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The Diamond name actually encompasses three separate brands of pet food, though all of them are marketed as high-quality brands available at an affordable price point for the average pet owner.
Diamond believes that every pet, from shelter puppy to purebred, deserves the best nutrition that money can buy.
The Diamond family of brands includes a variety of quality pet foods that meet the preferences and nutritional needs of dogs in all life stages, from all lifestyles, and of all activity levels.
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Of the three brands that carry the Diamond name, one is a life stages product line, one is an all-natural product line, and the third is a grain-free product line.
Diamond Pet Foods makes every effort to formulate their recipes around wholesome ingredients like real chicken, lamb, and turkey as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
The company claims that each formula is designed in keeping with the latest animal nutrition research and carefully formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of dogs in certain life stages.
Diamond Dog Food Review
Throughout the website, Diamond Pet Foods claims that their products are of the highest quality, made with the finest ingredients available.
They even provide a list of their ingredients which includes real meats, wholesome veggies, fresh fruits, whole grains, and healthy supplements.
A quick review of several Diamond dog foods reveals that these ingredients are actually in use, though the quality of Diamond dog foods varies from one brand to another.
While the Diamond line of original recipes makes use of corn, wheat, and by-products, the Diamond Naturals line does not.
The Diamond Naturals Grain-Free is even one step higher on the quality scale. The lesson here is that some Diamond dog foods offer decent quality, you need to be careful which one you buy because some do not.
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Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula
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Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula
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Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula
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Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula
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Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
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Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner Adult & Puppy
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What are the Best Diamond Dog Food Recipes?
- Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula All Life Stages
- Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula Adult
- Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
- Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages
- Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
- Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
1. Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula
This Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula is marketed as an adult dog recipe, though it is actually complete and balanced for dogs in all life stages. As part of the Diamond Naturals product line, this formula is free from corn, wheat, and soy ingredients.
It features fresh chicken as the main ingredient with digestible whole grains and healthy fats for nutritional balance. With plenty of meat-rich protein, this recipe supplies your dog with “the energy and muscle building blocks he needs to stay active and strong”. It also contains plenty of healthy nutrients and it offers a delicious flavor and a crunchy kibble that helps preserve your dog’s oral health.
As promised, this recipe starts with fresh chicken as the first ingredient and, what’s more, it has chicken meal as the second ingredient. While fresh meats like chicken contain up to 80% moisture by volume, meat meals like chicken meal have been cooked to remove moisture – that means that chicken meal contains up to 300% more protein by volume than fresh chicken.
This recipe also includes some supplementary proteins like egg product and fish meal with some plant proteins from the peas, barley, flaxseed, and quinoa. It does appear, however, that most of the protein comes from animal sources.
After the main proteins in this Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs recipe come several whole-grain carbohydrates and one grain-free carbohydrate – whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and peas.
These ingredients are considered highly digestible for dogs, though they may trigger food allergies or sensitivities in some dogs. There are also supplementary sources of fiber like the pea flour, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, and dried chicory root.
The fresh fruits and vegetables in this recipe contribute some carbohydrate energy and dietary fiber as well, though their main function is to act as natural sources for key nutrients.
For fat, this formula relies primarily on chicken fat. While that may not sound like a tasty ingredient to you, it is a nutrient-rich and flavorful ingredient for dogs. It is supplemented by salmon oil as well, two animal-based fats that provide a balance of omega fatty acids.
The remaining ingredients in this Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs consist primarily of fresh fruits and vegetables, synthetic supplements, and dried fermentation products. Again, the fruits and vegetables act as natural sources for key nutrients, for the most part.
It is also a benefit that many of the minerals are chelated – this helps to ensure optimal absorption. The dried fermentation products act as probiotics to support your dog’s healthy and regular digestion.
This Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages including growth of large size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult).
Overall, this Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs recipe seems to offer high-quality, meat-rich nutrition for dogs in all life stages. This formula starts off strong with both fresh chicken and chicken meal as the primary ingredients – they are followed by whole grains and other digestible carbohydrates.
These ingredients could cause a problem for some dogs, but only if they are allergic or sensitive to grains. This recipe contains plenty of healthy animal fat, limited fiber, and plenty of natural sources for key nutrients. It also contains chelated minerals and probiotic supplements.
2. Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula
Marketed for adult dogs, the Diamond Naturals Beef Meal & Rice Formula offers enough nutrients to fully support a grown dog’s daily requirements for overall good health. The mixture is made up of real animal proteins, superfoods such as kale and blackberries, and antioxidants.
This particular recipe is made with beef meal as the first ingredient. Contrary to what most believe, beef meal can be excellent for dogs, particularly if it’s made by a good-quality brand. It’s a highly-concentrated source of natural protein that is also used to improve the amino acid profile of a formulation.
While fresh beef meat contains a lot of moisture and little protein, beef meal removes most of the water for a denser source of protein by volume.
The second ingredient is sorghum, a cereal grain that provides a lot of benefits to our furry companions. It’s a digestible grain that is high in antioxidants and rich in zinc, B1, iron, niacin, and dietary fiber.
A few kinds of healthy grains such as barley, white rice, and rice bran follow. These provide the carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and a significant portion of dietary fiber that your pet needs.
A word of warning to pet owners whose dogs have food sensitivities. Grains can trigger food allergies in some dogs, so make sure your pet is not sensitive to any of these. Otherwise, grains are supremely healthy and nutritious.
Chicken fat provides the bulk of fat in this recipe. While that may not sound like an attractive ingredient in a pet food, chicken fat is a good source of Omega-6 and Vitamin E. It also enhances the aroma of the food to entice pets to eat.
Aside from the mineral and vitamin content of the Natural Beef Meal & Rice recipe, it also contains a healthy serving of probiotics — 80,000,000 CFU/lb to be exact — to keep your canine’s digestive system in tiptop shape.
We don’t see a problem with the ingredients in this list, except perhaps for the grains but that’s only problematic for sensitive dogs. The addition of live cultures into the feed is an excellent idea, because these are great at boosting the immune system and regulating the intestinal flora.
3. Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula
This recipe for adult dogs is mostly the same as the beef meal and rice formulation, with the exception of lamb being the main star of the meal. It starts off with lamb meal as the first ingredient to ensure that dogs get as much protein as they need. (Lamb meal is the protein-dense counterpart of fresh lamb because all of its moisture has been mostly removed.)
Lamb is considered by many to be a great alternative to beef taste-wise, and it offers another option for sensitive dogs who can’t tolerate beef. And since lamb is an excellent source of not only protein but of amino acids as well, this recipe is a great addition to any flavor rotation.
After lamb comes these five grain ingredients: ground white rice, cracked pearl barley, grain sorghum, rice bran, and millet. White rice is easily digestible and offers dogs plenty of energy, barley is high in fiber and low in cholesterol, and sorghum is gluten-free yet high in antioxidants. Rice bran is a significant source of fiber, B vitamins, manganese, selenium, and magnesium, while millet is rich in phosphorus and iron.
In between the grains, there is egg product and dried yeast. The egg product is just a convenient form of an egg, which can mean whole eggs or parts of it. Meanwhile, the dried yeast is an excellent source of non-animal protein and is even being touted as a novel type of protein. There’s also chicken fat in there to add omega fatty acids into your dog’s diet.
The meal would not be complete without whole foods such as kale, pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, and more to give it a boost in terms of vitamins and minerals. This is good if your pet is not sensitive to most kinds of foods. Unfortunately, if he is, the long list of ingredients may make it hard to see exactly which will trigger his allergies.
Overall, however, we find this formulation to be top quality in our list.
4. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages
Multiple-pet households will find this All Life Stages recipe a valuable find. Because it’s designed to meet the daily requirements of pups of all ages, it’s a more convenient way to feed dogs instead of having a different dog food for each.
The Skin & Coat formula is especially formulated to give dogs with food-related allergies a complete and holistic nutrition by utilizing known hypoallergenic ingredients. For example, the recipe starts with a novel animal protein source (novel means not commonly used) such as wild-caught salmon, which is a really good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids keep a dog’s skin and coat shiny and healthy, decreases inflammation, and supports the immune system.
