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By Emily Wilson•Last Updated April 17, 2025

Taste of the Wild Dog Food: A Complete Analysis for Pet Owners

Is taste of the wild good dog food? An in depth review

Choose the right dog food can feel overwhelming with countless brands line pet store shelves. Taste of the wild has gain popularity as a premium pet food option, but pet owners truly question whether it lives up to its marketing claims. This comprehensive review examine the brand’s ingredients, nutritional value, manufacturing practices, and overall suitability for dogs of different ages, sizes, and health conditions.

What make taste of the wild different?

Taste of the wild positions itself as a premium dog food that draw inspiration from the ancestral diet of canines. The brand offer grain free and grain inclusive formulas feature novel proteins like bison, venison, wild boar, and salmon. These unique protein sources oftentimes appeal to owners seek alternatives to conventional chicken or beef base foods.

The brand emphasize:

High quality animal proteins as first ingredients
Novel protein sources that may reduce allergy risks
Proprietary probiotics for digestive health
No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Fruits and vegetables for natural antioxidants

Analyze the ingredients

Protein content and quality

Most taste of the wild formulas contain between 25 32 % protein, which exceed the DAFCO minimum requirements for dogs. The protein chiefly come from animal sources list as the first ingredients, such as buffalo, lamb meal, or salmon. This high quality protein profile support muscle development and maintenance.

Unlike some budget brands that rely hard on plant proteins, taste of the wild use preponderantly animal base proteins, which contain complete amino acid profiles that dogs need. The inclusion of meat meals, while sometimes misunderstood by consumers, really provide concentrated protein sources that contain more protein by weight than fresh meat.

Fat sources

The fat content in taste of the wild range from 15 18 %, derive principally from chicken fat and fish oil. These sources provide essential fatty acids, include omega 3 and omega 6, which support skin health, coat condition, and cognitive function. The balanced fatty acid profile represents a nutritional strength of the brand.

Carbohydrates and fiber

Both the grain free and grain inclusive formulas contain carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils in the grain free varieties, or ancient grains like grain sorghum and millet in the grain inclusive options. These ingredients provide energy and dietary fiber.

Notwithstanding, the comparatively high inclusion of legumes (peas, lentils )in some formulas has raraiseduestions follow fFDAinvestigations into potential links between grain free diets high in legumes and dilate cardiomdiomyopathy ((cDCM)n dogs. This concern warrant consideration, peculiarly for predisposed breeds.

Fruits and vegetables

The inclusion of blueberries, raspberries, and various vegetables provide natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These ingredients support immune function and overall health, represent a thoughtful addition to the formulas.

Probiotics and prebiotics

Each formula contain k9 strain probiotics, proprietary probiotics develop specifically for dogs. These support digestive health and immune function. The inclusion of prebiotics from chicory root far enhance digestive benefits by feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Nutritional analysis

Meeting DAFCO standards

All taste of the wild formulas meet or exceed the nutritional levels establish by the association of American feed control officials (aDAFCO) This enensureshe food provide complete and balanced nutrition for the intended life stage. The brand offer specific formulas for puppies, adults, and seniors, with appropriate nutritional modifications for each life stage.

Caloric content

Most formulas provide between 330 370 kcal per cup, which fall within the moderate range for premium dog foods. This caloric density work swell for nearly active dogs but may require portion adjustment for less active or senior dogs to prevent weight gain.

Mineral balance

The calcium to phosphorus ratio in taste of the wild formulas broadly fall within the ideal range of 1:1 to 2:1, support proper bone development and maintenance. The brand besides include ch elate minerals in many formulas, which may improve mineral absorption.

Manufacturing practices and quality control

Taste of the wild is manufacture by diamond pet foods, one of the larger pet food manufacturers in the United States. The company operate facilities in California, Missouri, and South Carolina.

Ingredient source

While the company state they source ingredients from trusted global suppliers, they don’t provide complete transparency about the origin of all ingredients. Most meat ingredients come from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, but some vitamins and minerals may be sourced internationally.

Safety record

Diamond pet foods, include the taste of the wild brand, experienced recalls in 2012 due to potential salmonella contamination. Since so, the company has implemented additional safety protocols, and taste of the wild has not been subject to further recalls.

The manufacturer conduct over 151 quality checks throughout the production process, include testing for mycotoxins, melamine, and pathogenic bacteria. Each production run is assign a unique code for traceability.

Suitability for different dogs

Puppies

Taste of the wild offer specific puppy formulas with appropriate protein levels and calcium to phosphorus ratios for grow dogs. These formulas provide the higher energy and nutrient density that puppies require. The brand’s high prairie puppy and pacific stream puppy formulas are especially popular choices.

Adult dogs

The diverse protein options make taste of the wild suitable for adult dogs with different preferences and needs. Active dogs mostly thrive on the higher protein content, while the moderate fat levels support energy without excessive weight gain.

