Wellness vs Nutro
Wellness against Nutro, measured across 64 and 44 kibble recipes: 33.9% vs 26.5% protein on a dry matter basis, and 35% vs 43% starch.
How They Differ
- Wellness runs higher in protein: 33.9% against 26.5% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Wellness is lower in starch, about 35% of the food as fed against 43%.
- Wellness is more calorie dense, 415 kcal per cup on average against 355, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
- Wellness leans grain-free: 45% of its kibble recipes against 14%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Wellness | Nutro | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 64 | 44 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 33.9%23.3% to 42.2% | 26.5%22.2% to 31.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 15.0%8.9% to 20.0% | 14.9%8.9% to 18.9% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 35%24% to 48% | 43%35% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 415334 to 510 | 355264 to 460 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 45% | 14% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 63%, Turkey 45%, Fish 39% | Chicken 75%, Egg 70%, Lamb 48% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None2 older in the archive | None | |
| Made by | Wellness Pet Company | Mars |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Wellness Complete Health Senior Dry Dog Food
Protein 24%
Fat 11%
Starch 48%
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 24%
Fat 11%
Starch 48%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Wellness puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Nutro is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Wellness starts lower.
- If your vet has suggested a grain-inclusive diet, Nutro has more of those recipes to choose from.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Wellness runs from 23% to 42% protein and Nutro from 22% to 31%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Wellness
No FDA recalls in our record for Wellness in the last five years.
Archive: 2 older recalls
Wellness. Beef Topper for Dogs
Wellness Complete Health. Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy dry dog food (made by Diamond)
Nutro
No FDA recalls in our record for Nutro in the last five years.
About the Brands
Wellness
Wellness is a dog and cat food brand made by Wellness Pet Company, which also owns WHIMZEES, Old Mother Hubbard, Holistic Select, Sojos and Eagle Pack. Its dog food lines include Complete Health and CORE, and the company says its recipes use natural, protein-forward ingredients. Wellness Pet Company is owned by the private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
Based in Burlington, MA, since 1997. Every Wellness food we review
Nutro
Nutro is a dog and cat food brand owned by Mars, Incorporated. Its product lines include Natural Choice, Ultra, Max and Limited Ingredient Diet, and the company says its recipes use non-GMO ingredients with no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat or soy.
Based in Franklin, Tennessee, since 1926. Every Nutro food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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