The second ingredient is fish meal. Fish meal is rendered food that removes most of the moisture from fresh fish, thus making it more concentrated than fresh fish which is composed of 70% water. If made by a reputable dog food brand like Diamond Pet Foods, it should still retain a lot of its amino acid, mineral, vitamin, and fat contents.
Instead of grains which can trigger food allergies in sensitive dogs, this recipe uses potatoes, lentils, peas, pea flour, and flaxseed instead. The potato is rich in Vitamins A, C, and B6, among others. It also has carbs in it to convert into energy and provide as a source of heat to the body.
Lentils are low in calories but high in iron and fiber to keep dogs feeling fuller longer (ideal also for dogs that need a bit of dieting). Peas are high in vitamins and minerals that support good vision and a strong immune system.
Pea flour is the powder from roasted peas and is heavy on iron, calcium, and fiber. Flaxseed gives off plenty of Omega-6 fatty acids that nourish the skin from within to give it a healthy feel and shine.
The fat content of the recipe comes mostly from the canola oil, which is a significant source of polyunsaturated Omega-3 fat. And because it contains phytosterols, the canola oil helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol into our doggy’s bodies.
Because this recipe is hypoallergenic, there is no egg product to be found anywhere in the list. It also does not include corn, wheat, grain, or artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. However, it is chock full of whole food veggies and fruits and contains guaranteed probiotics to support a dog’s digestive health.
5. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
Large breed doggies need a large amount of nutrition to meet their daily requirements. This chicken and rice formulation is specifically designed to meet those requirements to support their overall health. This means that every meal needs an extra helping of nutrients.
Because animal protein should always be the first ingredient in a high-quality pet food, it’s no surprise that the first in the list is fresh chicken, and the next one is chicken meal. Chicken happens to be a favorite among dogs (just not the food-sensitive ones) because it has a yummy flavor that agrees with most.
Chicken is a good source of essential amino acids and glucosamine that are important for building and maintaining healthy bones and joints. It’s also known for containing Omega-6 fatty acids that are good for shiny hair and healthy skin.
Chicken meal, on the other hand, is mostly the same but more concentrated in nutrients since it’s made of rendered chicken that has had its moisture removed.
After the two main protein ingredients, the next on the list is a parade of grain foods such as whole grain brown rice, pearled barley, white rice, rice bran, and sorghum. Grains aren’t bad per se. They’re actually nutritious and quite healthy.
For example, brown rice is full of natural fiber — a necessary nutrient for digestive health. It’s also packed with riboflavin, iron, calcium, and more.
White rice is a good carbohydrate source, particularly for dogs who suffer from upset stomachs. It’s easy to digest and can help bind stools in cases of loose bowel movement.
Pearled barley is full of dietary fiber and plant protein; Rice bran is a byproduct of the removal of brown rice layers to make white rice, so it's full of the same fiber and vitamins that make brown rice so good.
Aside from these, there are also a number of fruits and veggies that provide powerful antioxidants. These include oranges, kale, pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, carrots, coconut, papaya, and more.
There are also added supplements to make it even more nutritious for large dogs as well as guaranteed levels of live microorganisms to support a canine’s digestive system.
We like how even the use of several kinds of grains in this recipe doesn’t equal a high caloric value. At only 327 kcal per cup, it’s still an average amount of calories that is lower than plenty of grain-free alternatives.
6. Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
This Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies recipe is full of classic beef flavor and loaded with meat-rich protein. This formula is described as a recipes that “provides the muscle building blocks and energy your dog needs to stay active and strong”.
Not only does it have the protein adult dogs need to maintain lean muscle mass, but it is protein-rich for puppies who are growing and developing. In addition to plenty of protein, this formula is rich in digestible carbohydrates and healthy fats for a complete and balanced diet.
In keeping with the protein-rich claims made about this formula, fresh beef is the first ingredient listed. While beef is a common food allergen, it won’t be a problem unless your dog is specifically allergic.
The second ingredient is beef broth which, while it doesn’t provide much in the way of nutrients, helps to preserve the moisture content of this recipe and also contributes some natural flavor. Beef liver comes next which supplements the protein from the fresh beef and also adds some healthy fat and nutrients.
This Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies recipe also contains some supplementary proteins like dried egg product, lamb meal, and fish meal.
The main carbohydrates in this recipe is rice flour, though there are several fresh fruits and vegetables included as well. In addition to providing some carbohydrate energy and supplemental fiber, these fruits and vegetables also act as natural sources for key nutrients.
The main source of fat in this formula is sunflower oil and it is supplemented by the natural fat content of the fish meal and other proteins to ensure a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
The remaining ingredients in this Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies recipe consist primarily of thickeners and supplements, including chelated minerals for maximum nutrition absorption.
This Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.
Overall, this Diamond Naturals Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies recipe is a good source of protein and balanced nutrition for both adult dogs and puppies. This formula starts off strong with a fresh meat as the main ingredient with several supplementary sources of protein thrown in.
The main carbohydrate is rice flour, though there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables included as well. One potential problem with this recipe is that it contains several ingredients which may trigger food allergies or sensitivities in some dogs – this includes the beef and the rice flour.
It would also be better to see an animal source of fat replacing the sunflower oil, though that is not a major problem. Though this recipe could be improved in some small ways, it is still a quality product.
Who Makes Diamond Dog Food?
The Diamond Pet Food company was started in 1970 and it has since expanded into one of the largest pet food manufacturers worldwide. This company set out with the goal of producing high-quality, premium pet foods at an affordable price and today the brand is favored by breeders, trainers, vets, and health-conscious pet owners in over 100 different countries.
Though Diamond Pet Foods has expanded rapidly, it remains a family-owned company that follows Midwestern values. They take seriously the task of creating high-quality pet food products that they can be proud of.
Is Diamond Made in the United States?
Diamond Pet Foods is a U.S.-based company. In fact, it is one of the largest manufacturers of the pet products in the country. Though Diamond Pet Food products are available in more than 100 countries, most of their products are made right here in the United States.
Diamond Pet foods owns five manufacturing facilities across the country where they produce more than just Diamond pet food products. These state-of-the-art facilities are located in South Carolina, California, Arkansas and Missouri. The Diamond Pet Foods company also manufactures brands like Taste of the Wild, Premium Edge, Nutra Gold, and Bright Bites.
Where Does Diamond Get Their Ingredients?
The Diamond Pet Foods company is headquartered in Meta, Missouri but they have five manufacturing facilities in four states. According to the FAQs on the company website, all Diamond Pet Foods products are manufactured in the United States but the company does not state where they get their ingredients.
As an international company, it is entirely possible that Diamond Pet Foods sources some of their ingredients from other countries, though this has not been definitively confirmed.
Diamond does state on their website that they have “developed unique relationships with their suppliers” and, as a privately held company, they can “look beyond their short-term, quarterly shareholder results and enter into long-term agreements with their vendors”.
Still, however, no mention is made of exactly where those vendors are located.
Diamond Dog Food Recall History List:
The Diamond brand describes their manufacturing facilities as “state-of-the-art” and they claim to incorporate all of the latest technology and manufacturing processes. Diamond Pet Foods monitors every stage of the production process, following rigorous standards for safety and quality with each and every one of their products.
According to the company website, Diamond Pet Foods facilities undergo an annual audit by NSF International to make sure that everything is in order and that the quality of their products is never compromised.
This being the case, you might be surprised to know that the Diamond company has been subject to quite a few recalls in the history of the company, including several that have affected Diamond Pet Foods products in particular. Here are the details for those recalls:
- In December 2005, the FDA issued a recall for Diamond pet food products manufactured in the Gaston, South Carolina facility due to possible aflatoxin contamination.
- In April 2012, the FDA issued a recall for numerous Diamond dry dog foods (including puppy formulas) due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In May 2012, the FDA issued a recall for all sizes and varieties of Diamond and Diamond Naturals pet foods due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In May 2012, the FDA issued a recall for 6-pound and 18-pound bags of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula due to potential salmonella contamination.
- In March 2013, the FDA issued a recall for 6-pound bags of Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula due to low levels of thiamine.
