Brand Comparison · 2026

Iams vs Taste of the Wild

Iams (mass-market-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, for budget-conscious owners) 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. Iams meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Iams is roughly 33% less than Taste of the Wild.

The verdict

Iams meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria, with a "formulated to meet" AAFCO label instead of feeding trials, at a mass-market $25-45/month. Taste of the Wild meets just 2 of 5, employs no board-certified veterinary nutritionist, uses formulation-only substantiation, and has grain-free lines named in the FDA DCM investigation plus a 2012 Salmonella recall history, at $40-65: its draw being novel proteins like bison, salmon, and venison.

Choose Iams for a healthy adult dog on a tight budget when a maker meeting 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions is enough. It is cheaper and far stronger on WSAVA answers (4 of 5 against 2). Choose Taste of the Wild only for a healthy dog with no cardiac risk factors whose owner is specifically drawn to novel proteins. On evidence and price, Iams is the stronger choice.

Key differences at a glance

Different makers: Iams is Mars Incorporated; Taste of the Wild is Diamond Pet Foods.
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: Iams meets 4 of 5 criteria vs 2 of 5 for Taste of the Wild.
Monthly cost: Iams runs roughly 33% less than Taste of the Wild 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	Iams	Taste of the Wild
Parent company	Mars Incorporated	Diamond Pet Foods
Category	Mass-market dry kibble	Boutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met	4 of 5	2 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	Partial
Credentialed formulator	Yes	Partial
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$25 – $45 / month	$40 – $65 / month

Mars Incorporated

Iams

Mass-market-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, for budget-conscious owners.

Strengths

Low price from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 manufacturer questions
Same manufacturing-control standards as Eukanuba and Royal Canin
Wide retail availability (grocery and pet stores)

Watch-outs

Limited prescription-diet line; pair with another brand if therapeutic diet is needed
Flagship label says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
Ingredient list is more mass-market-tier than Pro Plan

Best for: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners still want a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions.

Avoid if: You have a dog with allergies or want a premium-tier ingredient profile.

Visit Iams ↗

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. Iams is the better choice when: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners still want a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions. Taste of the Wild is the better choice when: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

On cost, Iams is roughly 33% less than Taste of the Wild at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Iams meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Taste of the Wild.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Iams 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 Iams 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

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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.