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Choosing the right dog food can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comparing two top contenders like Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild. Both brands offer limited ingredient recipes and nutrient-rich formulas, but which one is the better fit for your pup?
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Your dog’s diet matters. It affects everything from energy levels and digestion to skin, coat, and long-term health. That’s why picking the right food isn’t just about flavor — it’s about function.
Whether you’re switching foods or just doing your homework, we’re here to help you compare Diamond Naturals vs. Taste of the Wild, so you can make a confident, informed decision.
| Best For Puppies | Best For Adults | Best For Seniors |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Diamond Naturals Puppy | Taste of the Wild High Prairie | Diamond Naturals Senior |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| View on Chewy | View on Chewy | View on Chewy |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Brand Origins: What Shaped These Two Dog Food Giants?
Every dog food brand has a backstory, and those roots often explain what makes them unique. Here’s how Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild rose to prominence in the pet food world.
It may surprise you to learn that both Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild are actually owned by the same company. Diamond Pet Foods is owned by Schell & Kampeter, which actually owns both brands.
It’s important to distinguish that these are two completely different brands. They just happen to be owned by the same company. Let’s jump in and look at the history of each brand and what their purpose is.
Diamond Naturals: Built on Family Values Since 1970
Founded: 1970
Parent Company: Diamond Pet Foods
Based In: Meta, Missouri
Diamond Naturals has been a staple in the pet food industry for over five decades. Despite becoming one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the U.S., the company remains grounded in the same Midwestern family values it started with.
Why Diamond Naturals Stands Out:
- Focus on natural, nutrient-rich formulas
- Committed to quality without premium pricing
- Still a family-owned business
We’ve compared Diamond Naturals to Science Diet and several other dog food brands in the past. They are also one of our favorite dog foods for the following breeds in their puppy stages:
Taste of the Wild: Feeding the Inner Wolf Since 2007
Founded: 2007
Parent Company: Diamond Pet Foods
Philosophy: Ancestral nutrition for modern dogs
Taste of the Wild was created to offer dogs a diet inspired by what their wild ancestors once ate. With bold protein choices like roasted bison and smoked salmon, it quickly gained a loyal following.
What Sets Taste of the Wild Apart:
- Emphasis on high-protein, grain-free recipes
- Limited recalls and high manufacturing standards
- Backed by veterinary professionals and pet parents alike
We’ve compared Taste of the Wild to several other high-quality brands. Some of those comparisons include the following:
- Taste of the Wild vs. Nutro
- Taste of the Wild vs. Orijen
- Taste of the Wild vs. American Journey
- Taste of the Wild vs. Merrick
- Taste of the Wild vs. Blue Buffalo
Taste of the Wild has built a reputation as a premium brand that emphasizes both flavor and function.
Recall History: How Safe Are These Dog Foods?
Now that you know the backstory of both brands, it’s time to look at something every dog owner should pay attention to: recall history.
How a company handles recalls says a lot about their transparency, quality control, and commitment to your pet’s safety. Here’s how Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild stack up.
Diamond Naturals: A Mixed Record Over Time
With a history dating back to 1970, Diamond Naturals has experienced a total of four recalls. That might sound like a lot, but older, larger brands often face more scrutiny and longer timelines.
Here’s a breakdown of Diamond Naturals’ recalls:
- December 2005 — Aflatoxin contamination in products from the South Carolina facility
- April 2012 — Potential salmonella contamination across several dry formulas
- May 2012 — Additional salmonella concerns prompted another round of recalls
- March 2013 — Low thiamine levels discovered in a kitten formula
These incidents led to stronger safety measures in their production process, but the history is worth noting if recall frequency is a major concern for you.
Taste of the Wild: One Major Incident
Taste of the Wild has a shorter history, and with that comes a cleaner recall record. Since launching in 2007, they’ve only been involved in one recall:
- May 2012 — A widespread salmonella-related recall was linked to Diamond Pet Foods’ facility. While Taste of the Wild was included in this, it was part of a manufacturer-wide issue.
