Victor Dog Food vs. Taste Of The Wild: How Do They Compare?

Searching and finding the best dog food is a challenging process. Every dog has different preferences, diet restrictions, and physical needs that you must consider. But one thing is necessary: you should provide your furry friend with a nutritious, tasty meal plan to preserve its lifespan and overall well-being.

This article examines two well-known dog food brands in the industry: Victor Dog Food vs. Taste of the Wild. We discuss the brand histories, past recalls, and what makes each company unique.

We understand that it is a long, complicated process to locate the perfect food for your dog’s individual needs. But we are confident that you can focus your search on both highly regarded brands. We highlight the ingredients used for each brand, the range of formulas offered, and some of our favorite products for dry food and wet food for all ages.

Note: Clicking the above links takes you to Chewy.com or Amazon.com, where you can get additional product information and customer reviews. If you make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Brand History

Both Victor and Taste of the Wild come from humble beginnings. Both companies are family-owned businesses with a meaningful set of core values. Taste of the Wild is over 30 years older than Victor, but both brands have built a reliable reputation in a competitive, highly regulated dog food industry.

Victor

Victor is a smaller dog food company from Mt. Pleasant, Texas. Although the Victor brand came about in the 1940s, it did not start producing dog food until 2007. The company prides itself on getting most of its ingredients within Texas, but it does outsource the more unique ingredients used in its products.

The target market for Victor includes high-performance, active dogs. Its formulas are typically higher in protein and complex amino acid minerals. Victor sources these highly absorbable minerals from Zinpro Corporation, so it does not include many fruits or whole vegetables in its recipes.

What We Like:

1. Food formulas are high in protein.
2. Family-owned business
3. Variety of grain-free selections
4. Both wet and dry food options
5. Manufactures its food and sources most of the ingredients locally
6. Many recipes for all dog life stages

What We DON’T Like:

1. No whole vegetables or fruits in the recipes
2. Utilizes a few controversial food ingredients
3. Do not offer prescription foods geared toward health issues.

Taste Of The Wild

Much like Victor Brand, Taste of the Wild is operated and owned by a single family in the United States. The brand sources ingredients to deliver the highest quality product to its customers.

The Taste of the Wild brand takes nutrition and safety seriously because of its higher testing standards. For each recipe, nutritionists and veterinarians design the formula to adhere to health compliance. The food formulas also contain K9 Strain Probiotics geared toward dogs for a healthier digestive tract.

What We Like:

1. Family-owned company
2. Formulas meet the requirements for AAFCO.
3. Many flavor choices
4. Both dried and canned choices

What We DON’T Like:

1. Controversial ingredients in the food
2. No specialized formulas
3. It does not host its manufacturing process.

Recalls

Victor Dog Food

Victor has had one recall in its history, and it is fairly recent. In cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mid America Pet Food, the parent company of Victor, issued a voluntary recall of several brands due to potential Salmonella contamination in October of 2023. Salmonella affects dogs when they eat it and can affect humans when they come into contact with it and do not thoroughly wash their hands. Salmonella can also spread to surfaces and other people.

This recall affects 20 of Victor’s dog food products. The products affected all have a Best By date before 10/31/2024. See the company’s information on this recall for a complete list of affected products. They include product pictures to see if your food matches any affected products. You can also learn more from the FDA and CDC investigations.

If you have any of these products, throw them away in a sealed container. Keep them away from pets, and avoid handling them directly if possible. Be sure to clean and disinfect any bowls, utensils, or areas in the home where food may have been stored.

The recall affects some cat products and select other pet foods sold under the brand names of Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Foods, and Member’s Mark Dog Food.

Taste Of The Wild

On the other hand, Taste of the Wild had a recall in 2012 because of salmonella contamination concerns. There are also claims against Taste of the Wild that some grain-free formulas lead to heart disease. As dog owners evaluate dog foods’ long-term health effects, you should closely examine Taste of the Wild.

