Reviews Of Taste Of The Wild Dog Food

Taste Of The Wild Information

Taste of the Wild is a relative newcomer to the pet food market, having launched back in 2007. While this might seem like a long time, some of Taste of the Wilds main competitors have been in business for over 30 years or longer.

Their products are produced by Diamond Pet Foods Inc, which is owned by Schell & Kampeter Inc. Diamond Pet Foods Inc also produces other dog and cat food ranges such as NutraGold and Diamond Naturals.

If you would like to learn more about Diamond, take a read of our Diamond Pet Food Review.

Taste of the Wild Pet Food is produced solely in the United States, in five separate facilities. These facilities include two in California, one in Missouri, one in South Carolina, and the final one in Arkansas.

All of Taste of the Wilds traditional recipes are based on the natural diet of a region and ecosystem of the United States. Examples include Pacific Stream Formula, which is based on the ecosystem of the North-Western United States.

Another example could be the Southwest Canyon Formula, which closely resembles the natural diet of the Canyons of Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

Taste of the Wild is wildly available for purchase in the United States, Canada, and around the world at thousands of retail pet food stores. You can also purchase Taste of the Wild from almost all of the major pet food websites like Chewy, Petflow, and Amazon.

What Makes Taste Of The Wild Dog Food One Of The Best

1. Packed with Protein

The first ingredient for all Taste of the Wild dog food formulas is real, high-quality meat, fish, or fowl. Their recipes use unique proteins such as wild boar, bison, roasted duck, venison, and Angus beef for their dog food to taste better.

These proteins mimic what wild dogs or wolves hunt in the wild.

2. Grain-Free Formulas

Taste of the Wild believes that dogs in the wild do not have access to grains such as corn, rice, or wheat. While dogs were domesticated and started being fed various types of grains, the canine digestive system is still very primitive. They do not have digestive support for breaking down complex carbohydrates and cereal grains.

Feeding grains to a dog may damage the lining of the digestive system in the long run. This results in bowel inflammation disorders, food allergies and sensitivities, and obesity.

3. PREY Limited Ingredients

In the wild, the canine diet consists primarily of prey they hunted. Taste of the Wilds PREY limited ingredient diets is a simplified approach to food based on an animals native diet.

The Prey diet for dogs consists of muscle meat, edible bones, liver, and other organs. Taste of the Wild features five formulas which include Angus Beef, Turkey, and Trout.

4. Contains Natural Antioxidants and Prebiotics

Prebiotics is also used to support the growth of good bacteria in your dogs digestive system.

5. Delicious for Dogs

6. No Fillers and Artificial Food Coloring

7. Source of Ingredients

Taste Of The Wild Dog Food Review: Final Verdict

Overall, Taste of the Wild is good dog food. All of the recipes use high-quality ingredients, and we like that they use unique proteins instead of resorting to chicken like most brands. If youre looking for grain free dog foods, the original Taste of the Wild recipes is a great choice.

While there arent as many options for dog food with grains, we do like the Ancient Grains product line, especially if youre looking for something with unique proteins for picky eaters or dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.

As for price, Taste of the Wild is not as affordable as some of the bargain brands, but its much higher in quality. Each of the dry recipes uses a real novel protein as the first ingredient. We also like that the proteins are humanely raised. For example, the turkey is cage-free, the salmon is sustainably fished, and the venison is pasture-raised. Theres no chicken meal, buffalo lamb meal sweet potatoes in any of these dry dog foods.

All of these recipes are free from artificial fillers, colors, flavors, and preservatives, too. While the fact that so many of its recipes are grain-free is something to consider, overall, Taste of the Wild is a great dog food brand thats widely available. If youre looking for a brand that uses novel proteins either because your dog has food allergies or is a picky eater, take a look at the many recipes they have to offer. These recipes dont have a typical dog food taste.

Source of Featured Image: canva.com

Recommended Reading: What Dog Food Doesn’t Have Chicken

Ingredients In Taste Of The Wild

The most important thing to look for in dog food are ingredients the manufacturer included in the recipe. If the ingredients are low-quality, the food will simply not be good enough for your dog, no matter how the marketing is good. The Taste of the Wild dog food is specific because it uses unconventional protein sources. Here are some of the ingredients commonly found in this dog food brand

• Protein – Bison, lamb meal, chicken meal, boar, venison, beef, and fish meal
• Carbohydrates – Sweet potatoes are their main carbohydrate source, peas, garbanzo beans, etc.
• Fiber – This brand uses different fiber sources. Some of the most common are flaxseed, dried chicory roots, peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, blueberries, etc.
• Antioxidants – Taste of the Wild includes different antioxidant sources in its recipes
• Supplements – Things like fish or salmon oil, glucosamine, vitamins, minerals, and folic acid are just some of the things found in this dog food.

