Is Taste of the Wild WSAVA-Approved?
WSAVA does not approve, certify, or endorse any dog food brand — no such list exists. What "WSAVA-approved" actually refers to is whether a manufacturer satisfies the five questions the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee tells owners to ask. Taste of the Wild meets 1 of the 5, so it sits between the fully compliant brands and those that meet none. It substantiates its diets through formulation to AAFCO profiles rather than feeding trials, and typically costs $40–$65 per month for a 50 lb adult dog.
Taste of the Wild against the 5 WSAVA questions
| WSAVA question | Taste of the Wild |
|---|---|
| Employs a full-time qualified veterinary nutritionist | No |
| Diets formulated by a credentialed expert | Partial |
| Substantiates diets with AAFCO feeding trials | No |
| Owns and operates its manufacturing plants | Yes |
| Runs a documented quality-control program | Partial |
| Criteria fully met | 1 of 5 |
| Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog) | $40 – $65 |
Strengths
- Lower price than most premium kibbles
- Owned manufacturing through Diamond
- Recipes built around novel proteins (bison, salmon, venison)
Watch-outs
- Historical contamination recalls (notably 2012 Salmonella)
- No board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff
- Grain-free lines implicated in FDA DCM investigation
Who Taste of the Wild suits
Best for: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.
Avoid if: You want full WSAVA compliance or have a dog with cardiac risk factors.
Taste of the Wild head-to-head
Personalized recommendation
WSAVA compliance is one input. Your dog is the other.
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Methodology: Scores reflect Taste of the Wild's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of May 2026, assessed against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. WSAVA itself does not certify, approve, or rank any brand. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. See our recommendation methodology.