CORE 95% Grain-Free Chicken & Broccoli Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
Graded by The Sniff System
Wellness CORE 95% Grain-Free Chicken & Broccoli Canned Dog Food is a wet, grain-free formula with chicken as its main protein.
The formula is inferred to meet AAFCO nutritional standards, which means it should be nutritionally complete. This is a basic requirement for commercial dog food.
The protein quality is a concern, as the chicken in this formula may offer limited bioavailable amino acids. It also contains guar gum, an emulsifier that has emerging microbiome data, though no canine clinical evidence is available yet.
Good fit for owners looking for a wet food with a simple ingredient list. Less ideal if you prioritize high protein quality or prefer to avoid gums.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
For Labrador Retrievers with suspected cutaneous adverse food reactions, a strict elimination diet trial must last a minimum of 8 weeks to reliably diagnose or rule out a food-based trigger. Good fit for active large sporting breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and English Setters navigating skin allergies. The protein deck is built around a single species (chicken). The National Research Council (2006) recommends a minimum of 2.6 grams of linoleic acid (an omega-6) per 1000 kcal of metabolizable energy to maintain skin barrier function in adult dogs (NRC, 2006) .
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with skin allergies ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
At 42/100, this formula sits below where we look for everyday picks. The lift comes from AAFCO compliance, worth 4 points to the final number: AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer. Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 20 points. Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. This formula sits 3.0 points below the C-tier line. The most direct lever is protein quality.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
Low protein quality. chicken delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..
- Top 4% for DMB fat in Wellness's lineup (36.4%)
- Bottom 2% for protein quality in grain-free wet foods (4.8/27)
- Bottom quartile for crude fiber in Wellness's lineup (4.5% DMB)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
Wellness CORE Hearty Cuts in Gravy Chicken & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, 12.5-oz, case of 12
Scores 28 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Wellness Ninety-Five Percent Chicken Grain-Free Natural Canned Dog Food, 13.2-oz, case of 12
$4.95/lb vs your seed's $5.63/lb (12% less) at a comparable score.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 41%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalchicken
Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2water sufficient for processing
The regulatory phrase for cooking water in wet food. Has no nutritional implication, just labeling formality.
- 3vegetablebroccoli
Real vegetable. Adds fiber and some antioxidants. Fine in the small amounts used in kibble.
Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 4cassia gum
Thickener common in wet food. Functional, no major concerns at typical inclusion.
- 5fiberxanthan gum
Thickener common in wet food and gravies. Same emulsifier-microbiome conversation as guar gum, not a clear flag. See why →
Position 5: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 6fatground flaxseed
Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.
Position 6: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 7mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 8mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 9mineraliron proteinate
Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.
- 10mineralcopper proteinate
Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.
- 11cobalt proteinate
Cobalt bound to protein. Trace mineral needed for vitamin B12 synthesis, chelated form for better absorption.
- 12mineralmanganese proteinate
Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.
- 13mineralsodium selenite Flagged
Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →
- 14mineralpotassium iodide
Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 15vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 16vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 17vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 18vitamind-calcium pantothenate
B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 19vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 20vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 21vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 22vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 23vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 24vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 25vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
Showing first 25 of 28. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
25 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.