Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison
The best protein-per-dollar in this ranking - 32% protein at about $1.25 per 1,000 kcal with nearly 9,900 owner ratings averaging 4.6. Its safety score is the lowest here purely because of Diamond's 2012 recall record.
Score breakdown
The overall score of 83/100 is a weighted sum of the six dimensions below. Each dimension shows what we found in this specific formula.
Weight 30% · Algorithm-computed score 91/100
Algorithm: first ingredient “Water Buffalo” is named whole meat; 3 named animal ingredients in the top five; protein 35.6% on a dry-matter basis (target for this stage: 24%).
Weight 20% · Algorithm-computed score 80/100
Algorithm: first ingredient is a named animal source; among the top five, 0 by-product/unnamed and 0 plant-protein concentrate items.
Weight 18% · Editorially assessed score 73/100
AAFCO statement: Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.. Formulated-to-meet profiles are acceptable but weaker evidence than feeding trials, which caps the score here.
Weight 14% · Editorially assessed score 68/100
Four recalls, including the largest pet food recall by weight in US history: the May 2012 salmonella withdrawal covered 24.8 million pounds of Diamond, Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild food across 21 states and was linked to 49 confirmed human infections. A 2013 thiamine event followed. Nothing since; Diamond now runs a test-and-hold programme with weekly microbiological testing.
Weight 10% · Algorithm-computed score 99/100
Algorithm: about $1.25 per 1,000 kcal ($ tier), normalized against same-species peers, wet and dry together (cheapest = 100, most expensive ≈ 15).
Weight 8% · Editorially assessed score 92/100
Owner ratings are consistently high across major retailers, with few recurring palatability complaints.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Water buffalo leads, followed by lamb meal and chicken meal - unusual proteins at a mainstream price
- 32% protein and 18% fat at about $1.25 per 1,000 kcal, the best protein-per-dollar here
- 4.6/5 across nearly 9,900 Chewy ratings, one of the largest review bases in this ranking
- Roasted bison and roasted venison appear as named ingredients, not just flavourings
What we don't
- Made by Diamond, whose 2012 salmonella withdrawal was the largest pet food recall in US history by weight
- Formulated-to-meet only, with no feeding-trial evidence
- Pea flour and peas in the top five; the grain-free legume load is a consideration given the FDA DCM signal
Ingredients & nutrition analysis
The first five ingredients tell most of the story:
High Prairie is a genuinely unusual value: water buffalo, lamb meal and chicken meal in the top three, 32% protein and 18% fat, and roughly $1.25 per 1,000 kcal from a 28 lb bag. Nothing else in this ranking delivers that combination of protein level and price.
The safety dimension is the reason it does not finish higher. Diamond's May 2012 salmonella withdrawal covered 24.8 million pounds of food across 21 states, included Taste of the Wild, and was linked to 49 human infections. Diamond has run a test-and-hold programme since and has not had a recall since 2013, but the historical record is what it is.
Alternatives to consider
Other products ranked in Best Dry Dog Food:
85/ 100 Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe High-Protein Adult Dry Dog Food
84/ 100 Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal Recipe
Frequently asked questions
Is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison right for my pet?
It is our pick for: Owners who want novel proteins and high protein on a mid-range budget. It is not the best fit for: Anyone whose first priority is manufacturer recall record, and dogs that need a grain-inclusive diet. Individual animals vary — if your pet has diagnosed health conditions, confirm the choice with your veterinarian.
How much does Taste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison cost?
Expect roughly $2.11 per pound ($ tier) depending on bag size and retailer. Check the linked retailers for current pricing; our value score compares cost per 1,000 kcal against comparable formulas.
How should I switch to this food?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food into the old. Go slower for puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with sensitive stomachs, and watch stool quality during the switch.
Score history
Every change to this product's score is logged here, including the reason. Scores are recomputed by algorithm whenever ingredient or price data changes.
- 2026-10-19 — Product data refreshed: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, AAFCO statement, calorie content and price replaced with values verified against the manufacturer's current US label and current US retail listings. Editorial scores for standards, safety and reviews reassessed against that data.