Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe
Dry Extruded complete
Is Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe a good dog food?
We score it 51/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 51 out of 100 based on several key factors. On the positive side, the overall quality of the ingredient list adds +6.3 points, and printing percentages for most of the recipe contributes +2 points. However, the score is reduced by -13.1 points due to ingredients without printed percentages, and the processing format subtracts -7 points.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe51
- Nutritionallow100
- Transparency55
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited33
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with venison, lamb and chickpeas as the main ingredients.
Why you might choose it
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- High in protein: 36% protein on a dry-matter basis.
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
Why you might not
- High in fat: 20% fat on a dry-matter basis.
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 32%
- Fat
- 18%
- Fibre
- 4%
- Moisture
- 10%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 0.30%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 2.80%
Energy: 372 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E Supplement 150 IU/kg minimum; Iron Proteinate; Zinc Proteinate 150 mg/kg minimum; Copper Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; Vitamin A Supplement; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Riboflavin; Thiamine Mononitrate; Niacin; Calcium Pantothenate; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Folic Acid; Biotin; Sodium Selenite 0.35 mg/kg minimum; Ferrous Sulfate; Zinc Sulfate; Manganese Sulfate; Copper Sulfate; Potassium Iodide; Taurine 0.12% minimum; Choline Chloride
Technological additives
Mixed tocopherols (preservative in canola oil); Yucca Schidigera Extract
Feeding guide
For adult dogs: 3 lb = ⅓ cup, 5 lb = ½ cup, 10 lb = ¾ cup, 20 lb = 1⅓ cups, 30 lb = 2 cups, 40 lb = 2⅓ cups per day (standard measuring cups).
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list chicken, beef, turkey, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids lamb: the label lists lamb
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids venison: the label lists venison
- Your dog avoids duck: the label lists dried duck protein
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
- You are limiting fat: 20.0% on a dry-matter basis is in the high band
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (47)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venison | Venison | meat | good | - | 2.8 |
| 2 | Lamb Meal | Lamb | meat | medium | - | 2.8 |
| 3 | Garbanzo Beans | Chickpeas | veg | good | - | 2.8 |
| 4 | Peas | Peas | veg | good | - | 2.7 |
| 5 | Lentils | Lentils | veg | good | - | 2.7 |
| 6 | Pea Protein | Pea protein | carb | medium | - | 2.7 |
| 7 | Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | Rapeseed oil | oil | good | - | 2.6 |
| 8 | Egg Product | Egg | meat | good | - | 2.6 |
| 9 | Duck Meal | Dried Duck Protein | meat | good | - | 2.6 |
| 10 | Pea Flour | Pea flour | carb | medium | - | 2.5 |
| 11 | Dried Tomato Pomace | Tomato Pomace | fibre | medium | - | 2.5 |
| 12 | Natural Flavor | Flavor | additive | poor | - | 2.5 |
| 13 | Fish Meal | Fish Meal | meat | medium | - | 2.5 |
| 14 | Salt | Salt | additive | poor | - | 2.4 |
| 15 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 16 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 17 | Dried Chicory Root | Chicory root | veg | good | - | 2.3 |
| 18 | Tomatoes | Tomato | veg | good | - | 2.3 |
| 19 | Blueberries | Blueberries | veg | good | - | 2.3 |
| 20 | Raspberries | Raspberries | veg | good | - | 2.2 |
| 21 | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement | good | - | 2.2 |
| 22 | Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product | Lactobacillus plantarum | supplement | good | - | 2.2 |
| 23 | Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product | Bacillus Subtilis | supplement | good | - | 2.2 |
| 24 | Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 25 | Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product | Enterococcus Faecium | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 26 | Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product | unmatched | - | - | - | 2.1 |
| 27 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 28 | Iron Proteinate | Iron Proteinate | mineral | good | - | 2.0 |
| 29 | Zinc Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 30 | Copper Proteinate | Copper proteinate | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 31 | Ferrous Sulfate | Iron sulfate | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 32 | Zinc Sulfate | Zinc sulfate | supplement | medium | - | 1.9 |
| 33 | Manganese Sulfate | Manganese sulfate | supplement | medium | - | 1.9 |
| 34 | Copper Sulfate | Copper sulphate | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 35 | Potassium Iodide | Potassium iodide | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 36 | Thiamine Mononitrate | Thiamine mononitrate | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 37 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 38 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 39 | Biotin | Biotin | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 40 | Niacin | Niacin | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 41 | Calcium Pantothenate | Calcium pantothenate | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 42 | Sodium Selenite | Sodium selenite | supplement | poor | - | 1.6 |
| 43 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 44 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement | good | - | 1.5 |
| 45 | Riboflavin | Riboflavin | supplement | good | - | 1.5 |
| 46 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement | good | - | 1.5 |
| 47 | Folic Acid | Folic acid | supplement | good | - | 1.4 |
Brand
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-14
- Scored with
