The scores
Victor Hi-Pro Plus: B (76/100) — A performance formula built around four animal protein meals (beef, chicken, pork, fish) with millet and sorghum grains. High protein density designed for active and working dogs.
Diamond Naturals Adult Chicken & Rice: B (78/100) — Whole chicken and chicken meal lead, with quality grains, an extensive superfood blend (kale, chia, pumpkin, blueberries, quinoa), glucosamine/chondroitin for joints, and chicory root prebiotic. One of the best values in dog food.
How the ingredients compare
Victor: Beef Meal, Whole Grain Millet, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat, Chicken Meal
Diamond Naturals: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, White Rice
Victor’s top five are dominated by concentrated protein — beef meal at #1 and chicken meal at #5, with millet and sorghum as the grain base. Diamond Naturals leads with whole chicken (which drops in rank after cooking removes moisture) backed by chicken meal. The fundamental difference: Victor packs four distinct animal proteins into a single formula for maximum amino acid diversity, while Diamond Naturals invests those ingredient slots in superfoods, joint supplements, and prebiotics that Victor lacks entirely.
Where Diamond Naturals pulls ahead
Superfood breadth: Kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, quinoa, coconut, spinach, carrots, papaya, and oranges — Diamond Naturals packs one of the most extensive superfood lists you’ll find at this price point. Victor has no fruits or vegetables at all. These ingredients add antioxidants, fiber, and phytonutrients beyond what the base formula provides.
Joint support: Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are included for cartilage health and mobility — especially valuable for large breeds and aging dogs. Victor offers no joint support ingredients. For owners watching their dog’s long-term mobility, this is a meaningful gap.
Prebiotic fiber: Chicory root provides inulin, a prebiotic that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Combined with dried beet pulp (which both formulas share), Diamond Naturals offers stronger digestive support. Victor relies on beet pulp alone.
Salmon oil: A dedicated omega-3 source for skin and coat health, separate from the chicken fat that provides the primary fat base. Victor uses chicken fat but has no dedicated omega-3 oil supplement. Shop on Amazon →
Where Victor holds its own
Protein diversity: Four distinct animal protein meals — beef meal, chicken meal, pork meal, and menhaden fish meal — in a single formula is rare at any price point. This delivers a broader amino acid profile and reduces the risk of developing protein-specific sensitivities. Diamond Naturals relies on chicken as its sole animal protein species (whole chicken + chicken meal + fish meal).
Performance focus: Victor Hi-Pro Plus is purpose-built for active and working dogs. The multi-meal protein base, dried egg product, and taurine supplementation support sustained energy and muscle recovery. Diamond Naturals is formulated as a general adult maintenance food. If your dog works, hunts, or trains hard, Victor’s protein density matters.
Grain quality: Millet and sorghum are ancient, gluten-free grains with lower glycemic impact than the white rice in Diamond Naturals’ formula. While both brands use quality grains overall, Victor avoids the white rice filler that dilutes Diamond Naturals’ grain profile. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
Diamond Naturals wins by 2 points with a more complete nutritional package — superfoods, joint support, prebiotics, and salmon oil give it advantages that extend well beyond basic nutrition. Victor’s four-animal-meal protein base is genuinely impressive and hard to find at this price, making it the better choice for active, working, or performance dogs who need maximum protein diversity. For the average family dog, Diamond Naturals’ well-rounded formula covers more bases. Both are among the best values in dog food — you can’t go wrong with either.