Our Verdict
Taste of the Wild wet cat food is made up of two recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.
Pros
- High in protein
- Contains good quality animal meat and fish
- Rich in fat and moisture
Cons
- Limited range
- More expensive than some cat foods
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Taste of the Wild Canyon River Feline Recipe | 4 | G&M |
| Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Feline Recipe | 4 | G&M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Taste of the Wild Canyon River Feline Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Taste of the Wild Canyon River Feline Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Trout, fish broth, vegetable broth, ocean fish, salmon, dried egg whites, potato starch, dried ground peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, guar gum, dried egg product, natural flavor, sunflower oil, sodium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, inulin, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, taurine, choline chloride, dl-methionine, iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, yucca schidigera extract, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin E supplement, natural smoke flavor, 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.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is trout, a marine and freshwater fish naturally high in protein.
The second ingredient is fish broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food they are a common addition component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is vegetable broth. a broth made from various vegetables simmered in water. Broths are nutritionally empty. Yet because they add moisture to a cat food they are a common finding in canned and wet products.
The fourth ingredient is ocean fish. This item is typically sourced from clean, undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations. 1
Unfortunately, the phrase “ocean fish” is vague and does little to adequately describe this ingredient. Since some fish are higher in omega-3 fats than others, it’s impossible for us to judge the quality of this item.
In any case, fish meat is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The fifth ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The sixth ingredient is dried egg whites. Eggs are highly digestible and an excellent source of usable protein.
The seventh ingredient is potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
The eighth ingredient is dried ground peas. Dried peas are a good source of carbohydrates. Plus they’re naturally rich in dietary fiber.
However, dried peas contain about 27% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Taste of the Wild Canyon River Feline Recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.4%, a fat level of 16.7% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 30.9%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 44.4% and an above-average fat level of 16.7%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 30.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 38%.
This means this Taste of the Wild wet range contains higher than average protein, near-average carbohydrate, higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of food provides plenty of moisture. Protein content is high which is derived from good quality animal meat and protein. Both recipes do contain plant based protein, so this should be considered when evaluating the overall protein level.
Has Taste of the Wild cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes, however, just once in May 2012.
This was due to positive tests of salmonella contamination, 14 brands were recalled by Diamond Pet Foods.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Taste of the Wild pet food is made by Diamond Pet Foods, a family run business, which has been making foods since 1970.
Taste of the Wild was created more recently, in 2007, to cater for the demand of high quality, grain-free pet food made from natural ingredients.
Sources
Best cat foods
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Article reviewed by
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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