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Is Taste of the Wild Good Dog Food: Our Verdict
Taste of the Wild earns the Dog Food Advisor’s overall brand rating of 4.5 stars, based on the weighted average of its most popular product lines.
Laura Ward, our in-house pet nutritionist, said: “Taste of the Wild dog food prioritizes high protein and animal ingredients. The products are complete and balanced and avoid artificial and anonymous ingredients. We recommend Taste of the Wild dog foods.”
Taste of the Wild is part of Diamond Pet Foods, which itself is owned by Schell & Kampeter, Inc., a family-owned company based in the U.S. and founded in 1970.
Taste of the Wild was introduced in 2007, offering a range of premium pet food products with a focus on grain-free formulas and using high-quality, novel proteins such as bison, venison, and trout. The brand was created to meet the growing demand for pet foods made with ingredients that mimic the natural diet of animals in the wild.
All dog food products are formulated to meet the nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Each is considered complete and balanced for the specific life stages printed on the package.
Taste of the Wild Dog Food Ingredients
Taste of the Wild is known for its focus on high-quality, natural ingredients designed to mimic the ancestral diets of dogs and cats. The ingredient lists often emphasize novel proteins, vegetables, and fruits, while avoiding artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers like corn, wheat, or soy.
Real meat from bison, venison, wild boar, lamb, duck, salmon, and roasted fowl are the primary ingredients. These proteins are chosen for their digestibility and nutritional benefits.
Many recipes include egg products – a source of protein and essential amino acids – along with fish meals which are a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Sweet potatoes and peas are common sources of carbohydrates in the grain-free formulas, providing fiber and essential vitamins. Blueberries and raspberries are added too for their antioxidant properties, helping support immune health.
Other added nutrients include essential vitamins (like vitamin E, D, and B12) and minerals (such as zinc, iron, and copper) to support overall health, as well as chelated minerals, minerals bound to amino acids for better absorption and K9 strain probiotics, species-specific probiotics added to many formulas to aid in digestion and support gut health.
Taste of the Wild Cost
The cost of Taste of the Wild pet food can vary depending on the recipe, bag size, and where you purchase it (online retailers, pet stores, or local markets).
Here’s a general price range for some of the most common bag sizes:
- 5-lb Bag: $15 to $20 USD
- 14-lb Bag: $30 to $40 USD
- 28-lb Bag: $50 to $60 USD
Grain-free recipes are often priced higher due to the use of alternative ingredients and novel proteins.
Recipes with more exotic proteins like bison or salmon may cost slightly more than those with more common proteins like chicken.
Some online retailers such as Chewy may offer discounts or bulk-buy deals, while local pet stores may have different pricing structures.
Taste of the Wild Dog Food Reviews
The company sells a range of sub-brands of dog food, but which one is right for you?
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free is for those who prefer a dry food that contains no cereal grains.
- TOTW’s most popular sub-brand
- No corn, wheat, barley or rice
- 32% protein, brand average
- 9 recipes (ratings vary)
Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains
Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains is ideal for those seeking a dry kibble containing classic cereal grains.
- Traditional grain-inclusive design
- 33% protein, 41% carbs
- 4 recipes (ratings vary)
Taste of the Wild Prey
Taste of the Wild Prey is a limited ingredient diet… ideal for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies.
- Grain-free formula
- No corn, rice, wheat or barley
- Beef, turkey or trout protein
- 5 recipes
Taste of the Wild Cans
Taste of the Wild’s only wet dog food. It’s grain-free and makes a good topper for dry kibble.
- 45% protein, brand average
- 26% estimated carbs
- No BHA, BHT or other high risk preservatives
- 5 recipes (ratings vary)
Taste Of The Wild Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Taste Of The Wild through December 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
What Do Others Say About Taste of the Wild Dog Food?
Chewy customers rate Taste of the Wild 4.7 out of 5 stars… and 95% say they would recommend it to others.
Here’s an actual user review…
Sample buyer review… “My Basenji has been a picky eater since day one. I had her on ProPlan and she was under eating due to not liking it. I ordered the large bag so I couldn’t switch earlier. Finally, I was recently able to switch her over to this food and now she enjoys eating and eats her recommended amount! She never had any stomach upset in the beginning either. So happy with this food!”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Taste of the Wild's Best Recipes?
Based on a weighted average of popularity and ratings, here are our 5 most recommended Taste of the Wild flavors and recipes.
Is Taste of the Wild dog food grain-free?
Taste of the Wild offers both grain-inclusive and grain-free dog foods. As of the date of our most recent research, the brand offers 21 different recipes… 17 grain-free recipes and 4 are made with cereal grain. All Taste of the Wild wet formulas are grain free.1
Is Taste of the Wild good for puppies?
Taste of the Wild offers four recipes tailored specifically for the growth and development of puppies. These are:
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Recipe (Grain-Free)
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe (Grain-Free)
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie Puppy Recipe (With Ancient Grains)
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream Puppy Recipe (With Ancient Grains)
All the recipes include DHA for brain and eye development, typically derived from fish oil or salmon oil. Probiotics, tailored for puppies, these help with digestion and boost the immune system. Antioxidants from ingredients such as blueberries, raspberries, and tomatoes
Chelated minerals to help ensure better absorption of essential nutrients.
Is Taste of the Wild considered a healthy dog food?
All Taste of the Wild dog food products are formulated to meet dog food nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. These designs are based on standards published by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science. Each is considered complete and balanced for the specific life stages printed on the package.
Is Taste of the Wild dog food made in the United States?
All Taste of the Wild products are made at one of 5 company-owned manufacturing facilities located within the United States. On the other hand, wet dog foods are produced under contract by a private-label cannery. This facility is also located within the U.S.
Compare Taste of the Wild Dog Food
How does Taste of the Wild compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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