Taste of the Wild Dog Food Review 2024

Taste of the Wild is a U.S.-based, family-owned company whose mission is to create pet food that's both high-quality and affordable for the average pet parent. The basis of Taste of the Wild's philosophy is to channel your fur-baby's inner wild animal and make food that their untamed ancestors would love.

Taste of the Wild sources its high-quality ingredients from trusted global vendors. Thousands of nutritional, microbiological, and mycotoxin tests are carried out monthly by Taste of the Wild to ensure its food is safe and high-quality.

So is Taste of the Wild dog food right for your dog? Check out this Taste of the Wild dog food review to learn about its sub-brands, recall history, and more.

Taste of the Wild offers 3 product ranges, including wet, dry, and grain-free options. Let's take a look at each flavor and variation.

All Taste of the Wild recipes meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for either growth (puppy), maintenance (adult), or all life stages.

Taste of the Wild dry food

Taste of the Wild's original range features nine flavors and variations, including recipes formulated for small breeds and puppies. All Taste of the Wild original dry food flavors are grain-free, with ingredients like garbanzo beans, potatoes, lentils, and peas as alternative carbohydrate sources.

Every Taste of the Wild original dry food recipe lists a quality named meat source as the first ingredient. Taste of the Wild original dry foods also include several nutritionally beneficial ingredients, like tomatoes and blueberries, which are both rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. 

Many of these foods contain meat meals. While meat meals aren't human-grade, meat meals contain three times more protein than fresh meat. However, they shouldn't be the main source of protein in your dog's food. Some ingredients in these recipes, like tomato pomace and pea flour, could be considered filler. 

Taste of the Wild original dry dog food recipes contain an average of over 31% protein as dry matter, considered above average for dog food.

Taste of the Wild wet dog food

Taste of the Wild wet food is a canned dog food range that comes in five varieties. Taste of the Wild wet foods are grain-free and list a quality named meat source as the top ingredient. They include no meat meal but aren't considered human-grade due partly to the manufacturing process.

Many of the secondary ingredients in Taste of the Wild wet foods are the same as other recipes, with blueberries, tomatoes, and raspberries the most commonly used produce across the range. 

Taste of the Wild wet food recipes use several meat sources. For example, High Prairie with Bison in Gravy is made primarily with beef. Bison, lamb, and venison are secondary protein sources. As a result, Taste of the Wild wet foods may not be suitable for dogs with specific meat allergies or sensitivities.

Taste of the Wild wet food recipes contain an average of 45% protein as dry matter, which is considered above average for dog food.

Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains

Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains is the brand's grain-inclusive range. These four dry food varieties include grains like grain sorghum, millet, quinoa, and chia seed, which are high in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and omega fatty acids. Plus, these grains are excellent protein and fiber sources.

As with Taste of the Wild's grain-free options, Ancient Grains recipes list a quality named meat source as the top ingredient but also contain meat meals. Most of the secondary ingredients are the same, with raspberries, blueberries, salmon oil, and tomato, some of the nutritionally valuable produce included. 

Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains recipes contain an average of 33% protein as dry matter, which is above average for dog food.  

Taste of the Wild PREY Limited Ingredient

Taste of the Wild PREY is a grain-free, limited-ingredient dry dog food range. Each of the 3 variations consists of just 4 main ingredients: a high-quality named meat source, lentils, tomato pomace, and chicken fat. Each variety is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and fish oil.

Taste of the Wild PREY is made with non-GMO ingredients. Chicken fat is high in omega-6 fatty acids and is a high-quality ingredient.

Like other Taste of the Wild recipes, the PREY Limited Ingredient range also uses tomato pomace, a potentially controversial ingredient. Some people view tomato pomace as a good source of fiber and antioxidants, while others consider it a manufacturing by-product and filler ingredient.

Taste of the Wild PREY Limited Ingredient recipes contain an average of 31% protein as dry matter, which is above average for dog food. 

Here are a few reasons why Wag! likes Taste of the Wild dog food.

Recommended by trusted veterinarians

Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team, personally recommends Taste of the Wild to clients:

"Taste of the Wild offers both wet and dry dog and cat foods for all life stages incorporating species-specific probiotics, antioxidants from ancient grains, fruits and seeds, and omega fatty acids."

Variety of flavors and protein sources

Taste of the Wild offers 6 meat varieties across its ranges, with unique protein sources like wild boar, bison, and water buffalo. All recipes list a fresh meat source as the top ingredient, meaning they're packed with highly digestible protein. The meats used in Taste of the Wild products are also USDA-approved.

Some recipes are excellent for high-protein diets. For example, High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison contains 32% crude protein. Grain-free and limited ingredient options are ideal for dogs with food allergies.

K9 Strain Probiotics

One unique selling point of Taste of the Wild dog food is its proprietary K9 Strain Probiotics. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that support the immune system and help dogs absorb nutrients and break down food. Every pound of Taste of the Wild dog food contains 80 million live, active probiotic cultures.

Recipes for All Life Stages

Most Taste of the Wild recipes meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages. This nutrient profile means you can feed your dog the same food throughout their life, whether they're a puppy, adult, or senior. These food are also suitable for growing dogs over 70 pounds.

Here are some concerns and considerations to think about before buying Taste of the Wild dog food.

Concerns about grain-free dog foods

In 2018, the FDA launched an investigation into links between grain-free dog foods and the development of non-hereditary canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The study is particularly interested in dog foods that contain high amounts of pulses and potatoes.

Taste of the Wild is one of the dog food brands with DCM reports named by the FDA. The FDA's investigation is ongoing, with no new scientific data to share as of December 2022. So far, investigators have not found scientific evidence that Taste of the Wild or grain-free diets cause heart problems in dogs.

Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about feeding your dog grain-free Taste of the Wild dog food.

Taste of the Wild isn't human-grade

Several ingredients listed in Taste of the Wild dog food are unsuitable for humans and are considered by some people to be controversial.

Meat meal is often listed in the top five ingredients of Taste of the Wild's foods. That said, meat meal is safe for dogs, and it's an excellent protein source.

Tomato pomace is a by-product of processing tomatoes and could be considered low-quality filler. However, tomato pomace is high in fiber and vitamin C.

Multiple protein sources

Many Taste of the Wild recipes contain multiple protein sources. While this won't matter to most pet parents, dogs with allergies or sensitivities to certain meats will want to opt for the Taste of the Wild PREY Limited Ingredient range instead.

"My dogs have tried several of the dry and wet foods from Taste of the Wild, and we have never been disappointed! All the foods are made with ingredients that I recognize and have meat as the first ingredient, fueling my pups for all day play sessions. They love the taste, and their otherwise sensitive stomachs have never had a digestion issue."

"I was surprised to see that my dog loved a reasonably priced dog food of such quality. I did notice a renewed zip in his step, and his fur looks fuller and has a wonderful gloss. I like the way it looks and smells also."

Read more reviews on Consumer Affairs.

Diamond Pet Food owns and operates Taste of the Wild. Diamond Pet Food is a family-owned company established in 1970 by Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter.

Based in Meta, Missouri, Diamond Pet Food aims to produce quality, affordable pet food. The company's name was originally Meta Feed and Grain before changing to Diamond Pet Food.

Over time, Taste of the Wild has grown into a global brand with 6 manufacturing plants located across the U.S. in California, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and South Carolina.

There have been no Taste of the Wild recalls in the last ten years. The most recent Taste of the Wild recall was in May 2012. Diamond Pet Food issued a voluntary recall for some Taste of the Wild products due to potential salmonella contamination.

All product images sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.