Laura Ward

Written by Laura Ward

Georgia Jeremiah

Reviewed by Georgia Jeremiah

Updated: April 15, 2024

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Wet Cat Food Review

Updated: April 15, 2024

Our Verdict

star
star
star
star
star

Not Recommended

Wellness Healthy Indulgence cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 2.5 stars.

The recipes feature high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, salmon, or tuna, as the main ingredient. These proteins are essential for supporting your cat’s muscle development and overall health. 

The products are often grain-free, which can be beneficial for cats with grain sensitivities or those following a grain-free diet.

Pros
  • Grain-free
  • High moisture content
  • Lean meat sources
  • No artificial flavors
Cons
  • Low in protein

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

The Wellness Healthy Indulgence product line includes ten wet cat foods.

Product line Rating AAFCO
Healthy Indulgence Shreds - Chicken and Turkey 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Shreds - Tuna & Shrimp 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Chicken & Chicken Liver 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Tuna 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Chicken & Salmon 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Salmon & Tuna 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Turkey & Duck 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Morsels - Chicken & Turkey 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Gravies - Chicken & Turkey 2.5 M
Healthy Indulgence Gravies - Tuna and Mackerel 2.5 M

Save up to 35%

with Autoship
See discount in cart

Recipe and Label Analysis

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Shreds – Chicken and Turkey 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.

Wellness Healthy Indulgence Shreds - Chicken and Turkey recipe

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

26.7%

Protein

13.3%

Fat

52%

CarbsCarbohydrates

Chicken broth, water sufficient for processing, chicken, potato starch, turkey, eggs, chicken liver, carrots, natural flavor, salt, guar gum, tricalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, taurine, magnesium sulfate, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, thiamine hydrochloride, niacin, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement], cranberries, blueberries, white sweet potatoes, xanthan gum, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, potassium iodide, sodium selenite


Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is chicken 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 second ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most wet cat foods.

The third ingredient is chicken.  Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1

Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.  

The fourth ingredient is potato starch. The source of this starch is unknown but it is most likely derived from corn or wheat. Without more information, it’s impossible to adequately judge the quality of this ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is turkey.  Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”. 2  

Just like chicken, turkey is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The sixth ingredient is eggs.  Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The seventh ingredient is chicken liver.  This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The eighth ingredient is carrots.  Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

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 2.5.

Save up to 35%

with Autoship
See discount in cart

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Wellness Healthy Indulgence Shreds – Chicken and Turkey recipe looks like an average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 26.7%, a fat level of 13.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 52%.

As a group, the brand features a below-average protein content of 34% and an above-average mean fat level of 18.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 39.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 54%.

This means the Wellness Healthy Indulgence product line contains lower than average protein, higher than average carbohydrate, higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.

Final Word

Each recipe in the range is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of adult cats and  includes lean meats, healthy fats, fruits and veggies with no wheat, corn or soy, and no added artificial flavors, colors, carrageenan or preservatives.

The Healthy Indulgence line includes a variety of flavors and textures to cater to different taste preferences. Some recipes may have a pâté texture, while others have a gravy or sauce consistency. These options can provide diversity and excitement during mealtime for your cat.

In addition to the protein source, Wellness Healthy Indulgence recipes often contain nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins and minerals. These ingredients contribute to a well-rounded and balanced diet, supporting your cat’s overall health and vitality.

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

1: Association of American Feed Control Officials

2: Adapted by the Cat Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication, 2008 Edition

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.

Vet with cat