Senior dogs

While taste of the wild doesn’t offer a specific senior formula, some of their adult options with moderate protein and fat levels can be appropriate for older dogs. The inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin in some formulas may benefit age joints, though supplementation might be necessary for dogs with significant mobility issues.

Dogs with allergies or sensitivities

The novel protein sources in taste of the wild can benefit dogs with food sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef. The pacific stream formula with salmon provide an alternative that work swell for many dogs with meat allergies.

Withal, dogs with severe food allergies may require more limit ingredient diets than what taste of the wild offers. The brand doesn’t produce prescription or therapeutic diets for medical conditions.

Cost analysis

Taste of the wild positions itself as a premium food with a mid-range price point. It typically cost more than grocery store brands but less than super premium or prescription diets. The cost per day to feed a 50 pound dog range from roughly $1.50 to $$225, depend on the specific formula and where it’s purchase.

When evaluate cost, consider:

Higher digestibility may mean feed smaller portions
Potential reduction in veterinary costs relate to diet associate health issues
The convenience of wide available distribution through pet specialty stores and online retailers

Potential concerns

DCM concerns with grain free formulas

The FDA investigation into potential links between grain free diets and dilate cardiomyopathy (dDCM)has raraiseduestions about foods contain high levels of legumes, include some taste of the wild formulas. While no definitive causal relationship has been eestablished some veterinarians recommend caution with grain free diets, especially for predisposed breeds like dobermans, greatDaness, and cocker spaniels.

The brand has respond by introduce grain inclusive ancient grains formulas as alternatives to their grain free options.

Protein source transparency

While the brand specify novel proteins like bison and venison in product names and marketing, these proteins ofttimes appear alongside more conventional proteins like lamb meal or chicken meal in the ingredient list. This practice, while common in the industry, may mislead consumers about the predominant protein sources.

Legume content

Some formulas contain multiple legume ingredients (peas, lentils, chickpeas )that, when cocombinedmight constitute a significant portion of the formula. This practice, know as ” ngredient splitting, “” n make it difficult to assess the true proportion of animal versus plant protein in the formula.

What veterinarian say

Veterinary opinions on taste of the wild vary. Many veterinarians acknowledge the brand’s quality ingredients and manufacturing standards, consider it a good option for healthy dogs. Notwithstanding, some veterinary nutritionists express concerns about grain free formulas and recommend the brand’s grain inclusive options alternatively.

Veterinarians broadly agree that:

The brand provide complete nutrition that exceed minimum standards
Individual dogs may respond otherwise to the same food
Consultation with a veterinarian remain important when select food, particularly for dogs with health conditions
The ancient grains formulas may be preferable to give curreDCMdcm concerns

Real world performance

Customer reviews for taste of the wild are preponderantly positive, with many owners report improvements in coat condition, energy levels, and stool quality after switch to the brand. Dogs typically find the food palatable, with the high prairie and pacific stream formulas receive especially high marks for taste acceptance.

Common positive observations include:

Reduced itching and skin problems
Shinier coats
Improved digestion and smaller, firmer stools
Maintain healthy weight
Increase food enthusiasm in picky eaters

Negative feedback typically center about:

Formula changes that affect some dogs’ acceptance or digestion
Concerns about the grain free controversy
Occasional bag to bag inconsistency
Some reports of digestive upset when transition to the food

Make the right choice for your dog

Is taste of the wild right for your dog?

Taste of the wild represent a good option for many dogs, peculiarly those who:

Thrive on higher protein diets
Have show sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef
Benefit from probiotics for digestive health
Have owners seek quality ingredients at a mid-range price point

The brand may be less suitable for:

Dogs with specific medical conditions require therapeutic diets
Dogs with severe food allergies require limited ingredient formulas
Breeds predispose to DCM (if feed grain free formulas )

Tips for transition

If you decide to try taste of the wild, follow these guidelines for a smooth transition:

Transition gradually over 7 10 days, slow increase the proportion of new food
Monitor stool quality, energy, and coat condition during the transition
Consider start with the ancient grains formulas if concern about DCM issues
Select the formula appropriate for your dog’s life stage and activity level
Adjust portions base on your individual dog’s metabolism and weight management need

Conclusion: is taste of the wild good dog food?

Taste of the wild qualifies as a high quality commercial dog food with several nutritional strengths, include high quality protein sources, balanced fat profiles, and thoughtful inclusions like probiotics and natural antioxidants. The brand exceed minimum nutritional standards and offer formulas suitable for different life stages and preferences.

Nonetheless, no single food work for every dog. The potential concerns regard grain free formulas and DCM warrant consideration, specially for at risk breeds. The brand’s introduction of grain inclusive options demonstrate responsiveness to these concerns.

For virtually healthy dogs, taste of the wild represent a good nutritional choice that balance quality ingredients with reasonable cost. As with any dietary decision, consult with your veterinarian about your specific dog’s needs remain the best approach to ensure optimal nutrition and health.

The ideal dog food finally depends on your individual dog’s needs, preferences, and response to the food, make careful observation and professional guidance essential components of responsible pet nutrition.