Here are a couple of other class-action lawsuits filed against Taste of the Wild Pet Food brand:

• February 2019: potential positive tests for lead, pesticides, arsenic, and various toxic materials
• August 2018: alleged pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, and acrylamide in the dog food

Food Ingredients

Each dog food company packs a nutrient-dense set of ingredients into its formulas. The companies have extensive nutritionists and veterinarian teams to design recipes that fit dogs of all sizes, ages, and dietary needs. Below, we examine the lists of healthy and controversial ingredients for Victor and Taste of the Wild.

Victor

Because Victor utilizes meat meal, it contains a much higher protein content in the food. Because of this, you might see fats like canola oil and salmon added as well. In Victor’s grain-free versions, there are also legumes and potatoes in the formula. These four main ingredients are consistent in all bags of Victor dry foods:

1. Mineral Complexes – Manganese, iron, and zinc impact the cell levels by facilitating metabolic function, paw pad strength, a more robust immune system, and healthier skin and coat.
2. Probiotics – Victor’s probiotics deliver positive bacteria to dogs and build a more robust immune system.
3. Selenium Yeast – This ingredient is easily infused into the bloodstream and stored for optimal cellular regeneration and metabolism.
4. Prebiotics – Prebiotics improve immune response and healthier digestion, which aids in better overall growth for dogs.

One thing about Victor is that a few of its ingredients are controversial. Here are some of the components to be aware of:

1. Tomato Pomace – This is utilized in most dog recipes as a fiber source, but some companies incorporate it as a filler.
2. Liver – This ingredient has both positives and negatives if consumed in higher amounts, but it is also known to create vitamin A toxicity.
3. Blood Meal – A blood meal derived from a trusted supplier can provide essential amino acids and protein.

Taste Of The Wild

Taste of the Wild utilizes a balanced composition of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for its ingredients, creating a well-rounded product for your pup.

1. Proteins: Much like the Victor brand, Taste of the Wild formulas contain large amounts of protein, including garbanzo beans, peas, brewer’s yeast, and eggs.
2. Fats: Standards fats include salmon, turkey liver, sunflower oil, and canola
3. Carbohydrates: Unlike Victor, Taste of the Wild uses many vegetables, fruits, and whole foods within its recipes.

Taste of the Wild does contain a couple of controversial ingredients, including:

1. Canola Oil – Although this ingredient facilitates circulation, it does include a lot of processed oil (not the healthiest source of fat).
2. Tomato Pomace – As mentioned before, this ingredient could be positive when used as fiber or a hindrance when utilized as a filler.

Range Of Formulas

Victor and Taste of the Wild are both trusted brands because they deliver formulas for all types of dogs. Whether you are looking for a dry, wet, or grain-free option, both brands have what you are looking for. We were impressed with the variety of food options for puppies, adults, and senior dogs of all kinds.

Victor

Victor Dog Food provides various formulas within its dry and canned food lines. The recipes are suitable for any life stage and serve a unique purpose.

• Select – The select food line helps support small and large dogs for any life stage, especially those with allergies to specific proteins. This line includes seven recipes (three are grain-free) and is excellent for dogs who love to exercise.
• Classic – The classic formula line delivers high protein levels with ingredients geared toward dogs’ long-term energy. There are two formulas for active dogs: one for all life stages and one for the average active dog. These classic formulas are rich in nutrients and scientifically designed for the best nutrition.
• Canned Food – For puppies and adults who require wet food, the canned food line from Victor is a viable option because of its added minerals and vitamins. Two of its pate flavors contain rice. In comparison, the three stew flavors are considered grain-free alternatives. For dog owners who wish to keep their furry friend on a clean diet, this formula line does not contain any artificial flavors or preservatives.
• Purpose – Does your dog need a specialized meal plan focused on low-carb, weight management, or joint health? Victor’s purpose formula line of six recipes is the ideal solution. Half of these recipes are grain-free, while one suits senior dogs with weight management issues, and others are for active puppies and dogs.
• Select – Victor’s select line is optimal for small and large dogs, regardless of age. These recipes help dogs who have allergies to various proteins. This line contains seven recipes, including three grain-free options for active dogs. Because the recipes contain lower protein levels than its classic line, it is ideal for dogs of all ages who love to exercise.

Taste Of The Wild

Taste of the Wild provides 16 different dry dog food varieties and four wet dog food options. All recipes utilize its unique K9 Strain Probiotics that help support a healthy coat and skin.

