Does Taste of the Wild dog food contain lead

Taste of the Wild Dog Food Review

In this review The Dog Food Advisor takes an in-depth look at Taste of the Wild Dog Food and its 4 most popular sub-brands.

Well also reveal

Is Taste of the Wild made in the United States?Has Taste of the Wild been recalled?Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?

But first

Which Sub-Brand Is Right for You?

Here are Taste of the Wilds 4 most popular sub-brands. Some are wet. Most are dry. Some are made with grain. Others are grain-free.

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free is for those who prefer adryfood that containsno cereal grains.

• TOTWs most popular sub-brand
• No corn, wheat, barley or rice
• 32% protein, brand average
• 9 recipes(ratings vary)

View all Recipe Ratings

Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains is ideal for those seeking adry kibblecontainingclassic cereal grains.

• Traditional grain-inclusive design
• 33% protein, 41% carbs
• 4 recipes(ratings vary)

View all Recipe Ratings

Taste of the Wild Prey is alimited ingredientdiet ideal for dogs withfood sensitivitiesandallergies.

• Grain-free formula
• No corn, rice, wheat or barley
• Beef, turkey or trout protein
• 5 recipes

View all Recipe Ratings

Taste of the Wilds onlywetdog food. Itsgrain-freeand makes a goodtopperfor dry kibble.

• 45% protein, brand average
• 26% estimated carbs
• No BHA, BHT or other high risk preservatives
• 5 recipes(ratings vary)

View all Recipe Ratings

Individual Recipe Ratings

The Taste of the Wild Grain-Free product line includes the 9 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is buffalo. Although it is a quality item, raw buffalo contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is lamb meal. Lamb meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh lamb.

The third ingredient is chicken meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.

The fourth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.

The fifth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The sixth ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The seventh ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The eighth ingredient is egg product, an unspecified (wet or dry?) form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries from eggs that have failed to hatch.

In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The ninth ingredient is bison. Although it is a quality item, raw bison contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

Other Notable Ingredients

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this TOTW product.

With six notable exceptions

First, tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

Next, we find potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.

Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

In addition, this recipe also includes pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.

This also contains over 80% protein, and both potato and pea proteins can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

We also note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next, this recipe lists sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Summary

Based on its ingredients alone, Taste of the Wild looks like an above-average dry dog food.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 20% and estimated carbohydrates of about 36%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 32% and a mean fat level of 18%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 42% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the pea products and potato protein, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

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.

Who Makes Taste of the Wild Dog Food?

Taste of the Wild is made by Diamond Pet Foods, inMeta, Missouri. All dry foods are manufactured at Diamonds company-owned plants in South Carolina, Arkansas, California and Missouri. Wet recipes are produced by a private-label cannery within the U.S.

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.

Heres 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 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!

Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

Taste of the Wild Dog Food Review & Coupons: 2024 Update

Choosing the right dog food for your pet can be a daunting task because of all the product choices in the market claiming to be the best.

As a responsible pet owner, our job is to dig deep and find out for ourselves what works well with our canine and what does not.

With that end in mind, well focus this article on just one brand. This Taste of the Wild dog food review will include a look into the company and a detailed look into each of its product lineup.

Here at DogFood.Guide we have a dedicated mission to provide dog owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the nutrition and health care towards their dogs.

Our readers rely upon our dog food articles, reviews and recall alerts that we took the time to research. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.

DogFood.Guide is maintained by Mary Nielsen & her staff. Mary is an advocate and lover. She and her staff are passionate about animals and work hard to provide you with a wealth of information for you and your dog.

Our site is supported by our readers. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may earn a referral fee. This helps cover the cost of operating our free blog. Thanks for your support!

The Taste of the Wild Company

A family-owned company, Taste of the Wild is under the Diamond Pet Foods umbrella producing pet food for dogs and cats. The entire product line was inspired by the protein-rich diet of our pets wild counterparts: wolves and lions.

Each Taste of the Wild recipe is intended to provide the complete nutrition our pet needs in the way that nature intended always real meat first. And not just any protein.

