Victor vs Diamond Dog Food: 2024 Comparison

This article features an in-depth comparison of Victor and Diamond dog food to help you figure out which one is right for you and your dog. We know that you care for the health of your dog, and we do too. Get ready to find out all you need to know about Victor and Diamond dog food.

A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Victor Dog Food

The winner of this round goes to Victor dog food. We love its Classic Hi-Pro Plus dog food because it not only contains everything your dog needs, but it is also affordable. Let’s do an in-depth analysis of both of these premium foods.

About Victor Dog Food

Victor is owned by the American company Mid America Pet Food. It is based in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and it manufactures its food in the same town. It prides itself on producing high-quality, premium dog food that is suited for many stages of life, and each ingredient included has a specific purpose.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t use too many whole vegetables and fruits in many of its formulas, preferring to supplement with vitamins and minerals instead. On the plus side, it follows the Dog Food Nutrient Profiles and meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO.

Victor Dog Food Varieties

Victor offers three lines of dry food — Classic, Select, and Purpose — and one line of canned food that includes everything from stews to pâté. Each recipe has a specific purpose or is appropriate for all life stages. Let’s take a quick look at what each one offers.

Classic: This delivers a blend of protein sources and grain to provide a balanced diet. There are four recipes within the Classic line, with two focused on active dogs, one for normally active, and one for all life stages. You will find high levels of quality protein from multiple types of meat, and all ingredients promote sustained energy for dogs and puppies. All are nutrient-dense and scientifically advanced.

Select: This line is suitable for all life stages and offers specific proteins in a variety of recipes. The select line is ideal for large and small dogs with allergies to specific proteins. There are seven recipes within the Select line, three of which are grain-free.

Purpose: The purpose line is ideal for dogs who need a more specialized diet for joint health, low carb, or weight management. It provides high levels of quality protein in each of the six recipes, with half of them being grain-free.

Canned food: This line is great for adults and puppies because it is formulated with added vitamins and minerals. It does not use any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives in the canned line. The three stew flavors are grain-free, and the two pâté flavors include rice.

Primary Ingredients in Victor Dog Food

Victor uses four ingredients in every bag of dry dog food, along with a variety of meat flavors and vegetables. It prefers to use meat meal, which adds a higher amount of protein to the food, and you will also see a variety of fats, such as chicken fat and canola oil. Whole-grain carbs are included in the regular recipes, and it uses complex carbs such as potatoes and legumes in the grain-free versions.

• Selenium yeast: This is used to support the immune system, but some dogs with allergies and food sensitivities may not do well with this added to their diet.
• Mineral complexes: Added zinc, manganese, and iron promote metabolic function to support the immune system and joint health.
• Prebiotics: These are added for overall well-being and to promote healthy digestion.
• Probiotics: The addition of these good digestive bacteria will ensure healthy digestion.

Controversial Ingredients

• Liver: This is a debatable ingredient if it doesn’t specify what type of animal that the liver derives from. Otherwise, it could be from any animal, including dogs and cats.
• Tomato Pomace: Some believe that this is used as a filler for lower-quality foods. Many dog food companies claim that it is added for an extra source of fiber. You will find this in many dog food recipes.
• Blood meal: Many of its recipes contain blood meal. This can be safe and nutritious if sourced from a trusted and quality supplier. It is used to add protein and amino acids to the food.

About Diamond Dog Food

Diamond is an American family-owned company that not only produces its food but makes food for many other dog food brands. Its factories are located in California, Missouri, and South Carolina. It tends to have more berries, fruits, and vegetables incorporated within its recipes compared to other brands, especially Victor.

It sources its ingredients from around the world, using only trusted suppliers because it believes in providing a quality product that is also safe. Its food safety system adheres to stringent protocols and tests and monitors every critical aspect of the manufacturing process. All Diamond food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO.

