Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken vs Wellness CORE Puppy

Pros

• ✓Named free-range chicken as primary protein — no generic meat derivatives, by-products or meat meal
• ✓Fish oil provides natural DHA, meeting developmental needs for puppy brain, vision and nervous system maturation
• ✓Consistently high palatability reported across multiple reviewers and dog breeds over long periods
• ✓Free from artificial colours, preservatives and flavourings — clean label for a growing puppy

Cons

• ✗At least one reviewer reported a possible recipe reformulation removing chicken inclusions, with no response from the brand — ingredient consistency should be verified
• ✗Full ingredient list and guaranteed analysis not provided, making precise FEDIAF compliance (calcium:phosphorus ratio, crude protein %) difficult to confirm
• ✗Premium price point flagged as high relative to perceived value after suspected reformulation
• ✗Occasional Amazon fulfilment errors reported (wrong product or wrong size delivered) — not a product fault, but worth ordering directly from trusted retailers

Best For

Pros

• ✓Named fresh meats (chicken, turkey, salmon oil) as primary ingredients — no generic by-products or meat derivatives
• ✓Salmon oil provides guaranteed DHA for brain and eye development, critical in early puppy months
• ✓Pre- and probiotics support healthy gut microbiome, particularly valuable during the weaning and transition phase
• ✓High protein content (32–37%) exceeds FEDIAF and AAFCO minimum requirements for growth

Cons

• ✗Kibble size and colour inconsistency reported between bags — a QC concern for small breed puppy owners who may need to soak kibble
• ✗Grain-free diets remain under FDA and veterinary scrutiny for a potential link to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), though evidence is not conclusive
• ✗Some puppies show low palatability — one reviewer's cockapoo refused it entirely despite accepting other brands
• ✗Full ingredient list not provided — exact calcium:phosphorus ratio cannot be verified, which is critical for medium-to-large breed puppy bone development

Best For