The brand uses lots of unique meat in its formulas such as smoked salmon, venison, bison, and wild boar for a tasty alternative to the usual dog food standard fare.

Currently, the brand offers wet and dry dog foods in Grain-Free, Ancient Grains, and Limited Ingredient formulations.

Essential Nutrients

To better understand each Taste of the Wild dog food review and each ingredient analysis, its important that youre familiar with these common terms below. What exactly are these and why are their nutrition content important ingredients in dog foods?

1. Crude Protein Protein is one of the essential building blocks of the body tissues and is often used as a fuel source. Crude protein estimates the total amount of protein in a specific food, from both animal and non-animal sources.2. Crude Fat Fat supports cell growth, keeps the body warm, helps it to absorb nutrients, and gives it energy. Crude fat is the amount of oil content in a food and counts not only true fat but fat soluble vitamins as well.3. Crude Fiber Crude fiber is the measurement of indigestible fiber in a food that provides bulk to the meal.4. Moisture Its the water content each meal contains, which ideally should range between 6-10 percent in dry dog foods and up to more than 70 percent in wet dog foods. Its a critical part of any good diet because water is essential for the body to stay healthy and function properly.5. Vitamins These are substances that are responsible for the function, development, and growth of the bodys cells.6. Minerals These are naturally occurring elements that have varying functions in the body, ranging from making hormones to building bones and transmitting nerve impulses.7. Antioxidants These substances play a role in protecting the body from free radicals that may cause diseases.8. Omega Fatty acids In dog food, these usually pertain to Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are fats that the body cant make by itself. They provide a number of health benefits including reducing inflammation, supporting normal brain development, making shinier coats, improving heart health, and treating symptoms of chronic diseases, among others.

Taste of the Wild Dog Food Review (Wet)

The wet dog food range of Taste of the Wild is limited to a grain-free lineup consisting of five recipes in a gravy mixture. Each of these recipes start off with real meat followed by nutritious ingredients such as tomatoes, raspberries, and blueberries for antioxidant support.

Since there are no grains, fuel source alternatives such as peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and/or chickpea flour are used instead.

Prebiotics have been added to help pups maintain healthy guts by feeding the friendly bacteria in the digestive system. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are also included, along with numerous added vitamins and minerals.

Aside from being grain-free, these wet foods do not contain any corn, filler, wheat, nor any artificial preservative, flavor, or color.

Note: Theres dried egg product included in the recipes, which needs looking into if your dog is allergic to poultry and eggs.

Here's a round up of our reviewed products:

1. Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon Canine Formula
2. Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Canine Formula
3. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Canine Formula
4. Taste Of The Wild High Prairie Canine Formula
5. Taste Of The Wild Wetlands Canine Formula

1. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A unique blend of novel proteins from lamb, wild boar and beef, this canned food is the perfect alternative for pets who craves for variety.

Southwest Canyon provides dogs with an unusual blend of beef, lamb, and wild boar.

While beef and lamb may be staples in dog foods, the addition of wild boar provides the meal with a richer and nuttier taste courtesy of its distinct, dark red meat. These trio of meats combine to give each meal a total of 9% crude protein.

Beef and vegetable broth provide much of the moisture content, which is set at a maximum percentage of 82%.

Chickpea flour provides plant protein as well as fiber to the mix (crude fiber is at 1% max). The sunflower oil, as well as other oils in the ingredients list, contribute to a healthy fat content (crude fat at 4%).

Each 13.2 ounce can contains 378 kcal.

2. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Featuring lamb as its main ingredient, this recipe offers not only great taste but also rich in nutrients from the vegetable broth that is used.

This Taste of the Wild formula keeps the taste pure by featuring real lamb as the main star of the recipe.

Theres lamb, lamb liver, and even roasted lamb for dogs that cant get enough of the tender pink meat of the woolly mammal. A beef and vegetable broth bring in needed moisture and taste! for a total of 82% max moisture.

