Taste of the Wild is a grain-free premium dog food brand launched in 2007 by Diamond Pet Foods, owned by Schell & Kampeter, Inc. The brand uses novel proteins like bison, venison, wild boar, and salmon to mimic ancestral canine diets. All recipes meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition.
Dog Food Advisor rates the brand 4.5 stars overall. Taste of the Wild avoids corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives. It offers grain-free and ancient grain options, a limited ingredient PREY line, and wet food. Diamond Pet Foods faced a 2012 Salmonella recall affecting multiple brands including Taste of the Wild. The brand does not follow WSAVA nutritional guidelines, which some veterinarians consider a concern.
This review covers Taste of the Wild’s ingredients, protein profiles, product lines, recall history, user experiences, and pricing. By the end, you will know whether this brand fits your dog’s needs.
What Is Taste of the Wild Dog Food?
Taste of the Wild is a premium pet food brand built around novel proteins and ancestral diet philosophy, launched in 2007 by Diamond Pet Foods. The brand focuses on mimicking the natural diets of wild canines using real meat, fish, and fowl as primary ingredients.
Diamond Pet Foods, which owns Taste of the Wild, is operated by Schell & Kampeter, Inc., a family-owned company founded in 1970 and based in the US. The brand’s tagline emphasizes that pet DNA tells you what dogs should eat — real protein from diverse sources.
All Taste of the Wild recipes are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and are labeled complete and balanced for the specific life stage printed on the package.
Who Makes Taste of the Wild and Where Is It Produced?
Diamond Pet Foods manufactures Taste of the Wild at its US-based production facilities, all owned and operated by Schell & Kampeter, Inc. This family-owned structure distinguishes it from many brands manufactured by large multinational conglomerates.
The brand’s stated philosophy is simple: they will not make anything they would not feed to their own pets. Every recipe is manufactured to meet strict quality and safety controls at Diamond-owned plants in the United States.
What Product Lines Does Taste of the Wild Offer?
Taste of the Wild offers grain-free dry recipes, ancient grain dry recipes, a limited ingredient PREY line, and canned wet food — all built around novel protein sources. The lineup covers adult dogs, puppies, and seniors.
The grain-free line includes High Prairie (bison and venison), Sierra Mountain (roasted lamb), Southwest Canyon (wild boar), Pacific Stream (salmon), and several others. Each recipe lists real meat as the first ingredient.
The PREY line is a limited ingredient diet with three protein options: beef, turkey, and trout. PREY recipes contain no corn, rice, wheat, or barley, and are designed for dogs with food sensitivities. Wet food comes in five grain-free recipes at approximately 45% protein on a dry matter basis.
Taste of the Wild Product Lines:
| Line | Key Feature | Best For |
| Grain-Free | Novel proteins, no grains | Most adult dogs |
| Ancient Grains | Novel proteins + ancient grains | Dogs doing better with grains |
| PREY | Limited ingredients, fewer than 10 | Sensitive/allergic dogs |
| Canned Wet | 45% protein dry matter, grain-free | Toppers or solo feeding |
What Are the Key Ingredients in Taste of the Wild?
Taste of the Wild uses real meat from bison, venison, wild boar, lamb, duck, salmon, and roasted fowl as primary ingredients, all chosen for digestibility and nutritional density. No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives appear in any recipe.
Protein sources are novel by design. Novel proteins reduce the likelihood of triggering existing food allergies in dogs that have developed sensitivities to common proteins like chicken or beef. Egg products appear in many recipes as additional protein and essential amino acid sources.
Fish meals provide omega-3 fatty acids. Legumes like lentils and peas supply fiber and carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables — including tomato pomace, blueberries, and raspberries — contribute antioxidants for immune support.
Common Protein Sources Across Recipes:
- Bison and venison (High Prairie line)
- Roasted lamb (Sierra Mountain and Ancient Mountain)
- Wild boar (Southwest Canyon)
- Salmon and ocean fish (Pacific Stream)
- Beef, turkey, and trout (PREY line)
Does Taste of the Wild Avoid Artificial Additives?
