Canidae and Taste of the Wild are both popular mid-premium brands offering quality nutrition at reasonable prices. Here's how these value-focused competitors compare.
Brand Overview
Canidae
- Founded: 1996
- Headquarters: San Luis Obispo, California
- Philosophy: "All-natural goodness for all dogs"
- Price Point: $$ - $$$ (Mid-premium)
- Manufacturing: Ethos Pet Nutrition (own facility)
Taste of the Wild
- Founded: 2007
- Manufacturer: Diamond Pet Foods
- Philosophy: Ancestral diet, novel proteins
- Price Point: $$ (Mid-premium)
- Specialty: Exotic proteins, grain-free focus
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Canidae | Taste of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Price (24-28 lb) | $50-65 | $45-55 |
| Novel Proteins | Limited | Yes (bison, venison) |
| Grain-Free Options | Yes | Primary focus |
| Made in USA | Yes | Yes |
Ingredient Philosophy
Canidae
- Multi-protein or single-protein options
- Whole foods emphasis
- Probiotics included
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Grain-inclusive options available
- Family-owned heritage
Taste of the Wild
- Novel proteins (bison, venison, wild boar)
- "Ancestral diet" concept
- Grain-free primary focus
- Sweet potato carbohydrates
- Probiotics (K9 Strain)
- Ancient Grains line available
Nutritional Comparison
Protein Content
- Canidae All Life Stages: 24%
- Taste of the Wild: 28-32%
- Canidae PURE: 24-30%
- Taste of the Wild is generally higher protein
Fat Content
- Canidae: 14-17%
- Taste of the Wild: 15-18%
- Comparable ranges
Unique Features
Canidae:
- HealthPLUS blend (probiotics, antioxidants, omega oils)
- All Life Stages option
- Flexible protein choices
Taste of the Wild:
- K9 Strain probiotics
- Novel proteins for allergies
- Consistent high protein
Product Lines
Canidae
- All Life Stages: Multi-dog household convenience
- PURE: Limited ingredient, grain-free
- Under the Sun: Grain-inclusive
- Sustain: Eco-conscious line
- Life stage specific: Puppy, adult, senior
Taste of the Wild
- High Prairie: Bison and venison
- Pacific Stream: Smoked salmon
- Wetlands: Duck
- Sierra Mountain: Lamb
- Ancient Grains: Grain-inclusive
- Prey: Limited ingredient
Similar variety with different focuses.
Price Comparison
Per 24-28 lb Bag
- Canidae All Life Stages: $50-60
- Taste of the Wild: $45-55
- Canidae PURE: $60-70
- Taste of the Wild Prey: $55-65
Taste of the Wild offers slightly better value on comparable products.
Novel Proteins
Taste of the Wild Advantage
Offers truly novel proteins:
- Bison
- Venison
- Wild boar
- Duck
- Smoked salmon
Ideal for dogs with common protein allergies.
Canidae
- Primarily chicken, lamb, salmon
- PURE line offers single proteins
- Less exotic variety
Grain-Free Considerations
Both brands face FDA DCM concerns:
- Canidae: Under the Sun and recent lines are grain-inclusive
- Taste of the Wild: Ancient Grains line addresses concerns
- Consult your veterinarian about grain-free feeding
Quality and Safety
Canidae
- Made in own Ethos facility
- Strong quality control
- Some recalls in history
- Generally reliable
Taste of the Wild
- Made by Diamond Pet Foods
- Diamond has had historical recalls
- Quality has improved
- Good value for quality
Both have had issues but maintain acceptable safety records.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose Canidae If:
- All Life Stages convenience appeals
- You prefer California-based company
- Flexible protein options needed
- HealthPLUS blend interests you
- Multi-dog households
Choose Taste of the Wild If:
- Your dog has common protein allergies
- Better value matters
- Novel proteins appeal
- K9 Strain probiotics interest you
- Exotic meat varieties desired
Our Verdict
For Value
Taste of the Wild wins:
- Better price point
- Novel proteins at no premium
- Probiotics included
- Comparable quality
For Flexibility
Canidae wins:
- More formula variety
- All Life Stages convenience
- Better grain-inclusive selection
- HealthPLUS nutritional blend
Overall
Both are quality mid-premium options. Taste of the Wild offers better value and novel proteins; Canidae offers more flexibility and formula variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better quality?
They're comparable in quality. Taste of the Wild offers better value; Canidae offers more variety. Neither is clearly superior in ingredient quality.
Which is better for allergies?
Taste of the Wild's novel proteins (bison, venison) may be better for dogs with chicken/beef allergies. Canidae PURE offers limited ingredient options. Both can work for sensitive dogs.
Why is Canidae more expensive?
Canidae manufactures in their own facility (Ethos) rather than through a co-manufacturer. Their HealthPLUS blend adds cost. The premium is modest but noticeable.
Are the grain-free options safe?
Both have grain-inclusive alternatives now (Canidae Under the Sun, Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains). Given FDA concerns, these may be safer choices.
Which has better probiotics?
Both include probiotics. Taste of the Wild uses K9 Strain probiotics; Canidae includes probiotics in their HealthPLUS blend. Both are effective for digestive health.