Choosing the right dog food for your beloved companion is a crucial decision, impacting their health, vitality, and overall well-being. With countless options on the market, understanding what goes into your dog’s bowl can be overwhelming. Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at a popular grain-inclusive offering: Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison. This particular recipe from the Ancient Grains sub-brand has garnered significant attention and high ratings from experts, making a thorough Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie Review essential for discerning dog owners.
Taste of the Wild is renowned for crafting formulas that echo the ancestral diet of canines, often featuring novel proteins and nutrient-rich ingredients. The Ancient Grains line specifically caters to owners who prefer grain-inclusive options, moving beyond the brand’s traditional grain-free offerings. If you’re exploring the brand further, you might also be interested in our detailed analysis of other formulas, such as the taste of the wild dry dog food reviews.
Understanding the Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains Line
The Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains collection represents a strategic expansion for the popular “TOTW” brand, introducing grain-inclusive formulas designed to meet the nutritional needs of various dogs. This sub-brand consistently earns high marks from pet nutrition experts, often achieving a top rating of 5 stars. This robust rating underscores the brand’s commitment to quality ingredients and balanced nutrition.
Beyond the Ancient Prairie formula, the Ancient Grains line includes several other highly-rated recipes, each formulated for All Life Stages (A) by AAFCO standards. These include:
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Wetlands with Roasted Fowl (5 stars, AAFCO: A)
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream with Smoked Salmon (5 stars, AAFCO: A)
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Mountain with Roasted Lamb (4.5 stars, AAFCO: A)
These diverse options allow pet owners to select a formula that best suits their dog’s protein preferences and dietary requirements while benefiting from the inclusion of ancient grains.
In-Depth Look: Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison and Venison
For a comprehensive analysis, we’ve selected the Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison recipe to represent the Ancient Grains line. This formula is particularly notable for its unique protein sources and well-rounded ingredient profile, which we will break down in detail.
The estimated dry matter nutrient content for this recipe shows a robust nutritional balance:
- Protein: 35.6%
- Fat: 20%
- Carbohydrates: 36.4%
The table below provides a clearer perspective on the nutrient breakdown across different analytical methods, highlighting its rich protein and fat content.
| Estimated Nutrient Content | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed Analysis | 32% | 18% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 20% | 36% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 40% | 30% |
Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison dry dog food packaging.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
A closer examination of the ingredient list reveals the quality and composition of Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie:
- Buffalo: As the first ingredient, buffalo is a high-quality protein source. However, it’s important to remember that raw buffalo contains significant moisture (up to 73%), which is lost during cooking, reducing its final contribution to the total meat content.
- Pork: Similarly, pork is a quality meat ingredient. Like buffalo, its raw moisture content means that after processing, it will account for a smaller percentage of the total content by weight.
- Chicken Meal: This ingredient is a concentrated form of chicken protein, containing nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken. It’s a highly valuable component for boosting the overall protein levels in the food.
- Grain Sorghum: A gluten-free starchy cereal grain, sorghum offers a nutrient profile akin to corn but with smoother blood sugar behavior, making it an acceptable non-meat carbohydrate source.
- Millet: Another gluten-free grain, millet is harvested from certain seed grasses and is known for being hypoallergenic. It is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber, and other essential minerals, contributing to overall health.
- Chicken Fat: Obtained through rendering, chicken fat is a quality ingredient, despite its unappetizing sound. It’s a vital source of linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid crucial for canine health.
- Cracked Pearled Barley: A starchy carbohydrate that provides fiber and other nutrients. While it offers energy, its overall nutritional value to dogs is considered modest compared to other ingredients.
- Dried Yeast: A controversial ingredient, dried yeast is rich in protein (about 45%) and other healthy nutrients. Proponents suggest it supports the immune system and repels fleas, while critics link it to allergies in sensitive dogs or potential bloat risk (though this claim lacks scientific verification). Unless a dog has a specific allergy, it can be a nutritious addition.
- Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison: These are excellent quality additions, providing palatable and nutrient-dense protein sources that align with an ancestral diet. For more insights into specialized diets, you might want to read our call of the wild dog food reviews which also features unique protein sources.
