FAQ

Questions about certain products? Visit our individual product pages to learn more or contact us.

Taste of the Wild Products

Can I feed Taste of the Wild to my puppy?

We have two great puppy-specific recipes in the Taste of the Wild line: High Prairie Puppy and Pacific Stream Puppy. In addition to our puppy recipes you can also feed your puppy any of our All Life Stages recipes, which are recipes developed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs at all ages, from puppy to senior. Our puppy-specific recipes fall under the All Life Stages recipe category, but have smaller kibbles. Both our puppy and All Life Stages recipes include specific nutrients, like added DHA that aids in brain and eye development, to help your puppy grow to their full potential. Our All Life Stages recipes include:

Can I feed Taste of the Wild to my kitten?

Our two feline recipes — Rocky Mountain Feline and Canyon River Feline — are both formulated to meet the nutritional needs for cats at all stages of life, including kittens.

Do you have a small breed dog recipe?

Our Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe is specifically formulated for small breed adult dogs. This recipe has a smaller kibble and is more energy dense with higher protein and fat ratios, meaning your adult dog can eat smaller portions to meet their nutritional requirements. While our Appalachian Valley Recipe was developed specifically with small breed adult dogs in mind, all of our recipes will meet the nutritional requirements of small breed adult dogs. For small breed puppies, we recommend our two puppy-specific recipes, which also have a smaller kibble, or any of our All Life Stages recipes. To learn more about these recipes, please visit their individual product pages. - High Prairie Puppy with Roasted Bison & Venison - Pacific Stream Puppy with Smoke-Flavored Salmon - Pine Forest Canine with Venison & Legumes - Southwest Canyon Canine with Wild Boar - Sierra Mountain Canine with Roasted Lamb

Do you have a large breed dog recipe?

While we do not have a large breed-specific recipe, all of our recipes meet the nutritional needs of large breed adult dogs. However, only our puppy-specific and All Life Stages recipes meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies.

What is the size and shape of the Taste of the Wild kibbles?

The kibbles in our adult canine and All Life Stages recipes are a flat, round disc shape and approximately the diameter of a dime. The kibbles in our small breed recipe (Appalachian Valley) and puppy-specific recipes are barrel-shaped and about the size of a pencil eraser. The kibbles in our feline recipes are shaped like a round disc and are about the size of a pencil eraser.

What is the consistency of your canned recipes and are the chunks in the cans pure meat?

The chunks are a combination of meat, vegetables, vitamins and minerals. All of this is combined in a gravy to give your dog a nutritious meal.
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PREY Products

What is PREY?

In the wild, an animal’s diet was simple, consisting primarily of the prey they hunted. But finding a simple yet complete food for your domesticated canine or feline shouldn’t be a challenging hunt. That’s why we created Taste of the Wild PREY limited ingredient diets: a simplified approach to pet food based on the native diets of dogs and cats. Our PREY line consists of three dog recipes (Angus Beef Recipe for DogsTurkey Recipe for Dogs and Trout Recipe for Dogs) and two cat recipes (Angus Beef Recipe for Cats and Turkey Recipe for Cats). Each recipe contains four key ingredients or less and is fortified with vitamins, minerals and nutrients to ensure, that despite having a limited number of ingredients, your pet receives the balanced nutrition he or she needs. The grain-free recipes* contain GMO-free ingredients, and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives are added. The recipes are also free of by-product meals and rendered meats. All PREY recipes follow AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced pet foods, and are suitable for all life stages. For more information, please visit www.TasteOfTheWildPREY.com. *The facility in which this food is made also makes food that may contain other ingredients, such as grains. Trace amounts of these other ingredients may be present.

What is different about PREY compared to Taste of the Wild?

Our PREY limited ingredient recipes are a simpler approach to pet food based on the native diets of dogs and cats. Each recipe contains four key ingredients or less and is centered around a single animal protein source. Lentils are added as the single carbohydrate source, while tomato pomace and chicken fat provide fiber, antioxidants and omega fatty acids. Like PREY, Taste of the Wild was developed based on your pet’s ancestral diet but features unique proteins and includes potatoes, sweet potatoes or peas as carbohydrate sources. The recipes also feature added vegetables, legumes and fruits to provide added benefits like antioxidants. Both our PREY and Taste of the Wild recipes are grain-free recipes* that provide complete and balanced nutrition and feature our proprietary probiotics. *The facility in which this food is made also makes food that may contain other ingredients, such as grains. Trace amounts of these other ingredients may be present.

What are the four main ingredients in PREY?

Taste of the Wild PREY is a line of limited ingredient recipes, created with your pet’s native diet in mind. Our dog recipes contain four key ingredients and our cat recipes contain three key ingredients. They are: 1. Protein: The first ingredient in every recipe is pasture-raised Angus beef, cage-free turkey or trout raised in spring-fed waters. There are no rendered meats or by-product meals. 2. Lentils: This superfood is packed with protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and essential nutrients. 3. Tomato Pomace: Found in our canine recipes, this is an excellent source of soluble fiber and antioxidants. 4. Chicken Fat: A healthy fat that is rich in omega fatty acids.

Can I feed PREY to my puppy or kitten?

Yes! All of our PREY recipes are All Life Stages recipes, meaning they’re formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs or cats of all ages, from puppy or kitten to senior.

What is the size and shape of the PREY kibbles?

The kibbles in our dog recipes are a flat, oblong disc shape and approximately the diameter of a dime. The kibbles in our cat recipes are shaped like a round, oblong disc and are about the size of a pencil eraser.
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Feeding and Nutrition

How much food should I feed my pet?

Our feeding guides are listed on the back of every package as well as on the individual product pages of our website. The amount listed in the feeding guide is the recommended total number of 8-ounce measuring cups (standard kitchen measuring cup) that your pet should eat per day. Feeding amounts can be adjusted based on the age, breed and activity level of your pet.

How often should I feed my pet?

The frequency at which you feed your pet is a matter of personal preference, but also depends on your pet’s age and lifestyle. For Dogs: - Puppies less than 4 months of age, consider 3–4 meals per day - Puppies between the ages 4–6 months, consider 2–3 meals per day - Puppies 6 months and older, consider two meals per day For toy breed puppies, we recommended feeding 3–4 meals per day until they are 10–12 months of age. We do not recommend feeding one meal per day or free-choice feeding for large or giant breed dogs because it can lead to stretching in the ligaments that support the stomach. Over time, this will make the stomach more likely to twist if the dog bloats. It is also more difficult to monitor eating habits. For Cats: Both free-choice feeding and set meal times are acceptable for cats. However, having set meal times allows pet parents to control and monitor portions.

When should I switch my dog to an adult recipe?

As a general guide, we recommend transitioning puppies to adult food at about 10–12 months of age. For large or giant breeds, between 12–18 months of age is a good time to make the transition to adult food. However, if you’re feeding an All Life Stages recipe, your dog can continue on the recipe indefinitely.

How do I transition foods?

We recommend a gradual transition between recipes over a period of 7–10 days. You can do this by starting with 25% of the recommended feeding portion of the new food mixed with 75% of the recommended portion of the current diet for 2–3 days. Then, 50% of each for 2–3 days, followed by 75% of the new with 25% of the current for 2–3 days before feeding the new food entirely.

Is it okay to switch between Taste of the Wild recipes? / Is it okay to switch between PREY recipes?

Many pets enjoy eating more than one recipe. To avoid digestive upset, we recommend limiting your rotation to two recipes and gradually mixing both recipes over a couple of weeks. When you transition between recipes, slowly reduce the amount of the old recipe and increase the new recipe.

Is it okay to feed dry kibble from one recipe and canned from another?

Yes. Many pets enjoy the variety they receive when you feed more than one recipe. If you are feeding wet and dry food, be sure to monitor the calories to ensure you are not overfeeding.

What is the difference between All Life Stages recipes and maintenance recipes?

An All Life Stages recipe meets the nutritional needs of dogs or cats of all ages and at all stages of life, from puppy or kitten to senior. A maintenance recipe only meets the nutritional needs of adult dogs or cats.

What does the guaranteed analysis tell me?

The guaranteed analysis gives you a breakdown of the recipe and what is included. By AAFCO regulations, the guaranteed analysis is required to list four nutrients: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and moisture. To learn more about guaranteed analysis, click here.
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Ingredients

What are probiotics and how do they help my pet?

Like humans, dogs and cats have both “good” and “bad” bacteria in their digestive systems. Probiotics help maintain balance in the digestive system by suppressing bad bacteria and helping the body break down food and distribute nutrients more efficiently. They also help support a healthy immune system. Our canine recipes are enhanced with K9 Strain® Probiotics and our feline recipes are enhanced with Viables® Probiotics. To learn more about our proprietary probiotics, visit https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com//nutritional-integrity/probiotics/.

Is Taste of the Wild irradiated?

We do not irradiate our recipes.

Does this food contain ethoxyquin?

We source all ingredients from vendors that do not use ethoxyquin.

Where does your meat come from?

