Nutritional levels and the need for fortified, age specific sustenance for pets are two factors that have caused an increase in the number of pet foods manufactured yearly.
With this increase many organizations are delving into pet food production with promises of premium organic pet foods. The AAFCO and FDA as a regulatory body, ensures that quality and safety remains top priority with transparency and accountability proven by the compulsory documentation of guaranteed analysis.
However, there are some brands that have topped the industry charts, unwavering since inception.
They have not only delivered on their promises in terms of safety and price but on the quality of their formulas and flavors.
In the course of this article we will highlight essentials of pet food products and also teach you how to pick the best and most suitable pet food for your furry friend.
4Health and Taste of the Wild are two of such brands and the fact that they are both produced by one of the biggest names in the pet food industry, Diamond Pet Company, is no surprise.
The similarities and extraordinary market demands including reviews of these brands have prompted me to compare them based on their uniqueness and how they differ from each other.
After you are done with this awesome comparison check out 4Health and Taste of the wild here to see the different flavors and pricing.
Contents:
- 🤔 4Health vs Taste of the wild FAQ
- ⚖️ 4Health and Taste of the wild Pros and Cons
- 😻 Types Of Pet Food
- 🥕 Nutritional Value Comparison
- 💰 Price Comparison
- 🤤 Ingredients and Flavors
- 🏡 About 4Health and Taste of the wild
- 🙀 Product Safety and Recalls through History
- 🏆 4health Vs Taste of the wild: And the winner goes to…
🤔 4Health vs Taste of the wild FAQ
What is guaranteed analysis?
The concept of guaranteed analysis on pet food products is to assure purchasers of the precise nutrient content of each consumable. Emphasized by AAFCO, guaranteed analysis by food labels must meet certain requirements such as an exact value for the minimum percentage of crude protein and fat, as well as the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture on the basis of dry matter obtained. All of the percentages that I use in this comparison are averages of dry matter basis. Learn about dry matter basis here.
Which one has more protein?
The protein content of the Taste of the Wild brand is significantly higher than that of the 4Health brand across all food types for both dogs and cats. Whereas 4Health meets all requirements for nutrient composition.
Which one is cheaper?
Both brands sell their products for almost the same price, whereas the 4Health brand is slightly cheaper than the Taste of the Wild brand across all meal types.
Which one has more flavor?
The 4Health brand has 70 flavors while Taste of the Wild has only 18 flavors for dry and wet dog foods as well as treats.
Which one has received more recalls?
4Health has had two recalls while Taste of the Wild has only been recalled once.
Check out the current 4Health recipes and Taste of the wild recipes here
⚖️ 4Health and Taste of the wild Pros and Cons
4Health Pros:
4Health Cons:
Taste of the wild Pros:
Taste of the wild Cons:
😻 Types Of Pet Food
| Product (Dog Food) | 4Health | Taste of the Wild |
| Dry Food | 22 recipes | 9 recipes |
| Wet Food | 14 recipes | 5 recipes |
| Treats | 10 treats | ❌ |
| Product (Cat Food) | ||
| Dry Food | 9 recipes | 2 recipes |
| Wet Food | 15 recipes | 2 recipes |
| Treats | ❌ | ❌ |
| 😻 See all 4health recipes | 😻 See all Taste of the wild recipes |
🥕 Nutritional Value Comparison
The best meal any pet owner can get for his/her pet is a meal that provides same nutrients in appropriate amounts as the meals they would get when they hunt in the wild. 4Health and Taste of the Wild guarantees exactly these kind of meals for dogs and cats.
Despite being produced by the same pet food company the formulas from these guarantee different nutritional values. The guaranteed analysis which explains the nutritional value, product’s net weight, feeding schedule or guideline, and other information as demanded by the AAFCO in the United States is printed on the food label of every product offered by these brands.
Let us see how these brands compare nutritionally using protein, fat and fibre.
| 4Health | Protein(dry) | Protein(wet) | Fat (dry) | Fat(wet) | Fiber (dry) | Fiber (wet) |
| Dog | 25.0% | 23.6% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 3.4% | 3.0% |
| Cat | 34.3% | 35.9% | 13.0% | 18.3% | 7.7% | 3.0% |
| TOTW | ||||||
| Dog | 31.9% | 45.6% | 18.0% | 22.2% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| Cat | 41.1% | 44.4% | 18.9% | 16.7% | 3.3% | 8.3% |
| 🥕 See more 4Health info | 🥕 See more Taste of the wild info |
Protein
Proteins are made up of long chain amino acids that are broken down, by the actions of enzymes secreted by the pancreas, to shorter amino acid chains called polypeptides that are easily absorbed by dogs, cats and other animals.
Protein is the most important and abundant component of every dog and cat food because it is responsible for the production and maintenance of connective tissues, cartilages, coat, as well as the building up of muscles, immunity, hormones, blood, and others.
Fat Content
Other than protein and carbohydrates, fats are a major energy source for our pets. The right type of fatty acids in the right amount can help reduce the effects of allergies such as itching in dogs and cats. Fats also enhance supple foot pads, healthy skin and hair, as well as fat soluble vitamin bioavailability.
