Diamond Dog Food Review 2024

Diamond Pet Foods is a company that believes every pet deserves the very best nutrition, whether they’re a purebred show dog, shelter pup, or somewhere in between. For over five decades, Diamond has produced quality dog food at a price that the average pet parent can afford. 

From humble beginnings, Diamond has grown to become one of the leading pet food manufacturers in the country. Its products have become synonymous with quality and affordability, and its brands are trusted by pet parents, veterinarians, trainers, and professional breeders around the world. 

Is Diamond right for your dog? Let’s take a closer look at its range of products so you can decide! 

Diamond offers 30 dog food products under 5 ranges or sub-brands. Let’s check them out!

Diamond 

Diamond is Diamond’s original range, providing nutrition your furbaby needs “at a price you can appreciate.”  There are six products in this range, with options for dogs of different energy levels and life stages, including puppies, working dogs, and canine athletes. Most of the formulas list chicken by-product meal as the first ingredient, and all of them contain probiotics, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals to support your pup’s well-being. 

The formulas in the Diamond range include:

• Hi-Energy
• Maintenance
• Original
• Performance
• Premium Adult
• Puppy

Diamond Naturals

Diamond Naturals is Diamond’s premium range, with dry and canned recipes that deliver “complete nutrition with a holistic approach.” There’s something for dogs of every size and lifestyle, with most of the formulas having real chicken or lamb as the first ingredient. They also contain superfoods such as chia seed, quinoa, and spinach, as well as brightly colored fruits and vegetables like kale, carrots, blueberries, and papaya to boost your pup’s health. Select formulas have DHA for proper brain function, and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. 

Diamond Naturals dry formulas include:

• Adult Dog Beef Meal & Rice
• Adult Dog Lamb Meal & Rice
• All Life Stages Dog Chicken & Rice
• Extreme Athlete Adult Dog Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice
• Large Breed Adult Dog Lamb Meal & Rice
• Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Rice
• Light Adult Dog Lamb Meal & Rice
• Senior Dog Chicken, Egg & Oatmeal
• Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice
• Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice
• Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
• Skin & Coat All Life Stages Dog Salmon & Potato

Diamond Naturals canned formulas include:

• Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
• Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
• Lamb Dinner for Adult Dogs

Diamond Naturals Grain-Free

Diamond’s grain-free range is great for dogs who need a dry food without grains, especially those with food sensitivities. The recipes start with real beef, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient, and also contain complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils for energy. Other ingredients include blueberries, raspberries, and tomatoes for phytonutrients; flaxseed for omega fatty acids; and dried chicory root for prebiotics. Probiotics are added as well to support your dog’s digestive and immune systems. 

The recipes in the Diamond Naturals Grain-Free range include:

• Cage-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato
• Pasture-Raised Beef & Sweet Potato
• Wild-Caught Whitefish & Sweet Potato

Diamond CARE

Diamond’s specialized range was developed by veterinarians for adult dogs with specific conditions such as sensitive skin or kidney disease. Most of the formulas are limited ingredient and include soluble and insoluble fiber for healthy digestion; omega fatty acids such as chicken fat, eggs, or flaxseed for healthy skin; and antioxidants like vitamin E, selenium, and zinc for a healthy immune system. All recipes feature easily digestible, quality protein sources such as egg protein, potato protein, lamb meal, or chicken meal and are suitable for long-term feeding.

The formulas in the Diamond CARE range are:

• Sensitive Skin Formula for Adult Dogs
  
• Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs
• Weight Management Formula for Adult Dogs
• Diamond CARE Rx Renal Formula for Adult Dogs (prescription-only)

Diamond Pro89

Diamond Pro89 was created for dogs who need a high-protein diet. The sole recipe under this sub-brand is Beef, Pork & Ancient Grains for Adult Dogs, which derives 89% of its protein content from animal sources that are rich in amino acids. The first ingredient is beef, which helps build and maintain strong muscles for endurance and performance. Ancient grains like grain sorghum, millet, and quinoa provide additional protein, fiber, and other nutrients to support overall well-being. 

The top five ingredients in Diamond Pro89 Beef, Pork & Ancient Grains are:

• Beef
• Pork
• Beef meal
• Grain sorghum
• Whole grain brown rice

Here are some reasons why we like Diamond dog food!

