Taste of the Wild honest review: the best value-for-money on the market?
Taste of the Wild is the only brand in our database to achieve an A grade at under 7 EUR per kg. High Prairie scores 88/100 against 92/100 for Orijen - but at 6.40 EUR/kg versus 9.50 EUR/kg, the value gap is decisively in Taste of the Wild's favour. That is the central finding of this review: Taste of the Wild is the most honest entry point to the A tier on the market today.
To reach that conclusion, we ran the full range through our methodology: five sub-scores, zero subjectivity, no commercial relationship with Diamond Pet Foods or any of its distributors.
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Overall score: Taste of the Wild High Prairie
| Dimension | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | 84/100 | 35 percent |
| Nutrition | 91/100 | 20 percent |
| Undesirables | 90/100 | 20 percent |
| Transparency | 82/100 | 15 percent |
| Adaptability | 88/100 | 10 percent |
| Weighted total | 88/100 (A) |
The weak point is protein transparency: when the first ingredient is a meal (bison meal) rather than a fresh named source, traceability is harder to verify than for a brand declaring "fresh bison" with a named supplier. That is precisely the lever Diamond Pet Foods uses to hold the price at 6.40 EUR/kg.
Why meal as the first ingredient is not automatically a problem
Many pet food guides treat a meal at the top of the ingredient list as a red flag. This is a misreading of how pet food formulation works.
Bison meal is a concentrated meat product: the moisture has been removed during manufacture, meaning 100g of bison meal represents approximately 300g of fresh meat before drying. When a brand like Orijen lists "fresh chicken" first, the moisture in that fresh meat contributes to its weight - once that moisture evaporates during extrusion, the fresh protein effectively drops lower in the final weighted list.
What actually matters: the crude protein percentage (32 percent for High Prairie, strong for the price), the absence of vague by-products, and the presence of named sources. Taste of the Wild delivers on all three.
For a full explanation of this mechanism, see our guide on how to read a pet food label.
Ingredient analysis: High Prairie
Key ingredients: Bison meal, sweet potato, peas, lentils, dried chicken cartilage, roasted bison, roasted venison, ocean fish meal, lamb, dried vegetables.
The strengths
Bison meal + roasted bison + venison. Three named game protein sources. Bison has a complete amino acid profile with a naturally more favourable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than intensively farmed chicken. Venison contributes methionine in useful quantities - a sulphur amino acid often deficient in single-source protein formulas. See our bison ingredient page for the full nutritional profile.
K9 Strain Probiotics. This is not generic marketing copy. Diamond Pet Foods trademarked "K9 Strain" to designate a proprietary blend of lactic acid bacteria selected for canine gut flora, primarily Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium. Independent studies on these two strains show measurable effects on stool consistency and intestinal immune response. Our probiotics ingredient page links to the key references.
Grain-free without questionable substitutes. Sweet potato and lentils replace cereals. Unlike some grain-free formulas that flood the recipe with potato or tapioca (fast starch, low fibre), High Prairie uses a sweet potato/peas/lentils combination that provides complex carbohydrates, soluble fibre, and a moderate glycaemic index.
Omega-3 via salmon oil. Salmon oil appears in the ingredient list and provides directly bioavailable EPA and DHA fatty acids - no conversion from alpha-linolenic acid required, as would be the case with flaxseed. For an adult dog of 25 kg, the daily High Prairie ration covers approximately 60 percent of minimum DHA requirements under FEDIAF 2024 guidelines.
Points of caution
Peas in position 3. The 2018-2019 FDA investigation into a possible link between legumes and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was closed in 2022 without establishing causality, but several veterinary cardiologists continue to recommend caution with grain-free formulas high in legumes for predisposed breeds (Doberman, Boxer, Golden Retriever). If your dog is in a high-risk breed, consult a vet before committing to a grain-free diet.
Supplier transparency. Diamond Pet Foods does not publish its supplier list, unlike Champion Petfoods (Orijen/Acana). The bison meal is sourced from North American suppliers according to the brand, with no further detail. This costs two points on the transparency sub-score.
Calcium level. The formula declares 1.2 percent calcium, within AAFCO norms for adult dogs (0.5-2.5 percent) but on the higher side. For giant breeds predisposed to osteochondrosis, a veterinary opinion is recommended before adoption.
Taste of the Wild vs direct competitors
| Product | Score | Grade | Price/kg | Protein | Grain-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orijen Original Adult | 92/100 | A | 9.50 EUR | 38% crude | Yes |
| Acana Wild Prairie | 90/100 | A | 7.80 EUR | 31% crude | Yes |
| Taste of the Wild High Prairie | 88/100 | A | 6.40 EUR | 32% crude | Yes |
| Edgard and Cooper Chicken | 88/100 | A | 7.20 EUR | 30% crude | No |
| Ultima Performance | 85/100 | A | 5.50 EUR | 30% crude | No |
| Royal Canin Medium Adult | 58/100 | C | 4.80 EUR | 22% crude | No |
The table confirms the positioning: Taste of the Wild is the only A-grade product below 7 EUR/kg without grains. Orijen is better (92 vs 88), but at 48 percent higher cost per kilo. For a 25 kg dog eating 300g per day, the difference is 40-45 EUR per month - meaningful for budget-conscious households.
