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A diet made up of whole foods has shown significant improvements in dogs’ overall health and wellness. According to some studies, it even increases longevity in senior dogs. But that mostly applies to the prepackaged pouches available in stores. Alternatively, studies have surfaced that say homemade food is missing key ingredients.

Dog parents whose pups have numerous allergies are frequently caught in the seemingly never-ending loop, trying to decide what is best for their furry best friends. With so many well-known brands stepping into the market, it can be hard to pick the best one. But one of the latest fresh dog food contenders makes a strong case with balanced ingredients and a shelf-stable product.

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Wellness Protein Bowls Exclusive to This Retailer

Wellness Protein Bowls leverages the brand’s 100 years of experience in pet food and treats, providing pet owners with a dog food that addresses many food-related pain points without sacrificing quality or nutrients.

“Pet parents increasingly treat their dogs as family, and that mindset is reshaping how they approach mealtime,” said Wellness Pet Global SVP of Innovation and Nutrition Greg Kean in a press release. “While many have gravitated toward fresh food brands for an exciting mealtime experience, they also face consistent pain points like high prices, storage demands, unappetizing aromas, limited variety, and messy feeding. Wellness Protein Bowls solve these issues head-on.”

One of the biggest fresh food pain points for dog owners is the amount of refrigerator or freezer space the packets or rolls take up. But these 6.2-ounce pouches are shelf stable, until opened, that is. Once opened, the resealable package must be refrigerated, and is good for up to 5 days. Remove the remainder from the fridge and serve at room temperature.

Another pain point is making sure your dog has enough clean protein, especially if your dog is on fresh food due to allergies, like mine. My German Shepherd has a rough time with anything Chicken. So if there is chicken meal, by-products, or fat anywhere in the ingredients, it’s a no-go. The great thing about Wellness Protein Bowls is that they focus on each protein as the main ingredient, with no added fillers, meat by-products, preservatives, or other additives. They are also free from wheat, corn, and artificial colors, in case your dog has any issues with those ingredients.

Related: Newfoundland Goes ‘Monster Mode’ Over a Plate of Chicken and Mom Is in Awe

Wellness Protein Bowls, $4.99 at PetSmart

The Wellness Protein Bowls are available exclusively at PetSmart and come in a wide variety of proteins, including:

Each packet contains 1,289 kilocalories. It can be served as a complete meal or added to kibble as a topper. Early reviews are extremely positive, with a 4.7 out of 5. One happy dog mom wrote on PetSmart’s website, “Moses was so excited to try the wellness protein bowl! Opening the package, it looks like fresh protein, grain, and vegetables. The packaging was also easy to travel with on-the-go. The serving size was perfect for my dog. It was easy for him to digest, and he gobbled it down in minutes. I would recommend this product for any pet owner!” Another chimed in with, “I bought this food as soon as it came out. My dogs love it!!”

It sounds like the newest release will be a welcome addition to your pup’s mealtime. But don’t worry if you don’t have a PetSmart near you. These Wellness Protein Bowls will roll out nationally to other major retailers, independent pet stores, and online in April.

Related: High-End Dog Food Brand Enters the Fresh Food Race With New Product

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.