Adding to its dominance of the online market, Amazon has now dipped its huge paw into the world of dog food with the 2018 launch of its Wag Dog Food brand.
Created to take on the affordable dog food market, Wag started with just five dry dog food recipes but has now expanded to also include wet dog food as well as cat food. The whole Wag Dog Food range is soy, corn, and wheat-free, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. And, with a higher-than-average percentage of protein, this everyday dog food is giving other more established dog food brands a good run for their money.
But with Wag only available if you have an Amazon Prime account, and with not much of a track record so far to assess them on, our Wag Dog Food review aims to open the can this new kid with a big name on the dog food block.
A Quick Overview of 6 Wag Dog Food Recipes
| Product Name: | Price: | Rating: |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Brand Wag Dry Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.3 |
| Amazon Brand Wag Wet Canned Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.2 |
| Amazon Brand Wag Dog Food | Buy on Amazon | 4.3 |
| Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains | Buy on Amazon | 4.4 |
| Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains Small Breeds | Buy on Amazon | 4.5 |
| Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains For Puppies | Buy on Amazon | 4.4 |
1 Amazon Brand Wag Dry Dog Food
- Brand: Wag
- Allergens: pea protein, brewer’s yeast
- First 5 ingredients: lamb, lamb meal, lentils, pea protein, peas
- Primary Proteins: real lamb
- Calories: 346 kcal/cup
- Flavor: lamb
- Type: dry
- Life Stage: adult
With real lamb as the number one ingredient, there is a delicious taste to this dry kibble that will leave your happy pooch wagging for more. And, with 35% protein, your adult dog will have a good protein hit, with the lamb boosted by lamb meal as well as lentils and peas for slow release and sustainable energy. This dry dog food is also grain free so a good choice if your dog has a more sensitive tum or allergies that cause him irritation. So, how does this affordable dry dog food add up when it comes to its nutrient bank balance? Well, for an everyday dog food, all those essentials are there.
You have the right balance of vitamins and minerals, along with immune-boosting antioxidants and the good fat quota also ticks the box, with both salmon oil and flaxseed providing the all-important omega 3 fatty acids. There is a limited amount of vegetable and fruit in this Wag recipe, but it is not too much of a concern, plus you also get five strains of gut-health probiotics to keep everything calm and happy. Just one point to highlight – as this is a protein rich recipe, it’s a good idea to slowly introduce your pet if this is his new pet food, to allow his system to adjust.
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Lentils, Pea Protein, Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Brewers Yeast, Potato Protein, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source Of Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source Of Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. *This food is made in a facility that handles ingredients not included in this recipe. Trace amounts of other substances from air, water, soil, or the food supply chain may be present.
2 Amazon Brand Wag Wet Canned Dog Food
- Brand: Wag
- Allergens: peas
- First 5 ingredients: beef broth, beef, chicken, carrots, dried egg whites
- Primary Proteins: beef, chicken
- Calories: 352 kcal/can
- Flavor: beef
- Type: wet
- Life Stage: all
Easy to digest and deliciously moist, this beef and vegetable recipe from Wag’s latest wet dog food range won’t stay in your dog’s food bowl for too long. The main ingredients are packed with quality protein, with beef complemented by chicken and a rich beef broth, boosted by chicken fat and egg white. And if your dog likes his veggies, then the wet pet food range from Wag offers the biggest ingredients selection, including carrots, peas and potato. As with the whole Wag pet food range there are no grains in this super-moist formula, which certainly doesn’t skimp on taste. Although a stew consistency, there are still large chunks of meat for your dog to chew and get satisfaction from, and at 82%, the total protein content is pretty high.
For dogs who may struggle eating dry food or just prefer a moister diet, then this is a good wet dog food to try them on, although as it is rich, you do need to ease their transition to the Wag dog food way of life.
