Taste of the Wild is a cat food brand that has developed a good reputation over the years for its ethos of mimicking the kind of food that your feline would have eaten in the wild. There are none of the artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that some pet food contains. Plus, there are no grains or fillers, which is great if your cat has a sensitivity to these things.
At the same time, it is still formulated with the vitamins, minerals, and other positive ingredients that your cat needs for healthy function and development. In this guide, we have selected five Taste of the Wild cat food varieties and followed this up with a guide that gives you more information about the brand in general.
A Quick Overview of 6 Best Taste of the Wild Cat Foods
| Editor's Pick | Product Name | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best High Protein | Taste of the Wild PREY Turkey L.I.D Dry Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.5 |
| Best Limited Ingredients | Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef L.I.D Dry Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.3 |
| Budget Pick | Taste Of The Wild Lowland Creek Premium Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.7 |
| Best Wet Option | Taste Of The Wild Real Meat Recipe Canned Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.4 |
| Best for Immune System | Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.7 |
| Best Hypoallergenic | Taste Of The Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Cat Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.7 |
1 Best High Protein: Taste of the Wild PREY Turkey L.I.D Dry Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: Turkey, Salt (irritant)
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Lentils, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil
- Primary Proteins: Turkey
- Calories: 418 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Turkey
- Type: Dry Cat Food
- Life Stage: Adult Cats
This turkey-flavored dry cat food from the TotW PREY range is ideal for cats that require a particularly simple diet. This could be due to them being hypersensitive to rich flavors or fats, due to general intolerances, or even allergies. Turkey is especially lean meat that is very high in fiber as well as protein. As a result, it works well to help cats to clear their system whilst also maintaining their strength.
The PREY range in particular is specifically designed as a Limited Ingredient Diet range, meaning there are very few ingredients that could be of any trouble to a cat with such sensitivities. However, it is worth noting that it is possible for both cats and dogs to develop protein allergies over time due to over-exposure. Protein allergies can include turkey in the mix alongside eggs. So if your cat is coming from a turkey-based food, it is worth considering the alternative PREY food (next on this list).
Turkey, Lentils, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (Source Of DHA), Dl-Methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
2 Best Limited Ingredients: Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef L.I.D Dry Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: Beef, Salt (irritant)
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, Lentils, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil
- Primary Proteins: Beef
- Calories: 414 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Angus Beef
- Type: Dry Cat Food
- Life Stage: Adult Cats
The PREY range is small and simple, including just two flavors: beef, and turkey. Should your cat have developed an allergy to turkey over time, this makes a suitable alternative as it falls within a separate meat category (red meat instead of white). Angus beef in particular is very high-quality meat, loved for the even fat to meat ratio that produces a rich flavor as well as high protein and fiber levels.
This particular food is only suitable for adult cats, and, unfortunately, the PREY range does not contain a limited ingredient diet option for kittens. Although it is better to maintain a steady, normal diet with a kitten anyway unless they begin to show clear signs of difficulty when it comes to digesting their food. The key point with both PREY foods, however, is that they only contain 3 key ingredients – protein, lentils, and sunflower oil.
Beef, Lentils, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (Source Of DHA), Dl-Methionine, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
3 Budget Pick: Taste Of The Wild Lowland Creek Premium Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: Turkey, Chicken, Salt (irritant)
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes
- Primary Proteins: Duck, Turkey, Chicken, Quail
- Calories: 403 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Roasted Quail & Roasted Duck
- Type: Dry Cat Food
- Life Stage: Adult Cats
Helping your cat to get the lean, strong muscles they need for healthy day-to-day function. Roasted quail and duck offer high-quality protein in this Lowland Creek food. Added to the high protein ingredients are fruits and vegetables that provide nutrients and antioxidants. It has also been infused with various vitamins and minerals. Every ingredient in this recipe along with all other Taste of the Wild foods comes from carefully selected worldwide sustainable sources.
Additionally, there are also no grains, corn, wheat, or other filler ingredients. By removing these potentially troublesome ingredients Taste of the Wild is focussing on aiding your cat’s digestion and nutrition absorption. The proprietary probiotics are also designed to survive and thrive in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract, improving the good bacterial levels for better overall health.