This lamb recipe has a little less crude protein than the Southwest Canyon flavor (9%), but its still got a good 8% minimum.

The crude fat content comes from the various oils in the recipe for a total of 4.5% (higher this time by .5% when compared to Southwest Canyon. Crude fiber is the same at 1% max.

The caloric content is pegged at 351 kcal per can.

3. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

If your fussy pet has had enough of his usual kibble, try offering him a taste of the sea in this wet food. Made from fresh salmon plus turkey and turkey liver, rest assured Fido couldn't say no to this.

The Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Pacific Stream Canine Formula offers dogs the yummy goodness of the oceans bounty.

Salmon (whitefish) is listed as the first ingredient and the main animal protein source, helping bring up the crude protein of the meal to 8% minimum.

Turkey and fish broth provide a more complex flavor along with plenty of moisture content (pegged at 82% maximum). Theres also turkey meat and turkey liver in the mix.

Salmon offers less fat than other types of meat, which is why the crude fat content is only at 4% minimum. Crude fiber is at 1% maximum.

The caloric content for each can is 364 kcal.

4. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

For the highly carnivorous pet, this is the best choice. A very meaty formula made from the combination of 4 red meats beef, lamb, bison and venison, it will surely satiate his inner craving.

The High Prairie canine formula by the brand combines four kinds of red meat together, from the staple beef and roasted lamb to the unusual bison and roasted venison.

Red meat lovers will definitely get a kick out of this recipe. The total crude protein is 8% minimum.

There are three types of broth in the High Prairie canine recipe: lamb, beef, and vegetable. These broths, aside from giving the food a more interesting taste, also provide the moisture content, which reaches 82% max.

The crude fat here is a little lower than other Taste of the Wild wet food formulas (except for the Wetlands flavor, which is the same). Its at a low 3.5% minimum only, while fiber remains the same at 1% max.

The caloric content for this recipe is the lowest for this range at 322 kcal per can.

5. Taste of the Wild Wetlands Formula

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A blend of the wetlands fowl family: quail, turkey and duck. This is a unique formula with interesting flavor that your dog would not be able to resist.

The name of the game in the Wetlands is fowl. Your pet will have fun with the uncommon tastes he will encounter in this recipe.

Theres duck, smoked turkey, and roasted quail all quite interesting flavors that arent in your usual dog food.

This delicious meaty mix offers dogs a crude protein content of 8% minimum.

The crude fat is one of the lowest in the wet food range at 3.5%. The moisture is brought by the duck broth, chicken broth, and a non-fowl product fish broth to bring the total to 82% max.

Crude fiber is the same at 1% maximum.

Each can contains 335 kcal.

Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Foods

The Taste of the Wild dry dog food range has three lines under it: Grain Free, Ancient Grains, and Limited Ingredient.

Here's a round up of our reviewed products:

1. Taste Of The Wild High Prairie
2. Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley
3. Taste Of The Wild Wetlands
4. Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain
5. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream
6. Taste Of The Wild Pine Forest
7. Taste Of The Wild Southwest Canyon

Grain-Free

One of the main draws of the Taste of the Wild brand is its novel protein sources. In the Grain-Free dog food line, this includes everything from buffalo to bison. As an alternative to grains, foods like sweet potatoes, lentils, and/or potatoes deliver all the energy your dog needs to meet his daily activities.

Real fruits and veggies (like tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and peas) provide the mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant support that every canine requires.

A proprietary K9 strain probiotic blend keeps the digestive system healthy, while doses of Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids offer skin, coat, and body nutrition. The yucca schidigera extract offers support for joint health and helps keep joint inflammation down.

Every first ingredient is always real meat, and there are no wheat, fillers, corns, or grains anywhere in the food. You can also count that there are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in the mix.

1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A balanced and complete meal derived from bison and buffalo meat, a tasty blend of white and red meat. This grain free kibble is also rich in antioxidants, amino acids and prebiotics for overall support.

