
Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Chicken
Owners committed to grain-free feeding who want high-protein, clean ingredients

Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
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 Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
Hill's Science Diet is the other pillar of veterinary-recommended nutrition alongside Purina Pro Plan. The formulation is precise and backed by feeding trials. However, corn gluten meal and by-product meal at ~$1.24/day makes it expensive for what you get ingredient-wise. You're paying for the research, not the ingredients.
Strengths
- Developed by veterinary nutritionists with extensive feeding trial validation
- Precise nutrient balance designed for optimal adult maintenance
- Clean safety record for dry food lines over the past 5+ years
Limitations
- Contains corn gluten meal and chicken by-product meal — not premium ingredients
- Higher price (~$1.24/day) for ingredient quality that trails premium competitors
- Minimal sourcing transparency — ingredient origins are not disclosed

