Is Wellness Dog Food Made in the US? Brand Facts & FAQ

Wellness is a well-known brand that markets its pet food as high-quality and nutritious. Wellness Pet company originated in Massachusetts, and over the years, it has expanded its office and manufacturing locations all throughout the US. A lot of Wellness’ ingredients are sourced within the US, but some ingredients are sourced from other countries around the world.

Being knowledgeable about where and how your dog food is made ensures that you’re feeding your dog safe and nutritious meals. Here’s all you need to know about Wellness dog food.

About Wellness Pet Company

Wellness Pet Company’s original name was Old Mother Hubbard, which was founded in 1926. The company continued to expand over the years to have seven different brands under its umbrella:

In 1997, the Wellness brand launched and started creating natural dog and cat food. 10 years later, Wellness CORE was launched to provide high-protein pet food and treats. Wellness food and treats are sold by most commercial pet stores and online retailers.

Where Does Wellness Source Its Ingredients?

Most of Wellness’ ingredients are sourced in North America. However, they also use ingredients from Chile, Italy, and New Zealand. Wellness also sources a small number of ingredients from China, but they make up less than 1%.

Where Does Wellness Manufacture Its Dog Food?

Wellness Pet Company has locations all over the US, including Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. It also has locations abroad in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan.

All of Wellness’ dry dog food is manufactured in its company-owned facility in Mishawaka, IN. Wet food and treats are produced at its other manufacturing facilities in Decatur, AZ, South St. Paul, MN, or Veendam, NL.

Wellness Recall History

Wellness has had several recalls in the past several years. When it comes to recalls, it’s important to note that there are different levels of severity. Also, if a company issues its own recall, it’s only able to do so because it does its own testing. Wellness’ most recent recall was in March 2017. It voluntarily recalled its Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs due to possible elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone.

In October 2012, Wellness recalled its Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food due to possible moisture issues that could develop mold. Another recall in 2012 occurred in May for the potential for salmonella in its Complete Health Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy food.

Lastly, Wellness faced a no-sell order from New Mexico in January 2012 due to using an unapproved ingredient, amaranth. Amaranth was approved for humans but not for pets.

Is Wellness Dog Food Safe?

While Wellness has had some recalls, it does have a set of rules and regulations to ensure that it’s able to deliver healthy and safe food to pets. Regarding its ingredient suppliers, Wellness has strict requirements that exceed FDA requirements. Suppliers must be able to deliver high-quality ingredients, and Wellness tests all ingredients to ensure that they meet its standards.

Wellness also has a rigorous quality assurance program. The processing plants are regularly sanitized to prevent bacterial growth. Food storage temperatures are constantly monitored to keep all products from contamination. There are multiple tests that occur throughout the production of the food to ensure that it maintains the optimal amount of nutrients while being safely packaged for dogs to eat.

Conclusion

Wellness Pet Company had humble beginnings in Massachusetts, and it’s now grown into an international company. To meet its growing demands, it sources its ingredients from suppliers in the US and several other countries.

When shopping for dog food, it’s essential to look for brands that are transparent and thorough with their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing procedures. Keeping track of recall histories can also be helpful. Staying on top of these factors is essential for finding food that’s both safe and nutritious for your dog to eat.

See Also:

• Merrick vs Wellness Dog Food: What Should I Choose?
• What Can Be Mixed With Dry Dog Food? 7 Top Picks

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Featured Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock