Diamond Pet Foods has been around for over 40 years, but how does their dog food really stack up in today’s competitive pet food market? This exhaustive Diamond dog food review will analyze their ingredient quality, recall history, pricing, and more to determine if Diamond delivers nutritious and delicious dog food worthy of your pup’s love.
Introduction
As pet parents, we want to feed our dogs the very best food we can. We know diet has a huge impact on their health and longevity. But with so many dog food brands making big claims about quality and nutrition, it can be hard to know which ones live up to their promises.
In this in-depth Diamond dog food review, we’ll explore what makes Diamond unique, analyze their manufacturing processes, recall history, and the pros and cons of their dog food lines. You’ll learn how their prices compare and get the details on where it’s made.
We’ll also compare Diamond to competitors like Purina, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild. So keep reading to learn if cost-focused Diamond dog food makes the cut for quality nutrition for your pup!
Diamond Dog Food Product Lines
Diamond Pet Foods produces 4 major dry dog food formulas and a few wet/canned varieties under the Diamond Naturals, Diamond, and Diamond Care lines. Their formulas cater to puppies, adults, seniors, small or large breed dogs, and those with sensitivities.
Diamond Naturals features premium natural ingredients and is free of corn, wheat, fillers, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Their Naturals line includes:
- Puppy & Adult Chicken & Rice
- Adult Beef & Rice
- Adult Lamb & Rice
- Extreme Athlete
- Senior
- Small Breed Adult
- Large Breed Adult
- Puppy & Adult Skin & Coat
- Puppy & Adult Sensitive Stomach
Diamond offers affordable nutrition using quality ingredients like real meat, fruits, veggies, and guaranteed probiotics. Formulas include:
- Puppy
- Adult Chicken & Rice
- Adult Lamb & Rice
- Maintenance Chicken & Rice
- Maintenance
- Performance
- Hi-Energy
- Puppy & Adult Large Breed 60+
Diamond Care delivers tailored nutrition for dogs with specific needs including:
- Senior Chicken & Rice
- Adult Chicken & Rice Sensitive Skin & Stomach
- Puppy & Adult Weight Control
- Puppy & Adult Joint Support
Wet Foods – Diamond offers complementary wet foods to boost hydration:
- Diamond Naturals Canned Dog Food
- Diamond Puppy Canned Dog Food
So whatever your dog’s life stage and dietary needs, Diamond likely has a formula designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition.
Next let’s look at how Diamond crafts these formulas and if they live up to their ingredient claims.
Diamond Dog Food Ingredients Analysis
The key to any quality dog food is its ingredients. So what goes into Diamond formulas? Here’s a detailed look at their ingredient sourcing, quality, and nutritional value:
Protein Sources: Diamond utilizes chicken, lamb, beef, eggs, and fish like salmon as their main proteins. Their meat meals (chicken, lamb) contain concentrated sources of proteins. However some critics point out that they use non-specific poultry or fish meals, which could allow lower quality ingredients.
Carbohydrates: Whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oats provide complex carbs. These rank higher than cheaper fillers like corn, wheat and soy. Diamond does use these controversial grains in certain formulas, although they say they are high quality.
Fruits and Vegetables: Spinach, peas, carrots, blueberries, and other fruits & veggies deliver key vitamins. But some wish Diamond provided more variety versus just tomato pomace.
Fats and Oils: Chicken fat and flaxseed offer fatty acid nutrition. But canola oil is on the controversial side.
Micronutrients: Diamond adds chelated minerals and vitamins to meet AAFCO nutritional standards. Their guaranteed probiotics support healthy digestion.
Overall, Diamond utilizes average to above average ingredients for their price point. They include quality proteins and attempts at premium ingredients like carp meal, pumpkin, and coconut. But the use of by-product, corn, and soy in some recipes brings down their rating.
How Diamond Dog Food Stacks Up to Competitors
How does Diamond fare compared to big competitors in terms of ingredients?
Diamond vs. Purina: Both use corn, wheat, poultry by-product frequently. But Purina offers more variety like salmon meal and utilizes higher quality grains.
Diamond vs. Blue Buffalo: Blue Buffalo bans by-products, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial ingredients completely. Their simpler formulas focus on proteins.
Diamond vs. Taste of the Wild: Similar use of proteins like bison and fish meal. But TOTW avoids grain fillers and uses higher amounts of unique fruits/veggies like chicory root.
So while competitive with grocery brands, Diamond falls a bit short on premium ingredients versus specialized premium brands. But they compensate by meeting basic nutrition needs at a friendly price.
Where is Diamond Dog Food Produced?
All Diamond brand dog foods are manufactured at their own facilities in the U.S. This gives them close oversight over their production processes.
Dry kibbles and cans are made at the state-of-the-art facilities in:
- Meta, Missouri
- Gaston, South Carolina
- Lathrop, California
- Ripon, California
So pet parents can feel good that Diamond production meets the stricter regulations for U.S-based facilities. Their ingredients are sourced from North American suppliers as well.