Beef Broth, Beef, Chicken, Carrots, Dried Egg Whites, Egg Product, Peas, Potato Starch, Guar Gum, Salt, Added Color, Tricalcium Phosphate, Dried Potatoes, Sodium Phosphate, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavor, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrocloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
3 Amazon Brand Wag Puppy Food
- Brand: Wag
- Allergens: pea protein
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, lentils, peas and pea protein
- Primary Proteins: chicken
- Calories: 346 kcal/cup
- Flavor: chicken
- Type: dry
- Life Stage: puppy
Wag Puppy Food is getting the right amount of attention and, at 36% minimum protein, ticks the box when it comes to the essentials you need to support your little one’s health, growth and development. And not to forget that insatiable curiosity and energy! The dry kibble pieces in this chicken and lentil recipe are sized for mini mouths and are both easy to eat and provide a tasty and satisfying meal. But it is not all about taste as puppy food needs to have all the key nutrients for an active, healthy lifestyle and overall, this high quality puppy food from Wag has it covered.
As well as the high protein, needed for growth and energy, there’s a good ingredients balance of essential vitamins and minerals, plus chicken fat, salmon oil and flaxseed, for omega fatty acids, including DHA, which boosts their neuro development. To support their flourishing gut health, there are also selected strains of probiotics and, as with all the Wag pet food range, this well-formulated puppy food is grain, corn, wheat and artificial flavors and preservatives free. An affordable and nutritious meal option for any pup, just make sure you follow the initial feeding instructions to get them enjoying this protein-rich diet, fuss-free.
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Peas, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Yeast, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source Of Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source Of Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. *This food is made in a facility that handles ingredients not included in this recipe. Trace amounts of other substances from air, water, soil, or the food supply chain may be present.
4 Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains
- Brand: Wag (Amazon)
- Allergens: Dried Yeast
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Meal, Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum, Cracked Pearled Barley
- Primary Proteins: Beef
- Calories: 382 kcal/cup
- Flavor: beef
- Type: Dry
- Life Stage: All
Nutritionally balanced for goodness and taste, Wag Wholesome Grains is a great everyday meal for your dog at any life stage. With neat-sized kibbles, this recipe is easy to chew and digest, boosted added probiotics for a happy gut and healthy immune system.
Made from American-raised beef and with a good percentage of quality protein, this tasty formula also features whole grains for essential fiber and energy support. And, as there’s no wheat, soy, or corn, this beef and brown rice recipe can be fed to pets who may be prone to related allergies or a sensitive tum. It is well-balanced when it comes to calories too, so can also be fed to older or less active dogs as part of a managed diet. So far, so good, but how does Wag Wholesome Grains stack up when it comes to essential nutrients?
Well as you would expect, you get all the essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins D and E as well as taurine and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for heart, skin, eye, and immune system health. Add in L-carnitine and glucosamine for happy muscles and joints and this moreish dry dog food will keep your dog fueled for his busy life.
Beef, Beef Meal, Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum, Cracked Pearled Barley, Rice Bran, Dried Yeast, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Oatmeal, Pork, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (A Source Of Dha), Flaxseed, Blueberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dl-methionine, Choline Chloride, Taurine, L-carnitine, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. *This food is made in a facility that handles ingredients not included in this recipe. Trace amounts of other substances from air, water, soil, or the food supply chain may be present.
5 Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains Small Breeds
- Brand: Wag (Amazon)
- Allergens: dried yeast
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, cracked pearled barley
- Primary Proteins: chicken
- Calories: 392 kcal/cup
- Flavor: chicken
- Type: dry
- Life Stage: small breed
With rich, tasty whole chicken as its number one protein source, boosted by glucosamine-rich chicken meal, this small breed food formula is a nutritional winner. Well-priced and with smaller kibble that’s more suited to mini-canine mouths, a little of this delicious dry dog food should go a long way.
But it doesn’t scrimp on quality ingredients, with a minimum 26% of muscle and energy supporting protein alongside digestion-friendly whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and pearled barley. And this balanced recipe also works well to support the energy needs of your on-the-go small breed dynamo. We do like the extra ingredients in this recipe, which have nutritional value as well as adding extra taste, such as salmon oil, chicken fat, dried beet pulp and cranberries, which even a fussy eater would struggle to ignore.
Add in probiotics for gut health and glucosamine for smooth working joints and you have all you need to keep your smaller dog, active, healthy, and happy.
Chicken, Chicken Meal (A Source Of Glucosamine), Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Rice Bran, Egg Product Dried Yeast, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Salmon Oil (A Source Of Dha), Blueberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dl-methionine, Ginger, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. *This food is made in a facility that handles ingredients not included in this recipe. Trace amounts of other substances from air, water, soil, or the food supply chain may be present.
