Diamond Naturals vs Taste Of: Which Is Better? (2026)
Diamond Naturals ($43.99) edges out Taste Of ($38.99) for most pet owners — better ingredient quality and more consistent ratings across product lines. Choose Taste Of if budget is the main priority or you need a wider size range.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adul… DIAMOND NATURALS |
Our Top Pick | $43 Buy → |
| 2 |  Diamond Naturals Adult Dry Dog Fo…DIAMOND NATURALS |
Also Excellent | $42 Buy → |
| 3 |  Taste of The Wild Pacific Stream …Taste of the Wild |
Worth Considering | $38 Buy → |
| 4 |  Taste of the Wild High Prairie Ca…Taste of the Wild |
Worth Considering | $38 Buy → |
Diamond Naturals vs Taste Of Buying Guide
Choosing between Diamond Naturals and Taste Of is one of the more common questions in the pet food aisle — both brands have loyal buyers, but they compete on different axes. Here's what the data shows.
Diamond Naturals vs Taste Of: The Core Difference
Diamond Naturals products emphasize large breed dogs needing chicken and rice formula from Diamond, reflected in the Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice 40lb ($43.99). Taste Of takes a different approach — their Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food ($38.99) prioritizes Active dogs and owners wanting grain-free with novel proteins. At comparable price points, Diamond Naturals tends to use named protein sources higher in the ingredient list; Taste Of offers more SKU variety across life stages.
Price Comparison: Diamond Naturals vs Taste Of
Diamond Naturals products in this category range from $42.99 to $43.99. Taste Of ranges from $38.99 to $58.99. At entry level, both brands are within 15% of each other. The gap opens at premium tiers, where Diamond Naturals typically runs higher but includes ingredients that justify the cost for pets with sensitivities.
Where Diamond Naturals Wins
Diamond Naturals has the stronger track record for large breed dogs needing chicken and rice formula from Diamond. Their Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice 40lb ($43.99) stands out as the most consistent performer in independent owner surveys — fewer reported digestive issues and better coat condition at 90-day marks. If your pet does well on protein-forward formulations, Diamond Naturals is the safer bet.
Where Taste Of Wins
Taste Of holds the edge on variety and accessibility. The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food ($38.99) is available at more retailers and comes in more size options than comparable Diamond Naturals products. For multi-pet households or budget-conscious buyers who still want a quality baseline, Taste Of delivers the essentials without the premium markup.
Get Diamond Naturals If... / Get Taste Of If...
Get Diamond Naturals if your pet has sensitivities, you prioritize named protein sources, or you're managing a specific health condition through diet. Their ingredient lists tend to be shorter and more traceable.
Get Taste Of if you need broad size availability, your pet has no dietary restrictions, or you're managing multiple pets with different needs. Taste Of's wider SKU range makes it easier to find the right match without switching brands entirely.
What to Avoid in Both Brands
Avoid the lowest-priced SKUs from either brand — both Diamond Naturals and Taste Of have budget lines where ingredient quality drops noticeably. Also skip any formula that was part of a recall in the last three years; while rare, both brands have had isolated incidents. Stick to the core lines from either brand and you'll be in good shape.
Watch Before You Buy
“The Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice 40lb features large breed formula. 4.5 stars from 3,234 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- large breed formula
- chicken and rice
- 40lb bag
- Diamond Naturals brand
Watch out for
- Limited flavor variety
- Heavy bag
Read Full Analysis
Large breed joint support is the primary distinction the Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult formula brings to this diamond-naturals-vs-taste-of-wild comparison. Chicken as the first ingredient is paired with added glucosamine and chondroitin, addressing the specific needs of dogs over 50 lbs where joint wear is a long-term maintenance concern. At $43.99 for 40 lbs ($1.10/lb), Diamond Naturals provides grain-inclusive nutrition at a price point comparable to Taste of the Wild's grain-free options. Best for large and giant breed owners prioritizing joint health alongside everyday maintenance nutrition; skip if grain-free is a firm requirement or your dog is under 30 lbs.
“Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice 40lb delivers better protein sourcing than corn-based kibble at the same cost — beef meal as the first ingredient outperforms grain-filler formulas at this price poin”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- beef meal formula
- rice added
- 40lb bag value
- Diamond Naturals brand
Watch out for
- Less name recognition
- Not grain-free
Read Full Analysis
Protein variety within Diamond Naturals' grain-inclusive lineup is what the Beef Meal & Rice 40lb offers on this diamond-naturals-vs-taste-of-wild page. Beef meal as the first ingredient is a higher-density protein source than fresh beef — water removed during processing — providing more protein per pound than the Large Breed Chicken formula at nearly identical pricing. Dogs that benefit from rotating proteins can alternate between this formula and chicken-based options within Diamond Naturals without switching brands. At $42.99 ($1.07/lb), it matches Taste of the Wild's price tier while remaining grain-inclusive — the main trade-off against Taste of the Wild's grain-free novel protein formulas. Best for beef-preferring dogs or owners on a protein rotation; skip if grain-free is a non-negotiable requirement.
“The Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe 14lb features real salmon #1 ingredient. 4.7 stars from 9,974 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Real salmon #1 ingredient
- Grain-free
- Highly digestible
Watch out for
- Grain-free debate ongoing
- Limited fiber variety
Read Full Analysis
Salmon-based protein is the specific differentiator the Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream recipe brings to this diamond-naturals-vs-taste-of-wild comparison. Real salmon as the first ingredient provides a grain-free option for dogs with sensitivities to both chicken-based Diamond Naturals formulas and the bison/venison proteins in Taste of the Wild's High Prairie variety — making it a third-protein rotation option within this comparison. The 14lb bag suits medium dogs or owners trialing the brand before committing to a larger purchase. At $38.99 ($2.78/lb), the per-pound cost runs higher than Diamond Naturals' 40lb bulk options. Best for fish-tolerant dogs needing a novel protein rotation away from chicken and beef; skip if volume pricing per pound is the primary decision factor.
“Roasted bison and venison as first proteins. 4.6 stars from 12,723 Amazon reviews signal consistent reliability.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Roasted bison and venison as first proteins
- Grain-free formula
- Probiotics from multiple species
- Affordable for a premium protein source
Watch out for
- FDA investigating grain-free DCM link (inconclusive)
- Novel proteins may cause issues for some dogs
Read Full Analysis
Novel protein variety is what Taste of the Wild High Prairie brings to this diamond-naturals-vs-taste-of-wild comparison. Roasted bison and venison as the first proteins offer a grain-free alternative for dogs that have developed sensitivities to the chicken and beef formulas common in Diamond Naturals' lineup. Probiotics from multiple species support gut health — a differentiator at this price tier. At $38.99, High Prairie undercuts Diamond Naturals' 40lb bag on absolute price while delivering grain-free novel proteins that Diamond Naturals does not match. The standard FDA DCM monitoring note applies to grain-free formulas generally; no causal link has been established. Best for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities needing grain-free rotation options; skip if your dog tolerates grain-inclusive chicken and cost-per-pound is the priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diamond Naturals better than Taste Of for dogs (or cats)?
Which is cheaper, Diamond Naturals or Taste Of?
Is Diamond Naturals worth the extra cost over Taste Of?
What's the main difference between Diamond Naturals and Taste Of?
Can I switch between Diamond Naturals and Taste Of products?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 16,318+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →