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Diamond Naturals Grain Free Dog Food Review 2024 – Recalls, Pros & Cons

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Diamond Naturals Grain Free Dog Food Review

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

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 it excludes 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.

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The Best Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recipe

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

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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. Starting in 1970, Diamond Pet Products has fifty years of experience making dog food and has often updated its safety and quality standards over time. However, they still have had some 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 and grains since salmon is the primary source of protein.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

If your dog needs a grain-free diet, Diamond Naturals is ideal. 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, and you can consult your vet to see if Diamond Naturals grain-free is right for your dog.

Our Favorite Dog Deal Right Now

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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, which 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.
dog eating
Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

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Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

Salmon (Good) ✅

Salmon is the first ingredient of Diamond Naturals Grain-Free dog food. Not only is it a great source of protein, but it’s also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Although whole meats and fish can significantly reduce in size after processing, salmon 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 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. 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 for 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 somewhat lacking, ask your vet if you should avoid these ingredients with your dog. Some dogs have no problem with peas and lentils, but the recent cases of heart conditions may have you questioning if the ingredients are safe.

Flaxseed (Okay) ✅

Flaxseed can be an excellent source of fatty acids and amino acids 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. It is generally considered safe, so your dog should be fine as long as it can digest flax.

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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

Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an above-average kibble with limited ingredients. It uses whole salmon 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 dog food brands. 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 contains peas and lentils, which are linked to cardiac issues in dogs.

Pros
  • Whole salmon is the first ingredient
  • Free of fillers like corn, soy, and wheat
  • Affordable for a limited diet
Cons
  • Contains peas and lentils

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein: 25%
Crude Fat:  14%
Moisture: 10%
Fibre 5%
Omega 6 Fatty Acids: 2.5%

Ingredient Breakdown:

diamond natural ingredient breakdown

Calories/ per cup

diamond naturals calorie count

 

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What Other Users Are Saying

Diamond Naturals has a decent fanbase with plenty of loyal customers and testimonials. 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 has quality ingredients with no fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. It’s made with essential nutrients, and it’s a complete and balanced diet. Diamond Naturals 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

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