What's actually in Diamond Naturals?
We analyzed Diamond Naturals Adult Chicken & Rice Formula. The first seven ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice, dried yeast, and chicken fat.
Two chicken-based protein sources in the top three is a strong start. Chicken meal is a concentrated protein that delivers roughly three times the protein of whole chicken by weight. Whole grain brown rice and cracked pearled barley are quality, digestible grains — both are meaningful steps above the corn and wheat fillers that dominate similarly priced brands. White rice at position five adds a highly digestible carbohydrate, and dried yeast provides B vitamins and palatability. Chicken fat, preserved with mixed tocopherols (a natural vitamin E-based preservative), rounds out the top seven as a quality fat source that dogs find highly palatable.
No corn. No wheat. No soy. At this price point, that's genuinely uncommon. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The omega-3 story is where Diamond Naturals separates from the pack. Both flaxseed and fish meal are included — that gives you plant-based and marine-based omega-3 sources working together for skin, coat, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Most brands at this price include one omega-3 source or none. Diamond Naturals includes two.
The superfood and antioxidant blend is impressive: kale, blueberries, chia seed, and coconut all appear in the formula. These aren't present in large quantities, but they provide natural vitamins, phytonutrients, and fiber that you simply won't find in competitors like Iams or Purina ONE.
Chicory root extract provides prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria — a functional ingredient that supports digestive health. The overall nutrient profile is well-balanced for adult maintenance, with the majority of protein coming from named animal sources.
The price is the headline. A 40-pound bag typically runs $35–45 — the same range as Purina ONE (C/58) and Iams (C/63). You're getting B-grade ingredients at a C-grade price. That value gap is the widest of any brand we've tested.
The not-so-good stuff
There's some rice ingredient splitting — multiple rice-based ingredients appear at different points in the list, which can make the rice content appear smaller than it actually is. It's a common industry practice, but it's worth noting.
"Natural flavors" appears as a vague, unspecified ingredient. It's not harmful, but it's not transparent. Egg "product" rather than whole eggs is another minor cost-saving measure — dried egg product is functional but less premium than whole eggs or egg powder.
Diamond Pet Foods, the manufacturer, has had recall issues. The most notable was a 2012 salmonella contamination that affected multiple brands produced at their facility. The company has invested in quality control upgrades since then, but the history is part of the record.
The brand has virtually zero marketing presence. They don't sponsor vet schools, run television ads, or partner with celebrities. That keeps the price low but means most pet owners have never heard of them.
How it compares
Diamond Naturals ties with Blue Buffalo and Taste of the Wild at B/78 — the top of our Tier 1 rankings. But the value calculation sets it apart: Diamond Naturals typically costs less than both while delivering comparable or better ingredient quality.
The comparison with similarly priced brands is even more dramatic. Purina ONE, Iams, and Rachael Ray Nutrish all cost about the same but score 13–20 points lower. Royal Canin costs roughly twice as much and scores 20 points lower. Diamond Naturals is, point for point, the best value in dog food.
It's manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods — the same company that makes Taste of the Wild. That shared infrastructure is what allows them to deliver quality ingredients at scale pricing.
Read the full breakdowns in our head-to-head comparisons: Diamond Naturals vs Taste of the Wild, Kirkland vs Diamond Naturals, 4Health vs Diamond Naturals, Purina ONE vs Diamond Naturals, Eagle Pack vs Diamond Naturals, American Journey vs Diamond Naturals, and Pure Balance vs Diamond Naturals.
Life-stage variant: Diamond Naturals Puppy (B/78) is the Small & Medium Breed puppy formula with salmon oil DHA, white rice digestibility, and the same five-strain probiotic blend.
The bottom line
Diamond Naturals earns a B grade (78/100) from KibbleIQ. Chicken first, chicken meal second, dual omega-3 sources, superfood antioxidants, and prebiotics — all at a budget price. The rice splitting and past recall history are the only meaningful knocks. If you're looking for the best ingredient quality per dollar spent, Diamond Naturals is the answer. It's the dog food the industry doesn't want you to know about, because it proves you don't need to pay premium prices for premium ingredients. Shop on Amazon →