There’s nothing pets love more than a good belly rub, and now, they’ll have happy bellies for a new reason. Wellness® Natural Pet Food, maker of food and treats for dogs and cats, presents Wellness CORE® Digestive Health, a line of recipes that are crafted with digestive enzymes, prebiotic fibers and probiotics to promote wellbeing from the inside out.

A healthy pet starts with a happy belly because gut health goes beyond just the digestive system. Digestive health is responsible for seventy percent of the immune system, impacts overall wellbeing and supports protection from toxins and allergens. Wellness CORE Digestive Health products are highly digestible, support a healthy microbiome and immunity, promote lustrous coat and healthy skin and encourage vitality for optimal energy, helping pets achieve whole-body health. This addition to the Wellness CORE family was scientifically crafted by a team of nutritional experts to support digestive health and fuel pets’ best lives.

The new CORE Digestive Health product line comes in response to the growing number of pet parents who are looking to naturally support their pets’ digestive health through their daily meals and nutrition sources. Research conducted by Wellness^[1] revealed that 78 percent of pet parents rank easier digestion or better digestion as extremely or very important when weighing health benefits provided in food for dogs or cats. Available in both dry and wet recipes, Wellness CORE Digestive Health provides a product for every pet belly:

• Wellness CORE Digestive Health Probiotic-Coated Kibble Recipes with Wholesome Grains are formulated with no added wheat, corn, soy, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The probiotic-coated kibble is crafted with digestive enzymes and a unique blend of prebiotic fibers to support digestive health for wellbeing. Kibble recipes for dogs are available in Whitefish and Brown Rice, Chicken and Brown Rice and Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice recipes. Kibble recipes for cats are available in Chicken & Rice and Salmon & Rice recipes. 
• Wellness CORE Digestive Health Pate Recipes provide savory flavor and texture with superfoods such as pumpkin and papaya to promote digestive health, plus Omega-3 fatty acids to help nourish skin and coat and essential vitamins and minerals to support immunity. Pate recipes for dogs are available in Chicken, Beef, and Lamb recipes. A pate variety pack is available with Chicken & Beef recipes. Cats can enjoy pate wet recipes in Chicken, Turkey, Whitefish, and Salmon recipes, or select multiple flavors in the Chicken & Turkey variety pack and Salmon & Whitefish variety pack.

“At Wellness, the root of everything we do is focused on promoting our pets’ best lives, and the Wellness CORE Digestive Health product line is our latest innovation to deliver what pet parents want and what we know pets need to achieve overall wellness,” said Dr. Danielle Bernal, staff veterinarian at Wellness Natural Pet Food. “For the same reason we seek it for ourselves, we seek it for our pets: digestive health is the gateway to whole-body wellbeing. We’re proud to bring our first pet food with digestive enzymes to the market through this innovative new family of products.”

Wellness CORE Digestive Health recipes are heading to Pet Specialty stores and online retailers starting now. For more information, please check the WHERE TO BUY section on our Wellness website or contact us via CHAT and we’d be happy to help!

1 Hanover Research Group survey of U.S. cat or dog owners, May 2020.

Today, dog food is available in a wide variety of formats, flavors and forms. Since freeze dried dog food has recently become more popular, many pet parents have questions about this new type of dog food. Here, we’ll break down what freeze dried dog food is, as well as the benefits and challenges that come along with feeding your dog freeze dried food. Then we’ll share our recommendation for how to incorporate freeze dried food into your dog’s diet.
First, let’s cover why freeze-dried dog food is becoming popular. Pet parents and nutritionists agree that high quality, proteins like turkey, chicken or salmon, often found in freeze dried foods, deliver excellent nutrition. Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of almost all the tissues in a dog’s body. At a molecular level, dietary protein supplies the amino acids necessary for the body to build hair, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. And to a dog, a protein-rich diet will most always be their top preference, because high-quality meat ingredients deliver a delicious aroma and taste.

