analyticsBRAND DEEP DIVE
Taste of the Wild Ingredient Data Review
Bison, wild boar, venison, smoked salmon. The most affordable way to feed exotic, novel proteins in a grain-free format. Here's the full picture: Diamond Pet Foods contract manufacturing, the 2012 recall, DCM controversy, and the Ancient Grain line.
Brand at a Glance
| Country | USA — manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods (large-scale contract manufacturer based in South Carolina) |
| Founded | 2007 — launched as Diamond Pet Foods' premium line |
| Manufacturer Portfolio | Diamond Pet Foods also produces Kirkland Signature (Costco), 4Health (Tractor Supply), and Diamond Naturals in the same facilities |
| Positioning | Value premium — the most affordable grain-free exotic protein brand |
| AAFCO | Meets AAFCO nutritional standards (formulated) |
| Key Lines | Original (grain-free) / Ancient Grain (ancient grains included) / Puppy |
| Key Controversies | 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella recall (one of FDA's largest), grain-free DCM concern |
Key Lines
Grain-Free — Original
Bison as #1 ingredient, roasted venison included. Peas, sweet potatoes, potato. Protein 32% as-fed (~36% DM). Exotic protein alternative for dogs allergic to chicken or beef.
Smoked salmon as #1 + ocean fish meal. Rich in omega-3s. Protein 25% as-fed (~28% DM). Alternative for dogs allergic to chicken, beef, or bison.
Wild boar as #1 + lamb, egg. Peas, chickpeas included. Protein 32% as-fed. Exotic alternative for dogs allergic to chicken, beef, or bison.
Roasted duck and smoked turkey dominant. Protein 32% as-fed. Different poultry protein profile from chicken.
Ancient Grain — With Ancient Grains (Lower DCM Concern)
Bison + venison. Sorghum, millet, quinoa as ancient grain carbohydrates. Reduced legume content lowers DCM concern. Protein 29% as-fed.
Smoked salmon + sorghum, millet. Lower DCM concern than grain-free salmon line. Protein 25% as-fed.
Puppy
Bison and venison base, puppy-optimized. DHA and calcium adjusted for growth. Protein 28% as-fed.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Based on High Prairie (Bison & Venison)
Top 10 Ingredients
Fresh bison, #1 by weight including moisture. Different protein from chicken and beef — low cross-reactivity risk.
Dehydrated concentrated lamb. High actual protein contribution.
Second bison source, protein reinforcement.
Venison adds exotic protein variety.
Primary carbohydrate. A core ingredient in the FDA DCM investigation.
Low-GI carbohydrate, dietary fiber source.
Secondary carbohydrate filler.
Plant-based protein supplement. Its presence means the true animal protein percentage is lower than the total protein % suggests.
Primary fat source.
Flavor and protein supplement.
Pea Protein note: Peas appear at #5 and pea protein separately at #8. The combined legume fraction is higher than either individual position suggests. Additionally, pea protein elevates the guaranteed protein percentage but has a different amino acid profile from animal protein.
Guaranteed Analysis (High Prairie)
| Nutrient | As-Fed | Dry Matter (DM) | AAFCO Adult Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | Min 32.0% | ~36.4% | 18% |
| Fat | Min 18.0% | ~20.5% | 5% |
| Fiber | Max 4.0% | ~4.5% | — |
| Moisture | Max 12.0% | — | — |
| Calcium | 1.3% | ~1.48% | 0.5% |
| Phosphorus | 0.9% | ~1.02% | 0.4% |
DM = as-fed ÷ (1 − moisture fraction). Calculated at 12% moisture.
2012 Recall & DCM Controversy
error2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella Recall
In April 2012, Salmonella contamination was confirmed at Diamond Pet Foods' South Carolina facility. Taste of the Wild, alongside multiple other Diamond-produced brands, underwent a massive voluntary recall. Human Salmonella infections were linked to the contaminated products. It remains one of the largest pet food recalls in FDA history.
Diamond Pet Foods subsequently improved its manufacturing processes. No further recalls have occurred since 2012. However, the shared-facility contract structure means cross-contamination risk cannot be fully eliminated by design.
Bottom line: no recalls in 12+ years since. But the scale of the 2012 event and the shared factory structure are facts worth knowing before buying.
warningGrain-Free DCM Controversy — Does the Ancient Grain Line Solve It?
The Original grain-free line is high in peas and lentils — the exact dietary pattern the FDA's ongoing DCM investigation targets. In response, Taste of the Wild launched the Ancient Grain line using sorghum, millet, and quinoa as primary carbohydrates.
The Ancient Grain line meaningfully reduces the legume load and largely removes this food from the DCM risk pattern. For full confidence, a grain-inclusive food where grains — not legumes — are the primary carbohydrate (Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin) is the most conservative option.
For DCM-susceptible breeds: switch from Original to Ancient Grain, or choose a grain-inclusive food from the start.
Pros & Cons
thumb_up Pros
Best value in grain-free exotic protein — typically 20–30% cheaper than Acana or Wellness CORE for similar exotic protein sources.
Exotic protein variety — bison, wild boar, venison, duck: proteins rarely found in mainstream brands. Meaningful options for dogs with chicken or beef allergies.