The complete list of ingredients is quite long, but the recipes overall do not look bad. In fact, it seems like the company really tried hard to produce well-balanced dog food for different tastes. They focused on protein sources that wild dogs might get, like venison, bison, or boar. Some owners prefer this type of diet for their dogs, and based on their reviews, Taste of the Wild food is pretty good.

Taste Of The Wild Pine Forest Dry Dog Food

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A simple recipe focused on pasture-raised venison and accompanied by legumes is a great example of dry dog food that is packed with nutrients.

This red meat treat should satisfy any dogs hunger and fill it with energy (by the way, if your pooch is really into red meat, take a look at the Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef. Whats more important to a pet owner is knowing that the protein levels are good. Those are ensured by additional ingredients like lamb meal, egg product, ocean fish, and garbanzo beans.

As a healthy diet food, the recipe also contains various fruits and vegetables, providing vital elements for a well-conditioned dog. Salmon oil is responsible not only for the fat content but also for an omega-3 fatty acid that is good for a pups brain and vision.

Probiotic bacteria supplied according to the companys unique species-specific formula provide a positive effect on digestion and the immune system.

KEY FEATURES:

• Crude protein: no less than 28%
• Crude fat: no less than 15%
• Moisture: no more than 10%
• Fiber: no more than 4.5%

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Venison and legumes are the main protein sources
• Comes in sizes: 28/14/5 pounds

WHAT WE LOVED:

• A grain-free dog food formula
• Provides a good amount of probiotics and antioxidants
• DHA makes it beneficial to dogs of all ages

WHAT WE DIDNT LIKE:

• Fewer calories than in other recipes
• The bag size was reduced from 30 to 28 lb.

Recommended Reading: Best Brands Of Puppy Food

Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food: User Reviews

One of the most popular puppy kibbles on the market, Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food scores an impressive average of 4.7 out of 5 stars across all the major retail outlets. Praised for its high-quality ingredient list and delicious taste that sees it gobbled up in seconds, this kibble gets the thumbs up from both humans and their furkids.

As one reviewer writes I’ve been feeding my 3-month-old puppy TOTW buffalo & venison since I brought her home at 8 weeks old. She absolutely loves it! The bowl is always empty and she scarfs it down. She looks healthy and her coat is beautiful. I’m very pleased!

Its a happy review seconded by another pet parent who shares the story of her puppys transformation after just a few days on this kibble Mabel is a 6-month-old GSD mix puppy. After being on 3 other puppy foods prior, at the recommendation from a friend, we tried TOTW High Prairie Puppy. Mabel was having some stomach problems, wasn’t interested in eating, had started to lose weight because she was vomiting up the food we had her on at the time, and also has a sensitivity to chicken. We took her to the vet and had a barium swallow and x-rays done just to be sure there wasn’t an obstruction. Everything came back normal. So we bought a bag and after a few days on this food she is excited to eat, dances around her food dish, has more energy, and is back to acting like an energetic puppy!

What Others Are Saying

When trying to find the perfect dog food for your favorite companion, its important to do your research. Taste of the Wild is highly recommended by most reviewers. Heres what others have to say.

• Dog Food Advisor Taste of the Wild is a plant-based dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 out of 5 stars highly recommended.
• Dog Food Guru If youre looking for a good grain free dog food at a moderate price, Taste of the Wild is one to consider. Dog Food Guru gives Taste of the Wild 8.8 out of 10 stars.
• Amazon Full of useful reviews and ratings from current buyers and users of the products which you can read by clicking here.

Read Also: Where To Buy Freshpet Vital Dog Food

Is Taste Of The Wild A Good Dog Food

When evaluating ingredient quality and safety, we consider all Taste Of The Wild dry dog foods to be high risk foods. Although the company claims their ingredients are GMO-free, most of the foods still contain known high pesticide/herbicide foods, unnamed animal proteins, seed oils, natural flavor and excessive added vitamins and minerals.

While the ingredients are non-GMO , and the foods do contain guaranteed amounts of added probiotics, there are additional concerns with the food and marketing. These dont affect the Taste Of The Wild dog food reviews score, but theyre worth mentioning:

Glam IngredientsMost Taste Of The Wild foods contain glam ingredients. These are expensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries, kale or apples often added to appeal to consumers but may be in minuscule amounts. They contribute little or no nutritional value to your dog.

Ingredient SplittingThis is a technique of splitting ingredients into sub-categories to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to disguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn, potatoes or peas, and moves desirable ingredients, like proteins, higher.

Does Not Provide Omega-6:Omega-3 RatioIts also worth noting that Taste Of The Wild does not state the omega6:omega-3 ratio in their foods. While this is true of most foods, AAFCO allows a very inflammatory limit of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease.

