Acana vs Taste of the Wild
Acana against Taste of the Wild, measured across 18 and 16 kibble recipes: 34.1% vs 32.0% protein on a dry matter basis, and 29% vs 35% starch.
How They Differ
- Acana runs higher in protein: 34.1% against 32.0% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Acana is lower in starch, about 29% of the food as fed against 35%.
- Taste of the Wild is more calorie dense, 412 kcal per cup on average against 385, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
| Measure | Acana | Taste of the Wild | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 18 | 16 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 34.1%30.7% to 37.5% | 32.0%27.8% to 35.6% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 19.0%11.4% to 21.6% | 17.9%16.7% to 20.0% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 29%19% to 32% | 35%30% to 41% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 385344 to 413 | 412360 to 445 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 67% | 75% | |
| Most used proteins | Fish 56%, Chicken 33%, Egg 33% | Fish 63%, Egg 56%, Lamb 44% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None | None1 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Champion Petfoods | Diamond Pet Foods |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Apple Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 35%
Fat 19%
Starch 29%
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe with Venison & Garbanzo Beans Dry Dog Food
Protein 36%
Fat 20%
Starch 30%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Acana puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Acana is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Acana starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Acana runs from 31% to 38% protein and Taste of the Wild from 28% to 36%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Acana
No FDA recalls in our record for Acana in the last five years.
Taste of the Wild
No FDA recalls in our record for Taste of the Wild in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul; Country Value; Diamond; Diamond Naturals; Premium Edge; Professional; 4Health; Taste of the Wild; Kirkland Signature. Expansion to batches of nine brands of dry dog and cat food made at Gaston, SC plant Dec 9 2011 - Apr 7 2012
About the Brands
Acana
ACANA is a dry and wet dog and cat food brand made by Champion Petfoods, which also makes ORIJEN. Champion has been part of Mars Petcare since 2023 and operates as an independent business unit within Mars Pet Nutrition. The company says ACANA recipes contain at least 50% premium animal ingredients and no added soy, corn, tapioca or wheat.
Based in Edmonton, Alberta. Every Acana food we review
Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild is a dry and wet dog and cat food brand owned by Diamond Pet Foods, the trade name of Schell & Kampeter, Inc. of Meta, Missouri. The brand says its recipes are based on a pet's ancestral diet and it is known for less common proteins such as bison, venison, wild boar and trout. Its lines include the original grain-free recipes, Ancient Grains, and PREY limited ingredient recipes.
Based in Meta, Missouri, since 2007. Every Taste of the Wild food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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