Duck, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Lentils, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Roasted Quail, Roasted Duck, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (A Source Of DHA), Dl-Methionine, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Blueberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
4 Best Wet Option: Taste Of The Wild Real Meat Recipe Canned Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: Chicken, Dried Egg Whites, Salt (irritant)
- First 5 ingredients: Salmon, fish broth, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken
- Primary Proteins: Salmon, Fish, Chicken, Venison
- Calories: 81 kcal/3oz can
- Flavor: Salmon & Venison in Gravy
- Type: Canned Cat Food
- Life Stage: All Life Stages
This wet canned food offers grain-free nutrition to your feline friend. Real trout is the primary ingredient, which is rich in protein for the growth and maintenance of your cat’s muscles. Cats require a high level of protein in order for their muscles to be able to recover fully after an active day of exploration. Similarly, the addition of calcium supplements within this formula also helps to strengthen their bones and support healthy bone development.
Additional nutrients in this recipe also come from the use of blueberries, raspberries, and sweet potatoes. Providing an optimal amino acid profile and fatty acid blend to provide the proper care for your cat’s skin and coat. There are no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors that are at risk of upsetting your cat’s stomach, which can cause issues such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Salmon, fish broth, chicken broth, chicken liver, chicken, dried egg whites, potato starch, pea flour, smoked salmon, roasted venison, peas, ocean fish, guar gum, natural flavor, sunflower oil, sodium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, inulin, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, taurine, DL-methionine, choline chloride, iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, thiamine mononitrate, yucca schidigera extract, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid.
5 Best for Immune System: Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: Chicken
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Protein
- Primary Proteins: Chicken, Venison, Salmon, Ocean Fish
- Calories: 425 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Roasted Venison & Smoked Salmon
- Type: Dry Cat Food
- Life Stage: Adult Cats
As you would come to expect from Taste of the Wild, the ingredients center around high-quality protein and a satisfying percentage of protein in the overall recipe. This Rocky Mountain food is flavored using roasted venison and smoked salmon for a rich, and interesting twist on the usual flavors. Supplementing this protein are added vitamins, minerals, and superfoods that contain antioxidants to support your pet’s immune system.
The ‘Wildness’ in the brand name refers to the ethos of using natural ingredients inspired by the natural environment of the selected proteins. This means that there are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors in order to stay true to this approach. Additionally, there is no wheat, corn, grain, or filler ingredients – as we have come to expect with Taste of the Wild.
Chicken Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Roasted Venison, Smoked Salmon, Natural Flavor, Ocean Fish Meal, Dl-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
6 Best Hypoallergenic: Taste Of The Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Cat Food
- Brand: Taste of the Wild
- Allergens: None
- First 5 ingredients: Trout, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Pea Protein
- Primary Proteins: Trout, Ocean Fish, Salmon
- Calories: 424 kcal/cup
- Flavor: Trout & Smoked Salmon
- Type: Dry Cat Food
- Life Stage: Adult Cats
The Canyon River dry cat food from Taste of the Wild utilizes the natural benefits of trout and salmon to help to care not only for your cat’s digestion and internal function but also their appearance. Fish of all kinds contain omega fatty acids which are primarily used to improve a cat or dog’s skin and coat as the oils help to condition the fur which causes less irritation.
This food is also packed with protein to support strong muscle development and recovery in order for your cat to keep up their bouncy, active lifestyle. This also has a knock-on effect in that it helps your cat to also maintain healthy body weight. Added fruit and vegetables within the recipe provide additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Furthermore, it is a highly digestible food that has proprietary probiotics designed to thrive in, and improve the health of, the digestive tract.
There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives added to it.
Trout, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Smoked Salmon, Natural Flavor, Dl-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Is Taste of The Wild a Good Cat Food?
