Dogs have always been known for their hearty appetites, and this is especially true of those that are bred to be active. Today, there is an abundance of different types of dog foods on the market, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Dog owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to dog foods and it can be hard to know which one is right for your pet.
The Taste of the Wild dog food line has become one of the most popular brands on the market, and this product line continues to be a top contender for the best dog foods around. This is due to the fact that their food is high in quality and contains all the necessary nutrients your dog needs.
But which recipe is best for your pooch? To help make the decision easier, we have compiled a list of 7 of the best Taste of the Wild dog foods. These products are all from a trusted and well-known brand and should suit most dogs’ needs.
A Quick Glance at the Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain
Lamb is the top ingredient
High in protein to help support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
Made without artificial flavors or colors
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Best Value
Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream
Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics
Made without artificial coloring or flavors
High in protein
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Premium Choice
Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef
Contains protein-rich Angus beef
Only four key ingredients
Rich in omega fatty acids and micronutrients
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Best for Puppies
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy
Contains buffalo and bison proteins
Recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes for highly digestible energy
Real fruits and vegetables provide natural antioxidants
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Vet’s Choice
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dry Food
Real meat is the first ingredient
High protein content
Real fruits, superfoods, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
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The 7 Best Taste of the Wild Dog Foods
Taste of the Wild’s Ancient Mountain with Ancient Grains formula is our best choice for overall dry dog food. The food contains a balanced blend of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as a host of beneficial vitamins and minerals. It also features prebiotics and probiotics to promote gut health and is supplemented with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. The complex blend of healthy ingredients includes real roasted lamb, fruits, and vegetables, and it also includes ancient grains like spelt and quinoa which provide essential micronutrients. The food is also fortified with omega fatty acids to support digestive health and healthy skin and coat.
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The recipe is made with whole grains such as quinoa, millet, chia seeds, and sorghum to support your buddy’s wellness. It contains no corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, however, it seems that not all dogs are going to love this flavor.
Pros
Lamb is the top ingredient
High in protein to help support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
Made without artificial flavors or colors
Great balance of nutrients
Includes probiotics and omegas
Cons
Some dogs don’t enjoy the lamb flavor
It’s hard to pick the best value Taste of the Wild product, because they all come in at around the same price point. However, we chose Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food as the best value dog food, because it contains premium ingredients but is affordable. The food is made with fresh and smoked salmon as well as ancient grains like amaranth and quinoa. This variety of ingredients ensures that your dog gets the right balance of nutrients, and the ancient grains add an extra layer of flavorful and complex carbohydrates.
Lamb is the top ingredient
High in protein to help support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
Made without artificial flavors or colors
Great balance of nutrients
Includes probiotics and omegas
- Lamb is the top ingredient
- High in protein to help support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
- Made without artificial flavors or colors
- Great balance of nutrients
- Includes probiotics and omegas
Some dogs don’t enjoy the lamb flavor
- Some dogs don’t enjoy the lamb flavor
Like all varieties of Taste of the Wild, it contains high-quality ingredients that provide dogs with the nutrition they need to thrive. The food is made with real fish, fruits, and vegetables, and it doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. In addition, the food is fortified with probiotics and essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health and wellness, but the fish smell and flavor are not for all dogs.
Pros
Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics
Made without artificial coloring or flavors
High in protein
High-quality ingredients at an affordable price
Cons
The fish smell and flavor might not appeal to all dogs
The PREY range from Taste of the Wild is slightly more expensive, and dispensed in a 25lb rather than 28lb bag. That is why Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef Recipe Limited Ingredient Recipe Dry Dog Food is our premium choice. This is a wonderful product for dog owners who are looking for a nutritious and delicious diet for their furry friends. This food is made with only high-quality ingredients, including real Angus beef, and it does not contain any artificial additives or fillers. The result is a meal that is both healthy and tasty for dogs of all ages.
Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics
Made without artificial coloring or flavors
High in protein
High-quality ingredients at an affordable price
- Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and prebiotics
- Made without artificial coloring or flavors
- High in protein
- High-quality ingredients at an affordable price
The fish smell and flavor might not appeal to all dogs
- The fish smell and flavor might not appeal to all dogs
Main ingredients: Beef, Lentils, Tomato Pomace, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor
Protein content: 27% min
Fat content: 15% min
Calories: 412 kcal/cup
With a limited list of ingredients, the recipe is based around red meat, which is a nutrient-rich protein source. The PREY range is a bit more pricey but is rich in micronutrients and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
Pros
Contains protein-rich Angus beef
Only four key ingredients
Rich in omega fatty acids and micronutrients
Cons
Comparatively expensive
Generally, the key difference between adult and puppy dog food formulas is the number of nutrients they contain. Puppy food should contain more calories than adult food to compensate for the amount of energy puppies expend during growth—because puppies are growing, their bodies require more protein. The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is designed for puppies and contains all of the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. The food is made with high-quality ingredients, including premium proteins and nutritious fats, and it is free of grains, filler ingredients, and artificial additives.
Contains protein-rich Angus beef
Only four key ingredients
Rich in omega fatty acids and micronutrients
- Contains protein-rich Angus beef
- Only four key ingredients
- Rich in omega fatty acids and micronutrients
Comparatively expensive
- Comparatively expensive
Some owners find that the high protein in this food leads to extra gassy dogs. However, most feel that the nutritional profile makes this a great choice for puppies with food sensitivities, allergies, or digestive problems. Additionally, the kibble is small and easy to chew, making it ideal for puppies’ smaller mouths.
