Diamond dog food offers a range of dry kibble options, from budget-friendly to premium formulations, catering to various canine needs. This review critically examines Diamond’s product lines, focusing on their dry food offerings, including an in-depth look at their most popular sub-brands. We will investigate their manufacturing origin, recall history, and highlight the recipes that receive the highest ratings. Understanding these aspects is crucial for pet owners seeking to provide optimal nutrition for their dogs.
Diamond’s Sub-Brands: A Closer Look
Diamond Pet Foods presents five key sub-brands, each with distinct characteristics designed to meet different dietary requirements and owner preferences.
Diamond Dog Food
This is the brand’s entry-level, economy kibble. It is a straightforward, no-frills dry dog food offered at a very accessible price point. The “Diamond Dog Food” line is grain-inclusive, meaning it contains ingredients like corn, wheat, and rice. While it boasts a notable meat content, the overall quality and specific ingredient sourcing can vary across its six available recipes, leading to a range of ratings. Diamond Dog Food generally receives a 3.5-star rating.
Diamond Naturals
Positioned as a premium dry dog food, Diamond Naturals represents a significant upgrade from the standard Diamond product. This line features more meat and higher-quality ingredients. Key characteristics include above-average protein content, moderate fat levels, and the inclusion of chelated minerals, which are more easily absorbed by the body, contributing to superior nutrition. Diamond Naturals offers thirteen recipes, with ratings varying but generally higher than the economy line. The average rating for this sub-brand is 4.5 stars.
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free
This sub-brand offers the grain-free alternative within the Diamond Naturals range. These recipes are formulated without common grains like corn, wheat, or barley, utilizing sweet potato as a source of carbohydrates and beta-carotene. The protein in these formulas is derived from both plant and animal sources, including beef, chicken, or whitefish. Diamond Naturals Grain-Free offers three recipes, each with a strong focus on digestible ingredients and generally receives a 4.5-star rating.
Diamond Care
Developed in conjunction with veterinarians, Diamond Care encompasses four dry recipes specifically formulated for dogs with particular health issues. These formulas are 100% grain-free, excluding corn, wheat, and rice. They are enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat. Diamond Care is designed for dogs with sensitivities and generally earns a 4.5-star rating.
Diamond Naturals Wet
While this review primarily focuses on dry food, Diamond also offers a wet food option under the Diamond Naturals Wet line. This canned formula is made with grain, specifically rice, and is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. It can be served as a complete meal or as a palatable topper for dry kibble. This line features three recipes and has received a 5-star rating.
Is Diamond a Good Dog Food?
Overall, Diamond dry dog food receives a mixed but generally positive reception, averaging around 3.5 stars. The brand demonstrates a commitment to product safety and includes beneficial ingredients like probiotics in many of its formulations. However, some recipes contain ingredients that are considered controversial by some pet nutritionists.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordability: Diamond offers a range of price points, making quality nutrition accessible.
- Commitment to Product Safety: The brand emphasizes safety in its manufacturing processes.
- Added Probiotics: Beneficial for digestive health, probiotics are included in many formulas.
Cons:
- Contains Controversial Ingredients: Some recipes include ingredients like chicken by-product meal, wheat, and corn, which are viewed less favorably by certain experts.
Diamond Recipes with Highest Ratings
The Dog Food Advisor evaluates each Diamond recipe based on its ingredients and nutritional profiles, assigning an AAFCO nutrient profile (Growth, Maintenance, All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified). Among the dry food lines, “Diamond Performance” and “Diamond Premium” stand out with 4.5 and 4-star ratings respectively, both suitable for “All Life Stages.” The “Diamond Puppy Formula” also receives a 4-star rating, indicating its suitability for growing puppies.
Recipe and Label Analysis: Diamond Maintenance
To provide a detailed analysis, the “Diamond Maintenance” recipe was chosen as representative of the brand’s standard dry food line.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content:
- Protein: 25.5%
- Fat: 14.1%
- Carbohydrates: 48%
Comparison to Brand Averages:
- Average Protein: 30.1%
- Average Fat: 19.6%
- Average Carbohydrates: 38.6%
- Fat-to-Protein Ratio: ~65%
Compared to the overall brand averages, Diamond Maintenance shows near-average protein, above-average fat, and below-average carbohydrates. This suggests a kibble formulation that likely contains a significant amount of meat, even when accounting for protein from other sources like flaxseed.
Ingredients Analysis: Diamond Maintenance
The ingredient list for Diamond Maintenance begins with chicken by-product meal. While this ingredient is derived from slaughterhouse waste, it is a concentrated source of protein and nutrients. The quality can vary depending on the sourcing.
Following this are wheat flour and corn, both inexpensive cereal grains. While they provide carbohydrates, they are considered controversial by some due to their modest nutritional value for dogs and potential allergen concerns.
Rice bran is the fourth ingredient, a nutritious by-product of rice milling rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Grain sorghum, a starchy cereal grain similar to corn but gluten-free, is listed next.
Beet pulp, a high-fiber by-product of sugar beet processing, is also included. While some view it as a filler, others highlight its benefits for intestinal health and blood sugar regulation. Its inclusion in reasonable amounts is generally considered acceptable.
Chicken fat is a quality ingredient, providing essential omega-6 fatty acids. Egg product, while variable in quality, is easily digestible and has high biological value. Dried yeast is another ingredient that can be debated; while some believe it supports the immune system, others link it to allergies.
Further down the ingredient list, flaxseed is noted as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber. The inclusion of dried fermentation products suggests the addition of enzymes to aid digestion. Notably, the presence of chelated minerals indicates a higher level of nutrient bioavailability.
Diamond Dog Food Recall History
As of January 2026, Diamond Pet Foods has experienced recalls. Pet owners should stay informed about any product recalls to ensure the safety of their pets. A comprehensive list of recalls can be found on the Dog Food Advisor website.
Our Rating of Diamond Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor rates Diamond dry dog food as an average, grain-inclusive kibble, awarding it 3.5 stars. The brand’s recipes generally utilize a moderate amount of named meat meal as the primary animal protein source. The brand is recommended with reservations, acknowledging both its strengths and areas for consideration.
Who Makes Diamond Dog Food?
Diamond Pet Foods is a family-owned company based in Meta, Missouri. The company operates its own manufacturing facilities across South Carolina, California, Arkansas, and Missouri for dry food production. Wet food recipes are produced by a third-party private-label cannery in the United States. Diamond Pet Foods also produces other well-regarded brands, including Taste of the Wild and Kirkland Signature.
What Do Others Say About Diamond Dog Food?
Customer reviews, particularly for the Diamond Naturals line, are largely positive. On platforms like Chewy, Diamond Naturals typically receives an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with approximately 93% of customers recommending the product. Users often praise the balance of quality ingredients and affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Diamond’s Best Recipes?
Based on popularity and ratings, the most recommended Diamond flavors and recipes often include those from the Diamond Naturals line, particularly chicken and rice formulas, and specific puppy formulas designed for large and small breeds.
Is Diamond Dog Food Good for Itchy Skin?
The Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula is a limited-ingredient, grain-free diet formulated to help dogs with food-related skin sensitivities. It uses hydrolyzed salmon protein and peas to minimize allergic reactions.
Is Diamond a Good Food for Older Dogs?
Diamond recipes with adequate protein and controlled fat and calorie content can be suitable for senior dogs, provided they meet AAFCO guidelines for adult maintenance. The Diamond Naturals Senior Formula is one option considered for older pets.
Is Diamond a Good Food for Puppies?
Diamond Naturals offers two dry puppy foods that are nutritionally complete and balanced, receiving 5-star ratings. One is specifically designed for large breed puppies, while the other caters to smaller breeds.
Is Diamond Considered a Healthy Dog Food?
All Diamond dog food recipes meet the nutrient requirements established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the National Research Council for their intended life stages, indicating they are complete and balanced.
Compare Diamond Dog Food
When compared to other top-rated brands, Diamond offers a more budget-friendly option while still striving to meet nutritional standards. While not always reaching the highest tiers of premium brands, Diamond provides a solid choice for pet owners seeking good value.
A Final Word
Diamond Pet Foods offers a spectrum of dry dog food options designed to cater to diverse needs and budgets. While some ingredients may warrant consideration, the brand’s commitment to safety, the availability of specialized formulas like those in the Diamond Care line, and positive customer feedback make it a viable choice for many pet owners. As always, consulting with a veterinarian is recommended to determine the best dietary plan for an individual dog.
