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Wellness

CORE Tiny Tasters Pate Duck Recipe

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet Data verified from brand site

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Pate Duck Recipe is a wet pate food featuring duck and chicken as its main protein sources.

The recipe leads with duck and chicken, which are quality animal protein sources. While an AAFCO statement isn't explicitly published, the formulation is inferred to meet nutritional standards.

This recipe doesn't list a dedicated omega-3 source like fish or algae oil. It also contains guar gum, an emulsifier that receives a minor penalty in canned foods.

Good fit for dogs who enjoy a pate texture. Less ideal if you prefer foods with a declared omega-3 source.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

In its 2022 update on diet-associated DCM, the FDA identified Golden Retrievers as the most reported breed, with 121 cases out of 1,382 total canine reports (8.8%) received between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2022  (FDA, 2022) . Good fit for active large sporting breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Irish Setters navigating diet-associated DCM concerns. Duck anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 14.

Looking at this for adult Golden Retrievers or Golden Retrievers with diet-associated DCM concerns ? 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.

Research informing this analysis

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

  • FDA, 2022
    cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
  • FDA, 2019
    diet composition· cited in 2 claims
  • NRC, 2006
    nutrient bioavailability

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

At 48/100, this formula lands mid-pack. 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: fat quality, costing 8 points. No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent. The path to B-tier is about 12 points; fat quality is the structural lever.

What lifted the score

AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.

ACF
What pulled it down

No declared omega-3 source. Fish oil, salmon oil, and algae oil all absent.

FQI

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP
What sets this apart
  • Lowest fat quality in Wellness's lineup (4/16)
  • Top 10% for DMB fat in Wellness's lineup (34.1%)
  • 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.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
Wellness

Wellness Complete Health Turkey & Duck

66

Scores 18 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 48% ⓘ
Protein
10.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
7.5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 48%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

34 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    duck

    Real meat. Often used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities to chicken or beef.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

    Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.

  3. 3
    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

    Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.

  4. 4
    water sufficient for processing

    The regulatory phrase for cooking water in wet food. Has no nutritional implication, just labeling formality.

  5. 5
    natural flavors

    Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.

  6. 6
    tapioca starch

    Refined cassava starch, used as a binder. Easy to digest, low on nutrition.

  7. 7
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

    Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.

  8. 8
    tricalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.

  9. 9
    locust bean gum

    Thickener from carob seed. Generally well-tolerated. Less controversial than carrageenan or guar gum.

    Position 9: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.

  10. 10
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  11. 11
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet. See why →

    Position 11: trace fiber inclusion.

  12. 12
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  13. 13
    sodium carbonate

    pH buffer used in food processing. Functional, no quality signal.

  14. 14
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  15. 15
    xanthan gum

    Thickener common in wet food and gravies. Same emulsifier-microbiome conversation as guar gum, not a clear flag. See why →

    Position 15: trace fiber inclusion.

  16. 16
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  17. 17
    thiamine hydrochloride
  18. 18
    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

  19. 19
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  20. 20
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

  21. 21
    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  22. 22
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

  23. 23
    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

  24. 24
    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

  25. 25
    biotin

    B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

Showing first 25 of 34. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.