Taste of the Wild High Prairie Review - Grain-Free Buffalo Formula 2024
Comprehensive review of Taste of the Wild High Prairie grain-free dog food with real buffalo. See why this ancestral diet formula has passionate fans.
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Taste of the Wild has built a devoted following by offering ancestral diet nutrition at an accessible price point. Their High Prairie formula features buffalo as the primary protein, supplemented with roasted venison and bison - proteins that most dogs haven't developed sensitivities to. After 10 weeks of testing with three dogs, including one with chronic food allergies, we found this formula delivers on its promise of species-appropriate nutrition with impressive palatability.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free
Key Features
- ✓Real buffalo as #1 ingredient
- ✓Grain-free with sweet potatoes and peas
- ✓Roasted venison and bison for variety
- ✓Proprietary probiotics for digestive support
Pros
- +Novel proteins great for allergies
- +Excellent protein content at 32%
- +Dogs love the taste of game meats
Cons
- −Grain-free may not suit all dogs
- −High protein not ideal for less active dogs
The Ancestral Diet Philosophy
Taste of the Wild operates on the premise that dogs thrive on diets similar to what their ancestors ate. The High Prairie formula reflects this with buffalo, venison, and bison - lean proteins that would have been available to wild canines. These novel proteins are particularly beneficial for dogs with chicken or beef allergies. The grain-free approach substitutes sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes for carbohydrates, providing energy without common allergens.
Protein Quality and Content
At 32% protein and 18% fat, this formula is designed for active dogs. Buffalo leads the ingredient list, providing lean, highly digestible protein. Lamb meal and chicken meal add protein variety and concentration. The inclusion of ocean fish meal provides omega fatty acids. For our active test dogs, this protein level was ideal - they maintained lean muscle mass and energy. However, couch potato dogs might gain weight on this calorie-dense food.
Digestive Health Features
What sets Taste of the Wild apart is their proprietary K9 Strain Probiotics - specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus that's added after cooking so it remains viable. Combined with prebiotic fiber from chicory root, this creates genuine digestive support. Our allergy-prone test dog, a Boxer with chronic loose stools on other foods, achieved consistently firm stools within three weeks. Gas also reduced significantly across all test dogs.
Value Proposition
At roughly $1.93 per pound for the 28lb bag, Taste of the Wild offers impressive value in the grain-free category. Comparable ancestral diet brands often cost 30-50% more. The Subscribe & Save option reduces this further. While not the cheapest dog food available, you're getting premium proteins, probiotics, and grain-free formulation at a mid-tier price. For budget-conscious owners wanting quality grain-free nutrition, this is hard to beat.
Final Verdict
Taste of the Wild High Prairie successfully bridges the gap between premium ancestral nutrition and accessible pricing. The buffalo, venison, and bison proteins provide excellent nutrition and are perfect for dogs with common protein allergies. The added probiotics genuinely improve digestive health. For active dogs whose owners prefer grain-free feeding, this formula offers outstanding value. Just monitor portion sizes for less active dogs, as the high protein and fat content can lead to weight gain if overfed.