What is WSAVA?
WSAVA, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, represents more than 200,000 veterinarians through 113 member associations worldwide. Its mission is to improve the health and welfare of companion animals by fostering a global community of informed, collaborative veterinary professionals. As part of that mission, WSAVA promotes informed decision-making about pet nutrition and encourages pet owners to ask specific questions about the foods they feed their animals and the companies that produce them.
The WSAVA Global Nutrition Council provides clear recommendations for selecting pet foods:
- Employ a qualified nutritionist with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition
- Formulate diets to meet AAFCO recommendations
- Undertake AAFCO feeding trials
- Produce foods in the USA
- Maintain strict quality controls
- Ensure all dry recipes are complete and balanced for the appropriate life stages
- Provide nutrient analysis for recipes on the company website
- Conduct extensive product research
How these requirements are evaluated — and how Wellness meets them
- Do you employ a full-time qualified nutritionist? Who formulates your foods and what are their credentials? Wellness works closely with a Ph.D.-level animal nutritionist who either formulates or reviews all diets. This expert has over 25 years of experience in developing dog and cat diets and has collaborated with Wellness for more than fifteen years. His work includes peer-reviewed publications in respected journals, reflecting a strong foundation in evidence-based companion animal nutrition.
- Are your recipes formulated to AAFCO recommendations? All Wellness diets are formulated to be complete and balanced. They meet the nutrient levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) based on the appropriate Nutrient Profiles, unless otherwise specified on the product label.
- Have your diets undergone AAFCO feeding trials? Many Wellness dry dog and dry cat recipes have been tested in AAFCO feeding trials. In addition, Wellness® Complete and Balanced recipes are formulated specifically to meet AAFCO Nutrient Profiles.
- Where are your foods produced and manufactured? Wellness products are produced in a combination of company-owned facilities and co-manufacturing partners. Wellness Pet Operations operates plants in Mishawaka, IN; South St. Paul, MN; and Decatur, AR. The Farm Fresh Kitchen facility is located in South St. Paul, MN. For product-specific manufacturing details, Wellness provides information through its Consumer Care Team by phone or email. Consumer Care is available M–F, 8–5 ET at (800) 225-0904 or [email protected].
- Do you have strict quality controls in place? Wellness maintains rigorous quality assurance standards aimed at delivering safe, premium pet foods. Their program exceeds basic FDA and AAFCO expectations and applies stringent controls across all stages of production—from ingredient sourcing through final product inspection. Key elements include:
- A comprehensive Quality Assurance program that actively manages manufacturing processes and audits procedures
- Ingredient selection and nutritional analysis to develop proprietary formulas with premium components
- Supplier requirements that include HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) programs, reflecting food-safety practices commonly used for human food
- A culture of high standards and close oversight with manufacturing partners to ensure consistency and safety
- Are all dry recipes complete and balanced to life stage? Yes. Wellness formulates its dry diets to be 100% complete and balanced for the intended life stages, following AAFCO guidelines.
- Are nutrient profiles available? Nutrient analyses and profiles for Wellness recipes are provided on product pages, where available, to help pet owners evaluate nutrient composition and make informed choices.
- What is the caloric value of your food? Caloric values (kcal) are provided per 8.0 oz cup for dry foods or per can for wet foods and are listed on most product labels and online product pages. For assistance, contact the Consumer Care Team at (800) 225-0904 or [email protected], M–F, 8–5 ET.
- What research has been conducted? Are results published in peer-reviewed journals? Prior to commercialization, Wellness evaluates diets for digestibility, starch gelatinization, stool quality, palatability, and, for cat formulas, urine pH. Additional research has focused on protein digestibility, blood glucose response, and weight management. While much of this work was performed to ensure product performance rather than for publication, the research supports the company’s standards for safety, digestibility, and overall diet effectiveness.
By aligning its practices with WSAVA’s guidance—employing qualified nutrition expertise, following AAFCO formulations and trials, maintaining strict quality controls, providing nutrient information, and conducting product-focused research—Wellness aims to offer pet owners transparent, science-informed options for feeding the animals in their care.