What is freeze dried dog food?

Freeze-drying is a technique that preserves raw ingredients such as fresh meat to deliver a finished dog food product which is safe, shelf stable and lightweight. Freeze dried dog food is technically raw and full of nutrients. 

What are the benefits of feeding freeze dried dog food?

Freeze-dried dog food provides minimally processed nutrition for dogs which appeals to pet parents seeking an alternative to plain kibble. Excelling on taste, freeze dried dog food can be used as a full meal for fussy eaters, or a tasty topper for all dogs to add an element of variety to their meals.   

• Minimally processed
• Preserves taste of meat ingredients
• Preserves ingredient nutritional value

How is dog food freeze-dried?

Freeze-drying is a special form of drying that removes moisture at very low temperatures. In freeze-drying, raw ingredients are initially frozen and then placed in a strong vacuum that converts the water in the food into vapor. You may already be purchasing freeze dried foods for yourself, with some examples being instant coffee or cereal with freeze dried berries.

How does freeze-drying impact the nutritional content of the food?

Freeze-drying preserves more of the nutritional content of the raw ingredients as compared to other methods such as cooking or dehydrating pet food. Because the raw meat ingredients are freeze-dried, it helps to leave in tact the wholesome nutrition that is naturally present. 

What types of freeze dried dog foods are available

Freeze dried dog foods include everything from tasty meat treats, to freeze dried dog food mixers or toppers and even complete and balanced freeze-dried meals.

Are all freeze-dried dog foods the same?

Whilst the technique is similar between brands and companies, the difference will instead come down to what types of foods and ingredients are being freeze dried. High quality products often include full meat pieces and visible fruits and vegetables. Some brands with freeze dried dog products may not freeze dry cuts of whole raw meat. Instead, they may use a mix of ingredients to create a meat nugget like that of a hamburger or sausage.  

Should I be worried about the bacteria from fresh meat in freeze-dried dog food?

If you are thinking of feeding freeze dried dog food, it’s best to reach out to a brand in order to understand how they ensure the safety of their products. At Wellness, the quality and safety of every recipe we craft is paramount in all that we do. That is why every batch of meat that we freeze dry undergoes a special High-Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) treatment step prior to the freeze-drying process. This innovative safety step adds additional pressure which destroys bacteria whilst maintaining the integrity of the ingredients. 

How can I incorporate freeze dried food into my dog’s diet?

Dog food diets that are made of completely freeze-dried ingredients can be quite costly, may be hard to find, and may not be suitable for all dogs. Our recommendation is to incorporate some freeze-dried nutrition into your dog’s diet, while still maintaining the convenience of feeding your dog on their regular schedule.

About Wellness CORE dog food products with 100% freeze dried meat:

At Wellness CORE we believe firmly in always doing things the right way and never the easy way, so our freeze dried products feature only 100% meat ingredients. We produce our freeze-dried products in our company-owned facilities in Minneapolis, MN.

Wellness CORE offers pet parents premium freeze dried products such as Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters. Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters are freeze dried meat pieces that can be added to any current wet or dry dog food to customize a dog’s meal and add some extra protein. At Wellness, we also offer Wellness CORE RawRev, which combines Wellness CORE’s nutrient-dense, high-protein kibble with pieces of 100% freeze dried meat evenly dispersed throughout the bag. The inclusion of these 100% freeze dried meat pieces in every scoop means your dog will get the crave worthy aroma of meat along with the nutritional benefits of high-protein, mineral-rich freeze-dried meat.

Our Wellness CORE RawRev dog foods are available in both grain free and with wholesome grains varieties. Wellness CORE Bowl Boosters can be added to your dog’s existing food without transitioning, but if you are planning on transitioning your dog from a current food to Wellness CORE RawRev with freeze-dried meat, you should slowly transition your dog to the new food over the course of 3-5 days to avoid any digestive issues.

If you need help determining which Wellness CORE RawRev or CORE Bowl Boosters recipe would be best for your dog, please reach out to us at 800.225.0904, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm ET to speak with one of our knowledgeable Consumer Affairs team members. Also, keep in mind that our products are guaranteed, so if something you try doesn’t work for your dog, you can return it for a full refund.

Has your dog tried Wellness CORE RawRev? If so, share your photos by using @wellnesspetfood and #WellnessCORERawRev on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for a chance to be featured. 

Wet food is a great choice for kittens and adult cats with all types of dietary needs. It comes with many nutritional benefits, and it can even help keep your feline friend hydrated! Learn more about healthy wet foods for kittens, including their benefits, the different types and flavors, the best wet cat food recipes for your kitten, and much more.

BENEFITS OF WET FOODS FOR KITTENS AND CATS

Cats are carnivores, which means they need to eat meat to fulfill their protein needs. Sufficient calories, protein, and other wholesome nutrients are always important for your cat, but they are especially crucial for growing kittens during the weaning stage.

Let’s compare dry and wet foods for kittens to understand what makes wet foods so beneficial for your cat.

How to know if dry cat food isn’t right for your kitten

While dry kitten kibble is a convenient and low-cost option for cat owners, they typically aren’t made with real meat and don’t contain enough protein for your kitten’s needs. In addition, dry food for cats and kittens often contains a lot of carbohydrates, calories, and sugars. These are all bad for your kitten’s health – similar to junk food for humans! 

Although dry cat food comes in many flavors and styles, it often also contains artificial flavors and harmful ingredients that are not the best for your feline friend. If you choose to feed your kitten dry food, ensure you choose a recipe that contains wholesome, natural ingredients to support your cat’s health.

If your kitten is experiencing tummy troubles, having difficulty excreting waste, or hacking up a lot of hairballs, these might be signs that it’s time to change something in their diet.

How wet kitten food delivers nutrition and hydration

Wet foods for kittens usually contain real meat, other healthy ingredients, and water content to help keep your cat hydrated. The water content is especially helpful because many cats instinctually avoid stagnant water, which can be a source of diseases and bacteria outdoors. This makes wet foods helpful for cat owners who struggle to keep their kittens hydrated.

Wet cat food also tends to be easier to chew and digest, making it ideal for kittens with sensitive stomachs or other issues. When you feed your cat healthy, nutritious, wet food, you support their dietary needs, digestion, and the health of their coat, heart, eyes, and more.

You can get healthy wet cat food in various types and flavors, so even if you have a picky kitten, you’re sure to find juicy, delicious options your cat will love while getting the protein, water, and other nutrients they need to stay healthy.

TYPES AND FLAVORS OF WET KITTEN FOOD

Cats can be fussy eaters and may get bored of eating the same food, even foods they used to enjoy. A good balance between various flavors and textures of wet cat food, along with occasional treats, can help ensure your kitten will get the variety they crave to stay interested in their meals.

Here are some common flavors of wet kitten food that your cat may enjoy:

• Seafood, such as salmon, tuna, or other fish
• Chicken or turkey
• Lamb
• Beef
• Combination flavors, such as chicken and lamb

Don’t be surprised if it takes a few tries to find the right flavor to satisfy your kitten. Once you do, you may find that your cat’s energy and affection will increase.

Besides different cat food flavors, you can also select various textures to feed your kitten:

