Brand Comparison
Acana vs Taste of the Wild
Acana and Taste of the Wild both target the premium natural/novel-protein segment in global markets, but their origins, manufacturing and ingredient philosophies differ significantly. Acana is Canadian-born, manufactured at Champion Petfoods' DogStar Kitchens and now owned by Mars Petcare (2022). Taste of the Wild is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods in the US. Acana is positioned around "biologically appropriate" diets with 60-70% animal ingredients and regional sourcing themes (Regionals line uses province-specific meats and fish). Taste of the Wild is positioned around ancestral diet concepts with novel proteins (bison, venison, boar) at mid-premium price points. Both have been named in the FDA's DCM investigation case reports — Taste of the Wild appeared among the most frequently cited brands in the June 2019 FDA update; Acana's grain-free lines appeared in earlier case data. Both brands have since added grain-inclusive variants (Taste of the Wild Ancient Grain; Acana Wholesome Grains) in response. For UK buyers specifically, Acana is substantially easier to source — Pets at Home UK stocks it, while Taste of the Wild is primarily an import brand available through Amazon UK and specialist online retailers. Acana is also better suited to multiple-protein diets (Singles line for allergen avoidance); Taste of the Wild has no explicit allergen-management positioning.
Acana
Champion Petfoods (Mars Petcare, acquired 2022)
Sister brand to Orijen, both produced at Champion's DogStar Kitchens. Acana is positioned as the biologically appropriate line at a slightly lower inclusion of fresh meat than Orijen. Acquired by Mars Petcare in 2022.
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Taste of the Wild
Diamond Pet Foods
Grain-free, novel-protein-focused line manufactured by Diamond. Marketed around ancestral / prey-model diet concepts, using protein sources such as bison, venison, boar, and fish.
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How they compare
| Attribute | Acana | Taste of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | Champion Petfoods (Mars Petcare, acquired 2022) | Diamond Pet Foods |
| Founded | 1985 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Meta, Missouri, USA |
| AAFCO method | Formulated to AAFCO profiles | Formulated to AAFCO profiles |
| Made in | Canada, USA | USA |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Pet types | Dogs, Cats | Dogs, Cats |
| Documented recalls | 0 on record | 1 on record |
| Product lines | 5 lines | 5 lines |
Pick Acana if
- You want easier UK availability (Acana is stocked at Pets at Home UK)
- You need a single-protein limited-ingredient option (Acana Singles line)
- You prefer Canadian-sourced ingredients and regional protein themes
Pick Taste of the Wild if
- You are in the US and want wider retail distribution at a lower price point
- You prefer the ancestral/prey-model marketing and novel US protein themes
- You're comfortable with Diamond Pet Foods contract manufacturing
Ingredient overlap
Both brands commonly use
Only in Acana
Recall history
Acana
No recalls in the FDA enforcement archive.
Taste of the Wild
2012-05-05
Salmonella
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Scan either food against your pet's allergens
Brand-level comparison doesn't catch formula-level differences. Scan the specific bag you're considering to see the actual ingredient list checked against your pet's profile.
Scan a label →Factual comparison based on AAFCO definitions, FDA enforcement archive, and corporate disclosures. Not medical advice. Not an endorsement of either brand.