Diamond Dog Food Varieties

Diamond: There are six recipes within this line, including puppy, hi-energy, maintenance, performance, and premium adult. Diamond adds antioxidants, probiotics, DHA, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals to each of these formulas so you know that your dog is receiving optimal nutrition.

Diamond Naturals: This line is known for its complete, holistic nutrition and features dry and canned food options. There are 13 dry food recipes and three canned recipes. The Natural’s line is more specific to different stages of life, as well as different breeds. There are formulas for small and large breeds, puppies, seniors, and one for skin and coat health.

Diamond Care: These are specialty foods developed by veterinarians that focus on unique health issues. It is part of a limited-ingredient diet and includes renal, sensitive skin, sensitive stomach, and weight-management formulas.

Diamond Pro89: This food is for performance dogs because it is packed with protein and amino acids to provide plenty of energy. Eighty-nine percent of the protein is from animal sources but includes ancient grains such as sorghum, millet, chia, and quinoa.

Primary Ingredients in Diamond Dog Food

• Protein: Diamond believes in using high-quality protein, whether it be meat or grains. Many of its recipes are high in meat protein because it uses meat meal as well as whole meat.
• Fats: Salmon oil is not only beneficial to add fat, but it also provides omega fatty acids that are good for the skin and coat. Chicken fat is a common ingredient, as well as sunflower oil and flaxseed.
• Carbohydrates: You will see plenty of fruits and vegetables within Diamond’s recipes, and it prefers to use whole foods whenever possible. The exception would be the limited-ingredient diets to reduce exposure to potential allergens.
• Controversial Ingredients
• Tomato Pomace: This byproduct of tomato manufacturing is viewed as either a filler or a source of fiber, depending upon who you talk to.
• Ground Corn: This cereal grain is highly debatable in the dog food market. It contains nutrients but may not be easily digestible. Problems arise when the corn is substituted from meat protein.
• Chicken Byproduct meal: Essentially, these are slaughter-house waste ingredients and can include nearly all parts of the chicken, including the bones and blood. Proponents claim that byproducts provide many important nutrients.

Three Most Popular Victor Dog Food Recipes

Let’s delve deeper into three popular recipes from each dry food line.

1. Victor Classic — Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food

This is probably its most popular recipe because it is a nutrient-dense, multi-meat formula that has a high amount of protein. There is 30% protein within this recipe, which makes it a great option for growing puppies and pregnant or nursing females who need that extra protein. It is also good for high-energy dogs, and it is easy to digest and made from gluten-free grains.

The protein sources are beef, chicken, pork, and fish meals. Keep in mind that this recipe is not ideal for dogs who have allergies or food sensitivities because it isn’t grain-free and it contains four different animal proteins. It is suitable for all life stages and all breeds, but we recommend not feeding it to non-active dogs. The Classic line is the most cost-effective option of the three lines of dried dog food. Keep in mind that it contains blood meal, which is a controversial ingredient.

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2. Victor Purpose – Grain-Free Active Dog and Puppy Dry Food

This formula is ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to grains. It is made from beef, pork, and fish meal, with a total of 33% protein in each serving. Since it is such a high amount of protein, it is best to feed to active dogs with plenty of energy. Low-energy dogs could easily become overweight on this formula.

It is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids for optimal nutrition across all life stages. It is suitable for all breeds, including puppies and lactating or pregnant females. This food is a little pricier compared to the classic recipes, but it is a grain-free version. The added sweet potato is a favorite flavor of many dogs. They are also other vegetables and legumes.

On the downside, the controversial blood meal is present in this food.

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3. Victor Select – Grain-Free Yukon River Canine Dry Dog Food

This is another grain-free option from Victor that is good for dogs with allergies or sensitivity to grain. Since it contains only fish meal as the main animal protein, it is good for dogs with other food sensitivities. You can feed this to dogs with normal activity levels because the amount of fat is reduced to 16% and the calories are 390 per cup of food. It wouldn’t be a good option for overweight or low-energy dogs, though.