Yes. Taste of the Wild excludes artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from all recipes, and uses no BHA, BHT, or other high-risk synthetic preservatives. This holds across both grain-free and ancient grain lines.
The brand also avoids corn, wheat, and soy protein — common fillers in lower-quality dog foods. Ingredients are described as natural, though ‘natural flavor’ and ‘natural roasted flavor’ appear in some recipes as defined AAFCO-compliant flavor compounds.
Does Taste of the Wild Follow WSAVA Nutritional Guidelines?
No. Taste of the Wild does not follow World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutritional guidelines, which require manufacturers to employ full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Some veterinarians consider WSAVA compliance a key trust signal.
This is a documented criticism of the brand. The WSAVA guidelines also recommend long-term feeding studies. Taste of the Wild has not published these studies publicly, which some reviewers flag as a transparency gap.
Is Taste of the Wild Good for Dogs?
Taste of the Wild earns a 4.5-star overall brand rating from Dog Food Advisor based on the weighted average of its most popular product lines. The brand’s in-house pet nutritionist at Dog Food Advisor recommends it for its high protein content and animal-first ingredients.
The brand suits dogs with food sensitivities, picky eaters, and owners seeking grain-free diets. Multiple pet parents report improved coat health, resolved digestive issues, and better appetite in dogs that previously struggled with standard formulas.
Here is the thing: the FDA investigated a potential link between grain-free diets (including legume-heavy formulas like Taste of the Wild) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. No causal link was confirmed, but the investigation is worth noting for owners of breeds predisposed to heart disease.
What Are the Main Benefits of Taste of the Wild?
Taste of the Wild delivers high animal protein content, with the grain-free line averaging 32% protein and the canned wet food averaging 45% protein on a dry matter basis. This exceeds many competing mid-premium brands.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from salmon oil and fish meals support skin and coat health. Multiple pet parents report shinier, softer coats and reduced scratching after switching to Taste of the Wild. One reviewer noted her Golden Retriever stopped itching entirely within weeks.
Fruits and vegetables including blueberries, raspberries, and tomato pomace deliver antioxidants that support immune function. Tomato pomace also provides fiber, which helps dogs feel fuller and supports digestive regularity.
Key Nutritional Benefits:
- High protein from novel animal sources (bison, venison, wild boar, salmon)
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat
- No artificial additives, BHA, BHT, or synthetic preservatives
- Antioxidant fruits and vegetables in every recipe
- PREY line option for dogs with food sensitivities
Are There Any Side Effects or Concerns With Taste of the Wild?
Some dogs experience loose stool or digestive upset when first transitioning to Taste of the Wild, particularly from lower-protein or grain-inclusive diets. A 7-10 day gradual transition reduces this risk.
The non-WSAVA compliance is a real concern for pet owners who prioritize veterinary nutritionist oversight. The brand also does not publish long-term feeding study data, which limits third-party verification of long-term health outcomes.
The FDA’s DCM investigation into grain-free diets (closed without confirmed causation) casts some uncertainty on heavy legume use in recipes. Owners of at-risk breeds — particularly large breeds like Golden Retrievers and Great Danes — should discuss diet choices with their veterinarian.
Reported Concerns:
- Loose stool during dietary transition
- Does not follow WSAVA guidelines
- FDA DCM investigation (grain-free, legume-heavy recipes)
- 2012 Salmonella recall across Diamond Pet Foods facilities
What Do Taste of the Wild Reviews Say?
Taste of the Wild reviews are consistently positive for coat improvement, digestive health, and palatability, with the brand holding a 4.5-star rating at Dog Food Advisor and strong marks on retailer review platforms.
Coat improvement is the most frequently praised outcome. Multiple reviewers note their dogs developed shinier, softer coats and reduced itching after switching. One reviewer’s Bulldog resolved a chronic sensitive stomach issue entirely after switching to Taste of the Wild.
