Introducing New Wellness® CORE™ Dog
A More Thoughtful Approach To Higher-Protein Nutrition That Supports Canine Health From The Inside Out

Chelmsford, MA (July 23, 2007) —The Wellness® brand of natural food and treats for pets today announces the debut of Wellness CORE™Dog – a delicious, higher-protein, grain-free dry dog food ideal for consumers who desire to feed their adult canine companions a protein-focused diet, free of grains, that is thoughtfully balanced to safely feed every day.

Designed to promote overall health, Wellness CORE Dog is based on the raw feeding philosophy of providing a diet rich in nutrient-packed, high-quality meat.  Wellness has carefully considered the delicate and thoughtful balance of nutrition that is essential to canine health. Each grain-free kibble is packed with protein from deboned turkey and chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal and chicken liver along with a proprietary blend of vegetables, oils, fruits and botanicals. By sourcing lean, high quality meat sources, Wellness has been able to keep the fat, mineral and caloric levels of this diet at a level appropriate for everyday feeding.

Indeed, balance is the key attribute differentiating Wellness CORE Dog from other high-meat offerings.  With a fat content between 9% and 14%, depending on the recipe, dogs will derive the protein they need without the caloric density that can create long-term obesity concerns.  Similarly, by minimizing the amount of ash — principally, calcium and phosphorus — in the Wellness CORE Dog recipe, dogs will benefit from a diet with appropriate mineral levels.

Wellness CORE Dog includes an impressive list of nutritional highlights:

• A grain-free recipe that includes 34% protein from five quality sources;
• An optimal caloric density, making it a protein-focused choice that is suitable for everyday feeding of adult dogs;
• Glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate to promote bone and joint health;
• Nutrient-rich greens and botanicals, including kale, broccoli, spinach and parsley for antioxidant support;
• Fish and flaxseed Omega Blend provide fatty acids for skin and coat health;
• After cooking, each kibble is coated with an ActiCoat System a blend of temperature-sensitive probiotics to promote a healthy digestive tract. 

“We specifically designed Wellness CORE Dog as a more thoughtful alternative to the grain-free, high-protein and high fat diets currently available on the market today. Many other diets are driven exclusively by the promise of grain-free, but they overlook key nutritional elements essential for preventative health, and contain extremely high fat and mineral levels”, said Deborah Ellinger, CEO of Wellness. “For dog lovers who choose to serve their companions a higher-protein, grain-free diet, Wellness CORE Dog supports our continued belief that thoughtful, balanced nutrition is the foundation of wellbeing.”

Wellness Core Dog is available in two varieties: Original Formula featuring five different meat sources including Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey and Chicken Meals and Chicken Liver, and a Reduced Fat Formula with Deboned Turkey, Turkey, Chicken and Whitefish Meals and Chicken Liver that is 28% less fat than Original Formula.  As with all Wellness natural pet foods, Wellness CORE Dog contains no meat by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Purposefully formulated to be as pure as possible, Wellness CORE Dog delivers the meat content dog owners are looking for while creating a balanced profile of real-foods appropriate for everyday feeding of adult dogs.  

Wellness CORE Dog Original and Reduced Fat Formulas are available in4, 12 and 16 lb. bags.

Wellness CORE Dog offers nothing in excess and everything in balance.  From source to bowl, Wellness makes no exceptions!

Wellness CORE Dog will be available nationwide at independent pet specialty retail stores beginning in July 2007. To find an authorized Wellness retailer, please visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.

About Wellness® – Live Well. Eat Well. Be Well.™

The Wellness brand of Natural Food and Treats for Pets was founded on the belief that, “You are what you eat!” – and that incorporating a holistic approach to a healthy, nutritious diet is the foundation of wellbeing. With this mission, our committed team of natural and holistic vets, nutritionists, and animal lovers has spent decades creating the very best in all-natural nutrition for both dogs and cats. All Wellness food and treat varieties feature recipes using human-quality ingredients without the use of meat by-products, fillers, potential allergens such as wheat and wheat gluten or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Wellness is proud to be a part of the Old Mother Hubbard pet food family, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006. Wellness is sold exclusively through knowledgeable independent pet stores and natural food stores in North America. For more information, please visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.