The High Prairie canine formula relies on buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal to provide a delectable mixture of red and white meat for our carnivorous canines. This blend of three types of meat help bring the crude protein content of the dry dog food recipe up to a minimum 32%.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes provide the fuel source for the body, while chicken fat brings the crude fat content of the meal up to a minimum of 18%. Since this is a dry kibble, the moisture content is naturally lower than in wet foods at 10% maximum.

Crude fiber for digestive health is set at 4% maximum. There are also Omega fatty acids in the blend with Omega 6 and 3 at 2.8% and 0.3% minimum respectively.

Each cup of this formulation gives a caloric content of 370 kcal.

2. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Designed for small breed dogs, the kibble size of this formula is perfect for tiny mouths. It is a unique blend of venison, egg, duck, lamb and ocean fish with prebiotics and probiotics to promote better digestion.

Small breeds they may be, but little dogs do need lots of nourishment. This Taste of the Wild dog food recipe gives all the nutrients that small dogs require in tiny, bit-sized pieces perfect for small mouths and teeth.

For this recipe, a healthy blend of venison, lamb meal, egg, duck meal, garbanzo beans, and ocean fish meal combine to bring the crude protein content to a minimum of 32%.

The crude fat content is up at 18% minimum, partly due to the canola oil content. Crude fiber is at 4% maximum, but there are lactobacillus microorganisms to further aid the digestive system.

Moisture is found to be at 10% maximum. The Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids here are the same amount as that of the HIgh Prairie recipe (2.8% and 0.3%)

The caloric content for every cup of this meal is 370 kcal.

3. Taste of the Wild Wetlands

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Made from duck as its topmost ingredient, it contains highly digestible carbohydrates such as peas and sweet potatoes as well as vegetables and fruits making it truly nutrient-dense.

The Wetlands Taste of the Wild dog food formulation keeps it simple by bringing your pup a nice selection of choice fowls in one healthy package. The first ingredient is duck, joined by chicken, roasted quail, roasted duck, and smoked turkey.

Its a yummy combination that brings up the crude protein content to a steady 32%.

Theres chicken fat in this recipe, helping the crude fat content up to a minimum 18%. The crude fiber is at 4% maximum and moisture is at 10% maximum. These dont vary much from the figures of the High Prairie and Appalachian Valley formulas mentioned above, except when it comes to the Omega fatty acids.

Omega-6 is less at 2.4%, while Omega-3 is a tiny bit more at .4% minimum.

The caloric content at 375 kcal per cup is a tiny bit more than some other Grain-Free Dry food formulas.

4. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

If you happen to have a pet that is quite sensitive, try this recipe. It is made with lamb, lamb and more lamb! Such a delectable treat it will be for your doggo.

Its lamb, lamb, and more lamb with Taste of the Wilds triple lamb treat formula. The first ingredient is lamb, followed by lamb meal (lamb parts with highly concentrated sources of protein), then rounded off with roasted lamb, bringing the crude content total to a minimum 25%.

Its not as high as the other dry Grain Free flavors, but lamb is an excellent alternative to beef if your dog happens to be allergic.

If the protein is a bit lower than the other flavors, the crude fiber here is higher at 5% maximum. The moisture is 10% max (no difference), Omega-6 at 2.4%, and Omega-3 at .3% minimum.

Each cup contains 338 kcal, which when combined with the lower minimum crude fat content of 15% (courtesy of the salmon and canola oil), can be ideal for dieting dogs.

5. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

For pups who prefer their fishy plate, then this dry dog food is for them. Made from salmon and ocean fish meal plus organic veggies and fruits making it a hearty surprise every meal.

Pups who are crazy about salmon will go gaga over this triple salmon treat. The meal uses salmon, salmon meal, and smoked salmon for a richer-tasting feast. The addition of ocean fish meal helps bring up the crude protein content up to 25% minimum.

Like with the lamb flavor above, this Pacific Stream canine formula also has a minimum crude fat content of 15% (some courtesy of the canola oil), Omega-6 at 2.4%, Omega-3 at .3%, and moisture at 10% max. The crude fiber, however, is lower at 3% maximum.

