Wellness Pet Food Hit With Class Action Over "Natural" Claims

Case Overview: A new class action lawsuit alleges that Wellness Pet Company misled consumers by labeling its pet food as "natural" despite containing synthetic ingredients.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Wellness pet food products labeled as "natural."

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

A class action lawsuit is calling out Wellness Pet Company over claims that its “natural” pet food labels mislead consumers. The suit, filed by New York resident Caroline Van Wagner, alleges that synthetic additives like xanthan gum and tricalcium phosphate are included in the products despite their “natural” branding.

Van Wagner says she bought Wellness Shreds Healthy Indulgence pet food earlier this year, believing it contained only natural ingredients. According to the complaint, she relied on the product’s packaging, which led her to assume it would be a healthier option for her pets. The inclusion of synthetic substances, she argues, contradicts the image the company promotes.

Consumers Raise Concerns Over Hidden Additives

The lawsuit claims Wellness Pet Company uses deceptive labeling practices to market its products to health-conscious pet owners. Many buyers, the complaint suggests, choose natural pet food because they want safer alternatives for their pets. By advertising the products as natural while including synthetic compounds, the company allegedly misleads customers and unfairly benefits from the higher prices associated with natural branding.

The complaint also states that certain synthetic additives found in Wellness products are not even listed as part of the added vitamins and minerals disclosed on the packaging. Van Wagner’s legal team argues that this omission further undermines trust in the brand’s labeling.

Similar Lawsuits Target the Industry

This lawsuit against Wellness Pet Company is part of a larger wave of legal actions targeting pet food manufacturers over “natural” claims.

In November, Mars Petcare US faced legal action over its Nutro pet food products, which were also accused of including synthetic additives while being marketed as natural. Another recent lawsuit targeted Merrick Pet Care, raising similar concerns about ingredients like xanthan gum and synthetic vitamins.

In the Wellness pet food class action lawsuit, Van Wagner is pursuing damages exceeding $5 million on behalf of herself and other consumers across the country who purchased the allegedly mislabeled products. The lawsuit also seeks to certify a nationwide class action.

In addition to financial compensation, Van Wagner is asking for changes to how the company markets its products. The goal is to prevent similar issues from arising in the future and to ensure more accurate labeling practices across the industry.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Van Wagner v. Wellness Pet Company Inc. et al
• Case Number: 7:24-cv-08946
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Joshua D. Arisohn and Julian C. Diamond (Bursor & Fisher P.A.)

Do you feed your pet Wellness? What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Share your opinion in the comments below.