The meats in Taste of the Wild come from different sources, depending on the type of meat. All of our meats are chosen to meet our precise recipe specifications, and are USDA inspected and approved. We routinely test and monitor our manufacturing processes and work closely with our supply chains to confirm ingredient safety. Our ingredient suppliers are approved through a process intended to validate commitments to food safety and ingredient quality. You can be assured that we are committed to product safety and quality and adhere to stringent food safety protocols. If you have any questions, please contact us by visiting our website https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com//contact-us/.

Is this USDA approved?

Please know, our meat suppliers are USDA inspected and approved. We routinely test and monitor our manufacturing processes and work closely with our supply chains to confirm ingredient safety. Our ingredient suppliers are approved through a process intended to validate commitments to food safety and ingredient quality. You can be assured that we are committed to product safety and quality and adhere to stringent food safety protocols. If you have any questions, please contact us by visiting our website https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com//contact-us/.
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Packaging and Storage

Are your bags recyclable?

Our bags are designated as a #7 in the Resin Identification Code system used by manufacturers and recyclers. This means the bags are manufactured with a plastic resin, similar to other plastic containers. Check with your local recycling center to see if this type of plastic is accepted.

Is your packaging BPA-free?

Our bags are BPA-free. Our canned foods were tested and found to contain non-detectable levels of BPA. At times, very small amounts of BPA may migrate from packaging into foods or beverages. However, studies pursued by FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) have shown no effects of BPA from low-dose exposure.

How should I store my pet’s dry food?

The recommended storage method is to keep the food in its original packaging, in order to keep vital information handy in case you have a problem, emergency or question for the manufacturer. You may store the entire bag in a closed container as well. Please know, food should be kept in a cool, dry location as excess heat or moisture may cause the nutrients to break down. For more tips on how to store your pet’s food, visit our blog https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com//health/the-dos-and-donts-pet-food-storage/.

How long will an open bag or can stay fresh for?

For our dry recipes, the food will stay fresh until the “Best By” date, which can be found in the production code box. To help ensure freshness, we recommend you store your food in a container in a cool, dry location. Be sure to make note of the “Best By” date before you empty the bag into the container so you know how much time you have to use the food. For our canned recipes, we don’t recommend leaving an open can out for more than 30 minutes. Partially eaten cans should be covered or put into an airtight container in the refrigerator and kept no longer than three days after opening.
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Our Company

Do you have a breeder program?

We have a breeder program for our Taste of the Wild recipes that provides samples and brochures for the forever families. To learn more about this program and the qualifications needed, please contact our product specialists at 1-800-342-4808 or email us at https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com//contact-us/.

Where are your foods made?

We have six manufacturing facilities, all located in the United States: two in California, one in Missouri, one in South Carolina, one in Arkansas and one in Kansas.

Is Taste of the Wild and PREY family-owned?

Taste of the Wild and PREY are family-owned brands and have been since their creation. Our family believes pets deserve the best nutrition and pet parents deserve a fair value. We don’t produce anything we wouldn’t feed our own pets and hold everything we produce to this standard.

Is your food guaranteed?

We are committed to providing quality products. If you have any questions or comments, please call us at 1-800-342-4808 or contact us through this form.

Do you have a food safety program?

Absolutely! Food safety is our top priority, which is why our facilities adhere to stringent quality protocols, have a dedicated quality assurance and safety staff and follow “Good Manufacturing Processes” protocols. To learn more about our food safety program, you can visit our website at https://diamondpetcompany.com/how-we-ensure-every-pet-is-getting-the-very-best/nutritional-integrity/.

Does Taste of the Wild conduct animal testing and to what degree?

In order to ensure the safest and most nutritious food possible, we conduct feeding trials when necessary for nutritional content and palatability. These tests are observational in nature and non-invasive. The nutritional staff observes which food the dog or cat chooses to eat first when two different foods are offered to them.
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DCM Company Statement

Like the FDA and pet owners like you, we are concerned about the reported cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Research shows that DCM is a complex disease with many factors, so the FDA and industry officials are working to better understand it. To date, there is no scientific data that links diet to DCM. As a result, the FDA does not view this as a regulatory issue.

Our top priority is, and always will be, to provide pets with quality, safe food that meets all federal and state regulatory guidelines, so we continue to monitor and support ongoing research efforts. In the meantime, there is high confusion resulting from incorrect information in the media and social media, so we encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.

DCM FAQs

What is DCM and is it life-threatening?

DCM is a condition that results in an enlarged heart. As the heart and its chambers become dilated, it becomes harder for the heart to pump and heart valves may leak, leading to a buildup of fluids in the chest and abdomen. DCM will lead to congestive heart failure if left untreated. In some dogs, heart function may improve with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification, if caught early.