Despite its importance, a fat excess diet can result to obesity and slow pace of digestion which could eventually results to nausea and vomiting and subsequently, diarrhea when to treated immediately. The fat content of both brands fall within the allowable limits of fats given by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Vitamin Content
Vitamins consumed by dogs, cats and other pets are usually fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. This key nutrient must be supplied daily in the foods of our furry companion because it is required for red blood cell production, protein metabolism, intestinal function, aiding growth and appetite, enzyme production, and much more.
💰 Price Comparison
You might be wondering, are good quality foods still affordable? I am pleased to inform you that they are not only affordable but easily assessable because so manufactures rather spend more money on production than on advertisements.
The manufacturer of these great brands are in the above category and they make the comparison of these products easy by providing the cost in two different metrics. The cost per calories is a better metric for pet food comparison than the cost per pound metric.
| Dog Food | 4Health (dry) | 4Health (wet) | TOTW (dry) | TOTW (wet) |
| Per pound | $1.20 | $2.90 | $1.86 | $2.79 |
| Per calorie | $0.0010 | $0.0120 | $0.0011 | $0.0060 |
| Cat Food | 4Health (dry) | 4Health (wet) | TOTW (dry) | TOTW (wet) |
| Per pound | $2.15 | $3.14 | $2.29 | $4.26 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0013 | $0.0110 | $0.0013 | $0.0100 |
| 💰 See the best 4Health prices | 💰 See the best Taste of the wild prices |
🤤 Ingredients and Flavors
The flavors of dog and cat foods and treats are crucial to the health and wellbeing of our pets. Most sensitivities and allergies result from the different flavors introduced to pets. Both brands use similar ingredients but their flavors are complete.
4Health
4Health brand offers 70 recipes with great flavors obtained from the premium quality US sourced ingredients used which include salmon, turkey, ocean fish meal, fresh chicken, rice, egg, dried kelp, guar bean, flaxseed, cranberries, rosemary extract, potatoes, chicken meal, canola oil, menhaden fish, millet, tomato pomace, carrots, cracked pearled barley, apples, skim milk, yeast extract, vitamins and minerals.
Popular recipes of this brand include chicken and rice recipes, turkey and potato recipes, lamb and rice recipes, beef and vegetable stew recipes, salmon and potato recipes while treats of 4Health include skin and coat dog treat, dental care biscuit, hip and joint dog biscuit and others.
Popular flavors
- Salmon and Lentil formula
- Management formula for adult cats
Taste of the wild
The Taste of the Wild brand offers dog and cat foods with irresistible flavors emanating from its natural ingredients which include roasted duck and venison, ocean fish, wild boar, chicory root, Yucca schidigera extracts, smoked trout, blue berries, egg by-product, chicken meal, tomato pomace, minerals and vitamins.
Popular flavors
- Trout and salmon in gravy
- Roasted Venison and smoked salmon
- Trout and smoked salmon
Check out the current 4Health and Taste of the wild recipes here
🏡 About 4Health and Taste of the wild
4Health Information
The 4Health pet foods is a privately owned brand by Tractor Supply Company (TSC) and the Diamond Pet Foods produces it for TSC. Tractor Supply Company is a US based company involved in the manufacture and distribution of heavy duty equipment but launched this premium label dog food in the first quarter of 2010.
TSC operates over 1,600 locals stores across 49 states in the United States and all ingredients used in manufacturing the products of this brand are sourced entirely in the United States where they are also manufactured.
Taste of the wild Information
Taste of the Wild is a premium pet food brand owned and manufactured by Diamond Pet Food Company found in 1970.
The Diamond company is a family owned company situated in Meta, Missouri, USA 65058 with manufacturing facilities in California, Missouri and South Carolina.
Products of this brand include Southwest Canyon Canine recipe, Real Chicken and pea recipe, Pacific Stream Canine recipe and others.
🙀 Product Safety and Recalls through History
Companies make scheduled recalls on products that may have a foreseen defect or safety issues. The importance of a recall is to conduct further safety tests in order to effect changes to
4Health Recalls
- May 2012: Salmonella spoilage
- Mar 2013: Inapposite level of thiamine
Taste of the wild Recalls
- May 5, 2012: Salmonella spoilage
🏆 4Health Vs Taste of the wild: And the winner goes to…
It has been an exhausting yet exciting experience comparing these brands. Based on the criteria and factors used in this comparison, we seem to have a tie.
4Health is a brand of choice against Taste of the Wild if your preference is on flavors and price but if you prioritize amount of protein and number of recalls over flavors and price, then Taste of the Wild will be a great fit for you. However, there is little to no difference between both brands judging by these features.
| If you want | Then you should choose |
| Higher levels of protein | Taste of the wild |
| A cost effective option | 4Health |
| A wider variety of flavors and ingredients | 4Health |
| Safety, based on number of recalls | Taste of the wild |
| A balanced diet for all age levels | Taste of the wild |
References:
https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/formula-finder/formula-results/?pet_type=Cat
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/4health-dog-food-dry/