There are plenty of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids within this formula to provide optimal nutrition for your dog. It is appropriate for large and small breeds at all stages of life,  but it’s not ideal for puppies and lactating or pregnant females. On the downside, it contains blood meal, and this is a pricey product but offers quality food for dogs with multiple sensitivities.

Three Most Popular Diamond Dog Food Recipes

1. Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Food – Beef and Rice Formula

This formula is made from pasture-raised beef, grain sorghum, and white rice. It is also enhanced with superfoods such as kale and blueberries and contains powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients to support the immune system. Digestive support comes in the form of chia seed, pumpkin, kelp, coconut, and chicory root.

Probiotics are also a part of every product, and this Naturals formula is no different. It contains 25% protein and is ideal for adult dogs of any breed. This formula is not ideal for puppies or pregnant females. Dogs enjoy the flavor of beef, and it’s a nice option if you want to limit your dog’s food to one animal protein when meat allergies are a concern. However, this is a pricey food for not being specialized.

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2. Diamond Puppy Food

This classic food by Diamond is appropriate for puppies, as well as pregnant or nursing adult dogs. It provides the proper balance of fat, protein, and other nutrients to help your puppy grow big and strong. It has DHA for proper brain and vision development, with probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids for optimal nutrition. The first ingredient is chicken by-product meal, followed by whole-grain ground corn and wheat flour. Keep in mind that the first two ingredients are controversial, but Diamond claims to provide needed nutrients that a puppy requires.

The total protein is 31%, with the fat at 20%, so you know your pup is receiving adequate amounts of each nutrient. This formula meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO, and it is an affordable option for those on a budget.

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3. Diamond Care – Specialized Diets Sensitive Skin for Adult Dogs

This is specially formulated for dogs with skin sensitivities with limited ingredients, and it is grain free. It uses hydrolyzed salmon as a single animal protein source, which also provides omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health. It can be used for long-term feeding because it provides complete and balanced nutrition.

On the downside, it contains tomato pomace, which is a controversial ingredient, and it is a pricey product because it is specialized. But the Diamond Care diets are developed by veterinarians to provide specialized nutrition for dogs with specific needs.

Victor vs Diamond Comparison

Now that we’ve looked at each brand in detail separately, let’s compare them to make it easier to see the differences.

Ingredients

Both use quality ingredients, but Diamond prefers to use more whole foods that include fruits and vegetables. However, Diamond also uses more controversial ingredients within its formulas.

If you want a more specialized dog food that is created by veterinarians, then the Diamond Care line is a great option. Victor dog food is packed full of nutrition without the use of too many controversial ingredients.

If you want dog food with a higher amount of protein, then overall, Victor wins on that aspect.

Price

Victor is considerably more expensive than Diamond. At the time of this writing, a 40-pound bag of Victor dry dog food costs 25–40% more than a comparable recipe from Diamond.

Selection

If you want a wider variety to choose from then, Victor is the winner, keep in mind though that it doesn’t offer as many specialized products compared to Diamond.

Customer service

Both companies are responsive to customer concerns and are committed to providing great customer service. You can find more information on the Diamond website, with details about each ingredient used and why it is used.

Recall History of Victor and Diamond Dog Food

Victor has never had any recalls, and Diamond was recalled once in 2012 for concerns of salmonella contamination.

Which Dog Food Should You Choose: Victor vs Diamond?

It can be difficult to find quality dog food that fits your expectations. For this review, when it comes to Victor vs Diamond Dog Food, we found Victor to be the best when compared to Diamond. However, if you want a more specialized food for your dog who suffers from allergies or renal disease, Diamond offers great choices.

They are both premium dog foods but Victor is the more affordable option. They offer food that is full of the needed nutrients, a great deal of protein, and many varieties to choose from, so you and your dog have more options to find the perfect food.

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Featured Image Credit: sabrinafindeisen, Pixabay