diamond naturals salmon dog food review
Diamond Naturals Salmon & Potato Formula For Skin & Coat (All Life Stages) Review
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's immune system, brain function, and skin and coat health.
Fish meal is a highly digestible protein source for dogs, providing essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. It supports skin and coat health, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
Potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and are also high in fiber which can help keep your dog's digestive system running smoothly.
Lentils are a high-quality, plant-based protein source that also provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which can support healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight for your dog.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Pea flour is a gluten-free source of carbohydrates and protein that offers an alternative to grains for dogs with sensitivities. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of healthy fats that can help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. It's preserved with mixed tocopherols (forms of vitamin E) to maintain freshness.
Dried yeast is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It supports a healthy immune system, promotes skin and coat health, and aids in maintaining overall well-being in your dog.
Tomato pomace is a fiber-rich ingredient that can help support healthy digestion and maintain a healthy weight in dogs.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus supplement that helps to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth in dogs.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Dried chicory root is a natural prebiotic fiber that can help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and support your dog's digestive health. It also contains inulin, which can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and support overall immune system function.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that helps your dog's body convert fat into energy, promoting a healthy weight and supporting their overall well-being.
Kale is a nutrient-rich leafy green packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a strong immune system, healthy skin, and coat in dogs.
Chia seed is a superfood for dogs, providing omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin, as well as fiber to support digestion and overall health.
Pumpkin is a nutritious and fiber-rich ingredient that can help support your dog's digestive health. Its high fiber content can aid in maintaining a healthy weight and promoting regular bowel movements.
Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.
Orange is a fantastic source of vitamin C, fiber, and various antioxidants for your dog. Vitamin C is essential for immune system support, while fiber aids digestion and the antioxidants help combat oxidative stress, promoting overall health and vitality.
Dried kelp is a natural source of essential minerals and trace elements, which help support your dog's thyroid function and overall health.
Coconut is a source of healthy fats and dietary fiber, which can support digestion, skin and coat health, and provide a natural energy source for dogs.
Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable that offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog's overall health and wellbeing.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.
Papaya is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that can promote overall health in dogs. It supports a healthy immune system, digestive health, and provides antioxidants to protect against cellular damage.
The dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product is a probiotic that aids in maintaining a healthy gut flora.
The dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product is a beneficial probiotic that supports digestive health in dogs. It helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, promoting overall well-being and immune function.
Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product is a probiotic that can aid in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut, supporting overall digestive health.
Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product is a beneficial probiotic ingredient used in dog food. It helps support a healthy digestive system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This probiotic also aids in nutrient absorption and can improve your dog's overall immune system function.
Dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product is a probiotic that aids in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut, promoting digestive health.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.
Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.
Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.
Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
Potassium iodide is a chemical compound that can be used as a source of iodine in your dog's diet. Iodine is crucial for the proper functioning of your dog's thyroid gland.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and helps reduce inflammation.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is essential for energy production, cell function, and fat metabolism in your dog's body.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
The guaranteed analysis value for Crude Protein of a minimum of 25.00% is primarily contributed by the first two ingredients: salmon and fish meal. Both are high-quality sources of animal protein that are rich in essential amino acids necessary for the overall health of pets. Fish meal, in particular, is a concentrated form of protein.
The Crude Fat minimum of 14.00% is likely due to the salmon, which is naturally oily and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Canola oil, also listed in the ingredients, is another source of dietary fats that contribute to this value. Fats are crucial for energy, cell function, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Crude Fiber maximum of 5.50% is associated with the plant-based ingredients such as potatoes, lentils, peas, pea flour, and tomato pomace. These ingredients contain dietary fibers which are important for digestive health. Fiber helps to regulate bowel movements and can aid in weight management.
The caloric content of 3600.00 kilocalories per kilogram is influenced by the combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates present in the formula. The main contributors to the calorie content are the macronutrients: protein from the salmon and fish meal, fats from the salmon and canola oil, and carbohydrates from the potatoes, lentils, and peas. Each of these macronutrients provides a certain number of calories per gram, with fats being the most calorie-dense.
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Customers have found Diamond Naturals Salmon & Potato Formula to be highly beneficial for their dogs with sensitive skin and digestive issues. Many have reported improvements in their dogs' coat condition and relief from itching and allergies, particularly for breeds like pit mixes and German Shepherds. The salmon base is appreciated for maintaining good skin health without the inclusion of chicken, which is a common allergen for some dogs.
