Taste of the Wild Dog Food | Reviews – Ratings – Recalls in 2020

As dog parents, our number one priority is ensuring we give the best care to our dogs. A significant aspect of this care is the kind of food we feed them. Because of the large variety of foods on the market, choosing the right food can be quite overwhelming.

Taste of the Wild is a top-selling brand that can be found in a wide variety of retail stores and all over online. Just because a brand is popular, does that mean it is an excellent brand to choose? And even if it is a good brand, does that mean it’s the right dog food for your dog?

What is Taste of the Wild?

Taste of the Wild is a grain-free dog food that has been inspired by the way our canines’ ancestors ate. The food is protein-focused, and animal proteins are always the first ingredient in every recipe.

Taste of the Wild Company History

Taste of the Wild is one of several dog food companies owned by Diamond Pet Company. Diamond Pet was founded in 1970 by two brothers-in-law and has since transformed into one of the fastest-growing pet food companies in the world.

Taste of the Wild is still a family-owned brand that produces food in the United States. Taste of the Wild has five different manufacturing locations in the US. However, some of their ingredients are sourced from overseas. Taste of the Wild solely uses ingredients that are both sustainable and humanely raised.

The idea behind their food is that Taste of the Wild produces “…a high-quality, yet affordable pet food option.” The formulas for their food were created based on a dog’s ancestral needs.

Taste of the Wild Recalls 2019

Even though Diamond Pet Food has had several recalls, Taste of the Wild has had a single recall on May 5, 2012. The recall was linked to a salmonella outbreak in their South Carolina plant. Only dry dog food varieties were deemed to have issues with salmonella.

The specific varieties of Taste of the Wild are not listed. However, the dry dog food products with production numbers containing a two or three in the ninth figure space, and an “X” in the next character location were recalled.

Modifications to the facilities and manufacturing process have certainly been successful since the Taste of the Wild hasn’t had any further issues.

Unfortunately, there are currently 2 pending lawsuits against Diamond Pet Food that directly impact Taste of the Wild.

The first lawsuit was filed in August of 2018 and declared certain types of food are contaminated, the three varieties in question are:

• Grain free High Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food
• Grain free Pacific Stream Canine Formula Dry Dog Food
• Wild Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free

The lawsuit is claiming the foods were contaminated with pesticides, heavy metal (Arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium), acrylamide, and BPA.

The 2nd lawsuit was registered in February of 2019. Again, there are claims of contamination.

The 5 varieties in question are:

• Taste of the Wild Grain-free High Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food
• Taste of the Wild Grain-free Pacific Stream – Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food
• Taste of the Wild Prairie Puppy Grain Free Dry Dog Food
• Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon with Beef in Gravy
• Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon with Wild Boar

The 2019 lawsuit is alleging the food is contaminated with the same contaminants as the 2018 lawsuit.

Taste of the Wild Varieties

Taste of the Wild has nine distinct dry dog food varieties, including unique formulas for puppies and small breeds.

There is also, the Prey recipe line, which is a limited ingredient formula. The Prey diet is made to be more simplistic, focusing on four main ingredients. In addition to the four main ingredients, this formula includes all of the same added vitamins, nutrients, and probiotics found in the traditional Taste of the Wild recipes.

In addition to their dry formulas, they also carry canned foods in four of the Taste of the Wild recipes.

Top 5 Best Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Foods

#1. Taste of The Wild Grain-free Premium High Prairie Adult Dry Dog Food

High Prairie Adult formula is an excellent dog food option for younger dogs and active dogs that require a higher protein diet to build strong muscles, joints, and bones. This formula contains a variety of animal and fish proteins to ensure a higher level of bioavailable amino acids, which aids in providing a balanced diet.

#2. Taste of the Wild Grain-free Premium High Protein Pacific Stream Adult Dry Dog Food

The Pacific Stream Adult formula would be a perfect choice for dogs with food allergies. This food does not contain grains, soy, corn, or chicken. Also, Pacific Stream includes an average amount of protein, which is optimal for adult dogs who are done growing and are looking to maintain their current weight and muscle mass.

