CORE Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a chicken-free, fish-based dry food for adult dogs, built around whitefish and whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. It offers moderate protein and fat with added prebiotics, probiotics, and beet pulp to support gut health, plus flaxseed and fish sources for omega fatty acids. It’s designed for dogs who do well on a fish-and-grain formula with extra digestive support.
Overall, this is a high-quality adult dry food that focuses on digestive health using whitefish and whole grains instead of chicken. The protein and fat levels are very reasonable for most adult dogs, and the mix of prebiotics, probiotics, and fermentable fibers is a nice approach for supporting a healthy gut microbiome. It’s a good option for dogs who need a chicken-free, fish-based diet with added digestive and skin/coat support, as long as they tolerate grains and fish well.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Named fish ingredients (whitefish, whitefish meal, herring meal) provide clear, animal-based protein sources, with a solid 30% protein level for a dry adult formula.
- Includes multiple digestive-support ingredients: beet pulp, inulin (a prebiotic fiber), pumpkin, and several probiotic strains, which together can help maintain healthy stool quality in many dogs.
- Uses whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, barley) rather than relying on refined starches, giving more fiber and micronutrients.
- High omega-3 and omega-6 guarantees (2.0% and 2.5% minimum) from fish, flaxseed, and canola oil, which can support skin and coat health and have anti-inflammatory benefits for many dogs.
Considerations
- Fish (whitefish, herring) is a common allergen for some dogs, so this formula would not be appropriate if your dog has known fish sensitivities.
- Canola oil is a perfectly safe fat source, but it is more plant-based fat compared with some formulas that rely more heavily on animal fats, which can matter for very active or working dogs needing higher fat energy density.
- The 12% minimum fat is on the moderate-to-lower side for very high-energy dogs, so some extremely active or underweight dogs might need a higher-fat diet or careful portion adjustments.
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
Whitefish
Whitefish (such as pollock, cod, or haddock) is commonly used in pet foods as a lean animal protein source that provides high‑quality essential amino acids, good digestibility, and some omega‑3 fatty acids to support skin, coat and muscle maintenance. While generally palatable and useful for weight‑managed formulas, pet parents should be aware of potential fish allergies and the importance of responsible sourcing and processing to minimize contaminants; cats also require adequate dietary taurine, so whitefish should be part of a complete, balanced diet.
02
Whitefish
Whitefish (such as pollock, cod, or haddock) is commonly used in pet foods as a lean animal protein source that provides high‑quality essential amino acids, good digestibility, and some omega‑3 fatty acids to support skin, coat and muscle maintenance. While generally palatable and useful for weight‑managed formulas, pet parents should be aware of potential fish allergies and the importance of responsible sourcing and processing to minimize contaminants; cats also require adequate dietary taurine, so whitefish should be part of a complete, balanced diet.
03
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.
04
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
05
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber (notably beta‑glucans), serving as a gentle filler or binder that can support healthy digestion and steady energy release. It provides B vitamins and minerals, is generally well tolerated by dogs and many cats when cooked and plain, but should be free of added sugars or flavorings and used cautiously for overweight or diabetic pets or animals with individual grain sensitivities.
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.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
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 Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food 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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