Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food Review 2023: Recalls, Pros & Cons
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Review Summary
We give Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Introduction
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food is similar to their other Naturals recipes, but excluding grains like soy, wheat, and corn. It’s an above-average dry kibble that can be a good option for your grain-free dog. Diamond Naturals dog good is budget-friendly, often much lower than premium food and limited diets. The only problem is the lack of grain-free choices in their Naturals line, so that’s something to consider when looking at this brand. Here’s our breakdown of Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food.
The Best Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recipe
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food Reviewed
About Diamond Pet Products
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Products, a large U.S.-based manufacturer that also makes other popular dog food brands. Started in 1970, Diamond Pet Products has fifty years of experience in making dog food and has often updated its safety and quality standards over time. However, they still have had some fairly significant recalls that may make you want to avoid this entire line.
Which Types of Dogs is Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food Best Suited For?
The grain-free version of Diamond’s Natural line is a good option for dogs just switching over to a grain-free diet. It’s relatively inexpensive and uses higher-quality ingredients than other dog food brands at the same price, so you won’t have to worry about too many filler ingredients. It’s also a good choice if your dog can’t have poultry as well as grains, with salmon being the main source of protein.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
If your dog needs a grain-free diet, this option is fine. Otherwise, Diamond Naturals grain-inclusive recipes will work just as well for your dog. It’s important to note that any limited or restricted diet should be carefully monitored, so consult with your vet if Diamond Naturals grain-free is right for your dog.
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Diamond Pet Products Recalls
Although Diamond Pet Products has maintained its promise of high-quality standards, the company has been struck by multiple recalls. However, the latest one was in 2013, so this is a great sign that they’re improving their testing and quality control procedures.
2013
- March – FDA recalled select bags of kitten food due to low levels of thiamine.
2012
- May – FDA recalled select bags of small breed dry dog food due to possible salmonella contamination.
- May – FDA sent out a massive recall of all Diamond Pet Foods for possible salmonella
- April – FDA recalled select bags of Naturals and Puppy dry dog food for possible salmonella contamination
2005
- December – The FDA recalled several bags of Diamond dry dog food for possible aflatoxin present in the food.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Salmon (Good) ✅
Salmon is the first ingredient of Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food, which is a great first ingredient to have in a dog food recipe. Not only is it a great source of protein, but it’s also rich in fatty acids that Omega-3 and Omega-6. Although whole meats can greatly reduce in size after processing, it’s still a high-quality protein source that rarely disappoints.
Fish Meal (Good) ✅
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food lists fish meal as the second ingredient, giving the kibble an additional protein-rich ingredient. Fish meal is a rendered meat product that uses the clean parts of the fish and sounds like something that should be skipped, but it has more protein than whole meats do. Meat meals shouldn’t be confused with by-products, which are cheap alternatives to fresh ingredients.
Lentils & Peas (Potential Issues)
Lentils, peas, and legumes are considered controversial from their use in dog food due to the recent rise in canine heart disease in dogs eating these ingredients, so this is something to consider when buying any dog food with peas, lentils, and legumes. While the evidence is still somewhat lacking, ask your vet if you should avoid these ingredients with your dog specifically. Some dogs have no problem with peas and lentils, but the recent cases of heart conditions may have you questioning if these ingredients are safe.
Flaxseed (Okay) ✅
Flaxseed can be an excellent source of fatty acids and amino acids, but only if your dog can easily digest it. There’s nothing wrong with flaxseed or flax blends for fiber and digestive support, but it can be harsh for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This ingredient is generally considered safe, so your dog should be fine as long as it can digest flax.
Review of Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an above-average dry dog kibble with limited ingredients. It uses whole salmon meat as the first ingredient, which is rich in protein and fatty acids for skin and coat health. It’s free of filler ingredients like corn, soy, and wheat, which are constantly found in value and discount brands of dog food. It’s also affordable for a limited diet, so you won’t have to spend hundreds on a special diet that may or may not help. However, it does contain peas and lentils, which both have been linked to cardiac issues in dogs that eat these ingredients.
- Whole salmon is the first ingredient
- Free of fillers like corn, soy, and wheat
- Affordable for a limited diet
- Contains peas and lentils
Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude Protein: | 25% |
| Crude Fat: | 14% |
| Moisture: | 10% |
| Fibre | 5% |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids: | 2.5% |
Ingredient Breakdown:
Calories/ per cup
What Other Users Are Saying
Diamond dog food has a decent fanbase with plenty of loyal customers and testimonials swearing by their line of dog food products. Here’s what everyone’s been saying about this 50-year old company:
- HerePup – “…use only natural ingredients that can be traced back to the source and do not use cheap fillers, chemicals or by-products.”
- Dog Food Guru “Most Diamond foods provide good nutrition at a reasonable cost…”
- Chewy – As pet owners, we always double-check with Chewy reviews from buyers before we buy something. You can read these by clicking here.
Conclusion
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food is an above-average kibble. It’s got decent ingredients with no filler ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy. It’s made with decent ingredients and nutrients, so it’s a complete and balanced diet. This brand is not only affordable for the average dog owner, but it’s available everywhere. Except for the controversial use of peas and lentils, we think Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food is an option to consider.
Featured Image Credit: Diamond Naturals, Chewy