Taste Of The Wild Dog Food Overview

The Taste of the Wild brand is owned by Diamond Pet Foods, established in 1970 and headquartered in Meta, Missouri. Diamond Pet Foods is a privately-held, family-owned company, and a recognizable name in the premium pet food industry.

Over their long existence, Diamond Pet Foods has recalled their dog food once. Overall, the companys safety record is excellent, evidenced by a comprehensive food safety program, a dedicated team of nutritionists and veterinarians, and continual monitoring of ingredients.

Taste of the Wild maintains five manufacturing facilities in the United States. Most ingredients in the brands dog foods are sourced locally, while some are sourced from Europe, such as chicory from Belgium and potato protein from Germany. As part of its safety protocol, Taste of the Wild conducts over 1,300 microbiological test/week and 45,000+ nutritional tests on finished products/month.

Also Check: What Ingredients To Avoid In Dog Food

Our Taste Of The Wild Dog Food Rating

Grain-free dog foods are a great choice if youre trying to minimize fillers and potential allergens.

The ingredients in Taste of the Wild are high quality, with most of them sourced in the USA. Rare and exotic proteins provide a good variety, which is nice for dogs allergic to more common protein sources or picky eaters.

While the Diamond recall fiasco back in 2012 may give some pause, Taste of the Wild has developed a great track record since then.

The cost, while not rock bottom, is a good value compared to other premium dog food brands.

We highly recommend all taste of the wild formulas for puppies and adult dogs.

Please be aware this page contains affiliate links and LabradorTrainingHQ receives a small commission if you make any purchases through any such links. This has absolutely no effect on the eventual price that you pay and we are very grateful for your support.

Disclaimer

All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional.

LabradorTrainingHQ.com assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of whats written on this site. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue.

Taste Of The Wild Wet Food

Taste of the Wild offers excellent tasting wet food that complements their dry food. All flavors below are formulated with delightful gravy.

*average rating based on the following criteria: price, ingredients, availability, company history and overall nutritional value

You May Like: What Dog Food Is Safest

What Do Others Say About Taste Of The Wild

Chewy customers rate Taste of the Wild 4.7 out of 5 stars and 95% say they would recommend it to others.

Heres an actual user review

Sample buyer reviewMy 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 couldnt 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!

• Taste of the Wild High Prairie Cans

Sierra Mountain Wet Food Adult Formula

• Grain-free formula.

The wet canned food that Taste of the Wild offers is only available in their standard line, and there is nothing from their Prey limited ingredient line. In total, there are 5 wet food options, all based on a gravy recipe. They are also all grain-free, and each product lists the chosen meat source as the number one ingredient.

There are no specific puppy or senior wet foods, and neither are there wet foods for small breeds. The wet lamb recipe is suitable for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Also Check: What Is The Best Dry Dog Food For Labradors

Our Rating Of Taste Of The Wild Dog Food

The Dog Food Advisor finds Taste of the Wild to be an above-average grain-free dry dog food. The recipe includes a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein thus earning the brand 4.5 stars. The Limited Ingredient Diet gets 4 stars. And the wet recipes receive 5. Highly recommended.

History Of Taste Of The Wild Dog Food

Taste of the Wild is a well-known pet food brand that is owned and manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. Diamond Pet Foods was founded in 1970 and the owner family is committed to providing high-quality pet food at affordable prices.

In 2007 their journey began and they focused on the increasingly popular natural, high-protein, grain-free diet. Prior to this, Diamond Pet Foods had experienced several products recalls. But Taste of the Wild was their new line of products with much better quality ingredients, better protein sources, and far fewer fillers.

Taste of the Wild has five plants based in California, Missouri, Arkansas, and South Carolina. This is where they produce and package their formulas. Their website claims they use both national and international ingredients. While sourcing ingredients overseas isnt ideal, they claim to have a rigorous vetting process in place. This ensures that the ingredients used are of the best quality. Unless you buy a super premium brand, this is almost always the case, and its usually the micro-ingredients they source.

There is only 1 case of a product recall in May 2012, but this wasnt limited to Taste of the Wild. This has affected many brands, all of which are produced in Diamond Pet Foods facilities. Thousands of pets have fallen ill across America after consuming food contaminated with salmonella. Thankfully, there has been no Taste of the Wild recalls since, which is a good track record for such a big brand.

Don’t Miss: Why Did My Dog Throw Up Her Food

What Is Taste Of The Wild Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Dog Food is a pet food brand that offers recipes formulated according to pets natural tastes. It works under its parent company Diamond Pet Foods.

The first ingredient in every Taste of the Wild Dog Food is real meat. The brand sources animal proteins from smoked salmon, bison, wild boar, venison, Angus beef, and roasted duck.