A Short History of Taste of the Wild Company
Taste of the Wild is a family-owned and operated business. The emphasis is on formulating high-quality, grain-free cat food that is entirely based on the ancestral diet of cats. Every diet and formula created by Taste of the Wild is designed with the help of in-house veterinarians working alongside veterinary nutritionists to come up with the best possible meal range to properly support development and growth.
The brand itself is owned by the Diamond Pet Food group, which also manufactures and dispatches the food once it has been formulated and produced. The aim of TotW is to produce the best nutrition for a fair price range to suit a wider variety of cat owners. They also state that they do not produce a single food line that they wouldn’t feed to their own pets. “It’s the standard to which all Taste of the Wild products are held, and we’re happy to share it with you and your family.”
Where is Taste of the Wild CatFood Made?
All Taste of the Wild food is produced in the United States. They own five state-of-the-art facilities, with two being located in California, and then one each in Arkansas, South Carolina, and Missouri. With several production facilities spread throughout the USA, Taste of the Wild cat food is made more readily available as it can be distributed across the United States quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, with the company continuously growing and expanding, it is likely that additional production facilities will open up in the future.
Where Do They Source Their Ingredients From?
The brand is well-known for producing cat food that is BASED on the geographic diets of ancestral cats. These include the Southwest Canyon, Pine Forest, Canyon River, Sierra Mountain, Wetlands, High Prairie, Appalachian Valley, and Pacific Stream. Although, that doesn’t mean the ingredients were sourced from these places.
The majority of ingredients found in TotW cat foods are sourced in various areas of the United States. However, not all of the ingredients needed can be found locally. A few of the ingredients that aren’t available in large quantities domestically are sourced using foreign suppliers. A couple of examples include lamb being sourced from New Zealand, chicory from Belgium, potato protein from Germany, and some select nutrients being sourced from China.
Product Lines – Differences and Which One You Should Choose
Taste of The Wild only contains two major food ranges when it comes to cat diets, and this is because they would rather focus their energy on producing fewer, high-quality ranges than spread their efforts across multiple ranges where the quality could suffer as a result.
1. Taste of the Wild PREY
The TotW PREY range is “the pursuit of simplicity”. This is a limited ingredient diet focussing on the key proteins and ingredients meant to emulate a natural diet as much as possible. This means all recipes included in the PREY range are free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and grains as well as avoiding animal byproducts. This food consists of three key ingredients, with the main ingredients typically being animal protein (in this case turkey, or Angus beef), lentils, and sunflower oil.
By removing artificial ingredients and grains from their PRAY cat food range TotW is basing the range entirely on your cat’s natural wild diet. They have also made a point of avoiding genetically modified organisms (GMO), which means you are only getting the simplest, cleanest, high-quality food they can produce, ideal for cats with extremely sensitive stomachs.
2. Standard Taste of the Wild
The typical Taste of the Wild cat food range is a little bit more complex in terms of the ingredient list when compared to PREY. This is to provide more wiggle room to include additional nutrition and some variations in flavor that perhaps can’t be done on an extremely limited diet. Additionally, the standard range includes both wet cat food and dry food (so owners have the option of combining the two for particularly fussy cats).
Every meal in the original TotW range is based on the natural location of the protein used. Say for example that the protein is naturally found in a pine forest, the flavors and ingredients selected should reflect that environment. This range contains balanced nutrition, dense protein content, rich flavor, and plenty of antioxidants and amino acids to strengthen and protect your cat’s immune system and general function.
Which Do I Choose?
That is entirely dependant on the individual cat in question.If they’re highly sensitive to a multitude of ingredients found in standard cat food, then the PRAY range may well be the best way to go as it is specifically designed to limit the range of ingredients your cat is eating to make pinpointing the problem ingredient much easier (or eliminate that ingredient altogether). If they don’t seem to struggle with their food in any way, then the classic Taste of the Wild range will be absolutely fine for them and will offer a little bit more of an exciting flavor thanks to the freedom of ingredient selection.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at Ingredients
Taste of the Wild provides an extensive ingredient glossary on their website to allow customers to better understand to benefit of each of the ingredients put into their pet food. Listed in alphabetical order it is possible to check everything from the animal proteins to the different grains and carbohydrates. Here we take a quick look at some of the key ingredients seen throughout Taste of the Wild food:
Meat
With Taste of the Wild, they carefully select high-quality proteins for all of their food. However, you will find that in the standard range, the named protein tends to place around the seventh and eighth position on the ingredient list with either the plain version of one of the named proteins or an alternative protein (such as chicken) as the first ingredient.