Analysis of Diamond Dog Food’s Recall History
No pet owner wants to take risks when it comes to choosing a dog food brand. That’s why a company’s recall history tells an important safety story. Diamond Pet Foods has faced some significant recall events and controversies in their 40+ year history.
Here’s a summary of Diamond’s notable recalls since 2007:
- 2007: Multiple recalls due to potential melamine contamination
- 2012: Recall due to potential salmonella contamination
- 2012: Manufacturing concerns closed their S. Carolina plant temporarily
- 2013: More production issues at SC; some dogs sickened
- 2015: Vitamin D toxicity may be linked to Diamond Pet Foods
Diamond has clearly struggled with quality control and oversight issues in their manufacturing processes. In 2012, they had to shut down their Gaston plant completely to revamp procedures.
However, it does seem like their enhanced safety protocols have reduced recalls over the past 5 years. But many pet owners remain wary of some of these serious health concerns from their history.
Diamond Dog Food Product Pricing and Where to Buy
One of the main appeals of Diamond dog food is their value pricing. Their products cost 20-35% below premium brand lines on average.
Here are some average costs for their best-selling formulas:
- Diamond Puppy Formula – $1.15 per lb
- Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice – $1.55 per lb
- Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete – $1.70 per lb
- Diamond Care Senior – $1.45 per lb
You’ll find most of their line competitively priced with grocery store brands like Pedigree and Purina’s Pro Plan.
Diamond products are stocked at:
- Pet specialty chains – PetSmart, Pet Supplies Plus, Petco
- Farm and feed stores – Tractor Supply Co., Rural King
- Online – Chewy, Amazon, PetFlow
- Big box stores – Walmart, Costco
Their wide availability and economical pricing make Diamond an appealing choice for budget-minded pet parents. Try signing up for their Paws Rewards Program for coupons and deals on Diamond products.
Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Dog Diamond Brand Food
To summarize this extensive Diamond dog food review, here’s a final look at some of the pros and cons of feeding a Diamond formula to your canine companion:
Diamond Dog Food Pros
- Uses quality proteins like chicken, lamb, beef, salmon
- Incorporates probiotics for digestion
- Good selection for all life stages and sizes
- Veterinarian recommended ingredients
- US-based manufacturing
- Very affordable pricing
Diamond Dog Food Cons
- History of safety recalls and concerns
- Use of corn, wheat, soy fillers in some recipes
- Non-specific by-products, meals in formulas
- Lacks uniqueness and food innovations
- Some dogs don’t do as well on corn-based foods
So while they may not be the pinnacle of premium nutrition, Diamond does deliver time-tested and complete everyday nutrition that meets basic canine needs. Their pricing makes them accessible for most families.
Just be aware of their recall history and watch your individual dog’s reaction. Some pups may do better with a limited ingredient diet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diamond Dog Food
Still have questions about feeding Fido this economical food brand? Here are some commonly asked questions about Diamond dog food:
Does Diamond use ingredients from China?
No. Diamond states that all of their ingredients come from North American suppliers. This allows for tighter oversight on quality.
Is Diamond low quality dog food?
Not necessarily. While it certainly doesn’t compare to ultra premium brands, Diamond provides decent nutritional value at an affordable cost. Many dogs thrive for years when fed a Diamond recipe.
Is Diamond Naturals better than regular Diamond?
Yes. Diamond Naturals ups the quality ante with their limited ingredients and absence of corn, wheat, soy, etc. It’s a good upgrade for only a slightly higher cost.
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Is Diamond Dog Food better than Purina?
Comparable. Both Diamond and Purina provide decent nutrition for average, healthy dogs. Diamond has fewer fillers than many Purina recipes. But Purina utilizes some higher quality proteins. It depends on the formula and your dog.
Does Diamond cause allergies in dogs?
Possibly. Dogs may develop allergies to corn or other grains used in some Diamond formulas. That’s why their Limited Ingredient formulas like Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice use fewer controversial items.
Can I feed Diamond to my puppy?
Yes. Their puppy recipes provide balanced nutrition with DHA for brain development. Follow feeding guidelines on the label based on your puppy’s projected adult weight.
The Final Verdict: Is Diamond a Good Choice?
So what’s the final verdict on cost-focused Diamond dog food?
They may not be the most premium or natural brand out there. But Diamond Dog Food does use quality proteins and essential ingredients to meet complete canine nutrition standards at an affordable price.
Their wide variety of formulas addresses most dog’s needs for a healthy life stage. Just watch out for food sensitivities.
While their safety and quality record isn’t spotless, enhancements to their production processes have reduced risks significantly over the past 5 years. Millions of dogs thrive on their formulas.
In the end, feeding trials with your own pup along with vet checkups are the best way to gauge if a Diamond recipe delivers the results your dog needs. Their friendly pricing makes it easy to try out.
Just be sure to transition slowly and feed the proper amounts based on weight, age, and activity level. This will help avoid tummy upsets.
Your dog’s nutritional needs should take priority over brand loyalty. But for those on a tight budget, Diamond offers dependable complete nutrition to keep dogs happy and healthy for years to come.