- Model v2 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v2 on 2026-09-22. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.915 | +6.31 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 11.5% | 0.116 | +1.33 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.113 | -0.69 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.4% | -0.088 | -0.30 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 5.7% | -0.002 | -0.01 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.8% | 0.177 | +1.03 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 60.6% | -0.009 | -0.54 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 1.4% | -0.022 | -0.03 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.5% | -0.045 | -0.29 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.868 | -2.60 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.056 | +0.14 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.131 | -13.09 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Additive penalty | -5.95 | 0.236 | -1.40 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.915 | +6.31 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 11.5% | 0.116 | +1.33 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 6.1% | -0.113 | -0.69 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 3.4% | -0.088 | -0.30 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 5.7% | -0.002 | -0.01 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 5.8% | 0.177 | +1.03 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 60.6% | -0.009 | -0.54 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.371 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 1.4% | -0.022 | -0.03 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.5% | -0.045 | -0.29 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.182 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.868 | -2.60 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.056 | +0.14 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.131 | -13.09 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 3.194 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 11.440 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | -0.506 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -1.988 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.250 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | -0.073 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | -0.339 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 16.475 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -5.95 | 0.236 | -1.40 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Raw | no | 13.322 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | 7.712 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | 6.583 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 4.857 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | 0.072 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 11.127 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 9.320 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | 4.569 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -2.321 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.833 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.711 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | 2.935 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | 2.292 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- -0.01
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 51.2
- Final score
- 51/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 32 | 34.8 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 18 | 19.6 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 4 | 4.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 372 | 404.3 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8% from the food type.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The marketing claims made on the pack and product page, and how much evidence sits behind them. We record the claims as stated; we do not assess whether they are true.
| Claim | Type | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|
| Highly digestible venison and small kibble size make this recipe easy on your small breed dog's tummy and teeth. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Probiotics and prebiotic fiber help support healthy digestion (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Venison, the number one ingredient in this recipe, is rich in nutrients and energy, and a highly digestible source of protein. (on page) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
| Roasted venison along with lamb, egg, duck and fish proteins provide recommended amino acid nutrition. (on page) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
| Rich in protein and fat, this recipe provides the energy that active small dogs need. (on page) | High/low level | Manufacturer assertion |
| Rich in proteins and fat, this recipe provides the energy that active small breed adult dogs need in a small kibble size that is easy for small mouths to chew. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Fiber from garbanzo beans helps support digestive health (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Prebiotic fiber from dried chicory root provides fuel for the beneficial probiotic bacteria in the digestive system. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Legumes and fruits, including peas, lentils, tomatoes, blueberries and raspberries, provide nutrients that help support your dog's overall well-being (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Guaranteed levels of zinc, selenium and vitamin E help support the immune system. (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain-Free Recipe (on page) | Free-from | Manufacturer assertion |
| Each pound of Taste of the Wild provides 80 million live, active cultures that help support healthy digestive and immune systems. (on page) | Nutrient | Manufacturer assertion |
Limited: at least one claim rests on manufacturer assertion alone.
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Other products from Taste of the Wild
Alternatives to Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe
Foods in our database that are similar on ingredients, protein, format or price. Scores and figures are from the same deterministic model used everywhere on the site.
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