Wide range of products

Diamond offers complete and balanced dog food for a wide range of nutritional needs and taste preferences. Its products include formulas for small and large breeds, grain-inclusive and grain-free diets, and specialty diets. 

Proprietary probiotic technology

Every Diamond dry dog food is enhanced with K9 Strain Probiotics, which was developed to help dogs digest their food more efficiently. Diamond is one of a very small number of pet food manufacturers to add probiotics to the food after the cooking process to ensure the beneficial bacteria stays alive. 

Commitment to product safety

Diamond produces its dog food in its state-of-the-art US facilities. Every formula is made with quality ingredients from trusted suppliers and the manufacturing process adheres to a comprehensive food safety program that exceeds industry standards. On-site product testing is carried out during pre-production, production, and post-production.

Affordable

Diamond products offer a lot of bang for the bark. The company believes that every pet, regardless of breed or background, is worthy of the best nutrition, and its philosophy has always been to offer quality pet food at an affordable price. 

Family-owned

Diamond Pet Foods has been a family-owned company since its founding in 1970. It is currently operated by second-generation family members. As stated on its website, “[We] only make food that we would be proud to feed our own pets — and we want to share it with yours.” 

What do pet parents need to consider before buying Diamond dog food?

By-product meals

Most of the recipes in the original Diamond range start with chicken by-product meal as the first ingredient. By-product meals can be a good source of protein and other nutrients if it’s high-quality, but some pet parents prefer to avoid this ingredient. 

Recall history 

Diamond has had recalls in the past, although the last one was in 2013 (for cat food). 

Limited options for seniors

There is only one recipe for senior dogs, which is Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Chicken, Egg & Oatmeal.

“We switched to lamb to give our senior the extra calories he needs. He seems to enjoy the taste and I've noticed he has less digestive issues than he did with the beef variety. I think this is a great option to consider if you are on a limited budget but still want to provide healthy grain free food for your dog.”

“This Adult Formula Dry Dog Food has surpassed my expectations. The high-quality ingredients, including lamb meal and rice, provide balanced nutrition. My dog loves the taste, and I’ve seen improvements in his coat and energy levels. The affordable price and commitment to safety make it a standout choice. Highly recommended it for its exceptional quality and nutrition!”

“My 7 year old rescue, Lulu, has a SUPER sensitive stomach. Most other foods I’ve tried have given her really loose stool or straight diarrhea. She has had absolutely NO digestive issues since switching to Diamond Naturals! Amazing product at an amazing price point!!”

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Diamond Pet Foods was founded in 1970 by brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter, who believed that quality pet food doesn’t have to be expensive. They purchased an old milling plant in Meta, Missouri, and it wasn’t long before nutrition-conscious pet parents confirmed Gary and Richard’s hunch that people wanted to feed their companion animals good food at a good price. The Meta plant was later updated with state-of-the-art equipment, and over time the company acquired five more plants in California, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Kansas to meet the growing demand for its products.  

Today, Diamond is owned and operated by the second generation of the Schell and Kampeter families and continues to be one of the fastest-growing pet food manufacturers in the country. While the company has grown, its philosophy has remained the same: to produce quality pet food at an affordable price. Aside from Diamond, Diamond Pet Foods also owns Taste of the Wild, Professional+, and Nutra-Nuggets.  

Diamond Pet Foods has had recalls in previous years. In December 2005, the company recalled nearly 20 dog and cat foods, both under the Diamond brand and its other brands, due to aflatoxin contamination. Products containing corn that were made at its Gaston, South Carolina plant were found to be tainted after workers failed to follow internal testing procedures. Veterinarians in various states linked the contaminated products to deaths and illnesses in several animals. A class-action lawsuit was filed and affected pet parents were compensated.

In April 2012, Diamond issued a voluntary recall for Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice due to salmonella contamination. The recall was expanded four times later in April and May to include other Diamond products and the company’s other brands, including Taste of the Wild. An FDA inspection at the Gaston, South Carolina plant found violations such as failure to clean and maintain equipment. A class-action lawsuit alleging the tainted products led to illness and death in some animals was filed and affected pet parents were compensated.