6 Amazon Brand Wag Wholesome Grains for Puppies
- Brand: Wag (Amazon)
- Allergens: dried yeast
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, white rice, grain sorghum
- Primary Proteins: chicken
- Calories: 401 kcal/cup
- Flavor: chicken
- Type: dry
- Life Stage: puppy
In their first year, pups need high quality protein and sufficient calories to support their growth and healthy development. Which is why Wag’s Wholesome Grains for Puppies could well be the right choice for your canine baby.
Based around cage-free chicken reared in the US, boosted by the concentrated protein found in chicken meal, you get a decent 27% protein and an average energy of around 400 kcal per cup. While not as protein-rich as the grain-free formula, you get the bonus of the fiber and energy release in the whole grains such as brown rice and sorghum that are included in the recipe.
It’s not all about sustaining energy, however, as this puppy formula also incorporates the nutrients needed for his healthy development. These include DHA fatty acids for eye health and cognitive development as well as essential minerals to support their bone and muscle development. With small, pup-friendly kibble biscuits and a delicious chicken taste, his dry dog food will help even pups with smaller appetites to view their food bowl as one of their best friends!
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, White Rice, Grain Sorghum, Egg Product, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Dried Yeast, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (A Source Of Dha), Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dl-methionine, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Chondroitin Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source Of Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source Of Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid. *This food is made in a facility that handles ingredients not included in this recipe. Trace amounts of other substances from air, water, soil, or the food supply chain may be present.
Is Wag a Good Dog Food?
While it is still a relative newcomer to the global pet food market, Amazon’s Wag Pet Food range seems to be hitting the mark, with overall Wag! reviews coming in at above average, with reviewers highlighting the ease of buying (via Amazon), taste and decent levels of nutrition, all at an affordable price.
The buying power of Amazon means they can keep their prices relatively low while aiming to provide quality, everyday nutrition for your pet. From an ingredients point of view, the Wag pet food brand selling points, while not unique, are wholesome and aims to be high quality, with the range free from artificial colors or ingredients. And the addition of grain-free recipes just serves to widen the brand’s appeal.
The proportions of protein and fats are also a good level, and sufficient for active dogs. And, if you dog is sensitive or you would rather a more limited recipe, then the grain-free dog food formula is a definite plus, as highlighted in many of the online Wag Dog Food reviews.
The Short History of Wag Company
In 2018, Amazon, the online marketplace dominating the globe, moved into the world of dog food, launching the Wag range under their own brand. After years of selling all the leading pet food brands, the mega online retailer developed their own product line, to try and shake up the affordable dog food niche. And with their mammoth buying power meaning they can produce dog food at a lower price, Amazon aims to tempt dog owners away from their usual brand.
Initially launched with a limited range – just four dry dog food adult recipes and one for puppies – Wag has since expanded to include wet formulas as well as cat food and dog treats – and is aimed at the everyday petfood market.
However, the start of Wag came back in 2011, when Amazon bought wag.com, a dog food website that had previously sold various dog food brands and pet products. Then in 2017, the site was closed, with all its traffic redirected to the Amazon site. This was shortly followed by the online launch of new Amazon Wag dog food brand.
The Wag dog food range is currently available with added discounts and offers through Amazon Prime. Amazon also has two other dog food brands – dry dog food brand, Solimo and canned dog food range, Simply Perfection.
Where is Wag Dog Food Made?
Nearly four years on from its launch and there’s still scant details as to who actually produces the Wag pet food range for Amazon. The clearest clue is on Amazon’s product pages, where it states that it is ‘made in California, USA at a family-owned facility with trusted, high-quality sources from around the world.’
Where Do They Source Their Ingredients From?
Again, information is a little thin on the ground, although there is a commitment to using US-sourced ingredients in many of their products, including USA-raised chicken and beef.
Product Lines – Differences and Which One You Should Choose
From its initial small range of four dry dog food products, plus one for puppies, Wag has steadily expanded its lines to cater for adult dogs, puppies, and small breeds, as well as recipes for all life stages. It now has a grain free range, as well as its popular whole grain recipes and has also added a more limited wet food line to the dog food range.
