Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
Owners committed to grain-free feeding who want high-protein, clean ingredients
Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken & Rice
Budget-conscious dog owners who want solid nutrition without premium pricing
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
Owners committed to grain-free feeding who want high-protein, clean ingredients
Wellness CORE is a strong grain-free option with deboned turkey and chicken leading the formula. High protein content and no artificial anything. The grain-free DCM concern is the main caveat — if your vet approves grain-free, this is one of the better options in the category.
Strengths
- High-protein grain-free formula with deboned turkey and chicken as top ingredients
- No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial additives
- Clean safety record with no recalls in 5+ years for dry food
Limitations
- Grain-free formula falls under FDA DCM investigation umbrella
- Premium pricing at ~$1.67/day for a grain-free option
- Ingredient transparency could be stronger on sourcing origins
When to Choose Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken & Rice
Budget-conscious dog owners who want solid nutrition without premium pricing
Diamond Naturals delivers genuinely good nutrition at a price point that makes quality dog food accessible. Real chicken first, added probiotics, no corn/wheat/soy. The 2012 recall is ancient history with a clean record since. Hard to beat at ~$0.59/day.
Strengths
- Exceptional value at ~$0.59/day — lowest daily feeding cost in this comparison
- Real chicken is the first ingredient with added probiotics for digestive health
- No corn, wheat, or artificial preservatives in the formula
Limitations
- Uses chicken meal as a secondary protein — less premium than fresh/raw protein
- Historical recall in 2012 (salmonella) — clean record since but worth noting
- Ingredient sourcing transparency is limited compared to premium brands
