Wellness Signature Selects Kitten Chicken and Turkey Entrée Review (2024)

Last Updated on July 22, 2024 by Indy the Cat

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. When you use our affiliate links, it does not cost you anything but helps support our website and allows us to continue producing valuable content.

Review Summary

Rating 

Where to Buy

While many online retailers carry the Wellness Core Signature Selects line, the kitten flavour is not quite as readily available for purchase. At approximately $30 for a 12 pack, we’re looking at a price per can (79g) of approximately $2.46/can.

For the average kitten, you may be feeding at least 2 cans over the course of a day which brings the daily cost to $4.92 or just under $5. This won’t be the most affordable option but in line with other kitten foods on the market. If you are free feeding like many owners do during their kitten phase, you can reduce the amount of wet to make it more budget friendly.

History

Wellness started their journey into pet food with dog snacks under the WellPet brand in 1926. Officially launching as Wellness Pet Foods in 1997, they began offering a variety of natural dog and cat foods. Between 2000 and 2003, they expanded their line to include specialty foods for both dogs and cats. Over the years, they have continued to innovate, providing a range of budget-friendly and premium options for pets. We have previously reviewed one of the Wellness Core products which is unfortunately no longer available in Australia. However, we’ll be taking a look at their other variant known as the Wellness Core Signature Selects.

Recalls

Unfortunately, Wellness has been involved with numerous recalls with the latest cat recall in 2017. Since our last Wellness Pet review in 2022, there have been no additional recalls. In Australia, pet food recalls are only mandatory for brands that have decided to work within the Australian Standard for Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food (Standard AS5812:2017). All members of the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia comply with these standards and Wellpet is a marketing member of the Association. 

Product Line Commentary

Comparable Strengths to the Original Wellness Core

Today, we will be looking at the Wellness Core Signature Selects Kitten Chicken & Turkey Entrée Pâté formula. All Wellness Core cat foods follow the philosophy of being grain free with no fillers, artificial preservatives or colours.

Similar to the classic Core product lines, the initial ingredients set the tone for the recipe. The primary proteins, chicken and turkey, are quality named proteins that you would expect in a premium cat food. With meat as its first few ingredients, we are ensured that our kittens will get all the essential amino acids necessary for their growth and development.

Since cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat as their main food source. It’s essential that most of their protein intake comes from animal-derived sources. We’re pleased to see that this product meets those requirements. In addition, we also like the inclusion of chicken broth which provides both hydration and nutritional benefits.

But There Are More Downsides

However, there are some cons to consider. The inclusion of tuna as a fish protein is not ideal, as tuna can accumulate heavy metals due to its predatorial nature. Additionally, the use of multiple thickeners, such as guar gum and xanthan gum, might be a concern for some pet owners. Considering that multiple thickeners are used, including one that is not as controversial, we wonder why Wellness doesn’t consider adjusting their formula to remove Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum. Perhaps the change in texture is not preferred, but in our opinion would allow them to market themselves in a more favourable light.

Lastly, the formula also relies significantly on supplements rather than natural ingredients to provide essential vitamins, which might be less appealing for those seeking a more holistic approach to their kitten’s diet.

At 111 kcal per can, this nutrient-dense pâté provides plenty of energy needed for active and growing kittens. It is rated as a complete food and the breakdown shows that it would be considered a high protein, high fat, and moderate carbohydrate cat food.

Guaranteed analysis

Crude Protein (min) – 9.5%

Crude Fat (min) – 8%

Crude Fiber (max) – 1%

Moisture (max) – 78%

Ash (max) – 3%

DHA (min) – 0.04%

Taurine (min) – 0.10%

Dry Matter Basis

Protein – 47.67%

Fat – 33.33%

Carbohydrates – 10.70%

Fibre – 0.39%

Ash – 7.91%

Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Water Sufficient for Processing, Tuna, Turkey, Natural Flavours, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Chloride, Marine Microalgae Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Guar Gum, Salt, Sodium Carbonate, Taurine, Xanthan Gum, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Magnesium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide.

Nutritional Information

Chicken – source of meat protein

Chicken Broth – source of hydration

Water Sufficient for Processing – water for processing and source of hydration

Tuna – source of fish protein and omega 3’s

Turkey – source of meat protein

Natural Flavours – flavouring

Tapioca Starch –  thickening agent and carbohydrate

Sunflower Oil – not considered a quality ingredient with good nutritional value. source of fatty acids and some vitamins

Tricalcium Phosphate – source of calcium and phosphorous

Locust Bean Gum – thickening agent

Potassium Chloride –  source of phosphorous

Marine Microalgae Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) – considered a newer source of omega-3’s (and other essential vitamins)

Guar Gum – additive: thickening agent (potentially an issue for sensitive stomach cats)

Salt – source of sodium and essential mineral

Sodium Carbonate – source of sodium

Taurine – essential amino acid that cats cannot produce themselves

Xanthan Gum – additive: thickening agent (potentially an issue for sensitive stomach cats)

Vitamin E Supplement – source of Vitamin E

Thiamine Hydrochloride – source of thiamine

Niacin – source of Vitamin B3

Vitamin A Supplement – source of Vitamin A

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride – source of Vitamin B6

d-Calcium Pantothenate – source of Vitamin B5 

Riboflavin Supplement – source of Vitamin (Riboflavin) B2

Folic Acid – source of Vitamin B9

Vitamin D3 Supplement – source of Vitamin D3

Biotin – source of Vitamin B7

Vitamin B12 Supplement – source of Vitamin B12

Magnesium Sulfate – source of magnesium 

Choline Chloride – source of chlorine 

Zinc Amino Acid Chelate – source of Zinc

Iron Amino Acid Chelate – source of iron

Copper Amino Acid Chelate – source of copper

Manganese Amino Acid Chelate – source of manganese

Sodium Selenite – source of selenium

Potassium Iodide – source of Iodine

Indy’s Review

So does Indy the cat like it? 

Indy isn’t a kitten anymore, but he certainly doesn’t mind trying some kitten food!

Since his exposure to the original Wellness Core kitten food, he’s always been a fan of the pâté texture. While we prefer the higher quality classic product line, this one is even more palatable for Indy due to the inclusion of tuna.

If you spot an error in this article, please do not hesitate to let us know!