Unfortunately, this incident led to illness in pets across the country, which drew attention to safety practices at the time. Since then, Taste of the Wild has maintained a strong track record and improved oversight.
Bottom Line
- Diamond Naturals has had more recalls, but also a longer and more extensive production history.
- Taste of the Wild has had only one recall, but it was a serious one that affected multiple brands under Diamond Pet Foods.
Ingredient Quality: What’s Actually in the Bag?
When it comes to choosing the right dog food, ingredients matter a lot. The source, quality, and purpose of each ingredient can impact your dog’s digestion, skin health, energy levels, and more. Let’s see how Diamond Naturals vs. Taste of the Wild stack up when it comes to what goes into their recipes.
Diamond Naturals: A Natural, Balanced Approach
Diamond Naturals stays true to its name by promoting natural, whole-food ingredients in every formula. The brand emphasizes balanced nutrition with antioxidant-rich ingredients to support long-term health and wellness.
Key features of Diamond Naturals formulas:
- Includes grain-inclusive and grain-free options
- Uses meat meals as a primary protein source (which contain up to 300% more protein than fresh meat by weight)
- Enriched with:
- DHA for brain and eye development
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Probiotics for digestion
- Antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables
While meat meal can sound less appealing, Diamond sources theirs responsibly and uses it to increase the overall protein density of the food.
Taste of the Wild: High-Protein, Ancestral Nutrition
Taste of the Wild is all about tapping into your dog’s wild heritage. The brand’s ingredient philosophy is based on feeding pets as their wolf ancestors once ate, like lean meats, limited grains, and whole foods.
What sets Taste of the Wild ingredients apart:
- Focus on high-protein formulas from sources like:
- Roasted lamb
- Bison
- Salmon
- Venison
- Grain-free and limited-ingredient diets available for sensitive dogs
- Supports total-body health with:
- Species-specific probiotics for gut health
- Chelated minerals for immune support
- Fruits and vegetables for natural antioxidants
Taste of the Wild doesn’t just aim for high protein — it backs it up with thoughtful, functional nutrition in every formula.
Bottom Line
- Diamond Naturals balances affordability and natural nutrition, with a strong focus on antioxidants and digestive health.
- Taste of the Wild emphasizes ancestral-style diets with high protein content and limited ingredients.
Formula Variety: Do These Brands Grow With Your Dog?
Dogs go through several life stages, from playful puppies to energetic adults and eventually, wise seniors. Each stage comes with unique nutritional needs, and the best dog food brands offer formulas that support your dog at every step, as well as other formulas for other special needs.
Dogs need different nutrition based on age, size, and health. The best brands offer formulas to match:
- Life Stage Needs: Puppy, adult, and senior blends support growth, maintenance, and aging, specifically tailored to each life stage.
- Breed Size Options: Small and large breed recipes cater to unique size-specific needs like kibble size, calorie content, nutritional concerns, joint support, and more.
- Special Diets: Options for sensitive stomachs, food allergies, joint issues, and weight control help address common health concerns.
So, how do Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild measure up when it comes to variety?
Diamond Naturals offers nearly 15 different formulas of dry and canned food, while Taste of the Wild offers 21. To see which brand is best for your pup, I’ve broken the comparisons down into life stages.
Puppy Formulas Comparison
Our growing canine friends need extra calories and protein and balanced nutrients to help them grow into healthy adults. It’s extremely important to find a diet that serves them best. Finding the right puppy food for your dog will set the building blocks for their adult life.
Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals provides four puppy-friendly formulas:
- Large breed puppy formula (lamb)
- Small and medium breed puppy formula (chicken)
- All-life-stages recipes (suitable for puppies and nursing mothers)
- Chicken & rice
- Skin & Coat formula (salmon & potato)
Key features of all formulas
- Grain-inclusive
- DHA for brain and eye development
- Natural antioxidants from superfood veggies and fruits
This lineup offers more flexibility based on your puppy’s size and growth rate, and is especially helpful for breeds with specific needs. Diamond Naturals is consistently one of our favorite puppy foods for large-breed dogs and small-breed puppy food.
Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild offers just two puppy-specific recipes:
- High Prairie Puppy Formula (water buffalo, roasted bison, and venison)
- Pacific Stream Puppy Formula (salmon and chicken-free)
Key features of both formulas
- Grain-free
- High-quality protein
- DHA for brain and eye development
- Omega-3 for skin and coat
- Taurine for heart health
- Probiotics for gut health
These are solid, nutrient-dense options, but neither is tailored to breed size, which doesn’t satisfy the nutritional needs for large- or small-breed puppies.
Winner: Diamond Naturals
The winner of the puppy formulas round is Diamond Naturals Dog food due to their options of small and large breed puppy food. While Taste Of The Wild does offer quality puppy diets, they do not range in terms of puppy size.
Puppy Formula Top Pick: Diamond Naturals Puppy Review
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This Diamond Naturals Large Breed puppy food features lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and grain sorghum as the first five ingredients for a protein and wholesome grain punch.
It’s fortified with salmon oil, taurine, probiotics, and superfoods, such as kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, dried kelp, spinach, and carrots. All of these ingredients and more make it a fantastic all-natural formula for growing puppies. They also offer a terrific small/medium breed puppy formula.
Key Features
- Grain-inclusive
- No corn, wheat, filler, or artificial flavors
- DHA for brain and vision health
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat
- Powerful antioxidants for immune health
- 414 kcal/cup
- 27% protein, 15% fat, 3.5% fiber
Price
- Starts at $17.99 (6-lb bag)
Adult Formulas
Dogs spend the bulk of their lives in adulthood, making this stage critical for long-term health. Energy, muscle tone, digestion, and immune support all hinge on the quality of food they get during this time.
Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals keeps things simpler with 8 adult kibbles plus 2 all-life-stages formulas that adult dogs can enjoy. Diamond focuses on natural ingredients and functional extras without overcomplicating things. Their lineup includes:
- Recipes for small breeds, large breeds, and high-performance dogs
- Options for weight control and (limited) grain-free diets
- A mix of chicken, lamb, beef, and salmon flavors
- All formulas include probiotics, omega fatty acids, and superfoods
Taste Of The Wild
Taste of the Wild offers 16 adult dry kibble recipes, designed to appeal to a wide range of canine preferences. Each recipe includes added probiotics, antioxidants, and taurine, which support digestion, immunity, and heart health.
Notable features:
- Plenty of grain-free and grain-inclusive options
- Includes 1 small breed-specific recipe (grain-free)
- Offers 3 limited ingredient formulas (called its Prey line)
- Wide flavor variety with novel proteins like:
- Roasted bison
- Smoked salmon
- Wild boar
- Venison
Winner: Taste of the Wild
While Diamond Naturals offers solid breed-size and function-specific formulas, Taste of the Wild wins this round with its higher protein variety, more adventurous flavor options, and a better mix of grain-free and grain-inclusive options. This makes it especially appealing for picky eaters or owners of dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Adult Formula Top Pick: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Review
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This grain-free adult food is packed with lean protein and all the vitamins and minerals dogs need. It’s made without grain, corn, wheat, fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients, so it’s easy for pups to digest. It also includes healthy antioxidants from sweet potatoes, blueberries, and raspberries.
Key Features
- Made with real water buffalo, bison, venison, and beef
- Grain-free recipe
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Probiotics for digestive health
- Taurine for heart health
- Fish meal for omega fatty acids
- Made in the United States
- 422 kcal/cup
- 32% protein, 18% fat, 4% fiber
Price
- Starts at $38.99 (14-lb bag)
Senior Formulas
As dogs enter their senior years, their nutritional needs shift. Joint support, easier digestion, and immune health become more important than ever. A formula tailored to aging dogs can make a big difference in their comfort and longevity.
Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals has one formula made specifically for senior dogs, along with two formulas created for dogs in all life stages.