Real daily cost by dog size
| Size | Weight | Daily ration | Daily cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small dog | 5-10 kg | 100-160g | 0.64-1.02 EUR | 19-31 EUR |
| Medium dog | 15-25 kg | 220-320g | 1.41-2.05 EUR | 42-62 EUR |
| Large dog | 30-45 kg | 360-500g | 2.30-3.20 EUR | 69-96 EUR |
| Giant dog | 50-70 kg | 530-700g | 3.39-4.48 EUR | 102-135 EUR |
Indicative rations for adult dogs at moderate activity. Adjust per manufacturer guidelines and veterinary advice.
Full range review
Taste of the Wild offers eight adult dog recipes. We scored all of them.
Adult dog range
High Prairie (bison, venison) - 88/100 (A). The flagship recipe. See the full analysis above.
Pacific Stream (smoked salmon) - 86/100 (A). Smoked salmon is the lead ingredient, one of the few formulas to use smoked salmon in first position - a preparation that preserves protein without denaturing the amino acid profile. Followed by salmon meal and ocean fish meal. Excellent for dogs with chicken or beef intolerances. Omega-3 content is among the highest in the range (3.2 percent vs 1.8 percent for High Prairie). View the full Pacific Stream profile.
Southwest Canyon (wild boar, beef) - 85/100 (A). The highest protein recipe in the range (34 percent crude). Wild boar and beef as lead sources, with black beans and chickpeas as carbohydrates. Black beans are unusual in pet food: they contribute anthocyanin antioxidants and fermentable fibre that supports the microbiome. Slightly more calorie-dense than High Prairie (3800 kcal/kg vs 3600), worth factoring in for overweight dogs.
Sierra Mountain (roasted lamb) - 83/100 (B). Drops to B grade primarily because chicken fat appears in position four before any clearly identified protein source, and because lamb origin transparency is weaker. Still a clean formula with no artificial additives, but less competitive value than High Prairie.
Ancient Grain High Prairie (with ancient grains) - 84/100 (B). Taste of the Wild launched the Ancient Grain range in response to the DCM controversy. Same proteins (bison, venison) but with sorghum, millet and quinoa added. Loses two points versus the grain-free version: the ancient grains slightly dilute protein density and raise the glycaemic index. For owners concerned about the legumes/DCM controversy, this is a reasonable alternative.
Puppy range
High Prairie Puppy - 85/100 (A). Calcium/phosphorus ratio adjusted for bone growth, DHA increased for neurological development, protein raised to 28 percent crude. Compliant with AAFCO growth and FEDIAF gestation/lactation standards. One of the few grain-free puppy formulas at A grade below 8 EUR/kg.
Diamond Pet Foods: what we know about the manufacturer
Taste of the Wild is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned American group founded in 1970, with production sites in South Carolina and California. Unlike Champion Petfoods, which manufactures exclusively its own brands, Diamond Pet Foods also produces for white-label clients - which partly explains the cost economics.
Reassuring points. Diamond owns and operates its own plants, no outsourced co-manufacturing. Its production sites hold SQF (Safe Quality Food) Level 3 certification, the highest food safety standard for the pet food sector in the United States. Following the 2012 salmonella recalls, Diamond invested in automated bacteriological testing protocols - no recall has been issued since 2013.
Remaining gaps. Supplier traceability is not public. Diamond does not publish an annual transparency report on ingredient origins, unlike Orijen/Acana. Third-party nutritional analyses are not systematically published. The values on packaging are guaranteed analysis (legal minimum declarations), not batch-level test results.
Our verdict on the manufacturer. Diamond Pet Foods is a serious, reliable manufacturer in its price segment. The lack of full transparency is real but consistent with the pricing model. At 6.40 EUR/kg, you do not get the documentation level of a 9.50 EUR/kg product - but you do get a clean formula, no artificial additives, and SQF Level 3 certified facilities.
Who should choose Taste of the Wild?
Taste of the Wild is the right choice if:
- You have a limited budget but refuse to drop below A grade
- Your dog has no genetic predisposition to DCM (working breeds, sighthounds, brachycephalic breeds)
- You want a grain-free diet with varied protein sources (game, fish)
- You want to reduce allergy risk by avoiding common cereals
Taste of the Wild is not optimal if:
- Your dog is a Doberman, Boxer, or Golden Retriever under cardiac surveillance - opt for a formula with grains
- You want maximum ingredient source transparency - choose Orijen or Acana
- Your dog has kidney disease - 32 percent protein is on the high side for renal management diets
Transitioning from C or D-tier food
If your dog currently eats Royal Canin, Pedigree, or another mass-market brand, a gradual 10-14 day transition is essential before switching to Taste of the Wild. An abrupt diet change causes digestive upset in 60-70 percent of dogs, even when moving to better quality food.