The caloric content for each cup of this dog food is set at 360 kcal.

6. Taste of the Wild Pine Forest

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

If your pet happens to have food allergies, then you may want to consider this formula. Crafted from venison and lamb meal, which are both novel proteins and is perfect for pets with sensitivities.

Dogs with food sensitivities might find this red meat formulation more to their liking. Its a tasty combination of venison, lamb meal, and garbanzo beans for a distinct meal thats full of protein and highly-digestible energy.

The crude protein is helped along with the addition of ocean fish meal, bringing it to a minimum 28%.

The crude fiber content here is 5.5% higher than most recipes in the Grain-Free range. The moisture content remains the same at 10% maximum, the crude fat is at 15% minimum, the

Omega-3 fatty acid is .3% minimum, and the Omega-6 fatty acid is at 2.8% minimum.

The caloric content is the lowest in the Grain-Free range with 337 kcal only per cup.

7. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Another unique protein source is inside this kibble: wild boar. It is a grain free formula which is rich in antioxidants, amino acids and chicory root for digestive support.

Dogs need variety too, like humans. And there couldnt be more variety than with a mixture of beef, lamb, wild boar, and ocean fish, which brings the total crude protein to 29%. Legumes like garbanzo beans and peas provide the energy source to fuel all kinds of everyday dog adventures.

The crude fiber content here is a nice 5% maximum, crude fat at 15% (courtesy of the canola oil), and moisture at 10%. The minimum Omega-3 fatty acid is .3% while the Omega-6 is 2.4%.

Each cup of dog food contains 360 kcal.

Ancient Grains and Prey Reviews

Here's a round up of our reviewed products:

1. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Wetlands With Ancient Grains
2. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Mountain With Ancient Grains
3. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Stream With Ancient Grains
4. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie With Ancient Grains
5. Taste Of The Wild Prey Turkey Limited Ingredient
6. Taste Of The Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient

Ancient Grains

For the Ancient Grains line, the Taste of the Wild dog food brand uses healthy and complex grains such as quinoa, sorghum, millet, and chia seeds (so-called ancient grains because these have remained largely unchanged in the span of thousands of years) to provide a fiber and protein-rich diet for pups.

These grains are then paired with the wild protein sources that the brand is known for.

With the exception of grains, the formula remains mostly the same. The first ingredient is always a unique and highly-digestible animal protein. Superfood ingredients such as raspberries and blueberries provide each meal with enough nutrients to meet all daily requirements. In fact, each recipe in this line was formulated to FDA and AAFCO standards.

The brands proprietary K9 Strain Probiotics are added into the mix after the cooking process to ensure that the 80 million live active cultures for each pound of pet food remains viable. These cultures keep your canine buddys immune and digestive systems in good condition.

There are still no corn, wheat, fillers to be found in these foods. And these Taste of the Wild dog food recipes continue to be free of artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.

1. Taste of the Wild Ancient Wetlands with Ancient Grains

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

For an amazing poultry feast, this is the one for your pet. Made from duck, turkey and quail, this kibble is protein-rich and also full of prebiotics and amino acids for overall system wellness.

Fowl rules in this pet food Ancient Grains recipe. Led by duck as the first in the ingredients list, it also includes duck meal, chicken meal, roasted quail, roasted duck, and smoked turkey for a tasty poultry feast. Theres a good amount of crude protein in this mixture, which totals to a minimum of 32%.

Chicken fat adds to the total crude fat content of 18%. Crude fiber content is listed at a maximum of 3%, and moisture is at 10% (the same with other Taste of the Wild dry food kibbles across all ranges).

Theres a bit of change with the omega fatty acid percentages if you compare these with the Grain-Free range of dry kibbles. Its much higher here with Omega-6 fatty acid up to 3% minimum and Omega-3 up to .6% minimum.

However, the caloric content for the Ancient Grains line seems to be higher too. For this recipe, its pegged at 404 kcal per cup.

2. Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain with Ancient Grains

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

This recipe gives dogs the delicious taste of real pasture-raised lamb. Made with minerals, vitamins, superfoods and ancient grains along with the company's K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics making it a one kind of a meal.

Ancient Mountain gives dogs the delicious taste of real pasture-raised lamb. In this recipe, the triple combination of lamb, lamb meal, and roasted lamb offers up a distinctive flavor-rich meal for dogs who just cant get enough of this red meat.

Sorghum adds more protein into the blend for a total minimum crude protein value of 25%. Its lower compared to other flavors in this line, but its still much higher than the AAFCO standard of 18% minimum.

Moisture content is 10% maximum, crude fat at 15% minimum, and crude fiber at 10% max. The Omega-3 fatty acid is set at .6% minimum, while Omega-6 is 2.8% minimum.

The caloric content for this flavor is 391 kcal per cup.

3. Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream with Ancient Grains

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Salmon and ocean fish gives a distinct flavor that dogs crave for and it is what this kibble can offer. This is a grain-inclusive formula that is specifically crafted according to what a dog's body would need.

Salmon and ocean fish are here to give your dogs their fill of the oceans bounty. Real salmon is the first item on the list of ingredients, followed by salmon meal, ocean fish meal, and smoked salmon for a distinctive flavor. These fishy ingredients combine for a total crude protein of 30%.

The crude fat content is listed at 15% minimum, crude fiber at 3% maximum, moisture at 10% maximum, Omega-3 at .6% minimum, and Omega-6 at 2.8% minimum all similar to the content of the Ancient Mountain recipe.

Each cup of this formulation contains 392 kcal.

4. Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Ancient Grains

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

An interesting mix of five distinctive and unique flavors, the topmost ingredients of this one is roasted venison and roasted bison. It boasts high protein content to help support lean muscles, bones and joints.

An interesting mix of five distinctive and unique flavors, Ancient Prairie offers dogs the variety that they crave for each meal. Buffalo is the first in the ingredients list followed by pork, chicken meal, roasted bison, and roasted venison for a total minimum crude protein content of 32%. The blend of different meats lend this recipe a rich and flavorful taste.

The moisture here remains the same as with all dry Taste of the Wild dog foods, but the crude fat is at 18% minimum, and the crude fiber is 3% maximum. The Omega-6 fatty acid content is at a high 3%, while the Omega-3 content is at .6%.

The Ancient Prairie formula offers the most caloric content in the Ancient Grains line. Its pegged at 422 kcal per cup.

Prey (Limited Ingredient)

Prey is the range of pet food Taste of the Wild makes specifically for dog owners who want a simplified approach to a dogs diet. The idea for this line comes from the diet of dogs in the wild, whose meal consists of only one animal protein source that of the prey they hunt.

The Prey promise is to be transparent as possible with each ingredient included in the meal. Each of the foods are made up of only four or less key ingredients to make it easy for owners to track everything that goes into the food bowls of their dogs.

The four key ingredients are usually composed of an animal protein, tomato pomace, lentils, and sunflower oil. Lentils offer lots of fiber and complex carbohydrates, tomato pomace gives essential nutrients and soluble fiber, and sunflower oil provides omega fatty acids.

Another good addition to the mixture is the guaranteed 80 million CFU/lb probiotics (live bacteria that maintain digestive health and promote a strong immune system).

Here, there are no GMO products or non-rendered (Twice-cooked. Usually by the supplier then by the manufacturer) meat ingredients. Everything is cooked once in any of the Diamond Pet Food facilities to ensure that as much nutritional integrity is retained. There are also no by-products, and real animal protein is always the first ingredient.

1. Taste of the Wild Prey Turkey Limited Ingredient

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A tasty alternative to chicken for food-sensitive pets, this simple formula contains one simple main ingredient: cage-free Turkey.

