essential amino acids necessary for your cat’s overall health and development. The range also includes grain-free options, making it suitable for cats with grain sensitivities or those following a grain-free diet.
The ingredients in Wellness CORE Paté recipes are carefully selected to provide a balanced and complete meal for your cat. They often include a combination of vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins and minerals to ensure your cat receives the necessary nutrients for optimal well-being.
Has Wellness cat food been recalled in the past?
Wellness has had a few cat food recalls. The most recent was in February 2017, when a number of canned cat foods were recalled due to the potential for foreign material.
In February 2011, the following Wellness canned cat foods were recalled due to inadequate levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Wellness (all flavors and sizes, including CORE) with “best by” dates of April 14–Sept. 30, 2013
- Wellness Chicken & Herring (all sizes) with “best by” dates of either Nov. 10, 2013 OR Nov. 17, 2013
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Wellness Pet Company’s headquarters is just outside Boston, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. It maintains the Farm Fresh Kitchen manufacturing facility in Minnesota and a manufacturing plant in Indiana.
The company consists of Wellness Natural Pet Food, Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness, WHIMZEES by Wellness, Sojos, Eagle Pack and Holistic Select.
Sources
Best cat foods
Cat Food Advisor is reader supported. If you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
We uphold the highest editorial standards when creating the authoritative content pet parents rely on and trust.
Every piece of clinical content on the Cat Food Advisor is reviewed by our certified Veterinary Advisory Board, which consists of licensed veterinarians and medically certified specialists.
Our reviews are completely independent; we are not paid by any pet food company to promote their products favorably. We do not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration. For more information see our Disclaimer & Disclosure page.
