Royal Canin vs Taste Of The Wild

German Shepherds are known for being outwardly tough and resilient, but they actually tend to suffer from internal issues because of their sensitive guts. It is common for GSDs to experience digestive upset, which leads to frequent vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. Many even have food allergies and sensitivities.

Royal Canin and Taste of the Wild are two popular dog food brands for German Shepherds. This article will weigh Royal Canin vs Taste of the Wild to help you decide which brand is right for your pooch.

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Royal Canin for German Shepherds

Royal Canin’s history in pet nutrition started over half a decade ago in France. But it didn’t take long for Royal Canin to be one of the highest recommended dog food brands across the world.

Their strength lies in its acknowledgment of the fact that dogs have nutritional needs that differ based on more than just their life-stage.

So, apart from offering dog food variants based on age and size, Royal Canin has developed breed-specific options that address the nutritional needs of some of the world’s most popular breeds.

For German Shepherds, Royal Canin offers tailored nutrition in three different variants:

• German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food
• German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food
• German Shepherd Adult Loaf Sauce Canned Dog Food

Royal Canin Dog Food Facts
Variant	Puppy (Dry)	Adult (Dry)	Adult (Wet)
Age	8 weeks to 15 months	15 months and older	15 months and older
Top Ingredient	Chicken by-product meal	Brewers rice	Water
Main Protein Source	Poultry	Poultry, Pork	Pork, Poultry
Crude Protein (min)	0.28	0.22	0.065
Crude Fat (min)	0.14	0.17	0.04
Crude Fiber (max)	0.038	0.055	0.027
Calories	331 kcal/cup	321 kcal/cup	343 kcal /can

Royal Canin also has a number of other variants – available in both wet and dry — suitable for German Shepherds based on other nutritional requirements, including age, lifestyle, and health issues.

The following Royal Canin products could be suitable for German Shepherds depending on their age:

• Large Puppy  – Up to 15 months
• Large Adult  – 15 months and older
• Large Adult 5+  – 5 to 7 years old
• Large Aging 8+ – Over 8 years old

These Royal Canin variants could also be appropriate for German Shepherds, depending on their lifestyle or health issues:

• Sporting Life – For athletes and extremely active adult dogs.
• Large Comfort Care – For dogs who are skittish and have nervous behaviors.
• Large Joint Care – For dogs who need support for joint health.
• Coat Care – For dogs of all sizes with dull and lackluster coats.
• Large Digestive Care – For dogs with sensitive stomachs.
• Large Dental Care – For dogs who are prone to tartar.
• Large Weight Care – For dogs who are prone to gaining weight.
• Large Sensitive Skin Care – For dogs with dry coats and sensitive skin.

Taste of the Wild for German Shepherds

Taste of the Wild has somewhat of a reputation for being an artisanal brand. It is a proudly family-owned company that offers premium dog food at fairly affordable prices. As a company, their competitive advantage lies in their belief that our pets should eat the way nature intended them to. So, they formulated food based on what wolves – dogs’ ancestors – ate in the wild.

Dog food by Taste of the Wild contains not only high-quality protein sources but also filler-free carbohydrates. Additionally, they put great emphasis on probiotics to achieve optimum gut health.

Taste of the Wild’s formulations are made for all life stages. Although they have some puppy variants, most of their products differ primarily in the main protein source and, consequently, flavor. Apart from flavor, the best choice for your German Shepherd would be based on their sensitivities and allergies. For example, some Taste of the Wild recipes are egg-free.

Practically all of Taste of the Wild’s dog food offerings are suitable for German Shepherds. Among the most popular are:

• High Prairie Canine Recipe (available in dry, wet, and puppy variants)
• Pacific Stream Canine Recipe (available in dry, wet, and puppy variants)
• Pine Forest Canine Recipe (dry only)
• Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe (available in dry and wet variants)
• Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe (available in dry and wet variants)
• Wetlands Canine Recipe (available in dry and wet variants)

Taste of the Wild Dog Food Facts
Variant	High Praire Puppy (Dry)	Pine Forest Adult (Dry)	Sierra Mountain Canine (Wet)
Age	6 weeks to 12 months	12 months and older	12 months and older
Top Ingredient	Buffalo	Venison	Lamb
Main Protein Source	Buffalo	Venison	Lamb
Crude Protein (min)	0.28	0.28	0.08
Crude Fat (min)	0.17	0.15	0.045
Crude Fiber (max)	0.05	0.055	0.01
Calories	364 kcal/cup	337 kcal/cup	351 kcal /can

Taste of the Wild also has a Limited-Ingredient product line, which is suited for dogs with digestive issues. Products in this line are not only grain-free but also free of preservatives, dyes, and artificial flavorings. These include:

• Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Formula
• Trout Limited Ingredient Formula
• Turkey Limited Ingredient Formula

Other Taste of the Wild offerings suitable for German Shepherds are from their Ancient line, which features ancient grains like millet, sorghum, chia seeds, and quinoa. These include:

• Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe
• Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe
• Ancient Stream Canine Recipe
• Ancient Wetlands Canine Recipe

Royal Canin vs Taste Of The Wild

Making the right choice between Royal Canin and Taste of the Wild really depends on your dog’s specific nutritional needs, food allergies, and sensitivities. Other critical considerations are flavor options as well as your budget.

The most popular variants you might want to consider are the Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food and the Taste of the Wild High Praire Canine Recipe. Here’s a head-to-head comparison to assist you in your decision:

Brand	Royal Canin	Taste of the Wild
Variant	German Shepherd Adult Dog Food (Dry)	High Prairie Canine Recipe (Dry)
Top Ingredient	Brewers Rice	Buffalo
Main Protein Source	Chicken, Pork	Buffalo, Lamb, Chicken
Crude Protein (min)	0.22	0.32
Crude Fat (min)	0.17	0.18
Crude Fiber (max)	0.055	0.04
Calories	321 kcal/cup	370 kcal/cup
Approx. Price / Package	$74.69 / 30 lbs.	$49.99 / 28 lbs.
Approx. Price / Cup	$0.62 / cup	$0.45 / cup

Comparing the two, it’s clear that the Taste of the Wild High Prairie variant is the better option. It is superior in terms of protein content, metabolizable energy, it has meat as the first ingredient, and an added plus is the price is lower.

All in all, it doesn’t matter that the Taste of the Wild is cheaper or has better protein if your dog won’t eat it or has trouble digesting it. The real test of superiority is your German Shepherd, whether they’ll enjoy the food and if it makes them healthier.

Final Thoughts

Taste of the Wild and Royal Canin are both popular choices when it comes to dog food for German Shepherds and other breeds. Don’t fret if neither of these options suits your pup, it still might take some trial and error to find the best food for your German Shepherd.

Remember, there is no single right choice of dog food that will work for all German Shepherds. I personally, had to try a few different types of dog food before finding the one my girl loved and her stomach loved.

Nevertheless, you’ll know exactly when you get it right because the correct choice of food won’t just give your dog well-formed stools but will also reflect in their overall health. Apart from having a good appetite, you’ll notice healthier gums and a more lustrous coat. It also comes out in their behavior as a healthy dog will be more sociable and energetic.

Does your dog prefer Royal Canin or Taste of the Wild? Let me know in the comments!