CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate
Verified Jun 20, 2026
This is a grain-free, canned pate formulated for kittens and other life stages, with turkey, chicken liver, chicken, and herring providing multiple animal protein sources. The recipe has moderate fat, added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and taurine, along with vitamins and minerals for balanced growth. Its high moisture content also helps support your cat’s daily water intake.
Nutritionally, this is a high-quality wet food that can work very well for growing kittens and is also formulated to support cats at other life stages. It offers several named animal proteins, a good fat profile with added fish oil and flaxseed, and appropriate minerals and taurine. It’s grain-free without relying on peas or lentils, which avoids some of the concerns we see with certain grain-free dry foods, though it may not be ideal for cats with poultry or fish allergies.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple named animal proteins (turkey, chicken liver, chicken, herring, chicken hearts) high on the ingredient list provide high-quality, diverse amino acids for growth.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, including kittens, ensuring complete and balanced nutrition when fed as directed.
- Includes fish oil and ground flaxseed, supplying omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall development.
- High moisture canned pate, which can help support hydration, especially useful for cats that don’t drink much water on their own.
Considerations
- Contains poultry (turkey, chicken) and fish (herring), which are common allergens in some cats; not suitable if your kitten has known sensitivities to these proteins.
- As a rich, high-protein, grain-free formula, some very sensitive kittens may need slower transitions to avoid digestive upset.
- Relies on several gums (guar, cassia, xanthan) as thickeners; these are generally safe, but a small number of cats can be sensitive to them.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
02
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
03
Turkey Broth
Turkey broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavoring and moisture enhancer to improve palatability, and in wet formulas it contributes small amounts of protein, amino acids and electrolytes. It can help entice dogs and cats to eat or increase hydration, but caregivers should check sodium levels and avoid broths with onion, garlic, xylitol or other harmful additives, and be mindful if the pet has a poultry allergy.
04
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
05
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Wellness is WellPet’s flagship brand, offering a full range of natural pet foods including dry, canned, and toppers for dogs and cats. The brand focuses on complete, balanced nutrition using natural ingredients and is positioned within the holistic and premium segment of the market.
Visit WellnessManufacturer
Products are manufactured in company-owned and partner facilities in the United States under strict quality and safety programs, including adherence to FDA and AAFCO standards for pet food production. Wellness Pet Company maintains internal quality assurance teams and ingredient traceability protocols.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Wellness ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Wellness. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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