• Pâté cat food: pâté is finely chopped or pureed meat. Pâté cat food often comes conveniently pre-portioned and compressed in a can or pouch. However, this can make pâté more solid than other wet cat foods, so you may want to try using a fork to break it up so that it’s easier to eat.
• Cat food in gravy: your kitten may enjoy larger chunks of meat in a thick gravy. This flavorful option tends to be a cat favorite, but it may also be higher in calories, so ensure you keep an eye on the portion size to avoid overfeeding your kitten.
• Cat food in broth: this option is similar to cat food in gravy. The biggest difference is the consistency of the liquid, since broth is not as thick as gravy. Some cat food in broth may come with vegetables, which can be helpful and nutritious. You may also find plain broth, which you can add to other food or serve plain to your kitten.
• Flaked cat food: while cat food in gravy or broth usually has larger chunks of meat, flaked cat food or stew uses smaller pieces of meat, which may be better for smaller cats and kittens. This wet cat food option sometimes has tasty add-ins like cheese, vegetables, or bacon for additional nutrition and flavor.
• Shredded cat food: instead of meat chunks, the protein in shredded cat food comes in longer, thinner pieces. This option usually comes in broth or water, but you may also find some shredded cat food options in gravy.

These wet cat food options usually come in cans or pouches. If they come canned, check the nutritional facts on the can’s label to avoid feeding your kitten unnatural ingredients or preservatives. Read our explanation of how a cat decides if a wet food is good to see our complete wet cat food dictionary and more.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR WET KITTEN FOOD

All types of cat food, including wet cat food, come with varying ingredients and nutritional content. This variety helps cat owners find the right recipe for their feline friends, from kittens to older cats.

Some things you might want to look for can vary depending on your cat’s needs, such as:

• Complete vs. complementary: do you want to give the product to your kitten as a complete meal or add in some wet food to complement their diet? Complementary food does not contain all the vitamins and minerals your cat needs, so you should only provide this food occasionally or along with a complete and balanced food.
• Sensitive stomach: if your cat is experiencing tummy troubles, you may want to look for a recipe specifically designed with natural, easily digestible ingredients. For example, Wellness CORE Digestive Health recipes contain digestive enzymes, prebiotic fibers, and probiotics for a highly digestible food that supports your cat’s health.
• Nutritional profile: your cat’s dietary needs are likely to change throughout different life stages. For example:
  • Kittens typically need high protein, especially while weaning. 
  • Older male cats experiencing urinary tract infections and urinary blockages may benefit from food with low ash content. 

Other, more general traits of high-quality cat food include:

• Meat is listed as the first ingredient instead of corn products or carbohydrates
• Zinc and fatty acids for healthy skin and coats
• Vitamins and minerals
• Healthy fats
• Probiotics
• No added preservatives or coloring
• Natural ingredients and flavoring

Read our checklist of the top 5 healthy cat food ingredients to learn more. You should consult with your vet to ensure you know what nutritional profile to aim for when it comes to your unique kitten. This will help your cat maintain their ideal weight and promote healthy digestive and urinary systems.

THE BEST WET CAT FOOD FOR YOUR KITTEN

Wellness Pet Food wet cat food recipes are lovingly crafted with natural, premium proteins, antioxidants, balanced nutrients, and controlled minerals. Here are some of our most popular wet foods for kittens:

• CORE® Digestive Health Paté: turkey is our highest-rated flavor, but this gut-supporting, healthy wet cat food recipe also comes in chicken, whitefish, and salmon. This recipe is approved for cats in all life stages, but if you’re feeding a kitten, you can feed up to twice the adult amount to support their rapid growth and development.
• Complete Health™ Pâté: our Whitefish & Tuna and Chicken flavors are the perfect Complete Health pâté recipes for your kitten.
• CORE Pâté: our chicken & turkey liver flavor combination is enticing, perfectly balanced, and specially designed for your kitten. 

Not sure where to start? Get our Complete Health Pâté Variety Pack for kittens! It comes with six chicken entrée cans and six whitefish & tuna entrée cans, each carefully crafted with natural, wholesome ingredients to fuel your kitten’s growth and play.

TIPS FOR INTRODUCING WET FOOD TO YOUR KITTEN OR CAT

It can be challenging to find the perfect healthy wet cat food flavor and texture for your cat. It helps to expose your kitten to dry and wet foods of all flavors and textures from an early age.

