Diamond Pet Foods is privately-owned under Schell & Kampeter Inc. It was started in 1970 by brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter. The company started in a mill in Meta, Missouri making hog and cattle feed. By the 1990s, they produced pet food exclusively. As of 2020, Diamond Pet Foods was the No. 5 pet food company in the world. They had $1.5 billion in annual revenue. No public information exists about current ownership.
It has additional plants in Lathrop and Ripon, CA, and Gaston, SC, and Arkansas. The company makes several brands of pet food. They are shipped worldwide.
The company also owns Taste of the Wild, NutraGold and Nutra-Nuggets. Diamond is manufacturer or co-packer for several brands. These include Canidae, Solid Gold, Costco’s Kirkland Signature, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance, Tractor Supply’s 4Health, and NutraGold. They also manufacture private label brands.
For our Diamond dog food review, we’ll look at the food ingredient quality and safety of each line of food. Our dog food reviews are based on these criteria.
IS DIAMOND PET FOODS A GOOD DOG FOOD?
Diamond Pet Foods produces 6 brands of dog food. There are 5 lines of dry dog food. There is 1 line of wet dog food. There are a total of 30 recipes. The dry dog foods are high risk by our criteria. The wet food is moderate risk by our criteria. It is Diamond’s highest scoring line.
There are many ingredient quality concerns. There are high carbohydrates. They range from average carbohydrates of 31% to 40%. Dogs have no nutritional need for carbohydrate. Starch is needed for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate indicates food quality. It can reduce manufacturing costs. Foods high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Studies show that a high-carb diet can change gut bacteria.
There’s an extensive list of added vitamins and minerals. They provide nutritional balance to the foods. Then they meet the AAFCO minimum requirements. Vitamins and minerals should come from whole food sources. They include a full spectrum of cofactors. This makes them safe and bioavailable. Five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. There are very limited proteins used. Amino acids are added to make up for this.
These recipes have sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. Research suggests that sodium selenite has potential toxicity. Selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral.
The website claims to use quality ingredients. There is a glossary of ingredients. It provides a dictionary definition of ingredients. There is no sourcing or qualitative information.
Recipes have grain meals, meat meals and by-product meal. Their website glossary doesn’t describe unnamed meat and fish proteins. They are low quality meals. Named proteins, fruits and vegetables are preferred.
Chicken by-product meal is a dry rendered product. It’s usually from slaughterhouse waste. It’s what’s left of a chicken after the choice cuts are removed. This includes digestive tract. Diamond notes intestines are a good source of smooth muscle protein. But this may not be the type of chicken that pet owners expect in their dog foods. Additionally, the quality can vary as the raw materials are not consistent. This is allowed as pet food is a feed product. It has a different set of requirements from human food.
Other quality ingredient concerns include cheaper plant proteins. The website lists tomato pomace and dried beet pulp as fiber sources. These are actually waste products from manufacturing.
The website lists “superfoods” added to many recipes. They include quinoa, blueberries, kale, organs, carrots and chia seed, papaya, spinach, pumpkin and kelp. It notes their antioxidant properties. However, they’re listed lower on the ingredient lists. They fall after salt. This makes them glam ingredients. This means they contribute little or no nutritional value.
Safety concerns include ultra processing. There are several stages of heating. This destroys nutrients. There are high herbicide foods, some in the top 5. There are also GMOs, often in the top 5 ingredients. There is natural flavor. It’s a low quality ingredient. It’s usually made from animal digest or MSG. Most recipes contain rice. It has potential for arsenic contamination.
The dry recipes have probiotics. They’re added after cooking. This is good as heat kills beneficial bacteria. It’s notable that a healthy dog needs about 5 billion CFUs daily. Colony forming units are the measurement of probiotics. Diamond guarantees 80 million CFUs per pound. Additional supplementation is needed.
The wet foods score better as they are less processed. Carbohydrate levels are also a bit lower than the dry recipes. They have many of the concerns of the dry recipes. There are added vitamins and minerals. There is inflammatory seed oil and unnamed animal protein. All 3 recipes have rice.