Key features
- Chicken, oatmeal, and egg as easy-to-digest ingredients
- Enhanced levels of antioxidants, fiber, and joint-supporting nutrients
- Calorie content adjusted to help maintain a healthy weight in less active dogs
Taste Of The Wild
Taste of the Wild does not offer a dedicated senior formula. Instead, the brand states that its adult dog food recipes are designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs at all life stages, including seniors.
However, these formulas lack senior-specific nutrients, like boosted glucosamine, chondroitin, or reduced calorie content, that can support aging joints, weight control, and overall vitality in older dogs.
Winner: Diamond Naturals
Because Diamond Naturals offers a targeted senior formula with thoughtful ingredient adjustments, they come out ahead in this category. While Taste of the Wild offers quality adult foods, they simply don’t include the specialized support many senior dogs need.
Senior Formula Top Pick: Diamond Naturals Senior Review
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This grain-inclusive senior formula features real, cage-free chicken as the first ingredient and contains balanced protein and fat levels to meet the needs of aging dogs. Lower in calories, it also includes high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health in senior dogs.
Superfoods like kale, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, and dried kelp provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune health.
Key Features
- Grain-inclusive formula
- No corn, wheat, fillers, or preservatives
- Glucosamine and chondroitin boost
- L-carnitine to boost metabolism in aging dogs
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
- Probiotics for digestive health
- 347 kcal/cup
- 25% protein, 11% fat, 3% fiber
Price
- $43.99 (35-lb bag)
Canned Food
Canned dog food can be a great addition to your dog’s diet, whether you’re enhancing kibble, adding moisture, or catering to a picky eater. Let’s compare what Taste of the Wild and Diamond Naturals bring to the bowl.
Diamond Naturals
Diamond Naturals offers three canned food recipes. Diamond’s canned foods focus on clean ingredients and added nutrients to support digestion, skin, and coat.
- Flavors: chicken, beef, and lamb
- Only grain-inclusive options
- All are pâté-style, easy to eat for dogs of any age
- Includes superfood ingredients like pumpkin, flaxseed, and blueberries
Taste Of The Wild
Taste of the Wild offers five canned dog food formulas, all designed for adult dogs. These recipes are:
- Completely grain-free
- Real meat as the first ingredient
- Available in a variety of protein-rich flavors (salmon, beef, lamb, bison, duck, etc.)
- All are hearty stews
- Contain fruits and veggies, including peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and raspberries
- Made to complement their dry kibble line
The flavor variety and palatability make these a favorite among pet parents looking for a wet food option that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Winner: Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild wins this round for its flavorful and appealing canned food offerings. The broader variety and strong reputation for taste give it the edge, especially for dogs who prefer wet food or need an extra boost of hydration.
Canned Formula Top Pick: Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Review
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This savory stew is made with real whitefish as the first ingredient, along with other protein-rich ingredients, including salmon and turkey liver, for lean nutrition and to help support strong muscles. It’s fortified with sweet potatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and essential vitamins and minerals for whole-body health.
Key Features
- Natural, grain-free recipe
- Taurine for heart health
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat
- Can be used as a topper or meal
- 364 kcal/can
- 7.5% protein, 3.5% fat, 1% fiber
Price
- $36.99 (12 x 13.2-oz cans)
Final Verdict: Which Brand Deserves a Spot in Your Dog’s Bowl?
Overall, both dog foods have so much to offer in terms of quality ingredients and taste. With each brand having so many impressive qualities, we think this head-to-head comparison will have to end in a tie. We just can’t choose between the two.
In the end, your choice may come down to your dog’s individual needs — whether it’s a sensitive stomach, breed size, or flavor preference. Both brands are strong, reliable options that can support your dog’s health at every life stage. To learn more about each, see our individual reviews of Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild.
Going Beyond Kibble & Canned Food
While Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild are both excellent choices, they’re not the only options worth exploring. Many dog owners are turning to fresh dog food, air-dried dog food, and even custom subscription plans for added nutrition, flavor, and convenience. We’ve reviewed and tested brands likeThe Farmer’s Dog,Ollie,Spot & Tango, andBadlands Ranch.