• Remember to consult your vet before changing your kitten’s daily diet.
• Transition between foods slowly – over 7-10 days if possible – to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach.
• Add some of their favorite treats or flavors to entice picky kittens.
• Test various textures to find the perfect one for your cat.

Are you ready to get started feeding your kitten some delicious, nutritious, healthy wet cat food that supports a lifetime of wellbeing?

CORE® สูตร Small Breed มีระดับโปรตีนและแคลอรี่สูงเพื่อสุนัขพันธุ์เล็กที่ต้องการพลังงานสูง โดยสร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ดสูตร Grain-Free ของเราจึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูง ซึ่งเป็น Superfoods ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศ และมีสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

Core® สูตร Senior มีกลูโคซามีนไฮโดรคลอไรด์และคอนดรอยตินซัลเฟต ที่ช่วยบำรุงข้อต่อและข้อสะโพก เสริมกรดไขมันโอเมก้าเพื่อช่วยบำรุงผิวและเส้นขน รวมถึงมีวิตามินและเกลือแร่ต่างๆ ที่ช่วยบำรุงสุขภาพและระบบภูมิคุ้มกัน โดยสร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ดสูตร Grain-Free ของเราจึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูง เป็น Superfood ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศ และมีสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

Core® สูตร Reduced Fat ลดปริมาณไขมันลง 25% จากสูตรOriginal โดยสร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ด สูตร Grain-Free ของเราจึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูง เป็น Superfood ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศ และมีสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

CORE® สูตร Puppy มีแคลอรี่และกรด DHA สูง ซึ่งจำเป็นต่อพัฒนาการของสมอง กระดูก, และกล้ามเนื้อของลูกสุนัข โดยสร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ดสูตร Grain-Free ของเราจึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูงเป็น Superfood ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศ และสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

CORE® สูตร Ocean สร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารโดยอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ดสูตร  Grain-Freeของเรา จึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูง เป็น Superfood ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศ และมีสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

CORE® สูตร Original สร้างสรรค์สูตรอาหารโดยอ้างอิงตามหลักการดั้งเดิมคือส่งเสริมการเจริญเติบโตด้วยโภชนาการตามธรรมชาติที่ได้มากจากเนื้อสัตว์เป็นหลัก ดังนั้น อาหารสุนัขชนิดเม็ดสูตร Grain-Free ของเราจึงอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีนคุณภาพสูง เป็น Superfood ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยคุณค่าทางอาหารชั้นเลิศและมีสารอาหารที่จำเป็นต่อการส่งเสริมสุขภาพอย่างครบถ้วน เพื่อให้สุนัขของคุณเติบโตแข็งแรงจากภายใน

CORE® Indoor สูตร Deboned Chicken, Turkey and Chicken Meals เป็นอาหารแมว สูตร Grain-Free ที่ใช้วัตถุดิบจากธรรมชาติและอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีน ช่วยบำรุงสุขภาพให้สมบูรณ์แข็งแรง โดยมีจำนวนแคลอรี่ที่ลดลง 10% เมื่อเทียบกับสูตร Original เพื่อให้เหมาะกับแมวที่เลี้ยงในระบบปิดซึ่งมีกิจกรรมที่ใช้พลังงานน้อยกว่า

CORE® Adult สูตร Turkey, Turkey Meal & Duck

อาหารแมวสำหรับแมวโตเต็มวัย สูตรที่ใช้เนื้อไก่งวงและเนื้อเป็ดเป็นส่วนผสมหลัก สำหรับแมวที่ต้องการกินอาหารที่ปราศจากเนื้อปลาหรือเนื้อไก่ เป็นสูตร Grain-Free ที่ใช้วัตถุดิบจากธรรมชาติและอุดมไปด้วยโปรตีน ช่วยบำรุงสุขภาพให้สมบูรณ์แข็งแรงและย่อยง่าย พร้อมผสมแครนเบอรี่และโปรไบโอติกส์