There is ingredient splitting in many of the recipes. This is the practice of splitting ingredients into subcategories. It makes them appear lower on the list. It can move desirable protein ingredients higher. Diamond also uses unsubstantiated marketing terms. These include “pasture-raised” and cage-free.” There are certifications that verify these terms. There aren’t any listed on the website or packaging.
Diamond doesn’t state whether fish or fish oil is from farmed or wild sources. Wild-caught fish is more nutritious. It has a better fatty acid balance than farmed fish. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:3 ratio. This isn’t unusual among companies. The ratio is always a concern because AAFCO allows a highly inflammatory ratio of 30:1.
Diamond Dry
Score: 3.3/10
Ingredient List For Hi-Energy Adult Recipe: Chicken by-product meal, ground corn, wheat flour, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), corn gluten meal, dried beet pulp, natural flavor, fish meal, grain sorghum, meat meal, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Dry is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There are 6 recipes with 26% protein and 36% carbohydrate as calculated. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals. The recipes include cheaper plant proteins and unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are ultra-processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They have high pesticide foods and GMO crops listed in their top 5 ingredients. They also include natural flavor. They use rice that can contain arsenic. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Dry Benefits
- Probiotics with guaranteed CFUs
- Made in house
Dry Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Plant protein
- Unnamed protein
- Ultra processed
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5 ingredients
- GMOs in top 5 ingredients
- Contains rice
- Natural flavor
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
- Ingredient splitting
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Diamond Care Dry
Score: 2.9/10
Ingredient List For Renal Formula Adult Recipe: Brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), egg product, potato protein, tomato pomace, flaxseed, natural flavor, menhaden fish oil (a source of EPA, preserved with mixed tocopherols), calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Care Dry is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There are 4 recipes with 21% protein and 45% carbohydrate as calculated. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals, and amino acids. The recipes include unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are ultra-processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They have high pesticide foods and GMO crops listed in their top 5 ingredients. They also include natural flavor. They use rice that can contain arsenic. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Diamond Care Dry Benefits
- Probiotics
- Made in house
Diamond Care Dry Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Added amino acids
- Unnamed protein in 1 recipe
- Ultra processed
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5
- GMOs in top 5
- Contains rice
- Natural flavor
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
- Ingredient splitting
- Glam ingredients in 1 recipe
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Diamond Naturals Dry
Score: 3.8/10
Ingredient List For All Stages Chicken & Rice Adult Recipe: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice, dried yeast, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), egg product, grain sorghum, dried beet pulp, natural flavor, flaxseed, salmon oil (source of DHA), potassium chloride, salt, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, quinoa, dried kelp, coconut, spinach, carrots, papaya, yucca schidigera extract, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, beta carotene, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Naturals Dry is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There are 13 recipes with 25% protein and 39% carbohydrate as calculated. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals, and amino acids. One recipe has unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are ultra-processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They have high pesticide foods listed in the top 5 ingredients. They also include natural flavor. They use rice that can contain arsenic. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Diamond Naturals Benefits
- Probiotics
- Made in house
Diamond Naturals Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Added amino acids
- Unnamed protein
- Ultra processed
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5
- Contains rice
- Natural flavor
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
- Ingredient splitting
- Glam ingredients
- Unsubstantiated marketing terms
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Review
Diamond Pro 89 Dry
Score: 4/10
Ingredient List For Beef, Pork & Ancient Grains Formula Recipe: Beef, pork, beef meal, grain sorghum, whole grain brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), millet, fish meal, dried beet pulp, natural flavor, flaxseed, quinoa, chia seed, potassium chloride, salt, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, L-Carnitine, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, chondroitin sulfate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Pro 89 is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There is 1 recipe with 30% protein and 31% carbohydrate as calculated. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals, and amino acids. The recipes include unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are ultra-processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They have high pesticide foods listed in the top 5 ingredients. They also include natural flavor. They use rice that can contain arsenic. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Pro 89 Dry Benefits
