Wellness CORE+ Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food with Freeze Dried Pieces, Grain Free Kibble+, Natural, High Protein, Turkey and Chicken Recipe, 4 lb Bag Review
By Dr. Lena Ortiz · Canine wellness writer · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-06-28
4.6(1,521)Amazon rating$50.002,000+ bought last month
Our verdict
Wellness CORE+ Small Breed is a grain-free turkey and chicken kibble with freeze dried pieces mixed in, positioned as a high protein natural formula, and it holds a 4.6 star average across more than 1,500 ratings.
Small breed adult dogs whose owners specifically want a grain-free, high protein recipe with added freeze dried pieces for extra flavor and nutrition.
Skip if
Budget is a top concern, since this 4 lb bag runs close to $12.50 a pound, well above standard small breed kibble pricing, or if your dog does fine on grain-inclusive food.
Priced 34% above the category median ($37.22 across 146 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.6/5overall
Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 1,521 owner ratings
Popularity0.9/5
1,521 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog food and health supplements we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
This CORE+ recipe is built around turkey and chicken in a grain-free 'Kibble+' format, meaning freeze dried pieces are mixed directly into the kibble rather than sold as a separate topper. Wellness markets it as a high protein, natural formula for small breed adults.
At $50.00 for a 4 lb bag, this is a premium price point, running noticeably higher per pound than the standard small breed kibbles in this lineup, which reflects the grain-free plus freeze dried format.
With 1,521 ratings averaging 4.6 stars and about 2,000 units bought in the past month, it's the smallest review count of the group reviewed here, but still a consistently well regarded formula. Detailed ingredient and guaranteed analysis data wasn't available to review beyond what's in the title.
Pros
Grain-free turkey and chicken recipe with freeze dried pieces mixed into the kibble
Marketed as a high protein, natural formula for small breed adults
4.6 star average across more than 1,500 ratings
Steady demand with about 2,000 units bought in the past month
Cons
Premium pricing, close to $12.50 per pound for the 4 lb bag
4 lb bag size means frequent reordering for most small dogs
No detailed ingredient list or guaranteed analysis was available to review here, so check the bag
Performance notes
The listing describes a grain-free Kibble+ format that mixes freeze dried pieces into the kibble itself, built around a turkey and chicken recipe and marketed as high protein and natural. Detailed guaranteed analysis figures weren't available to review here, so check the bag for exact protein, fat, and fiber percentages.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across 1,521 ratings, with about 2,000 units bought in the past month, points to a smaller but genuinely satisfied customer base for this premium grain-free formula.
It refers to Wellness mixing freeze dried pieces into the regular kibble, meant to add extra flavor and nutrition to each bite rather than just a plain single-texture kibble.
Is this a good option if my dog needs to avoid grains?
Yes, this is a grain-free recipe built around turkey and chicken. If your dog has a diagnosed grain sensitivity, it's still worth confirming the full ingredient list with your vet.
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