Like many dog owners, I always strive to give my furry companion, Patch, the best nutrition possible. For a long time, Taste of the Wild (TOTW) Lamb formula seemed to be the perfect choice for Patch, who has Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). In fact, for about two years, it was the kibble that worked best for him. However, my recent experience with Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb 6kg bag has led me to reconsider.
Ordering through Pet Circle, an excellent and prompt Australian pet food supplier, I received a new bag of TOTW Lamb. About a month ago, upon opening it, I immediately noticed a change. The smell was different, and the kibble size was noticeably smaller – about half the normal size. Initially, I thought the smaller kibble might be beneficial for Patch, as he tends to swallow his food without chewing properly.
Patch usually eats four to five meals a day due to his IBD. Normally, after his meals, whether cooked food or another brand of kibble, he’s fine – no excessive grass eating, no signs of illness or whining. But after eating this new bag of TOTW, Patch started eating grass constantly and seemed unwell. Having recently moved, I initially attributed his behavior to stress and a flare-up of his IBD.
Then, one morning, Patch refused to eat the TOTW altogether. In the five years I’ve had Patch, he has only refused food twice before, both times when he was severely ill with colitis and pancreatitis. He’s usually a good eater, even when under the weather. This refusal was a significant red flag regarding the Taste Of Wild Dog Food from this particular bag.
Concerned, I contacted Pet Circle. Their customer service was fantastic; they promptly refunded my $70 and advised me to either donate the remaining 5.5kg of TOTW to a rescue or simply discard the entire bag. The representative mentioned they would forward my feedback to TOTW Australia, highlighting a potential quality control issue with the taste of wild dog food and product consistency.
This experience led me to explore alternative dog food brands, particularly those made in Australia. I’ve found that Australian-made and owned brands like “Meals For Mutts” (MfM) and “Ivory Coat” are excellent options. Ivory Coat, while Australian made, has recently been acquired by a large Chinese company. However, production remains in Australia, and they are expanding globally, including into America, likely due to the appeal of Australian-made products and unique formulas like Kangaroo and Lamb, which are highly palatable to dogs. Kangaroo is indeed a rich and flavorful meat source that many dogs love. Ivory Coat uses proper Kangaroo Meal in their formulas. In contrast, some American brands marketing “Kangaroo formula” might use terms like “Wild Kangaroo” but potentially compromise on quality, using kangaroos that may not be disease-free and adding fillers like lentils to boost protein percentages while reducing the actual kangaroo content.
I anticipate Ivory Coat’s Kangaroo pet food will be a hit in America, provided they maintain their ingredient quality. There’s a risk that to manage costs, the new ownership might start cutting corners, substituting higher quality ingredients like Kangaroo Meal and Lamb Meal with cheaper alternatives like chickpeas and lentils to maintain protein levels. We’ll have to wait and see how Ivory Coat evolves.
Meals For Mutts is another highly recommended Australian kibble brand, also exported to Asian markets. For those looking at American brands, “Canidae” stands out. Canidae is US-made but emphasizes quality ingredients, sourcing vegetables from their own farms and local farmers, similar to some Australian premium pet food brands. Their “Canidae Pure” and “Canidae All Life Stages” formulas are particularly well-regarded and often sell out quickly. Pet Circle currently has a special on the 20kg bag of “Canidae All Life Stages,” making it a cost-effective option for quality nutrition. For senior dogs, the “Canidae Pure Meadow” Senior formula is excellent, packed with supplements beneficial for aging dogs. I’ve personally witnessed significant improvements in elderly dogs switched to Canidae Pure Meadow from cheaper supermarket brands; they regained coat luster, energy, and overall vitality.
“Nutro,” with their new grain-free and Frontier formulas made in Australia, also appears to be a promising option. In a pinch after Patch refused TOTW, I tried Nutro Essential, which was half-price at $18. Patch loves it, is no longer eating grass, and his digestive issues have subsided. Today, I’m also purchasing a bag of “Meals For Mutts” new CN Vital Health Hypoallergenic Holistic Remedy Diet Turkey & Veggies to try, aiming to find a new “go-to” food for Patch if his IBD flares up, as TOTW was previously.
It’s worth noting that Canidae, TOTW, and many other popular American pet food and treat brands were tested for contaminants and toxins last year. Canidae and their “Under The Sun” brand performed well in these tests. However, some Taste of the Wild formulas, specifically their Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon and High Prairie formulas, reportedly showed high levels of contaminants and toxins. While I cannot directly link to or name the testing company here, a quick Google search for “Toxins in pet Foods” will lead you to the relevant information, allowing you to investigate the contaminant levels in various American pet food brands commonly available in Australia, such as Holistic Select, Wellness, and Earthborn Holistic, which were also flagged in some reports.
For further insights into pet food quality available in Australia, I recommend visiting the Australian “Pet Food Review” website. This site reviews numerous dog foods sold in Australia and often references the American company conducting pet food and baby food toxin testing. It’s crucial to be informed about potential toxins in pet food and treats. The “Pet Food Review” site also provides warnings about problematic pet foods, such as the “Baxter” kibble and treats from Woolworths, which have been associated with serious health issues in dogs.
Ultimately, finding the right dog food can be a journey of trial and error. My recent experience highlights the importance of staying vigilant about product consistency and being open to exploring different brands, especially high-quality Australian-made options or reputable international brands like Canidae and Nutro. Paying attention to your dog’s reaction to their food and staying informed about pet food quality and safety are vital for their long-term health and well-being.