For many dogs, turkey is considered a novel protein since its not a common ingredient in pet foods. Its certainly a tasty alternative to chicken for food-sensitive pets. Even if theres no sensitivity to speak of, turkey is still an excellent meat to consider if you tend to vary your dogs diet because it has a richer and darker taste than the humble chicken.

The meat in this recipe offers up a nice 30% minimum of crude protein. The maximum content for moisture is 10% and 5% for crude fiber. Meanwhile, the minimum content for crude fat is 15%, 2.5% for Omega-6 fatty acids, and .5% for Omega-3 fatty acids.

Each cup of this meal has a content of 343 kcal.

2. Taste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Made from real, Angus beef and not just any simple beef. This unique kibble is also incorporated with 80 million CFU/lb of proprietary probiotics for better digestion.

Its not just simple beef. The only animal protein source in this recipe is Angus beef, a type of beef that offers more flavor (due to the better marbling) than most other kinds. Its a good meat choice for dogs that love red meat.

The protein content in this dog food recipe, however, is lower when compared to the turkey flavor. Its only at 27% minimum, but still a good deal more when comparing against the AAFCO standard of 18% for dry kibbles. The crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture content are the same at 15%, 5%, and 10% respectively.

There is also no difference in the amount of Omega fatty acids, with Omega-6 at 2.5% and Omega-3 at .5%.

Each cup of this meal gives a caloric value of 340 kcal.

Taste of the Wild Recall

There has been one record of a Taste of the Wild recall. It happened several years ago in May of 2012, to be exact. Thousands of dry dog and cat food products were recalled from the shelves after an untold number of pets became ill from salmonella.

It wasnt just Taste of the Wild that was affected. There were multiple brands involved, all of which were manufactured in one of Diamond Pet Foodss facilities.

In 2019, Taste of the Wild was tagged by the FDA as one of 16 brands producing food that may be linked to heart disease leading to heart failure in pets.

However, the investigation is still ongoing, and again to be fair, there are only a small number of cases involved (53 pets with DCM for Taste of the Wild) against 29 million of Taste of the Wild food bags sold for the previous 2 years (according to a Diamond Pet Food representative).

Further, a statement made by VIN News Service says that, the FDA cannot say with certainty that diet is the culprit.

We have to be clear that as of this writing in 2024, no recalls have been issued again since 2012.

Verdict: Is Taste of the Wild a Good Dog Food Brand?

One of the main draws of the brand is its use of novel proteins. Now, if youre a pet owner with a dog who has food sensitivities, a recipe using novel protein is one of the best ways to reduce allergic reactions. (A novel protein is a protein source that is not commonly found in dog foods. Bison, rabbit, and quail are all examples.)

The theory is that since these arent common, your dog likely wont have previous exposure to them, and it probably wont trigger an allergic reaction in him.

Novel proteins are often used to stop a dogs immune system from overreacting to allergens, which then gives their gastrointestinal tracts time to heal and detoxify.

If youre not concerned about food sensitivities, but instead on the foods quality, well still give the brand two thumbs up. The first ingredient in any of their recipes is always good-quality animal protein, and there are lots of varieties and flavors to choose from for a dog whose palate is tired of the usual dog food fare.

Not only with flavors, theres also a wide range of choices when it comes to feeding your dog. You can select from wet and dry. If dry kibbles is your choice, you can also pick from recipes with grains and without or from a recipe with limited ingredients. There are meals designed for little puppies, all life stages, and small breeds.

Now if we will base our review on protein content, the brand is doing better than most with a protein content of up to 32% in their dry kibbles. Its no slouch when it comes to vitamins or mineral content because it uses whole superfoods in its various blends.

We have to note, however, that there is a pending class action lawsuit against the brand. It claims that Taste of the Wild uses harmful pollutants in its food, specifically in the Grain-Free Southwest Canyon recipe, which is reported to have a lot of lead content.

So what is our Taste of the Wild dog food review verdict? If we had to rank the brand overall (discounting the ongoing lawsuit to be fair), well place it at 4 out of 5. If what is claimed in the lawsuit proves to be true, well mark Taste of the Wild down to a 1.