Wellness Complete Health Pate Review: Ingredients, Nutrition, and Value

Wellness Complete Health Pate is one of the most familiar wet cat foods in pet stores, and its smooth loaf texture makes it a common choice for picky eaters, seniors, and cats with dental issues. The Chicken Entrée recipe is the best known in the line, so it is the version we focus on in this review.

Below, we look at what is actually in the can, how the protein and moisture compare to typical wet food, how much to feed, the brand’s recall history, and the honest drawbacks, so you can decide whether it fits your cat.

Quick Summary

Here is how Wellness Complete Health Pate stacks up at a glance:

Area	Strength	Watch Out For
Protein source	Chicken, turkey, and organ meats lead the list	Plant ingredients appear further down
Moisture	High moisture, as with most canned pate	Opened cans must be refrigerated
Additives	No carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, per the brand	Uses other gums as thickeners
Texture	Smooth loaf suits many cats, including seniors	Cats that prefer chunks may ignore it
Sizes	3, 5.5, and 12.5 oz cans	Larger cans must be used within a few days

This summary is based on Wellness’s published product information. We did not run our own feeding trial.

Ingredients: What’s in the Chicken Entrée

According to the Wellness product page, the first 12 ingredients in Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entrée are:

Chicken, turkey, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken hearts, carrots, natural flavor, fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ground flaxseed, cranberries, dried chicory root, and potassium chloride, followed by gums, taurine, vitamins, and minerals.

What stands out:

• Animal protein first. Chicken and turkey lead the list, followed by broth and organ meats. Liver and hearts add nutrients cats naturally get from whole prey.
• Fish oil and flaxseed. These provide omega fatty acids for skin and coat support.
• Small amounts of produce. Carrots and cranberries appear, which some owners like and others see as unnecessary for a carnivore.
• Chicory root. This is a source of fiber that is often included to support digestion.
• Taurine is added. Taurine is essential for cats, and the guaranteed analysis lists a minimum level.

Wellness markets the recipe as grain-free and free from carrageenan, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives. Carrageenan is a thickener that some owners prefer to avoid, so its absence is a selling point for many buyers of Wellness Complete Health Pate.

Guaranteed Analysis

Here are the published values for Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entrée:

Nutrient	Amount
Crude protein (min)	10.5%
Crude fat (min)	8.0%
Crude fiber (max)	1.0%
Moisture (max)	78.0%
Calcium (min)	0.2%
Phosphorus (min)	0.15%
Taurine (min)	0.1%
Omega-3 fatty acids (min)	0.08%
Omega-6 fatty acids (min)	0.5%

At first glance, 10.5% protein can look low. That is because wet food is mostly water. To compare wet and dry food fairly, you can estimate protein on a dry-matter basis by removing the moisture.

With up to 78% moisture, about 22% of the food is dry matter. Dividing 10.5% by 22% gives an estimated dry-matter protein of roughly 48%, and the same math puts fat at roughly 36%. These are rough estimates based on guaranteed minimums and maximums, not exact lab values, but they show that Wellness Complete Health Pate is a high-protein, moderate-to-high-fat food once water is set aside.

We could not find calorie information on the product page we checked. Look at the can label or ask the retailer if you need an exact calorie count, especially for a cat on a weight-loss plan.

Why Moisture Matters for Cats

Cats evolved to get much of their water from food, and many do not drink much from a bowl. A high-moisture food like Wellness Complete Health Pate helps add water to the diet without relying on the water bowl alone.

That makes wet food a popular choice for cats that need more hydration, such as those prone to urinary issues, though any medical diet decision should be made with your vet. For a closer look at how wet and dry foods compare, see our wet pet food guide.

How Much to Feed

Wellness’s feeding guide for this recipe is ½ can per 6 to 8 pounds of body weight per day. The page does not specify which can size this refers to, so check the label on the can you buy, since a 3-oz can and a 12.5-oz can contain very different amounts.

A few practical tips:

• Split the daily amount into two or more meals. Most cats do well with scheduled meals.
• Refrigerate unused food. Cover opened cans and use them promptly.
• Adjust for body condition. If your cat gains or loses weight, change the amount.

If your cat has recently been spayed or tends to gain weight, measured portions matter even more. Our guide on cat weight gain after spaying explains why appetite often rises after surgery and how to adjust feeding.