Pros
Contains buffalo and bison proteins
Recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes for highly digestible energy
Real fruits and vegetables provide natural antioxidants
Cons
High protein content seems to give some puppies gas
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a dry dog food that is grain-free and has a high protein content. It is made with ingredients that are sourced from nature, such as water buffalo, roasted bison, and lamb meal. This food is designed to meet the needs of dogs who require a high-protein diet, such as those who are active or who have a sensitive stomach. This is our vet’s choice because it is designed to provide your dog with all of the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Contains buffalo and bison proteins
Recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes for highly digestible energy
Real fruits and vegetables provide natural antioxidants
- Contains buffalo and bison proteins
- Recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes for highly digestible energy
- Real fruits and vegetables provide natural antioxidants
High protein content seems to give some puppies gas
- High protein content seems to give some puppies gas
The food is made with complex carbohydrates and proteins, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals, to help support your dog’s overall health. The food is also grain-free, which can be beneficial for dogs who are sensitive to grains. That being said, check with your vet if grain-free food is necessary for your dog, as the inclusion of grains is beneficial to most dogs.
Pros
Real meat is the first ingredient
High protein content
Real fruits, superfoods, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Probiotics and antioxidants to support digestion and immunity
Cons
Not every dog does well on grain-free food
The Taste of the Wild Wetlands Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a high-quality, all-natural product that is designed to provide your dog with the best possible nutrition. The food is made with real duck and venison, which helps to ensure that your dog receives plenty of protein and other essential nutrients. Additionally, the food is grain-free, ensuring that it is easy for your dog to digest. This food is designed to provide dogs with the nutrition they need to thrive and is made with complex carbohydrates and limited simple carbohydrates, providing dogs with the energy they need without putting strain on their digestive system.
Real meat is the first ingredient
High protein content
Real fruits, superfoods, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Probiotics and antioxidants to support digestion and immunity
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- High protein content
- Real fruits, superfoods, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Probiotics and antioxidants to support digestion and immunity
Not every dog does well on grain-free food
- Not every dog does well on grain-free food
The food also contains a blend of probiotics and prebiotics to promote gut health, as well as omega fatty acids to promote a healthy coat. Some owners say that their dogs don’t rush to the bowl for this but will eventually eat it, and again, the grain-free recipe may not be the best option for your pooch unless they have an allergy of some kind.
Pros
High in protein
Grain-free for dogs with sensitive digestion
Blend of probiotics and prebiotics for healthy bodies
Cons
Grain-free recipe not ideal for all dogs
Taste of the Wild PREY Trout Formula Limited Ingredient Recipe Dry Dog Food is designed to provide your canine companion with a balanced diet that is rich in high-quality proteins and limited in fillers. The recipe is based on trout, which is known for its lean, healthy meat. The food is made with premium-quality ingredients including peas, potatoes, and tomatoes to help support your dog’s health and vitality. This food provides your dog with essential nutrients such as minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins.
High in protein
Grain-free for dogs with sensitive digestion
Blend of probiotics and prebiotics for healthy bodies
- High in protein
- Grain-free for dogs with sensitive digestion
- Blend of probiotics and prebiotics for healthy bodies
Grain-free recipe not ideal for all dogs
- Grain-free recipe not ideal for all dogs
The limited ingredient recipe also helps to minimize the risk of your dog developing food allergies or sensitivities. Some owners say that in addition to the kibble smelling strongly of fish, their dogs won’t eat this food unless it has a topper such as meat or broth added. That’s why we’ve ranked this formulation a little lower on our list.
Pros
High-quality proteins
Essential vitamins, minerals, and omegas
Great for dogs with sensitivities and allergies
Cons
Kibble smells fishy
You may have to add a topper to entice your dog to eat it
High-quality proteins
Essential vitamins, minerals, and omegas
Great for dogs with sensitivities and allergies
- High-quality proteins
- Essential vitamins, minerals, and omegas
- Great for dogs with sensitivities and allergies
Kibble smells fishy
You may have to add a topper to entice your dog to eat it
- Kibble smells fishy
- You may have to add a topper to entice your dog to eat it
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Taste of the Wild Dog Food
This buyer’s guide outlines the most important factors to consider when choosing a new food for your dog. By keeping these elements in mind, you’ll be able to choose the right food each time. Our recommendations make it easy for you to be certain that you are feeding your dog quality nutrition, but you may prefer to choose yourself. Read on to find out what should you be looking for, and how can you determine which option is the best.
Protein Content
Unlike humans, dogs’ bodies are not built to run on carbohydrates, so they need significantly more protein than we do. You need a recipe containing at least 28% protein. We’ve seen plenty of blends with a minimum protein of 32%, and this is one case where more is better. Try to choose the blend with the highest protein content for your dog.
Protein Sources
It is not just about total protein; you must also consider the sources. Poor protein sources result in poor foods. When looking for food, choose one that contains real, animal-based proteins, such as turkey, beef, buffalo, venison, salmon, or trout.
- See Also: Taste of the Wild Dog Food Review
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best Taste of the Wild dog foods are those that contain high-quality, protein-rich ingredients. Our top choice is Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food for its balanced and appealing recipe. We think Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food is the best value in this range, as it contains high-value salmon at a reasonable price. Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef Recipe Limited Ingredient Recipe Dry Dog Food is our premium choice pick, although it is only very slightly more expensive than other offerings in this product line.
Whichever dog food you select, be aware that not all dogs like all foods. However, any owners who choose these dog foods can feel confident that they are providing their pets with the best possible diet.
Sources
Wikipedia NBC News Taylor Francis Online
Featured Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock
Sources
Wikipedia NBC News Taylor Francis Online
- Wikipedia
- NBC News
- Taylor Francis Online