Taste of the Wild Dog Food Reviews

Taste of the Wild, a part of the Diamond pet food brand, has a unique approach to dog food. This grain-free dog food brand uses formulas it believes are close to the food that your dog would eat in the wild. Pet parents seem to love the premium recipes. Taste of the Wild is known for using proteins that you don’t see in a lot of other dog food, and each recipe is full of natural antioxidants and easy to digest. 

But is Taste of the Wild all it’s cracked up to be? Before you decide if this is the right choice for your dog, let’s take a deep dive into these Taste of the Wild Dog food reviews to find out.

About the Brand

Taste of the Wild is a family-owned brand that’s a part of Diamond pet foods. It set out to make high-quality affordable pet food. At Taste of the Wild, they believe that the best approach to dog foods is listening to your pet’s DNA, so they created foods to satisfy your dog’s inner wolf. 

Since it started in 2007, Taste of the Wild has become one of the fastest-growing pet food brands in the world under the Diamond pet food umbrella, but they still strive to give pets the best nutrition possible at a price pet parents can feel good about. 

Taste of the Wild has multiple product lines and recipes, each pet food made in its state-of-the-art facilities across the United States. It sources exceptional ingredients from trusted suppliers around the world.

Up next, let’s take a look at the product lines and specific recipes that sets Taste of the Wild food apart from other Diamond pet foods.

Taste of the Wild Dry Food Reviews

Taste of the Wild has two lines of dry dog food. Each type of food uses high-quality, affordable ingredients in recipes that are based on your dog’s natural ancestral diet. The first ingredient in every recipe is real protein. While most dry dog food use chicken or chicken meal, Taste of the Wild uses unique protein sources, like bison, smoked salmon, Angus beef, and roasted duck, not buffalo lamb meal. Not only does this make each recipe even more delicious for your pet, but they are also more likely to satisfy picky eaters.

Taste of the Wild

The original Taste of the Wild dry dog foods uses ingredients carefully chosen to give your pet the type of food that nature intended based on crude protein sources that their ancestors ate. This line of products includes both Taste of the Wild grain free dry dog food and ancient grains recipes.

Grain-Free Recipe Reviews

Each Taste of the Wild grain free dry dog food recipe uses highly digestible animal proteins to support organ function, muscle growth, and a healthy immune system. They also have all of the ingredients necessary for a shiny coat and healthy skin. 

One of the most impressive things about Taste of the Wild dog food is that it uses pet-specific probiotics to improve digestion and get health. Every pound of Taste of the Wild provides 80 million live active cultures, specially developed for a dog’s GI system.

In addition to unique and delicious proteins, these recipes also include real fruits and vegetables, like peas, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients provide fiber, antioxidants, and the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for overall good health. 

Taste of the Wild dry dog food ensures that each recipe has adequate levels of vitamin E, selenium, and zinc as well as omega 6 and omega 3 acids, along with chicory root for added fiber. As for their puppy and life stages formulas, each contains salmon oil as an excellent source of DHA. DHA is particularly important for brain and eye development and is important for all pregnant and nursing dogs.

Specific dog foods include:

• Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe with Venison & Garbanzo Beans. With venison as the first ingredient, this recipe is high in crude protein and fat to meet the energy demands of small breeds. The small kibble size is ideal for little mouths, and the garbanzo beans are packed with nutrients and fiber. Other ingredients include lentils, blueberries, raspberries, peas, and tomatoes.

• High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison. Thanks to the combination of roasted bison and roasted venison, this Taste of the Wild High Prairie recipe is made of 32 percent crude protein content. This recipe is loaded with legumes, fruits, and vegetables and provides balanced nutrition for adult dogs, without that typical dog food taste.

• High Prairie Puppy Formula with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison. This tasty puppy formula features unique flavors and is highly digestible, perfect for a growing puppy. The small kibble size is easy for them to chew, and the crunchy, crumbly texture helps keep their teeth clean. This Taste of the Wild High Prairie recipe also contains guaranteed levels of DHA, too, which makes it great for dogs that are pregnant or nursing.

• Pacific Stream Canine Formula with Smoked Salmon. Sustainably sourced salmon is the top ingredient in this egg product-free Pacific Stream canine formula. In addition to being loaded with high-quality protein, salmon also delivers omega 6 for skin and coat health. Taste of the Wild uses a blend of farmed and wild-caught salmon to promote sustainable fishing and might be a good choice for dogs with pet food sensitivities.

• Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe with Smoked Salmon. This puppy formula uses the same high-protein sustainably-sourced salmon as the adult canine formula, with the guaranteed levels of DHA that puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs need. The Pacific Stream kibble is puppy-sized and breaks apart easily to help keep teeth clean.

• Pine Forest Canine Recipe with Venison & Legumes. In addition to protein-rich pasture-raised venison, this formula is packed with garbanzo beans, lentils, and peas to ensure your dog gets the fiber, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

• Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb. Lamb is the number one ingredient – not lamb meal. Sierra Mountain is highly digestible and packed with crude protein and nutrients to support your dog’s all-around health. Other ingredients include egg product, sweet potatoes, and peas. This recipe also has guaranteed levels of DHA from salmon oil (not canola oil) which makes it a well-rounded canine formula suitable for all life stages.

• Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Wild Boar. Here’s a great option if you’re looking for a recipe with a unique protein and taste. Wild boar is an ideal protein for dogs who want something different, and the nutrient-rich legumes and fruits provide all the nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants your dog needs for all-around excellent health.

• Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl. If you’re looking for a poultry protein alternative to chicken, this recipe has exactly what you’re looking for. It includes quail, duck, and turkey for a meal packed with 32 percent protein. This unique combination gives your dog a delicious feast that also includes nutrient-packed vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

Ancient Grains

Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains dog food recipes uses high-quality grains, like millet, quinoa, chia seeds, and sorghum that are not only high in fiber but also rich in protein. These ancient grains have grown unchanged for thousands of years and are loaded with various nutrients, including omega 6 and 3 acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

Like the grain-free Taste of the Wild dog food recipes, Ancient Grains uses unique, highly-digestible proteins, like salmon, lamb, and bison. These proteins support muscle growth and organ function while ensuring a robust immune system, healthy skin, and a shiny coat. 

These recipes also have special K9 strain probiotics to support gut health, again providing 80 million live cultures in every pound of dog food. Ancient fruits and vegetables, like raspberries, blueberries, and tomatoes add antioxidants to the mix. 

Ancient Grains dog food also contains balanced levels of omega-6 and 3 fatty acids and is formulated for all life stages.

Dog food recipes include:

• Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb. This recipe combines pasture-raised lamb (not lamb meal) with grain sorghum, quinoa, millet, and chia seeds to deliver a protein-packed meal that’s naturally high in fiber and good for all life stages.

• Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison. If you’re looking for pet food that has a unique and delicious combination of proteins, this one is a great choice. Dogs love the combination of pasture-raised bison and venison. And the ancient grains and antioxidants support the immune system and GI health. 

• Ancient Stream Canine Recipe with Smoked Salmon. The number one ingredient in the recipe is sustainably-sourced salmon, which is a healthy source of protein and provides the omega fatty acids your dog needs for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Ancient grains like millet and sorghum add additional protein, fiber, and various nutrients your dog needs for all-around good health.

• Ancient Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl. This canine formula includes roasted duck, turkey, and quail for a richly flavored high-protein meal your dog will love. The ancient grains delivered various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including antioxidants and omega fatty acids. This unique combination of ingredients is a great choice for any dog and a good one to try if you have a picky eater.

PREY Limited Ingredient Dog Food

PREY is a special line of limited-ingredient quality dog food from Taste of the Wild that consists primarily of the prey that their ancient ancestors hunted. These are simple formulas based on the proteins that your pet’s ancestors hunted in the wild, now in convenient dry dog food. 

Each of these dog food recipes uses four not five ingredients or less, usually a unique animal protein, lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil. Everything that goes into these recipes serves a purpose, and real animal protein is always the main ingredient. These meats are non-rendered, which means that they are only cooked once, and there are no by-product meals. 

PREY dog food recipes include:

• Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Recipe. This recipe is composed of only four ingredients: pasture-raised Angus beef, lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil. Even though the ingredients are limited, your dog still gets everything it needs to stay healthy, including guaranteed probiotics and antioxidants as well as precise levels of vitamins and minerals. Omega-fatty acids and DHA also contribute to its well-balanced nutrition.

• Trout Limited Ingredient Recipe. Spring-fed trout, lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil are the four to five ingredients in this nutritionally balanced recipe. There’s no canola oil or ocean fish meal, only real ocean fish trout. In addition to being loaded with healthy protein, trout also provided omega 3 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin.

• Turkey Limited Ingredient Recipe. This limited-ingredient recipe also features four not five ingredients: cage-free turkey, lentils, tomato pomace, and sunflower oil. It’s full of everything your dog needs, including antioxidants, omega 3 acids, vitamins, minerals, and DHA.

Taste of the Wild Wet Food Review

Wet dog foods follow the same principles as dry Taste of the Wild formulas. They feature highly-digestible proteins, K9 specific probiotics, and a mix of real fruits and vegetables. These recipes provide everything your dog needs for muscle growth, healthy skin, a shiny coat, and a strong immune system. This pet food can be used as a complement to the dry dog food or as a meal on their own.

Wet dog food recipes include: 

• High Prairie Canine Recipe with Bison in Gravy. This wet High Prairie quality dog food recipe contains a protein-packed blend of bison, lamb, and venison for a delicious treat your dog will love. Other ingredients include potatoes and peas for nutrients and carbohydrates and blueberries, raspberries, and tomatoes for antioxidants.

• Pacific Stream Canine Formula with Salmon in Gravy. Salmon is not only a great source of protein, but it also contains the omega-3 fatty acids your dog needs for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Pacific Stream is also packed with meal sweet potatoes, raspberries, and blueberries to deliver antioxidants and other essential nutrients to support overall health. Note that there’s no ocean fish meal.

• Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Lamb in Gravy. With lamb as the first ingredient, Sierra Mountain is nutrient-dense with ingredients like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and raspberries, this wet dog food is an easily digestible meal that helps give your pet everything it needs to stay healthy. Plus, it contains no lamb meal canola oil.

• Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Beef in Gravy. Wild boar offers a unique protein source that makes this a delicious feast for your dog. It also contains peas, which are a highly digestible form of protein-energy, as well as chickpeas, sweet potatoes, raspberries, and blueberries for well-rounded nutrition.

What Dogs Should Eat Taste of the Wild? 

As you can see, Taste of the Wild offers a wide range of dog food formulas, but is it meant for every dog? Let’s take a look at what dogs this brand is good for. 

Life Stages

Any of the Taste of the Wild recipes is suitable for a healthy and active adult dog, but what about other life stages? 

Taste of the Wild has two puppy formulas, High Prairie Puppy Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison and Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe with Smoked Salmon. Both of these are suitable for average puppies. The smaller kibble breaks apart easily in their little mouths, and each contains guaranteed amounts of DHA to support eye and brain development. 

Most adolescent dogs benefit from a diet high in protein to support their boundless energy and growth. Most Taste of the Wild recipes are appropriate, but some, like High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison and Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl, are particularly high in protein. 

Taste of the Wild is good dog food for pregnant or lactating dogs, too. These dogs need about 25 percent more food than they would normally eat to support the growth of the puppies or milk production. They should also eat food that has about 30 percent protein. Again, the High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison and Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl varieties have a lot of protein and would be a good choice. 

Allergies

Taste of the Wild dog foods are an ideal brand for dogs that have food allergies. While most people think that food allergies in dogs are caused by grains, that’s not the case. Protein is much more likely to cause an allergy or sensitivity. Changing to a food with a protein that your dog has never had before can help. Taste of the Wild uses a wide range of protein sources, from wild boar to bison to salmon. None of its recipes use chicken as the main protein, which is something you don’t see in most dog foods.

Picky Eaters

Because of the interesting proteins, unique grains, and fresh produce used in these foods, they’re often a good choice for picky eaters.

Small Breeds

Taste of the Wild has one recipe specifically designed for small breeds, Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Formula with Venison & Garbanzo Beans. While this doesn’t give you a lot of options when it comes to flavor, you’ll still find a version of Taste of the Wild for little dogs.

What Dogs Should Not Eat Taste of the Wild Dog Food? 

One of the biggest downsides to Taste of the Wild is that it’s not a good choice for every dog. The main reason is that most dogs should not eat a grain-free diet, which eliminates a lot of these recipes as options.

There are a few cases in which you should actively consider a food other than Taste of the Wild, including:

Large Breeds

Source: canva.com

Taste of the Wild does not have a specific formula designed for large breeds. This doesn’t necessarily mean that none of their many offerings is suitable for large dogs, but you have to take the time to read the labels and make sure you’re choosing an appropriate recipe. 

Senior Dogs

While a lot of these recipes are said to be suitable for all life stages, Taste of the Wild does not provide a recipe made especially for senior dogs. 

Overweight Dogs

Dogs that are overweight often need special food that is high in protein and low in fat. While there are a lot of options in the Taste of the Wild product line, none of them are particularly suited for dogs that are overweight. 

How Does Taste of the Wild Dog Food Measure Up? 

There are so many options when it comes to Taste of the Wild and some of its recipes receive higher reviews from customers than others. That said, there are a lot of good things to say about the brand itself. 

Grain-Free Ingredients

Most Taste of the Wild recipes are grain-free, and it uses lentils, potatoes, and pea flour to add carbohydrates and fiber to some of its recipes. The Ancient Grains line is obviously not grain-free, but the grains are loaded with fiber and protein. We like that there are both grain-free and ancient grain options. 

Packed with Protein

In its dry recipes, the first and second ingredients are usually animal protein. Plus, Taste of the Wild never uses any by-product meals, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about when choosing a recipe. 

All of this brand’s recipes use breed-specific K9 probiotics, which promotes GI health and helps regulate digestion. Taste of the Wild also enhances all of its recipes with unique proteins and superfoods.

One of the most impressive things about this brand is its protein content. The regular grain-free formulas have guaranteed protein analyses between 25 and 32 percent, depending on the recipe. The PREY recipes range from 27 to 30 percent. Both of these are above the average protein content that you’d find on most dog food. 

Well-Priced

As far as price goes, Taste of the Wild is a really good deal. While the PREY line costs a little more, generally, this brand delivers delicious recipes that are high in protein and loaded with superfoods at a fairly reasonable price. 

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 you’re looking for grain free dog foods, the original Taste of the Wild recipes is a great choice. 

While there aren’t as many options for dog food with grains, we do like the Ancient Grains product line, especially if you’re 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 it’s 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. There’s 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 that’s widely available. If you’re 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 don’t have a typical dog food taste.

Source of Featured Image: canva.com

Mary Nielsen

I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.

As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.

Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.