Recommended transition schedule:
| Day | Previous food | Taste of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | 75 percent | 25 percent |
| 4-6 | 50 percent | 50 percent |
| 7-9 | 25 percent | 75 percent |
| 10+ | 0 percent | 100 percent |
Expect some adjustment during the transition: stools may be slightly smaller and less frequent - this is normal and reflects better digestibility. Colour may shift slightly. If loose stools persist beyond day 7, slow the schedule and extend the transition to 21 days.
What changes after 4-6 weeks. Owners who have switched from C/D tier to Taste of the Wild regularly report: shinier coat (the salmon oil and fatty acid profile is a factor), reduced flatulence (better protein digestibility), and firmer, less voluminous stools (a direct sign of improved absorption). These outcomes are not guaranteed - every dog responds differently - but they are consistent with the comparative digestibility data.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taste of the Wild gluten-free?
Yes. All High Prairie, Pacific Stream, and Southwest Canyon recipes are grain-free and gluten-free. However: Diamond Pet Foods also manufactures formulas with grains at the same facilities. If your dog has a confirmed gluten allergy (rare, documented primarily in Border Collies), check batch information for cross-contamination risk. Diamond addresses this on request.
Is Taste of the Wild suitable for puppies?
The adult High Prairie formula is not appropriate for puppies. The calcium/phosphorus ratio and caloric density are not calibrated for growth. Use High Prairie Puppy exclusively until 12 months (18 months for large breeds). The puppy formula is A grade at 85/100.
Can I mix Taste of the Wild with wet food?
Yes. The most common combination: 80 percent Taste of the Wild kibble + 20 percent quality wet food (A or B grade recommended). See our best wet dog food 2026 ranking for compatible options. The only rule: ensure the total calorie ration stays within the manufacturer's daily guidelines.
Is Taste of the Wild available in the UK?
Yes. Taste of the Wild is available across the UK via Amazon, Zooplus, and specialist pet retailers. Pricing ranges from approximately 5.50-6.80 GBP/kg depending on bag size, with the 12.7 kg bag offering the best per-kilo value. UK pricing is broadly consistent with the French market after import duties.
Which bag size is best?
For a 15-25 kg dog eating 250-320g/day, the 12.7 kg bag provides 40-51 days of feeding. That is the optimal size for the cost-to-freshness balance: kibble keeps for 6 weeks after opening in a sealed container. For small dogs under 10 kg, the 6.35 kg bag is more practical.
Veterinary perspectives and scientific evidence
Several US veterinary nutritionists (including faculty at Tufts University Cummings School) have maintained active surveillance of grain-free legume formulas since the 2018 FDA communication. Their current position (2024-2025): no established causal proof, but a recommendation to rotate formulas across the year for predisposed breeds.
The FEDIAF publishes annually updated nutritional guidelines. Taste of the Wild High Prairie is compliant with these guidelines for adult maintenance dogs based on our analysis.
The reference digestibility study on proteins from different sources (Carciofi et al., 2008, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition) places beef and bison meal digestibility at 81-88 percent - in the high range for meat meals, close to fresh sources.
On the Ancient Grain range versus grain-free. Some owners who want to stay grain-free but are concerned about the DCM controversy ask whether the Ancient Grain line is a safer choice. Our analysis says no for most healthy dogs: the grain-free High Prairie scores 88 against 84 for the Ancient Grain version, because the added ancient grains dilute protein density. The DCM controversy primarily concerns predisposed breeds - for a Labrador or Australian Shepherd in good health, the grain-free formula remains our recommendation.
Formula stability. Taste of the Wild High Prairie has not changed its formula since 2019 - unusual stability in an industry where silent reformulations (same base composition but different sourcing) are common. We monitor batch numbers and Diamond's published nutritional analyses to flag any changes as they occur.
Our final verdict
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is the honest answer to the question: what is the best possible dog food below 7 EUR/kg?
The answer is 88/100, A grade, with named game proteins, zero artificial additives, active probiotics, and a manufacturer certified SQF Level 3. The concessions are real: limited supplier transparency, first ingredient in meal form, no declared fresh meat. These concessions are the price of the price - and for the majority of owners with a realistic budget, the trade-off makes sense.
If your budget stretches to 7.80 EUR/kg, step up to Acana Wild Prairie (90/100). If you can reach 9.50 EUR/kg, Orijen (92/100) is the absolute benchmark. But if 6.40 EUR/kg is your ceiling, Taste of the Wild is unambiguously the best choice in that price range.
See the full dog food rankings in our best dog food 2026 guide.
Sources
- Diamond Pet Foods - Taste of the Wild official nutritional profiles and ingredient sourcing statements (2025): tasteofthewildpetfood.com
- FDA - Investigation into a potential link between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (2022 update): fda.gov
- FEDIAF - Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (2024): fediaf.org
- Carciofi A.C. et al. - Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog and cat digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2008: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center - Grain-free and boutique diets FAQ (2024): vetnutrition.tufts.edu
- SQF Institute - SQF Level 3 Certification Requirements for Pet Food Manufacturers (2024): sqfi.com
- Theo Blanchard, Brand Analyst, PetFoodRate