• Traditional Formulas – Taste of the Wild has nine varieties: bison, venison, and lamb. It also provides fish formulas and choices geared toward puppies and small breeds. Many of these formulas are grain-free and contain high amounts of protein.
• Ancient Grains – Taste of the Wild’s ancient grains line has four recipes with unique flavors, including bison, lamb, smoked salmon, and fowl. It uses ancient grains like quinoa, millet, chia seed, and grain sorghum. These ingredient combinations deliver a diet rich in fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
• Prey – The prey formulas by Taste of the Wild suit dogs that need easily digestible food. The ingredients include turkey, beef, trout, and lentils for adult dogs with many different dietary needs.
• Canned Food – Taste of the Wild brands the canned food formulas as a healthy pair to the dry recipes. It uses high amounts of fish, meat, fruits, veggies, and proteins for a balanced overall formula. There are four options within the canned food line.
• Puppy Formulas – Many canine nutritionists and vets say that the most important stage of a dog’s life is puppyhood because it sets the stage for a healthy body and lifestyle. Puppies need more protein, fats, and energy to grow compared to adults. Plus, small-sized pups have slightly different nutritional needs compared to large-sized dogs. So, let’s see what these guys offer all the puppies out there.

Puppy Formulas

Puppies require a nutrient-dense diet that promotes high energy and stamina—both Victor and Taste of the Wild offer tasty and healthy puppy formulas that can provide your pup with a healthy and secure diet during some of the most essential years of growth.

Victor

Victor has 14 different puppy formulas to offer. The variations include classic, select, purpose, classic treats, and canned food.

• Classic – Hi-Pro Plus, High Energy, and Professional
• Select – Grain-Free Yukon River Canine, Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe, and Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Purpose – Nutra Pro, Grain-Free Active Dog & Puppy, and Grain-Free Ultra Pro
• Classic Treats – Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal, and Chicken Meal
• Canned Food – Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetable Cuts in Gravy, Grain-Free Beef and Vegetable Cuts in Gravy

Our Favorite Victor Puppy Formula

The Classic High Energy Formula is our favorite puppy formula because of its nutrient-heavy recipe, which is perfect for sporting and active dogs. Not only does it strengthen the digestive and immune systems, but it is full of minerals, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.

Taste Of The Wild

Taste of the Wild has 12 total puppy dry food formulas for PREY, Taste of the Wild, and Ancient Grains. Each recipe provides energy and nutrients to dogs in the earliest parts of their lifecycle.

Below is all the Taste of the Wild Puppy Flavors:

• PREY – Angus Beef, Trout, and Turkey
• Taste Of The Wild – Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Smoked Salmon, Venison & Legumes, Roasted Lamb, and Wild Boar
• Ancient Grains – Roasted Lamb, Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Smoked Salmon, and Roasted Fowl

Our Favorite Taste Of The Wild Puppy Formula

Because the Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe gets most of its protein from fish, it delivers optimal omega-fatty acids for developing puppies. The small, bite-size pieces include legumes, vegetables, fruits, and smoked salmon to keep the young skin smooth, shiny, and healthy. This recipe can also deliver the necessary nutrition for pregnant mothers because of its guaranteed DHA levels.

Puppy Winner: Victor

We give the edge to Victor on the best puppy formulas because the brand offers more nutrition options and has a wider variety of flavors. Victor also uses less controversial ingredients in its recipes, which is particularly essential when feeding a puppy. It is a priority for young, growing dogs to have the right balance of nutrients to achieve optimal growth.

Adult Formulas

Dogs between the ages of one and seven years are typically in the adult stage of their life. As dogs grow and mature throughout this time, they require a well-balanced diet that provides the necessary energy and stamina for healthy development. It is also essential for dogs to consume a diet that promotes healthy skin and coat, which both brands provide.

Victor

Victor provides 27 different adult formulas for adult dogs, including ones for weight management and allergy preferences. You will also find a diverse collection of recipes, such as classic, select, purpose, Realtree, classic treats, and canned foods.

