Diamond Dog Food Review
Introduction
Diamond Pet Foods produces a wide variety of affordable dog food under several brand names. But how does their quality and nutrition compare? This Diamond dog food review will dig into their ingredients, manufacturing, recalls, and what pet owners say.
Overview of Diamond Pet Foods
History and brand info
Founded in 1970 in Meta, Missouri, Diamond Pet Foods produces dog and cat foods under brands like Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Diamond CARE, Taste of the Wild, and more. They aim to provide quality nutrition at a reasonable price point.
Manufacturing and sourcing
Diamond formulations are made in company-owned facilities in the U.S. They source ingredients from suppliers around the world.
Product lines
Some of Diamond’s major dog food lines include Diamond Naturals, Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach, Diamond Extreme Athlete, Taste of the Wild, and 4Health.
Ingredient Analysis
Here’s a look at the types of ingredients found in Diamond dog foods.
Meat and protein sources
Diamond recipes typically contain protein sources like chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey, beef, and eggs. However, they may use by-products versus whole cuts of meat.
Carb sources
Grains like corn, wheat, barley, rice, and sorghum are commonly used along with potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Controversial ingredients
Some recipes have corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, and chemical preservatives like BHA. But many of their premium foods exclude these.
Diamond Dog Food Product Lines
Diamond produces dozens of product lines. Here are some of their most popular.
Diamond Naturals
Types of recipes
The Diamond Naturals line has all life stages and breed-specific formulas in standard, grain-free, and limited ingredient recipes.
Ingredient highlights
Formulas focus on quality proteins as the first ingredient. Some contain probiotics, glucosamine, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach
Types of recipes
This line offers both grain-inclusive and grain-free recipes for dogs with sensitive digestion.
Key ingredients
Prebiotics, pumpkin, ginger, and digestive enzymes help soothe upset stomachs. Limited ingredients reduce risk of food intolerances.
Other Diamond brands
Other major brands from Diamond include Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Diamond Extreme Athlete, and Kirkland (for Costco).
Recall History and Controversies
Diamond’s extensive recall history and quality control issues are concerning. Here’s an overview of the major events.
Major recalls
Diamond Pet Foods has been affected by over 15 recalls from 1999 to 2021. Most were due to potential salmonella contamination.
Facility quality issues
Inspections of Diamond facilities have revealed issues like mold, unsafe food handling practices, and inadequate pathogen testing.
Customer Reviews
Diamond receives mixed pet owner reviews. Here are some of the most common positives and complaints.
Positive feedback
Many praise the affordable prices and improved quality of premium lines like Diamond Naturals and Taste of the Wild. Dogs seem to love the taste.
Complaints and concerns
The most common issues are related to digestion, including vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Some also dislike the ingredients used.
Common issues
Grain-heavy recipes tend to cause more digestive upset. Quality control and contamination issues also worry some pet owners.
Our Verdict on Diamond Dog Food
Based on all the available information, here is our final take on Diamond dog food:
Pros and cons
Pros: Very affordable, some high-quality premium options, most dogs enjoy taste
Cons: Extensive recall history, some low-quality ingredients used, digestive issues in some dogs
Best for which dogs?
Diamond can work for healthy dogs without special needs. But we recommend choosing one of their premium grain-free lines and monitoring your dog closely. Dogs with sensitivities may struggle with their formulas.
Conclusion
Diamond offers very affordable kibble options in a huge variety of recipes. However, their frequent recalls and ingredient quality inconsistencies are concerning. We recommend sticking to their premium lines like Diamond Naturals or Taste of the Wild if choosing this brand. For dogs with sensitivities or allergies, a different brand may be preferable.
Brand Overview
Diamond Pet Food has been in business for more than 50 years. A family-owned company based in the United States, it uses both US and globally sourced ingredients in its recipes. Diamond Pet Food offers a variety of wet and dry recipes for dogs and cats of all life stages
How Much Does Diamond Dog Food Cost
We’ve compared Diamond dog food price to the other dog food brands in our database.
Diamond Dry Dog Food Price Comparison
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
Price per lb | $1.84 | $3.69 | -50% |
Price per 100 kcal | $0.11 | $0.34 | -67% |
Price per day | $0.07 | $0.20 | -65% |
Diamond Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Diamond Dry Puppy Food Price Comparison
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
Price per lb | $1.89 | $3.84 | -51% |
Price per 100 kcal | $0.11 | $0.23 | -53% |
Price per day | $0.07 | $0.14 | -50% |
Diamond Dry Puppy Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Diamond Dry Senior Dog Food Price Comparison
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
Price per lb | $2.19 | $3.81 | -43% |
Price per 100 kcal | $0.14 | $0.32 | -55% |
Price per day | $0.09 | $0.19 | -53% |
Diamond Dry Senior Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Diamond Wet Dog Food Price Comparison
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
Price per oz | $0.26 | $0.41 | -37% |
Price per 100 kcal | $0.70 | $1.52 | -54% |
Price per day | $0.42 | $0.91 | -54% |
Diamond Wet Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.
Diamond Nutrient Profile Comparison
We’ve compared Diamond dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other dog food brands in our database.
Dry Dog Food
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
DM Protein | 26.91% | 30.01% | -10% |
DM Fat | 16.57% | 15.86% | +4% |
DM Fiber | 4.67% | 5.48% | -15% |
DM Carb | 51.85% | 47.73% | +9% |
Dry Puppy Food
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
DM Protein | 33.33% | 32.35% | +3% |
DM Fat | 21.11% | 17.94% | +18% |
DM Fiber | 3.70% | 4.66% | -21% |
DM Carb | 41.85% | 44.25% | -5% |
Dry Senior Dog Food
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
DM Protein | 27.78% | 28.44% | -2% |
DM Fat | 12.22% | 13.38% | -9% |
DM Fiber | 3.33% | 5.48% | -39% |
DM Carb | 56.67% | 51.94% | +9% |
Wet Dog Food
Brand Avg | Market Avg | % From the Avg | |
---|---|---|---|
DM Protein | 43.18% | 42.98% | +0% |
DM Fat | 22.73% | 22.28% | +2% |
DM Fiber | 4.55% | 7.39% | -38% |
DM Carb | 29.55% | 26.26% | +13% |
Recall History
The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Diamond Dog Food Review since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.
Diamond – Dry dog foods (04/06/2012). Read FDA Report.
Diamond – Pet Food (05/05/2012). Read FDA Report.
Diamond – Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food. (05/21/2012). Read FDA Report.
Diamond – Dry Cat Food (03/10/2013). Read FDA Report.
FAQs
Is Diamond dog food high quality?
Diamond has budget and premium product lines. The premium foods like Diamond Naturals are better quality than standard Diamond.
Is Diamond grain free?
Some Diamond recipes are grain-free while others contain corn, wheat, rice and other grains.
Where is Diamond dog food made?
Diamond formulations are made in company-owned facilities in the USA.
Does Diamond use corn?
Many Diamond recipes contain corn, but their premium grain-free lines like Taste of the Wild do not.
Is Diamond dog food expensive?
No, Diamond is one of the most affordable dog food brands on the market while still providing decent nutritional value.