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Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food Review (Dry)

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Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 20, 2024

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Which Wellness Core RawRev Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food earns the Advisors best rating of 5 stars.

The Wellness Core RawRev product line includes the 9 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Wellness Core RawRev Original was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Wellness Core RawRev Original

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Deboned turkey, turkey meal (source of glucosamine), chicken meal (source of chondroitin sulfate), peas, dried ground potatoes, lentils, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, ground flaxseed, turkey liver, turkey hearts, natural chicken flavor, salmon oil, taurine, vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, chicory root extract, spinach, broccoli, carrots, parsley, apples, blueberries, kale, mixed tocopherols added to preserve freshness, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, niacin, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganese sulfate, d-calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, Yucca schidigera extract, calcium iodate, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, rosemary extract, green tea extract, spearmint extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Although it is a quality item, raw turkey contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.

The third ingredient is chicken meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.

The fourth ingredient lists peas, which are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The next ingredient is dried ground potato, a dehydrated item usually made from the by-products of potato processing. In most cases, dried potato can contain about 10% dry matter protein which can have a slight affect on our estimate of the total meat content of this recipe.

Next, we find lentils. Lentils are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The seventh ingredient is chicken fat, which is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is also high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The eighth ingredient is tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Wellness product.

With 5 notable exceptions

First, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next, we find salmon oil, which is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

In addition, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, its also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dogs digestive tract.

Next, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food appears to be an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 40%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 34%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 41% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 41%.

Which means this Wellness product line contains

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, lentils and flaxseed, this recipe has a profile of a product containing a significant amount of meat.

Our Rating of Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food

Wellness Core RawRev includes both grain-free and grain-inclusive dry dog foods that use a generous amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.

Enthusiastically recommended.

Wellness Core RawRev Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Wellness through April.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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Recommended Products

Turmeric has been used as a powerful preventive and healing agent in traditional Asian medicine for centuries.

More recently it seems everyone is talking about it - from the American Arthritis Foundation to the National Cancer Institute to naturopathic physicians and integrative/holistic vets.

Why? What can turmeric do for your dog?

The simple answer is turmeric is a multi-tasking powerhouse in its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, wound healing, and anti-cancer activities. Turmeric has been shown to help fight diseases likearthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues,and more.

Inflammation and weakened immune systems are at the root of so many issues from allergies to arthritis to cancer. We're often too quick to treat only the surface symptoms without addressing the deeper, ongoing causes.

Personal story on turmeric for dogs

I learned this the hard way for myself and for my dog, Ezra. Not too long ago I suffered from Lyme disease, and Ezra had inflammation issues just as I did. It took six doctors until I was finally diagnosed and treated. At times I was given high doses of steroids that just prolonged the negative cycle. Finally, I found my naturopathic physician who changed my life - and in turn, Ezra's.

Initially, Ezra's vets said she would be on Apoquel, an immunosuppressant like steroids, for the rest of her life, and she had medicated shampoos and creams and sprays and all the things to try to keep her inflammation at bay. But once I changed her diet and used functional herbs, I was able to relieve her of all the medications and toxins within a couple months and we never looked back.

**plan-panel

Herbs are powerful and healing for your dog's health

Herbs work with the natural rhythms within our and our dog's bodies to maintain a holistic and harmonic balance. It doesnt matter whether you are feeding kibble, raw, or a cooked diet, your dog can benefit enormously from a variety of herbs.

One of the herbs that helped both Ezra and me combat our inflammation was turmeric, which is a strong anti-inflammatory and can in many cases replace steroids. The primary bioactive ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has numerous health benefits.

Turmeric is a great herb to use to maintain joint health, among many other things, since it is an anti-inflammatory and it increases mobility and reduces pain.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric isan herbthat has been used as a culinary spice as well as a medicinal herb for almost 4,000 years. Turmeric powder comes from the ground root of the herb (which happens to be part of the ginger family). It's also readily available in powdered form at most grocery stores or health food stores.

The primary bioactive ingredient in turmeric responsible for all its strong immune-boosting, disease-preventing properties is curcumin, the principal curcuminoid in turmeric.

How turmeric works in our dogs' bodies

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric are probably its greatest claims to fame and what makes it so impactful on so many aspects of your dog's health.

Turmeric for dogs as an antioxidant...

Free radicals react with organic substances in the body causing oxidative damage, one of the mechanisms responsible for aging and many diseases. The curcumin in turmeric makes it a powerful antioxidant that protects from free radicals by neutralizing them. Turmeric also stimulates antioxidant mechanisms in the body to gradually increase antioxidants present throughout the body.

Turmeric for dogs as an anti-inflammatory...

Turmeric also functions as an inflammation blocker, reducing inflammation by acting as a block on two enzymes that cause inflammatory reactions. Like oxidative stress, chronic inflammation is behind so many diseases and unhealthy conditions from arthritis to cancer to cognitive decline.

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Health benefits of turmeric for dogs (and us!)