The main ingredients used in its Wholesome Grain range are real meat and brown rice, while the Grain free line uses carbohydrates such as lentils and sweet potato.
They also all contain higher than average levels of quality protein, targeted to support the energy needs of each life stage.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at Ingredients
Now to a more in-depth look at the ingredients in the Wag Dog Food range and what they offer your pooch.
The first thing to note is that all the Wag recipes are free of corn, soy, and wheat as well as any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. And that is a reassuring start. The range also provides a high level of protein in their dry formulas compared to many other brands, averaging at 35% in the adult range and 36% for the puppy formula.
Wag prides itself on the high-quality protein it includes in the range, with beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, turkey, lamb, beef & chicken liver featuring amongst the first two ingredients in each recipe.
However, when looking at the first five ingredients in each recipe, plants such as lentils and pea protein, do feature quite regularly and while they do help to boost the protein percentage quota, they can be a little harder for your dog to digest. However, Wag/Amazon do acknowledge potential sensitivities, by recommending you gradually move your pet onto the range when feeding it to them for the first time.
Fats in their diet are also essential for your dog’s good health, and Wag scores a decent average, with quality chicken fat added to all its dog food recipes. Omega-rich flaxseed and brewer’s yeast, which is rich in vitamin B, also feature large. The carbohydrate ratio is in a good, healthy range too and managed quality carbs including sweet potato, rice, dried plain beet and beet pulp and chicory root. Each recipe also contains five probiotic strains to support digestive and intestinal health.
There are, however, some ingredients to be aware of. Pea protein, as already highlighted, features in many of the recipes and can be used to inflate the overall protein levels without offering much in the way of quality nutrition. Dried beet pulp can also be used as an unnecessary filler while the presence of brewer’s yeast in some of the recipes can be an issue if your dog is prone to allergies. The amount of salt used in their recipes are not disclosed on the Wag ingredient list, so exercise caution if your dog has health issues such as kidney disease.
You may also like our review of the Best Dog Food for Kidney Disease.
Dog Food Recall History
Our usual searches (via FDA and the American Veterinary Medicine Association) have not revealed any history of product recalls for the Amazon Wag Pet Food brand. But as the range is still relatively new – it has only been running since 2018 – this is not particularly surprising.
Price
Created to be an affordable alternative to the premium dog food brands, Amazon’s Wag range is well-priced, considering the high quantities of quality protein as well as other well-thought-out ingredients. You can expect to pay around $40 for a 30-pound bag of dry dog food, compared to $50 plus for brands such as Wellness, Pure Balance and American Journey.
Where can I buy Wag Dog Food?
With such a dominant online retail force as Amazon, it’s no surprise that the Wag Pet Food range can only be bought from amazon.com and is not available in any other pet food retail stores, physical or online.
How do I transition my dog from their old food to a Wag product?
When moving your pet onto any new dog food, a slower approach is best to avoid any digestive reactions or stomach upsets. And with Wag, a step-by-step transition guide is clearly printed on all its dog food packing.
The recommended time to wean your pooch on to its new, delicious Wag meal is 10 days, starting with supplementing 75% of their old food with a quarter of their new Wag food for the first three days. The ratio is then upped to 50:50 for days four to six, rising to 75% Wag/25% old dog food for the final three days until you reach day 10, when your dog should be happily chowing down on 100% Wag in their food bowl.
In a Nutshell, Is Wag a Good Choice?
The Wag brand name is Amazon’s move to offer affordable and nutritious dog food exclusively via its all-dominating online platform. And the quality ingredients and high protein levels as well as grain and grain-free formulas do offer good value, compared to other similar dog food brands.
As a complete everyday dog food for the average pooch with no or few health-related dietary requirement, Wag provides excellent quality as well as taste. However, it is known to use some cheaper ingredients as well as some unnecessary fillers in some of the products in the range. And there are grains in many of the recipes so perhaps not suited to the more sensitive or allergy-prone pooch.
So, the deciding factors as to whether Wag is a good choice comes down to personal preference, your dog’s specific nutritional requirements and price. And for many pet parents and their dogs, this all adds up to an appealing dog food that is both nutritious and wallet friendly.
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