FAQ
Q. How should I transition my dog or cat to Wellness?
A. The best way to transition onto a new food is to gradually introduce the food by mixing it with the old diet. This is particularly important when the new food is much tastier than the old, as is the case with Wellness. Mixing the food will allow the dog to acclimate to the new taste and not overindulge on the new food.
When food transition is not an option, there are a few ways to ensure a good transition:
- Feed multiple, smaller volume meals. This will decrease the likelihood of over-consumption and provide for a more consistent, firm stool. This is an especially good option for puppies and senior dogs.
- Add clean warm water to the food to help soften it.
- Add a digestive aid such as boiled brown rice or sugar-free canned pumpkin.
Q. What is the shelf life of Wellness Natural Pet Food?
A. Wellness dry foods have an expiration of 18 months from date of manufacture. Wellness canned foods have an expiration of 3 years from date of manufacture. Dog & cat plastic cups have an expiration of 2 years from date of manufacture.
Q. What does "natural" pet food mean?
A. Natural means we use ingredients that are derived from plants, animals and minerals in our recipes and that Wellness pet food contains no artificial preservatives or colors.
Q. How long can I store an opened can of Wellness wet food in the refrigerator?
A. If the canned food is well covered or sealed from the surrounding environment, the food should last up to 3-4 days. It is advised to consume before this time. The storage conditions and general hygiene of the refrigerator, as well as how long the food has sit out exposed will have determining effects on the safe storage of the canned diets.
Q. Is all of your wet food packaging BPA-free?
A. All of our plastic cups and cans are now BPA-free. Previously, the lids on our 12.5 oz and 13.2 oz sizes were the last to transition to BPA-free. To confirm that a 12.5 oz or 13.2 oz can is BPA-free, please look for an expiration date of March 2021 or later.
Q. Why do your products sometimes vary in size, shape, color, texture or aroma?
A. Wellness products are natural, and as a result, you may experience product that looks slightly different in texture, color, shape, aroma and consistency from time to time. This is a function of natural products in general, but also raw material fluctuations and the manufacturing process. Please be assured that even though the product may look different from batch to batch, its superior nutritional value, palatability and safety does not change.
For more information on the consistency of our natural canned pet food, please see, How Wellness Natural Canned Food is Made.
Q. Why are some Guaranteed Analysis (GA) levels minimums and others maximums? Do you choose how to list them?
A. Minimum and maximum claims for each nutrient are established by AAFCO. The only necessary claims a pet food must make are for Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber, and Moisture.
- Protein is always a minimum claim
- Fat is always a minimum claim
- Fiber is always a maximum claim
- Moisture is always a maximum claim
While these are the only nutrients mandated by AAFCO to carry min/max claims, ash may voluntarily be listed, but must be listed as a maximum guarantee. Any vitamins, minerals or live microorganisms (probiotics) may be labeled with a minimum guarantee. We're proud to be one of the only pet food manufacturers who are able to include guaranteed levels of probiotics on our dry food recipes. Probiotics can help improve digestion and immune system function.
Q. How can pet owners find out more about the ingredients you use?
A. You can review our Ingredient Dictionary or speak with us directly, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm ET at 800.225.0904.
Q. How long should I leave an opened can of Wellness wet food out?
A. We recommend leaving wet food out no longer than around 1 hour. This time may vary depending on conditions in the household, such as heat, humidity, exposure to sunlight, and any other environmental conditions that may impact the food. We recommend to feed wet food at room temperature and once opened, to cover and refrigerate any unused, remaining food.