For your dog, turmeric is an effective and safe way to treat and prevent inflammation and boost your pup's immune system (rather than just suppress symptoms with medications like steroids with potentially concerning side effects).

Inflammation is the key driver of most diseases in the body, andturmeric is one of the best natural anti-inflammatories either nature or medicine has to offer. Turmeric contributes in multiple roles to your dog's overall wellness - and is a valuable support for some of the most problematic health issues you face with your dog.

How turmeric supports a few key health issues for dogs...

Turmeric for dogs for joint health, arthritis & mobility

Turmeric can be used therapeutically and as a preventive measure to maintain joint health by increasing mobility and reducing pain. Many dogs are on steroids for joint pain as well as allergies butsome studies showcurcuminis just as effective, while noting the lack of side effects is an advantage of curcumin over steroids. (Another study showed that combining curcumin with a steroid reduced the side effects of the steroid medication.)

Overall, turmeric for dogs can be an effective, safe and natural way to combat inflammation, pain, and mobility issues in your pup. Making turmeric a part of your dog's daily routine is an easy way to support joint health throughout each life stage.

Turmeric for dogs with gastrointestinal disorders including IBD

Turmerics anti-inflammatory effects can also be helpful in treatingInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as well as other gastrointestinal disorders.

Its antibacterial properties can help our dogs maintain gut health by addressing bad bacteria while allowing good bacteria to flourish. Taking turmeric may also support probiotics, increasing the function of the probiotic bacteria in the gut by acting as a prebiotic. (Prebiotics are complementary to probiotics, fueling the good probiotic bacteria.)

Turmeric for dogs with cancer

Inflammation is linked to cancer as it is with so many diseases. Heartbreakingly, current statistics tell us that almost half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer.

Turmeric is being explored as a cancer treatment/preventive in part by renowned medical institutions for humans (such as the Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering) because of the role inflammation appears to play in cancer. Laboratory research suggests that curcumin may prevent cancer, slow the spread of cancer, make chemotherapy more effective, and protect healthy cells from damage by radiation therapy.

Research is ongoing but early findings suggest that curcuminoids interfere with multiplecell signalingpathways, supporting the potential role of curcumin inmodulatingcancerdevelopment andprogression.

A few key takeaways to keep in mind on turmeric and cancer:

• Turmeric is an herb that may have cancer-fighting properties.
• Turmeric has been shown to help with side effects of cancer treatment.
• You should always check with your veterinarian before using turmeric if your dog is being treated for cancer since it can impede some kinds of chemotherapy.

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How to make turmeric part of your dog's diet easily

To take advantage of turmeric for dogs, we want to introduce turmeric into your dog's diet in small amounts. This can be done by adding turmeric to food, making turmeric treats, or giving turmeric supplements.

If you are introducing turmeric into your dog's diet for the first time, start with small doses and slowly increase how much turmeric you feed your pup over time if necessary.

Note: It is always best to consult a veterinarian before starting any new treatment regimen. Check with your vet for any possible interaction with any current medications or special conditions. Also, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, turmeric is a warming herb so you'll want to keep that in mind if you have a dog who tends to "run hot."

Pro tip: boost turmeric/curcumin absorption 2000% with pepper

One shortcoming of turmeric/curcumin is that its not well absorbed in the body - for both dogs and humans. Enter black pepper to save the day with many positive properties of its own, the most significant that the peperine in black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin up to 2000%! That's why when you're adding turmeric powder or "Golden Paste" to your dog's food, you always want to include ground black pepper in the mix.

In order to increase absorption and digestion of curcumin even more so the body can get maximum benefit, you also want to include a healthy oil/fat. Turmeric is fat soluble, meaning it dissolves in fats, making it more easily digestible and usable when it's delivered with a good fat (coconut oil, olive oil, etc).

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"Golden Paste" recipe

This turmeric paste recipe is called "Golden Paste" and is well known and loved in the canine nutrition world as a simple way to include highly absorbable turmeric benefits in your dog's food. It's a simple 3-ingredient recipe, and I also like to include some Ceylon cinnamon for its numerous health properties as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, natural immune system booster, regulator of blood sugar levels, and its role in helping the body repair tissue damage and fight infection.

Note: if you'd rather skip the prep...

Here's an organic liquid turmeric I recommend that's formulated to be easily absorbed and bioavailable for dogs. (You'll find dosage by your dog's weight on the bottle.)

How to make Golden Paste...

Try this

• Mix cup organic turmeric powder and 1 cup water into a pan on medium heat for 5-7 minutes continuously stirring
• Add 1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil
• Add 1.5 tsp ground black pepper

Optional...

• Add tsp Ceylon cinnamon (optional)
• Add 1 spoonful of natural peanut butter to the mix to mask the taste (optional if your dog needs it)

You can store this concoction in a mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze the rest in silicon molds with fun, small shapes and store in a freezer-safe container for long-term use as a food topper or for frozen homemade turmeric dog treats!

Dosages:

tsp for every 10 pounds of your dogs body weight. Start slowly and work up to this amount as needed.

Enjoy!