CORE Tiny Tasters Flaked Tuna & Shrimp Recipe in Broth
Graded by The Sniff System
Wellness CORE Tiny Tasters Flaked Tuna & Shrimp Recipe in Broth is a wet food featuring tuna and mackerel.
This formula includes named fish like tuna, mackerel, and shrimp, which contribute to diverse, bioavailable protein sources. It's also inferred to be AAFCO complete, though the verbatim statement isn't published.
A key concern is the low protein quality, as tuna delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. It also contains guar gum, an emulsifier with emerging microbiome data, though this is a minor penalty for canned food.
Good fit for dogs who enjoy a fish-based wet food. Less ideal for dogs with high protein requirements or sensitivities to emulsifiers.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
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. Tuna anchors position 1, with zero pulses in the top 15, plus added taurine at position 11.
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
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- FDA, 2022cardiac · epidemiology · breed predisposition· cited in 5 claims
- FDA, 2019diet composition· cited in 2 claims
- NRC, 2006nutrient bioavailability
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 43/100, this formula sits below where we look for everyday picks. The lift comes from ingredient diversity, worth 5 points to the final number: Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein. Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 17.5 points. Low protein quality. tuna delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. This formula sits 2.0 points below the C-tier line. The most direct lever is protein quality.
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared not stated. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
Low protein quality. tuna 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 crude fiber in Wellness's lineup (15.0% DMB)
- Bottom 10% for protein quality in wet foods (7.3/27)
- Bottom quartile for carb quality in Wellness's lineup (9/16)
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.
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 85%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1tuna
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2tuna broth
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3water sufficient for processing
The regulatory phrase for cooking water in wet food. Has no nutritional implication, just labeling formality.
- 4protein animalmackerel
Position 4: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 5shrimp
- 6tapioca starch
Refined cassava starch, used as a binder. Easy to digest, low on nutrition.
- 7fatsunflower 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.
- 8othernatural flavors
Same as natural flavor. Usually hydrolyzed liver or broth, adds palatability.
- 9fiberguar gum
Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet. See why →
Position 9: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 10mineraltricalcium phosphate
Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.
- 11supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 12mineralmagnesium sulfate
Source of magnesium, a required mineral. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 13vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 14vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 15vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 16vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 17vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 18vitamind-calcium pantothenate
B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 19vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 20vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
- 21vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 22vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 23vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 24mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 25supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
21 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.