This does mean that the named meat is in the recipe enough to flavor the food, but is not the primary source of protein. We, therefore, recommend checking the ingredient list before committing to your chosen food – especially if your cat has developed a chicken or turkey allergy. TotW makes use of a wide range of proteins which means you have a wealth of flavors to choose from, including:
- Venison
- Trout
- Salmon
- Quail
- Duck
- Beef
- Turkey
- Chicken
Superfoods
Superfoods are used in cat food diets in order to provide the required minerals and nutrients required for proper development and growth. Superfoods allow not only an additional kick of nutrients, but they are often a fantastic source of antioxidants for immune system health as well as being rich in fiber and are highly digestible making them an excellent addition for improving your cat’s digestive health. The superfoods found in TotW cat food can include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Carrots
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Fish
Supplementary Vitamins and Minerals
TotW also includes supplementary minerals and vitamins on top of the standard high-quality ingredients as a way of filling any spaces left in the formula by the primary ingredients to create the balanced diet nature intended. Some of the vitamins found on Taste of the Wild cat food include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Iron
- Manganese
- Folic Acid
- Zinc
No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives
Taste of the Wild, as you would expect, consciously avoids the use of artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. They also avoid the use of unnecessary fillers whilst tend to provide very little nutritional value whilst adding to the caloric density.
Grain-free Formula
The choice to make their food grain-free has been done in order to cater to cats that may struggle with the most common food allergy or sensitivity which is wheat and grain. As a result, TotW has avoided grain, corn, and wheat in the standard recipe. Whilst the PREY recipe also avoids soy and gluten.
Cat Food Recall History
Taste of the Wild has had one, rather large, recall in May 2012, which encompassed thousands of units of dry dog and cat food. This was due to a positive test for salmonella, which leads them to remove not only the batch that had tested positive but several other batches as a precaution.
This was a voluntary recall which was foods manufactured between December 9, 2011, and April 7, 2012. Diamond Pet Food also stipulated that the affected batches were distributed to 16 states and Canada. Customers could identify if their food needed recalling by following the instructions provided by Diamond Pet Food below:
“Consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags. Any production codes that have a number “2” or a “3” in the 9th or 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit in the production code should be discarded. The best before dates are December 9, 2012, through April 7, 2013.”
Price
Because the PREY range is specialized it is slightly more expensive than the standard Taste of The Wild cat food. However, fortunately, the markup isn’t too much more. Though it is worth noting that not all websites and shops will advertise the same prices, though they generally stick to around the same price range. So as an idea, here are the average prices between Amazon and Chewy:
- Taste of the Wild PREY (15-pound bag) – $38-$41
- Taste of the Wild Standard (14-pound bag) – $32-$34
Where Can I Buy Taste of the Wild Cat Food?
Taste of the wild food is available in a wide range of physical stores – including internationally. However, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to purchase TotW without having to fuss about leaving the house, it can be easily found online with retailers such as Amazon and Chewy.
Warning: When buying online, always ensure that you are purchasing a legitimate product, as there are many companies that will sell imitation products that can be easily mistaken for the real thing.
In a Nutshell, Is Taste of the Wild a Good Choice?
There are a lot of positive points to Taste of the Wild as a food choice for your kitty. This is a brand with a strong ethos of using real meat products in both its dry and wet cat food, which is supported by a wealth of fruit, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. And compared to some of the other premium pet food brands on the market it is a reasonably affordable choice. This is a company that is continually innovating whilst showing compassion and empathy for its customers. So given your cat seems to enjoy the Taste of The Wild cat foods, this brand would make an excellent choice.
Check out our article on Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach.