• Classic – Hi-Pro Plus, High Energy, Multi-Pro, and Professional
• Select – Grain-Free Yukon River Canine, Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Sweet Potato, Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Sweet Potato, Chicken Meal & Brown Rice, Ocean Fish with Salmon, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice, and Beef Meal & Brown Rice
• Purpose – Performance, Nutra Pro, Senior Healthy Weight, Grain-Free Active Dog & Puppy, Grain-Free Hero Canine, and Grain-Free Ultra Pro
• Realtree – Edge Energy and Max-5 Pro
• Classic Treats – Turkey Meal, Lamb Meal, and Chicken Meal
• Canned Food – Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetables, Grain-Free Beef and Vegetables, Turkey and Sweet Potato, Lamb and Rice, and Chicken and Rice

Our Favorite Victor Adult Formula

Max-5 Pro Adult Formula is an ideal option for dogs who require joint support because it is made with added chondroitin and glucosamine. For dogs who love to work hard, the optimal 30% protein/20% fat combination is the perfect recovery meal.

Taste Of The Wild

Taste of the Wild offers 21 adult formulas, including dry and wet food. Within these formulas, there are three brands offered: Prey, Taste of the Wild, and Ancient Grains:

• PREY – Angus Beef, Trout, and Turkey
• Taste Of The Wild – Venison & Garbanzo Beans, Bison in Gravy, Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Salmon in Gravy, Smoked Salmon, Venison & Legumes, Lamb in Gravy, Roasted Lamb, Beef in Gravy, Wild Boar, Fowl in Gravy, Roasted Fowl
• Ancient Grains – Roasted Lamb, Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Smoked Salmon, and Roasted Fowl

Our Favorite Taste Of The Wild Adult Formula

Our Favorite Taste of the Wild adult formula is the High Prairie Canine with Bison in Gravy. Not only does it pair well with dry recipes, but this formula is a tasty addition for dogs with specific taste preferences. It combines a healthy blend of protein sources in lamb, bison, and venison for active dogs.

This formula is also very digestible because it combines carbohydrates in peas and potatoes. The dog also benefits from rich antioxidants like blueberries, tomatoes, and raspberries.

Adult Winner: Taste Of The Wild

For adult formulas, Taste of the Wild does a better job of addressing dogs with varying taste preferences. We also believe you get higher protein levels per dollar spent with each formula option. Taste of the Wild wins this round because of the nutrient-dense ingredients and easily digestible food alternatives.

Senior Formulas

Depending on the breed and size, dogs enter the Senior phase of life when they turn seven to nine. Senior dogs require a well-balanced diet geared toward weight management. The formulas below deliver less energy, less fat, and additional minerals and vitamins for a healthy immune system.

Victor

Victor also has a valuable selection of 15 formulas for senior dogs. It includes classic, select, purpose, Realtree, classic treats, and canned food.

• Classic – Multi-Pro
• Select – Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Sweet Potato, Ocean Fish with Salmon, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice, and Beef Meal & Brown Rice
• Purpose – Performance, Senior Healthy Weight, and Grain-Free Hero Canine
• Realtree – Edge Energy and Max-5 Pro
• Classic Treats – Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, and Turkey Meal
• Canned Food – Lamb and Rice, Chicken and Rice

Our Favorite Victor Senior Formula

The Purpose Senior Healthy Weight formula by Victor is a suitable option for old dogs that are not as active. The L-carnitine acids are vital in transforming fat into energy for optimal muscle development. The food is also digestible and delivers the best value for senior dogs.

Taste Of The Wild

Taste of the Wild provides 21 healthy senior formulas with lines like Ancient Prairie, Ancient Wetlands, Ancient Mountain, Appalachian Valley, High Prairie, Pacific Stream, Pine Forest, Sierra Mountain, and Southwest Canyon. Below are the different flavors broken out by brand for PREY, Taste of the Wild, and Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains:

• PREY Limited Ingredient – Angus Beef, Trout, and Turkey
• Taste Of The Wild – Venison & Garbanzo Beans, Bison in Gravy, Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Salmon in Gravy, Smoked Salmon, Venison & Legumes, Lamb in Gravy, Roasted Lamb, Beef in Gravy, Wild Boar, Fowl in Gravy, and Roasted Fowl
• Ancient Grains – Roasted Lamb, Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison, Smoked Salmon, and Roasted Fowl

Our Favorite Taste Of The Wild Senior Formula

Taste of the Wild’s Appalachian Valley Venison & Garbanzo Beans recipe is ideal for small breed senior dogs because of its smaller kibble size and venison meat, which is easily digestible. This meal also delivers the optimal amino acid levels with duck, egg, lamb, and ocean fish. Taste of the Wild combines meats with healthy fat, supplying the energy smaller senior dogs require.