Additional facts about DCM are listed below.
• DCM is much more common in large dogs (greater than 50 pounds) than small dogs. However, cocker spaniels are prone to a certain form of DCM typically associated with taurine deficiency.
• According to Dr. John Rush, a veterinary cardiologist, certain breeds such as Great Danes, German shepherds, Irish wolfhounds, Newfoundlands and St. Bernards are at risk, while boxers and Doberman pinschers are predisposed to the disease. In addition to the above breeds, cocker spaniels and Portuguese water dogs may also develop forms of the disease.
• According to Tufts University’s Petfoodology blog, 10 to 15% of dogs will develop some form of heart disease in their lives. Dr. Rush has indicated DCM as the second most common cause of congestive heart failure in dogs.

Does your food cause DCM?

To date, the FDA still has not found any science-based causes that link diet to DCM. As they note, it is a complex disease based on many factors, including genetics and underlying medical conditions. We continue to monitor and support ongoing research efforts, as our top priority is, and always will be, to provide pets with quality, safe food that meets all federal and state regulatory guidelines.

Will you remove peas, lentils and potatoes from your recipes as they may be linked to DCM?

Our pet nutrition and veterinary experts select all of our ingredients with the health and well-being of pets in mind. Peas, legumes, lentils and potatoes are included in our grain-free recipes because they are great sources of protein, fiber and antioxidants, and they help to make those recipes complete and balanced. To date, the FDA still has not found any science-based causes that link diet or ingredients, including peas, legumes, lentils and potatoes, to DCM, therefore we are not planning to remove these ingredients.

We know that every dog is different with varying tastes and nutritional needs, which is why we offer a full line of recipes, including grain-free, grain-inclusive and limited-ingredient recipes, in order to provide pets and pet parents with options. All of our recipes meet both the FDA and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines and are complete and balanced.

Is my dog going to get DCM? They are on a grain-free diet.

To date, the FDA still has not found any science-based causes to link grain-free diets — including Taste of the Wild — to DCM. As they note, it is a complex issue with numerous factors to consider, such as breeds that have a genetic predisposition for developing DCM. We continue to monitor this issue closely and support ongoing research efforts. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to consult directly with your veterinarian.

Should I add anything to your recipe to make sure my dog doesn’t get DCM?

All of our recipes are complete and balanced and meet both the FDA and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines. It’s not necessary to supplement your pet’s food. If you have any questions about your pet’s specific nutritional needs, it is best to talk with your veterinarian.

How many confirmed cases of DCM have been reported?

The FDA is reviewing cases on an ongoing basis; therefore, we recommend you reach out to them directly for updated case numbers.

How long will the FDA’s investigation take?

There is no way to know how long the investigation will take, but, like you, we hope it will be resolved soon. We think it is important for pet food companies and pet owners alike to focus on supporting and collaborating as much as is possible with the scientists doing this specialized research. Should you have any further questions or concerns about your pet, pet food or information you are seeing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your veterinarian.

What research do you have about DCM and grain-free diets? How is Taste of the Wild contributing to the FDA investigation?

In our partnership with the Pet Food Institute, we have come together with other pet food makers to help further our understanding of any potential connection between DCM and diet. We continue to monitor this issue closely and support ongoing research efforts.

Is your company researching the possible connection between DCM and grain-free diets?

As a member of the Pet Food Institute, we participate in funding a committee of industry scientists working on this issue. Additionally, our veterinary and nutrition teams are offering to collaborate with researchers to provide any additional information they may need to conduct their studies.

My dog was diagnosed with DCM and I was feeding Taste of the Wild. What should I do?

We are so sorry to hear of your dog’s diagnosis. We take your concern seriously and we would like to have our veterinary team contact you so they can gather all the information about your dog’s situation. It is important also that you submit this case to the FDA for their research if you have not already.

I think my dog is sick and may have DCM. What should I do?

If your pet is not feeling well, we recommend you contact your veterinarian immediately. Dogs who show symptoms of DCM will often have a heavy cough, weakness, lethargy or a reduced appetite, and/or show signs of difficulty breathing. However, multiple other conditions can also cause these same symptoms, so your veterinarian is the best resource to diagnose and treat your pet.

I’ve been seeing reports about taurine in dog food. Why is this an issue? Why does it need to be added to dog food?

Taurine is not an essential nutrient for dogs because they manufacture their own taurine from other amino acids. However, taurine is included in our recipes because it provides many health benefits, such as immune system, brain, eye and heart support.

Is taurine added to any of your recipes?

Yes, taurine is added to all of our recipes.
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