Brand Comparison · 2026

Hill's Science Diet vs Taste of the Wild

Hill's Science Diet (veterinarian-recommended premium kibble with the deepest prescription-diet portfolio on the market) and Taste of the Wild (grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Hill's Science Diet meets 5 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Taste of the Wild is roughly 25% less than Hill's Science Diet.

The verdict

The evidence gap is wide here. Hill's Science Diet meets all 5 WSAVA criteria with AAFCO feeding-trial substantiation from an owned research facility, while Taste of the Wild meets just 2 of 5, employs no board-certified veterinary nutritionist, and uses formulation-only substantiation. Its grain-free lines are named in the FDA DCM investigation, and it carries a history of contamination recalls, notably 2012 Salmonella.

What Taste of the Wild does offer is novel-protein recipes (bison, salmon, venison) at a moderate $40-65/month. Choose Hill's, $55-85, for a clinical track record and a path to prescription diets. Choose Taste of the Wild only for a healthy dog with no cardiac risk whose owner is drawn to novel proteins at a lower price.

Key differences at a glance

Different makers: Hill's Science Diet is Colgate-Palmolive; Taste of the Wild is Diamond Pet Foods.
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: Hill's Science Diet meets 5 of 5 criteria vs 2 of 5 for Taste of the Wild.
AAFCO substantiation differs: Hill's Science Diet uses AAFCO feeding trials; Taste of the Wild uses formulation only.
Monthly cost: Taste of the Wild runs roughly 25% less than Hill's Science Diet for a typical 50 lb dog.
Heart-health context: Taste of the Wild appears in the FDA's diet-related DCM investigation, which has not established that any food caused the disease.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Hill's Science Diet	Taste of the Wild
Parent company	Colgate-Palmolive	Diamond Pet Foods
Category	Premium dry kibble	Boutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met	5 of 5	2 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Feeding trials	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	Partial
Credentialed formulator	Yes	Partial
AAFCO feeding trials	Yes	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$55 – $85 / month	$40 – $65 / month

Colgate-Palmolive

Hill's Science Diet

Veterinarian-recommended premium kibble with the deepest prescription-diet portfolio on the market.

Strengths

Most extensively used brand in US veterinary clinical practice
50+ years of feeding trial data from an owned research facility
Strong palatability across life stages
Pairs cleanly with Hill's Prescription Diet for any future therapeutic needs

Watch-outs

Higher price than Purina Pro Plan at comparable nutritional spec
Less breed-specific formulation than Royal Canin
Vitamin D toxicity recall in 2019 affected canned formulas

Best for: Healthy adult dogs where you want continuity from over-the-counter to prescription within a single brand.

Avoid if: You are highly price-sensitive and your dog has no medical conditions.

Visit Hill's Science Diet ↗

Diamond Pet Foods

Taste of the Wild

Grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance.

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
Named in 53 reports in the FDA's 2019 DCM update. The FDA did not establish that any food caused the disease

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.

Visit Taste of the Wild ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. Hill's Science Diet is the better choice when: Healthy adult dogs where you want continuity from over-the-counter to prescription within a single brand. Taste of the Wild is the better choice when: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

On cost, Taste of the Wild is roughly 25% less than Hill's Science Diet at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Hill's Science Diet meets 5 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Taste of the Wild.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Hill's Science Diet WSAVA-approved or is Taste of the Wild WSAVA-approved.

Where to buy

Made your pick?

Check current pricing on whichever brand fits your dog. Prices and promotions change frequently, so it is worth comparing both before you commit to a bag or a subscription.

Shop Hill's Science Diet on Chewy →Shop Taste of the Wild on Chewy →

Disclosure: these are affiliate links and IntelliBowl may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission does not influence the comparison above. See our methodology.

Personalized recommendation

Skip the brand decision and get a food matched to your specific dog.

IntelliBowl's free 60-second quiz ranks 14+ brands (including Hill's Science Diet and Taste of the Wild) against your dog's age, breed, weight, activity, allergies, and budget. Completely free.

Take the free quiz →

Compare these brands against others

Methodology: WSAVA criteria reflect each brand's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of October 2026, scored against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. AAFCO substantiation reflects the dominant method used across the brand's main retail product line. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. Recommendations are editorial and not influenced by affiliate relationships. See our recommendation methodology for IntelliBowl's quiz-engine ranking logic.