Palatability receives high marks from picky eater owners. One reviewer noted her Shih Tzu — previously rejecting every other formula — consistently ate Taste of the Wild High Prairie. In fact, the brand’s use of novel proteins appears to drive better acceptance in dogs with flavor fatigue.
What Reviewers Say:
| Category | Feedback |
| Coat health | Shinier, softer coats; reduced itching |
| Digestion | Resolved sensitive stomach in multiple cases |
| Palatability | High acceptance, including picky eaters |
| Concerns | Occasional loose stool during transition |
What Are the Positive Experiences With Taste of the Wild?
Pet parents consistently report measurable improvements in coat condition, digestive health, and energy levels after switching to Taste of the Wild. These outcomes appear across multiple breeds and life stages in online reviews.
One reviewer’s Golden Retriever stopped scratching entirely within weeks. A Bulldog owner resolved chronic digestive sensitivity. A Shih Tzu owner found the first food her picky dog ate consistently. These are the kinds of practical results that drive repeat purchase loyalty.
What Are the Common Complaints About Taste of the Wild?
Digestive upset during transition is the most common complaint about Taste of the Wild, typically manifesting as loose stool in the first week of feeding. This resolves for most dogs within 7-14 days with a gradual transition protocol.
Non-WSAVA compliance is a recurring concern among veterinarians and nutritionist-minded pet owners. Some reviewers also flag the brand’s use of pea protein and potato protein as secondary protein boosters, which inflate the labeled protein percentage without delivering equivalent amino acid profiles from animal sources.
Has Taste of the Wild Dog Food Been Recalled?
Yes. Taste of the Wild was included in a 2012 Salmonella recall affecting multiple Diamond Pet Foods brands manufactured at their South Carolina facility. The recall was voluntary and covered specific dry dog food lots.
No active recalls affect Taste of the Wild products at the time of this review. Diamond Pet Foods maintains quality control programs and has not had a major recall since 2012. Pet owners should verify current status at the FDA pet food recall database before purchasing.
Taste of the Wild Recall History:
| Year | Type | Details |
| 2012 | Salmonella contamination | Multiple Diamond Pet Foods brands; specific dry food lots recalled from South Carolina facility |
Is Taste of the Wild Dog Food Safe to Feed?
Outside of the 2012 recall, Taste of the Wild has maintained a clean safety record across more than a decade of production at US-owned Diamond Pet Foods facilities. No active recalls are listed on the FDA database at the time of this review.
Pet owners should monitor the FDA pet food recall database and consult a veterinarian if their dog has breed-specific DCM risk or a history of heart disease before committing to a grain-free diet long-term.
How Much Does Taste of the Wild Dog Food Cost?
Taste of the Wild is positioned as a premium brand at mid-market pricing, typically more affordable than ultra-premium options like Orijen or Acana while delivering comparable novel protein quality.
The brand is widely available at Chewy, Petsmart, and major pet retailers. Chewy autoship offers up to 35% savings on recurring orders, making Taste of the Wild one of the most cost-effective premium grain-free options available.
Is Taste of the Wild Worth the Price?
Taste of the Wild delivers 32% dry matter protein from novel animal sources in its grain-free line — a competitive figure at a mid-premium price point that undercuts most comparable grain-free brands.
Compared to Blue Buffalo Wilderness or Merrick Grain-Free, Taste of the Wild offers similar protein levels and ingredient quality at a lower price. The trade-off is the absence of WSAVA compliance and no published long-term feeding studies.
Where Can You Buy Taste of the Wild Dog Food?
Taste of the Wild is widely available at Petsmart, Chewy, Petco, and major pet retailers across the United States and internationally. The full recipe range is accessible online with same-day delivery options in many markets.
Chewy autoship saves up to 35% on recurring purchases and provides free shipping on qualifying orders. The brand’s official website also offers a store locator to find local retail availability.
Where to Buy Taste of the Wild:
- Chewy (online) — up to 35% off with autoship
- Petsmart (in-store and online)
- Petco (in-store and online)
- Taste of the Wild official website with store locator
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