Ancient Grain line as DCM response — sorghum, millet, and quinoa significantly reduce the legume load that FDA's DCM investigation focuses on.
~36% DM protein (High Prairie) — high protein-per-dollar ratio.
Antioxidant ingredients: sweet potato, wild berries, fruits included.
thumb_down Cons
Diamond Pet Foods contract manufacturing — the same South Carolina facility also produces Kirkland (Costco), 4Health (Tractor Supply), and Diamond Naturals. The premium 'wild' brand image and the contract manufacturing reality don't fully align.
2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella recall — one of the largest pet food recalls in FDA history, affecting Taste of the Wild alongside multiple Diamond-produced brands. Human Salmonella infections were reported.
Original grain-free line is high in peas and lentils — squarely in the FDA DCM investigation pattern.
The 'Wild' branding implies wild-caught animals, but 'wild' is a marketing term, not a regulated claim. Bison and wild boar are almost certainly farm-raised.
Pea Protein (8th ingredient) inflates protein %: peas appear at #5 and pea protein separately at #8, meaning the combined legume fraction is higher than it appears — and pea protein contributes differently to amino acid balance than animal protein.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy
Good Fit
Dogs with chicken or beef allergies on a budget
Acana Singles or Natural Balance L.I.D. are ideal for allergy management, but if cost is a constraint, TOTW High Prairie (bison) or Pacific Stream (salmon) offer novel proteins at a significantly lower price point.
Dogs needing exotic proteins without DCM concern
Choose the Ancient Grain line to keep bison or salmon while reducing legume content. For DCM-susceptible breeds, Ancient Grain is the safer TOTW option.
First-time trial of grain-free feeding
TOTW lets you test a grain-free novel-protein diet without heavy financial commitment. If the dog responds well, stay; if not, you haven't spent a premium price finding out.
Poor Fit
Owners who prioritize manufacturing transparency
Diamond Pet Foods produces multiple private-label brands in the same facilities. If shared-factory contract manufacturing is a concern, brands like Champion Petfoods (Acana, Orijen) that operate their own production facility are a better fit.
DCM-susceptible breeds on the Original grain-free line
Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, and other at-risk breeds should avoid high-legume grain-free diets. Switch to the Ancient Grain line or choose a grain-inclusive food like Purina Pro Plan.
Owners sensitive to recall history
The 2012 Diamond recall was a significant event. If recall history is a key decision factor, brands with multi-decade clean records may be preferable.
compareAlternative Recommendations
Higher ingredient transparency + exotic protein: Acana Singles — single protein lamb or duck, own-factory production, ~33% DM protein
High protein without DCM concern: Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken — ~30% DM protein, grain-inclusive, AAFCO feeding trial tested
Stay with TOTW but reduce DCM risk: Taste of the Wild Ancient Grain line — same brand, minimal dietary transition stress
자주 묻는 질문
Q. Why is Taste of the Wild so much cheaper than other exotic protein brands?
It's manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, a large contract manufacturer that also produces Kirkland Signature (Costco), 4Health, and Diamond Naturals under the same roof. The economies of scale from running a high-volume multi-brand facility reduce cost. The 'Wild' premium marketing and the industrial contract manufacturing reality exist in parallel.
Q. Is the 2012 Salmonella recall still relevant today?
The 2012 Diamond Pet Foods recall was among the largest pet food recalls in FDA history, affecting Taste of the Wild alongside other Diamond-produced brands, with documented human Salmonella cases. There have been no further recalls since. The scale of the event is worth knowing before purchase, even though manufacturing processes have likely improved since.
Q. Does the Ancient Grain line solve the DCM concern?
It substantially reduces the risk factor. By replacing legumes with sorghum, millet, and quinoa as primary carbohydrates, the Ancient Grain line moves away from the high-legume, grain-free diet pattern that the FDA's DCM investigation has focused on. It doesn't eliminate risk entirely — if you want full confidence, a grain-inclusive food where grains are the primary carbohydrate (e.g., Purina Pro Plan) is the most conservative choice.
Q. Is the bison or wild boar actually from wild animals?
'Wild' on the label is a marketing term, not a legally defined origin claim. The animals are almost certainly ranch- or farm-raised. That said, the protein source is still genuinely different from chicken or beef, which is what matters for allergy management purposes.
Q. My dog is eating TOTW now — should I switch?
If the dog is doing well — good digestion, healthy skin and coat — there's no urgent reason to switch. However, if your dog is a DCM-susceptible breed currently on the Original grain-free line, switching to the Ancient Grain line or consulting a vet about a grain-inclusive food is the prudent move. If budget allows, Acana or Wellness CORE offer greater ingredient transparency at a higher price.
References
- [1] AAFCO. (2023). Official Publication: Dog and Cat Food. Association of American Feed Control Officials.
- [2] Diamond Pet Foods. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Ingredient Statement (2024).
- [3] FDA. (2012). Diamond Pet Foods, Inc. Issues a Voluntary Recall of Specific Pet Foods. FDA Recall Database.
- [4] FDA. (2022). Investigation into a Possible Connection Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Update Report.
- [5] Remillard, R.L. (2008). Homemade diets: attributes, pitfalls, and a call for action. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 23(3).
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