Senior Winner: Victor

Victor is the clear winner in senior formulas because it offers more options for weight management. Because senior dogs have sensitive stomachs, we sided with Victor because of its cleaner, less controversial ingredients. We were also big fans of the Realtree partnership line of products, which provide higher energy and stamina levels for senior dogs.

Wet Food

Wet foods are the best way for dogs who enjoy foods with extra juice and flavor. Each dog food brand offers five different wet food products that satisfy your dog’s hunger. Both companies provide tasty, diverse meat choices with chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, chicken, fowl, and bison.

Victor

The Victor brand offers five choices for wet canned dog food. Each is designed for different life stages, protein needs, and other dietary preferences. There are also grain-free selections for individual tastes. Below are the Victor canned food alternatives:

• Grain-Free Chicken and Vegetable Cuts in Gravy
• Grain-Free Beef and Vegetable Cuts in Gravy
• Grain-Free Turkey and Sweet Potato Cuts in Gravy
• Lamb and Rice Pate
• Chicken and Rice Pate

Our Favorite Victor Wet Food Formula

The Chicken and Rice Formula Pate is a tasty option for both active puppies and dogs. It delivers a balanced set of protein-rich ingredients, minerals, and vitamins for an overall nutritious meal. Dogs also get a clean meal because this formula has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Taste Of The Wild

Much like the Victor brand, Taste of the Wild provides five different wet food flavors for dogs of all ages and preferences. All the options below integrate the company’s K9 Strain Probiotics, which create healthier skin and coat for dogs:

• High Prairie Canine Recipe – Bison in Gravy
• Pacific Stream Canine Formula – Salmon in Gravy
• Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe – Lamb in Gravy
• Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe – Beef in Gravy
• Wetland Canine Formula – Fowl in Gravy

Our Favorite Taste Of The Wild Wet Food Formula

The Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Lamb in Gravy can serve as a healthy complement to the Taste of the Wild’s dry recipes, but it is also dense enough to serve as a sole meal. This formula contains lamb, peas, and sweet potatoes for ideal digestion and energy. It also has a healthy balance of antioxidants with its fruits and vegetables.

Wet Winner: Taste Of The Wild

We tend to lean toward Taste of the Wild on wet dog food because of the unique K9 Strain and Viables probiotics it includes in its formulas. Healthy skin and coats are vital for dogs of any age, and we like the diverse flavors that Taste of the Wild’s wet dog food line offers.

Our Final Verdict

Both Victor Dog Food vs. Taste of the Wild are leaders in the dog food industry. No matter what brand you decide to purchase food from, you are feeding your dog tasty food with the necessary proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and antioxidants to live healthier lives. However, Victor is our clear winner because it offers more high-quality, premium food options with many recipes to satisfy the needs of all dog ages, shapes, and sizes. We also favor Victor because the company has experienced fewer recalls than many other brands. It produces its food in-house, and the FDA has not identified it as a company related to heart disease in dogs.

Looking For Healthy Treats For Your Pup’s Bowl?

Picking tasty dog food is a big part of a pup’s nutrition, but don’t forget about treats. Treats should only comprise about 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. Picking healthy treats and snacks is essential, as you do not want to feed your pup artificial ingredients or empty calories, as it can lead to weight gain.

Check out our recipes for grain-free homemade dog treats if you want to make your own. Some owners like adding fresh vegetables and fruits or even fresh meat to their dog’s bowl to add flavor and extra nutrition. Not all fruits and vegetables are safe, so check before adding anything new to your dog’s bowl. Many owners like incorporating fresh dog foods into the mix, as these are safe, convenient, and made just for pups.