#3. Taste of the Wild Grain-free Premium High Protein Sierra Mountain Dry Dog Food

Sierra Mountain dog food is a great hypoallergenic dog food. It does contain eggs but does not contain any other significant allergens like chicken, soy, or dairy. Just like the Pacific Stream variety, this food does have the appropriate amount of protein for adult dogs that do not require additional protein to repair or build muscles.

#4 Taste of the Wild Grain-free Premium High Protein Dry Dog Food Wetlands Dry Dog Food

The Wetlands recipe is poultry-based dog food. It is high in protein and would be suitable for young adult dogs or active dogs needing a high protein diet. It does contain chicken, so it would not be the best choice for dogs with allergies.

#5 Taste of the Wild Grain-free High Protein Real Meat Recipe Southwest Canyon Premium Dry Dog Food

Southwest Canyon has a variety of animal and fish proteins. It has a slightly higher than average protein content, but not enough to be considered high protein. Southwest Canyon would be good food for adult dogs and would be an excellent choice to rotate with the Roasted Fowl and Roasted Lamb recipes to make sure your dog is receiving a balanced diet.

Average Price of Taste of the Wild

The price for Taste of the Wild dry dog food varies depending on the recipe and size of the bag you choose. Taste of the Wild formulas come in three different sizes 5 lbs., 14 lbs., and 28 lbs. and Prey formulas come in two different sizes 8 lbs. and 25 lbs.

Average Price per Pound for Taste of the Wild:

• 5 lbs. $2.79
• 14 lbs. $2.14
• 28 lbs. $1.75

Average Price per Pound for Prey:

• 8 lbs. $2.50
• 25 lbs. $1.96

Average Price per Can: $2.29

These are just average prices, and prices vary based on where you purchase your dog food.

How Does Taste of the Wild Rate on a Scale of 1-5?

On a scale of 1-5, 5 being the highest, we have rated the different components of Taste of the Wild.

Ingredients: 4.5

Taste of the Wild is a 100% grain-free food. In place of grains, Taste of the Wild uses a combination of lentils and a variety of potatoes. Instead of traditional wheat flour, they use potato and pea flour.

Usually, the first and second ingredient in every recipe is an animal protein, and the classic Taste of the Wild dry dog food line contains a variety of animal proteins.

In addition to the

• All of their foods have been enhanced with probiotics and a variety of superfoods.
• Unfortunately, canola oil comes before salmon oil, which is disappointing.

Quality: 3

Taste of the Wild utilizes high-quality ingredients, and unique proteins and superfoods. However, because of the pending lawsuits claiming harmful pollutants, I am hesitant to go higher than a 3. If the claims are determined to be false, then I would give their food a 5, but if the allegations prove to be accurate, I would give their food a 1.

Price: 5

Taste of the Wild’s average cost per pound for the large bags is $1.75, and Prey is $1.96. Taste of the Wild is a less expensive dog food, and since it is high in protein and superfoods, it is an excellent value for what you are paying.

Protein Content: 4.7

Taste of the Wild foods are protein forward formulas. The classic Taste of the Wild food has a guaranteed analysis minimum between 25-32% and the Prey formulas are between 27-30%. These ranges are above the average amount of protein in other dry dog foods.

Variety: 3.0

Taste of the Wild is a very limited dry dog food brand. Many dogs are not able to be on a grain-free diet. So, when considering different foods that rules Taste of the Wild out completely. Also, there aren’t any specific formulas for seniors, large breed dogs, or weight management formulas. Plus, they do not have any PREY canned food varieties.

Average Rating: 4.0

Overall Taste of the Wild is a good dog food. It is full of quality ingredients and receives good reviews from the majority of dog parents that feed this brand. If your dog can eat a grain-free diet, this would be an excellent brand to try.

Another positive thing about this food is the availability. Taste of the Wild can be found in several retailers and not just pet stores. You can find this food in some large chain stores like WalMart, hardware stores, and grocery stores as well.

My only misgivings about this food are the pending claims of pollutants in their food. Otherwise, they have kept recalls to a minimum and have resolved the issues causing the recalls satisfactorily.