Notable Ingredients and Their Impact
Further down the ingredient list, several other components contribute significantly to the nutritional value of Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie:
- Flaxseed: One of the best plant-based sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed also provides soluble fiber, beneficial for digestion. It contains about 19% protein, which is factored into the food’s total protein content.
- Chia Seed: Nutritionally similar to flaxseed, chia seeds are rich in both omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. They also contribute approximately 17% protein, a relevant consideration for the overall meat content assessment.
- Quinoa: Though not a true cereal grain, quinoa is highly valued for its gluten-free seeds. It stands out among grain-type ingredients for its high protein content (12-18%), dietary fiber, and other beneficial nutrients.
- Tomato Pomace: This byproduct from tomato processing is a controversial ingredient. While some commend its high fiber and nutrient content, others view it as an inexpensive filler. Its presence in this formula is likely too small to significantly impact the overall nutritional profile.
- Taurine: An important amino acid vital for the healthy function of heart muscle. While not always considered essential for canines, some dogs can be deficient, making its inclusion a beneficial addition for cardiac health.
- Sodium Selenite: This is a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Many nutrition experts consider it nutritionally inferior to more natural sources of selenium, such as selenium yeast.
- Chelated Minerals: These are minerals that have been chemically bound to protein, which significantly enhances their absorption by the dog’s body. Their inclusion is typically a sign of a higher-quality dog food.
Understanding these detailed ingredient interactions is key to appreciating the overall quality, much like considering specific formulations when looking at taste of the wild puppy food reviews for growing dogs.
Nutrient Analysis: What the Numbers Tell Us
Based on its comprehensive ingredient list, Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains appears to be an above-average dry kibble. The dry matter analysis indicates a protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 20%, and estimated carbohydrates at approximately 36%.
When we consider the entire Ancient Grains product line, the average protein content stands at 33%, with a mean fat level of 18%. These figures collectively suggest an overall carbohydrate content of around 41% for the product line and a favorable fat-to-protein ratio of approximately 56%.
This breakdown signifies that this Taste of the Wild product line offers:
- Above-average protein
- Above-average fat
- Below-average carbohydrates (when compared to similar dry kibbles)
Even accounting for the protein contributions from ingredients like dried yeast, flaxseed, chia seed, and quinoa, this nutrient profile strongly suggests a dry dog food with a substantial amount of meat, providing essential amino acids for muscle maintenance and overall health. For comparisons, reviewing a product like taste of the wild high prairie review could offer further insights into different protein mixes.
Our Verdict on Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains Dog Food
After a thorough taste of the wild ancient prairie review, our assessment, consistent with expert ratings, awards the Taste of the Wild with Ancient Grains line a stellar 5 stars. This highly positive rating is attributed to its formulation as a grain-inclusive dry dog food that utilizes a significant amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein.
The specific “Ancient Prairie with Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison” recipe exemplifies this commitment to quality, offering a well-balanced diet rich in protein and beneficial ancient grains. We enthusiastically recommend this dog food for owners seeking a high-quality, nutritionally sound, and grain-inclusive option for their canine companions. If you’re comparing similar products, considering taste of the wild southwest canyon reviews might also be helpful.
Taste of the Wild Recall History and Further Resources
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive information, it’s important to be aware of any product safety concerns. To date, this review reflects the current information available regarding Taste of the Wild products. While specific recall details for this particular line would be listed if present, we always encourage vigilance.
For ongoing safety alerts, we recommend signing up for free dog food recall notifications. Staying informed about potential recalls ensures you can act quickly to protect your pet’s health. Additionally, Dog Care Story offers a range of other Taste of the Wild dog food reviews, providing detailed insights into various formulas to help you make the best choice.
Making an Informed Choice for Your Canine Companion
Ultimately, the taste of the wild ancient prairie review highlights a premium dog food that stands out for its thoughtful formulation and high-quality ingredients. With roasted bison and venison as key protein sources, complemented by beneficial ancient grains and a robust nutrient profile, this recipe is designed to support a dog’s overall health and vitality. Making an informed decision about your dog’s diet is one of the most impactful ways to ensure their long-term well-being. We encourage you to consult with your veterinarian to determine if Taste of the Wild Ancient Prairie is the ideal fit for your dog’s specific dietary needs and to explore other articles on our site for more expert advice on pet nutrition and care.