Diamond dog food products can be found in some local pet food chains as well as specialty pet stores – you can also purchase them from online pet food retailers. Chicken Soup for the Soul occasionally offers coupons on the company website and you can sign up for the company newsletter using your email address to receive a daily story, pet information, and special offers. You may also be able to find Chicken Soup dog food coupons from individual retailers.
Is Diamond Dog Food Expensive?
The Diamond brand of dog food is a little more expensive than the average kibble but still quite affordable. Prices vary from one recipe to another, but the cost for a 25- of 30-pound bag of Chicken Soup dry dog food is about $38 to $65. You can purchase 13-ounce cans of Chicken Soup for the Soul wet dog food in cases of 12 for $16 to $30 which gives you an average price of around $2.00 per can.
What Kind of Dog Food Does Diamond Offer?
The Diamond Pet Foods company offers three different brands of dog food – Diamond, Diamond Naturals, and Diamond Naturals Grain-Free. Each of these brands provides a variety of product choices including dry dog food, wet dog food, and treats.
For the most part, Diamond pet food products consist of traditional kibbles and canned foods – they don’t currently offer any specialty products such as freeze-dried, frozen, or raw foods. What many customers like about Diamond Pet Foods as a whole is the variety and affordability of their products.
Diamond Dry Products
As it has already been mentioned, Diamond offers three different brands for dry dog food products. The Diamond line of original recipes features formulas for puppies, adult dogs, maintenance, and performance.
The Diamond Naturals line takes things one step higher, making use of real meat proteins with no corn, wheat, or soy ingredients. The Diamond Naturals Grain-Free is the best of the three lines, using quality proteins as well as grain-free carbohydrates. Here is a list of Diamond dry dog food recipes:
Diamond Dry Dog Food Recipes:
- Puppy Formula
- Original Formula
- Maintenance Formula
- Premium Adult Formula
- Performance Formula
- Hi-Energy Formula
Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food Recipes:
- Beef Meal & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
- Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
- Extreme Athlete Formula
- Light Adult Dog Formula
- Senior Dog Formula
- Large Breed Puppy Formula
- Small Breed Puppy Formula
- Lamb Meal & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
- Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula
- Large Breed Adult Lamb meal & Rice Formula
- Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice Formula
- Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dry Food Recipes:
- Beef & Sweet Potato Formula
- Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula
- Whitefish & Sweet Potato Formula
Diamond Wet Products
While Diamond Pet Foods offers a wide variety of dry foods, their canned food options are more limited. There are no wet foods in the Diamond Naturals Grain-Free line of products and only three in the Diamond Naturals Line. The original Diamond line of products doesn’t include any canned foods either. Here is a list of Diamond wet dog food recipes:
Diamond Naturals Wet Dog Food Recipes:
- Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs and Puppies
- Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
- Lamb Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
Diamond Dog Treats
In addition to an assortment of dry food and wet food products, Diamond Pet Foods also offers some dog treats. There are several protein-rich dog biscuits in the Diamond Naturals lineup including recipes for adult dogs and puppies. Here is a list of Diamond dog treats:
Treats:
- Adult Dog Biscuits with Beef Meal
- Adult Dog Biscuits with Chicken Meal
- Adult Dog Biscuits with Lamb Meal
- Adult Dog Biscuits with Peanut Butter
- Large Breed Biscuits with Chicken Meal
- Puppy Biscuits with Chicken Meal
Is Diamond dog food a good dog food?
Diamond Naturals is a good quality, made-in-America brand of dog food. The company produces several of its own brands, and also makes food for other companies in its factories. The Naturals line is a moderately above average product group, but does not rate with the best premium brands.
What is Diamond dog food?
Made with ingredients of exceptional quality, Diamond Naturals dog foods provide complete, holistic nutrition for every pet. With dry and canned food options and a full line of dog treats, whatever your pet's nutritional needs, Diamond Naturals has a formula to match.
Is Taste of the Wild dog food made by Diamond?
Taste of the Wild dog food is made by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc., owned by Schell and Kampeter, Inc. Taste of the Wild is a relatively new brand of dog food, debuting around 2007 to meet the market demand for premium “natural” dog foods and grain-free foods with better ingredients.
How does Diamond Dog Food rate?
Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods. Diamond is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that utilizes a moderate amount of named by-product and unnamed meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.