Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe
A well-documented, moderate grain-free everyday food: chicken-first, 26% protein, and more label disclosure than most competitors. It is neither the cheapest nor the most protein-dense option here.
Score breakdown
The overall score of 84/100 is a weighted sum of the six dimensions below. Each dimension shows what we found in this specific formula.
Weight 30% · Algorithm-computed score 88/100
Algorithm: first ingredient “Deboned Chicken” is named whole meat; 2 named animal ingredients in the top five; protein 28.9% on a dry-matter basis (target for this stage: 24%).
Weight 20% · Algorithm-computed score 80/100
Algorithm: first ingredient is a named animal source; among the top five, 0 by-product/unnamed and 0 plant-protein concentrate items.
Weight 18% · Editorially assessed score 80/100
AAFCO statement: Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.. Formulated-to-meet profiles are acceptable but weaker evidence than feeding trials, which caps the score here.
Weight 14% · Editorially assessed score 79/100
Six voluntary recalls between 2011 and 2018. The largest was a February 2011 thiamine shortfall affecting roughly 21.6 million cans of canned cat food; later events were small lots (salmonella and mould in two 2012 dry foods, foreign material in 2017 cans, elevated beef thyroid hormone in beef toppers). No recalls since February 2018.
Weight 10% · Algorithm-computed score 94/100
Algorithm: about $1.83 per 1,000 kcal ($$ tier), normalized against same-species peers, wet and dry together (cheapest = 100, most expensive ≈ 15).
Weight 8% · Editorially assessed score 89/100
Owner ratings are consistently high across major retailers, with few recurring palatability complaints.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Deboned chicken and chicken meal lead, and Wellness publishes glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine and probiotic counts on the label
- Moderate 26% protein and 11% fat suits the average adult dog better than most grain-free foods
- No corn, wheat, soy, meat by-products or artificial preservatives anywhere in the recipe
- Added guaranteed live probiotics plus omega-3 and omega-6 minimums are disclosed
What we don't
- Formulated-to-meet only, with no feeding-trial substantiation
- Dried ground potatoes, chickpeas and peas fill slots two through five - a heavy legume load
- 5% crude fiber is high; some owners report bulky stools
Ingredients & nutrition analysis
The first five ingredients tell most of the story:
Wellness publishes more of its guaranteed analysis than almost anyone in this price band - beyond protein, fat, fiber and moisture you get calcium, phosphorus, omega-3, omega-6, glucosamine, chondroitin, taurine and a live-probiotic CFU count. That transparency is why it scores 80 on standards despite a formulated-to-meet statement.
The recipe itself is unspectacular: deboned chicken and chicken meal are followed by dried ground potatoes, chickpeas and peas, so a meaningful share of the carbohydrate comes from legumes. At 3,509 kcal/kg and 26% protein it is a reasonable maintenance food rather than a performance one, and at $2.92/lb it sits squarely in mid-premium territory.
Alternatives to consider
Other products ranked in Best Dry Dog Food:
85/ 100 Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe High-Protein Adult Dry Dog Food
84/ 100 Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Frequently asked questions
Is Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe right for my pet?
It is our pick for: Adult dogs that tolerate grain-free well, and owners who want a mid-protein everyday food with full label disclosure. It is not the best fit for: Dogs that need grain-inclusive diets, and owners who prioritise feeding-trial evidence. Individual animals vary — if your pet has diagnosed health conditions, confirm the choice with your veterinarian.
How much does Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe cost?
Expect roughly $2.92 per pound ($$ tier) depending on bag size and retailer. Check the linked retailers for current pricing; our value score compares cost per 1,000 kcal against comparable formulas.
How should I switch to this food?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food into the old. Go slower for puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with sensitive stomachs, and watch stool quality during the switch.
Score history
Every change to this product's score is logged here, including the reason. Scores are recomputed by algorithm whenever ingredient or price data changes.
- 2026-10-19 — Product data refreshed: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, AAFCO statement, calorie content and price replaced with values verified against the manufacturer's current US label and current US retail listings. Editorial scores for standards, safety and reviews reassessed against that data.