Overview

Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate is the protein maximalist's wet food. Where most canned foods deliver 8-10% protein (accounting for moisture), CORE pushes that higher with a dual-protein formula that pairs turkey with chicken liver — an organ meat packed with iron, vitamin A, and B vitamins. No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial additives of any kind. The smooth pate format is nutrient-dense and mixes beautifully with kibble.

At $4.39 per 12.5 oz can (~$0.35/oz), CORE commands premium pricing that's hard to ignore. The value argument rests on ingredient quality and protein density — you're getting more usable nutrition per ounce than cheaper alternatives. The grain-free DCM question applies here as it does to Merrick, and the smooth pate texture is a dealbreaker for dogs that prefer chunks or stew. But for quality-focused owners who want maximum protein from clean sources, CORE is one of the strongest options available.

Features Deep-Dive

Dual-Protein Turkey and Chicken Liver Formula

The combination of turkey and chicken liver is nutritionally strategic, not arbitrary. Turkey provides lean muscle-meat protein with a complete amino acid profile, while chicken liver contributes concentrated iron, vitamin A, preformed retinol, and B-complex vitamins that muscle meat alone can't match. The result is a more nutritionally complete protein profile than single-source formulas. Chicken liver also adds a rich, savory flavor that enhances palatability without artificial flavor enhancers.

Zero-Compromise Ingredient Standards

Wellness CORE's exclusion list is among the strictest in commercial pet food: no meat by-products, no wheat, no corn, no soy, no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives. Every protein source is named and specific. The supporting ingredients (chicken broth, carrots, ground flaxseed) serve clear nutritional purposes — omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed, beta-carotene from carrots. There's no filler, no padding, no ingredients that exist solely to reduce manufacturing costs.

Clean Safety Record

Wellness has maintained a spotless safety record for their wet food lines over the past five-plus years — no FDA recalls, no voluntary withdrawals, no contamination alerts. The brand operates under WellPet LLC (now part of the Cyber Group portfolio), which manages manufacturing with dedicated quality control for the CORE line. In a category where even premium brands have experienced recalls, this consistent safety record is a genuine competitive advantage.

Pricing Analysis

At $4.39 per 12.5 oz can ($0.35/oz), Wellness CORE is one of the most expensive canned options in our comparison — only Instinct ($0.36/oz) and Royal Canin ($0.93/oz) cost more per ounce. For a 50-pound dog eating wet food as a primary diet, daily feeding costs reach $9-11 per day, or $270-330 monthly. As a kibble topper at half a can daily, the cost is about $2.20/day. The premium over Merrick ($0.30/oz) is about 17%, buying you higher protein density and a cleaner corporate structure. Whether that gap justifies the cost depends on how much weight you place on protein content vs. overall value.

Who Is This For?

Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate works best for:

• Protein-focused owners who want maximum protein density from named, high-quality sources — the turkey-plus-liver formula delivers more usable protein per ounce than most competitors
• Clean-ingredient purists who want zero compromise: no by-products, no grains, no artificial anything, from a brand with a spotless safety record
• Kibble-mixing households where the smooth, nutrient-dense pate format blends seamlessly with dry food and adds meaningful protein supplementation
• Dogs with food sensitivities to common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy — CORE eliminates all three plus by-products

Who Should NOT Use This

Wellness CORE Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate might not be the right choice if:

• Budget is a meaningful constraint — at $0.35/oz, CORE costs double what Rachael Ray Nutrish charges for a formula that also features named proteins and no by-products
• Your dog dislikes smooth pate — some dogs strongly prefer chunks, stew, or shredded textures, and no amount of ingredient quality will compensate for an uneaten meal
• The grain-free DCM question concerns you — CORE's grain-free formulation falls under the same FDA investigation umbrella as Merrick and Instinct

Bottom Line

Wellness CORE is premium wet food for owners who prioritize protein density and ingredient purity above all else. The turkey-and-liver formula delivers genuine nutritional substance, the safety record is impeccable, and the ingredient list is one of the cleanest in commercial pet food. The price is steep, but it reflects what's actually in the can.

FAQ

Is the chicken liver in Wellness CORE safe for dogs?

Yes — chicken liver is one of the most nutrient-dense organ meats available and is widely recommended by veterinary nutritionists. It's rich in iron, vitamin A, and B vitamins. The only concern is vitamin A toxicity from excessive liver consumption, but the amount in Wellness CORE is formulated to be well within safe limits for daily feeding.

How does Wellness CORE compare to Instinct Original?

Both are premium grain-free options. Instinct ($0.36/oz) leads with cage-free chicken and claims 95% real animal ingredients, positioning itself closer to raw feeding philosophy. CORE ($0.35/oz) leads with turkey and chicken liver for a more nutritionally diverse protein profile. Instinct wins on animal-ingredient percentage; CORE wins on protein diversity and slightly better value.

Can I feed Wellness CORE to a puppy?

The adult formula reviewed here is formulated for adult maintenance, not growth. Wellness offers CORE Puppy formulas specifically designed for growing dogs with adjusted protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus levels. Feeding the adult formula to a puppy could result in nutritional imbalances during critical growth periods.