- Probiotics
- Made in house
Pro 89 Dry Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Added amino acids
- Unnamed protein
- Ultra processed
- High pesticide/herbicide foods in top 5
- Natural flavor
- Contains rice
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Diamond Natural Grain-Free Dry
Score: 3.2/10
Ingredient List For Wild-Caught Whitefish & Sweet Potato Recipe: Whitefish, fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, pea flour, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, natural flavor, flaxseed, salt, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, yucca schidigera extract, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Natural Grain-Free Dry is a high risk dog food by our criteria. There are 3 recipes with 24% protein and 40% carbohydrate as calculated. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals, and amino acids. The recipes include inflammatory seed oil. There is unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are ultra-processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They have high pesticide ingredients. They also include natural flavor. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Grain-Free Dry Benefits
- Probiotics
- Made in house
Grain-Free Dry Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Added amino acids
- Seed oil
- Unnamed protein
- Ultra processed
- High pesticide/herbicide foods
- Natural flavor
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
- Ingredient splitting
- Glam ingredients
- Unsubstantiated marketing terms
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
Diamond Naturals Wet
Score: 6.3/10
Ingredient List For Lamb Dinner Adult Recipe: Lamb, lamb broth, lamb liver, rice flour, carrots, lamb meal, dried egg product, tricalcium phosphate, sunflower oil, guar gum, potassium chloride, salt, agar-agar, pumpkin, quinoa, cranberries, blueberries, dried kelp, inulin, taurine, choline chloride, menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, sodium carbonate, vitamin E supplement, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, cobalt amino acid chelate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.
Diamond Naturals Wet is a moderate risk dog food by our criteria. There are 3 recipes with 44% protein. There are average carbohydrates of 25% as calculated on a dry matter basis. These recipes rank low in ingredient quality for high carbohydrates. They have excessive added vitamins and minerals. The recipes include inflammatory seed oil. There is unnamed animal protein. On the ingredient safety side, these foods are highly processed. They use high heat that destroys nutrients. They use rice that can contain arsenic. Diamond doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. This is a concern since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory ratio of 30:1. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation.
Naturals Wet Benefits
- Probiotics
- Made in house
Naturals Wet Concerns
- High in carbohydrates
- Excessive added vitamins & minerals
- Seed oil
- Unnamed protein
- Highly processed
- Contains rice
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Doesn’t specify farmed or wild-caught fish
- Ingredient splitting
- Glam ingredients
View The Entire Review on Dog Food Reviews
DIAMOND DOG FOODS DOG FOOD RECALLS
Diamond Pet Foods has been involved in multiple recalls as follows:
March 2013 – Recall of Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula for low levels of thiamine.
April 2012 – Recall for salmonella contamination affecting Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild and Natural Balance.
May 2012 – Expansion of recall from April 2012.
December 2005 – Recall for aflatoxin contamination resulting in the deaths of pets.
Evaluation Criteria
These dog foods were evaluated and scored based on two criteria:
Are the Ingredients High Quality?
Here are some common low quality ingredients or markers we look for:
- Is there excessive carbohydrate content, which can cause gut imbalances?
- Does the food contain unnamed proteins, which are low quality?
- Does the food use cellulose (wood pulp) as a source of fiber instead of real food?
- Are there excessive vitamins and minerals added in place of real food nutrition?
- Are there excessive added amino acids or plant proteins instead of expensive meat protein?
- Does the food contain inflammatory processed seed oils?
How Safe Are the Ingredients?
Many ingredients come from unhealthy, inflammatory sources or are full of pesticides so we look for:
- How processed is the food?
- Does the food contain known genetically modified foods?
- Does the food contain ingredients known to be high in pesticides?
- Does the food contain natural flavor, which are often MSG or animal digest?
- Does the food contain rice, which is high in arsenic?
We evaluate each food by these criteria. We assign a score using the average of ingredient quality and safety. This is NOT a paid list and there are no affiliate links. Dogs Naturally partnered with DogFoodReviews.com to develop unbiased, objective criteria for dog owners. This will help them choose the best dog food on the market. You can view the full Evaluation Criteria at DogFoodReviews.com.