Recall History

In February 2017, Wellness voluntarily recalled a small number of 12.5-oz canned cat foods after foreign material was found in non-Wellness products made in the same facility. According to PetfoodIndustry’s report on the recall, affected recipes included Chicken, Chicken and Herring, Chicken and Lobster, Turkey, Turkey and Salmon, Beef and Chicken, and Beef and Salmon, with best-by dates in August 2019.

Those cans expired years ago. The report did not mention cat illnesses, and the recall was described as a precaution tied to products from other brands. Still, we think owners should know about it. We did not find a newer recall of Wellness Complete Health Pate when we checked in October 2026, but recall lists change, so it is worth checking the FDA’s recall page if you are concerned.

What Owners Tend to Like

Based on the product’s design and common owner priorities, here is why many people choose Wellness Complete Health Pate:

• Smooth texture. Easy to eat for older cats or cats with missing teeth.
• Meat-first recipe. Chicken, turkey, and organ meats lead the list.
• No carrageenan. A plus for owners who avoid that thickener.
• Several can sizes. Small cans for single cats, larger cans for multi-cat homes.

We tried to load retailer review pages for owner feedback, but they were not accessible when we checked, so we are not quoting star ratings or review counts here.

Potential Drawbacks

No food is perfect, and Wellness Complete Health Pate has a few trade-offs:

• Price. Premium wet food costs more per day than dry food, especially for larger cats.
• Pate only. Cats that love chunks or shreds in gravy may not accept it.
• Some plant ingredients. Carrots, cranberries, and flaxseed are minor, but strict “meat-only” feeders may prefer simpler recipes.
• No calorie info on the product page we checked. You will need the label for exact numbers.
• Opened cans spoil. Large cans can go to waste in single-cat homes.

How It Compares

If you are weighing several wet foods, it helps to compare protein sources, additives, and texture. Our review of Tiki Cat food looks at a brand known for shredded, high-moisture recipes, which may suit cats that dislike pate.

Wellness Complete Health Pate sits in the middle ground: more ingredients than very simple “meat and broth” foods, but a clear meat-first base and no artificial additives, according to the brand.

Storage and Serving Tips

Unopened cans of Wellness Complete Health Pate can be kept in a cool, dry cupboard until the best-by date printed on the can. Once opened, cover the can with a pet food lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate it, as the brand recommends.

Throw out any wet food left in the bowl for more than a few hours, especially in a warm room. If your cat is picky about cold food, set a refrigerated portion out for a few minutes or add a splash of warm water before serving.

Wellness Complete Health Pate for Senior Cats

Older cats often lose teeth, develop sore gums, or become pickier as their sense of smell fades. A smooth pate is easy to lick and swallow, which is one reason Wellness Complete Health Pate is popular in senior-cat homes.

Seniors also tend to drink less and are more likely to develop kidney or urinary problems, so the high moisture content can be helpful. That said, older cats often need diets tailored to specific conditions. If your senior cat has kidney disease, thyroid problems, or weight loss, ask your vet whether Wellness Complete Health Pate fits the plan or whether a prescription diet is a better choice.

Price and Value

We have not listed a price because it changes often between stores and can sizes. In general, premium wet foods cost more per day than dry kibble, and feeding a large cat only wet food adds up quickly.

To judge value, compare the cost per ounce across can sizes, and remember that larger cans are cheaper per ounce but only worth it if your cat finishes them before they spoil. Many owners keep costs down by feeding Wellness Complete Health Pate for one meal a day and a quality dry food for the other, with their vet’s approval.

How to Switch Your Cat

Change foods gradually over about a week. Mix a small amount of Wellness Complete Health Pate with your cat’s current food, then slowly increase the new food while reducing the old. Watch for changes in appetite, stool, or vomiting.

Who Should Consider It

Wellness Complete Health Pate may suit:

• Senior cats or cats with dental issues that prefer soft food
• Cats that need more moisture in their diet
• Owners who avoid carrageenan and artificial additives
• Picky eaters that like a smooth texture

It may not be the best fit for:

• Cats that only eat chunks or shreds
• Tight budgets, since premium wet food adds up
• Cats on prescription diets, unless your vet approves

Frequently Asked Questions

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This review is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before changing the diet of a cat with kidney, urinary, or other health conditions. Product details were checked on Wellness’s website and may change. Last verified October 2026.