Pro Plan Medium Puppy Chicken vs Wellness CORE Puppy

Pros

• ✓Named chicken as #1 ingredient — no by-products, no meat meal
• ✓Colostrum inclusion supports immune defences and gut microbiome in young puppies
• ✓Excellent palatability across multiple breeds, including reported fussy eaters
• ✓Complete and balanced for puppy growth — DHA, Vitamin D, calcium/phosphorus ratios for bone and joint development

Cons

• ✗Premium pricing with a small 3kg pack — cost per kg is high compared to mid-market alternatives
• ✗Full ingredient list not disclosed in listing — likely contains grain-based carbohydrate fillers (corn, wheat, rice) typical of Pro Plan formulas
• ✗Sized and formulated for medium breeds (10–25kg); several reviewers using it for toy/small breeds, which is an off-label use
• ✗Oversized cardboard packaging noted as wasteful by buyers

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