Despite some concerns about a change in the recipe causing adverse reactions in a few dogs, the majority of reviews are positive, highlighting the food's effectiveness in resolving skin flakiness and gastrointestinal problems. Owners of multiple dogs have noted that the food is well-received by all their pets, regardless of age or breed.
The food's affordability and positive impact on dogs' health are frequently mentioned, with many owners stating they would recommend it to others. While there are occasional reports of dogs not taking to the food or experiencing digestive upsets, these seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Overall, Diamond Naturals Salmon & Potato Formula receives high marks for its quality ingredients and the noticeable benefits to dogs' skin and coat health.
Diamond Dog Food Review (Dry)
Is Diamond a good dog food?
In this review The Dog Food Advisor takes a critical look at Diamond Dog Food and its five most important sub-brands.
Well also reveal
- Is Diamond Dog Food made in the United States?
- Has Diamond been recalled?
- Which flavors and recipes get our highest ratings?
But first
Which Diamond Sub-Brand Is Right for You?
Here are Diamonds five most popular sub-brands. In the following section, well show you what makes each different. So you can choose the food thats best for your dog.
This is Diamonds economy kibble. Its a no-frills dry dog food at a very low price.
- Grain-inclusive (corn, wheat, rice)
- Notable meat content
- 6 recipes (ratings vary)
View all Recipe Ratings
Diamond Naturals is a premium dry dog food. It contains more meat, better ingredients and offers a significant upgrade over the standard Diamond product (above).
- Above-average protein. Moderate fat.
- Chelated minerals for superior nutrition
- 13 recipes (ratings vary)
View all Recipe Ratings
This sub-brand includes the grain-free version of Diamond Naturals (above). The protein in this recipe appears to be derived from both plant and animal sources.
- Beef, chicken or whitefish protein
- Contains fresh, beta-carotene-rich sweet potato. No corn, wheat or barley
- 3 recipes (ratings vary)
View all Recipe Ratings
Diamond Care includes 4 dry recipes each designed by vets for dogs with specific health issues.
- 100% grain-free formula. No corn, wheat or rice.
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fats for healthy skin and coat
- 4 recipes (ratings vary)
View all Recipe Ratings
Diamond Original canned formula is for those who prefer a wet food thats made with grain (rice).
- Complete nutrition for puppies or adults
- Can be fed as a balanced meal or as a tasty topper for dry kibble
- 3 recipes (ratings vary)
View all Recipe Ratings
Which Diamond Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
The Diamond Dog Food product line includes the 6 dry recipes listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Diamond Maintenance was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken by-product meal, a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. Its made from whats left of a slaughtered chicken after all the choice cuts have been removed.
In addition to organs, this item can also include feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs and almost anything other than prime skeletal muscle.
On the brighter side, by-product meals are meat concentrates and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The quality of this ingredient can vary, depending on the caliber of the raw materials obtained by the manufacturer.
The second ingredient is wheat flour, a highly-refined product of wheat milling. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.
The third ingredient is corn. Corn is another cereal grain and subject to the same issues as wheat (previously discussed).
The next ingredient is rice bran, a healthy by-product of milling whole grain rice. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, fat as well as vitamins and minerals.
The fifth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The sixth item on the ingredient list is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The eighth ingredient is ground white rice, another name for rice flour. Ground rice is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.
The next ingredient is fish meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1
Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. Because various fish contain different types of fats, we would have preferred to have known the source species.
Other Notable Ingredients
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With 4 notable exceptions
First, flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added to provide enzymes to aid the animal with digestion.
In addition, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Diamond looks like an average dry dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 24%, a fat level of 13% and estimated carbohydrates of about 54%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 19%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 44% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 65%.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.
Our Rating of Diamond Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor finds Diamond to be an above-average grain-inclusive kibble. Each recipe uses at least a moderate amount of named meat meal as its dominant source of animal protein thus earning the brand 4.5 stars. The Diamond Naturals formula gets 4.5 stars. Diamond wet earns 5 stars.
Who Makes Diamond Dog Food?
Diamond is made by family-owned Diamond Pet Foods, of Meta, Missouri. All dry foods are produced at the companys own facilities in South Carolina, California, Arkansas and Missouri. Wet recipes are made by a private-label cannery in the United States.
Diamond also makes top-rated Taste of the Wild and budget-friendly Costco Kirkland dog foods.
What Do Others Say About Diamond Dog Food?
As of the time of this update
Chewy customers rate Diamond Naturals 4.5 out of 5 stars and 93% say they would recommend it to others.
Heres an actual user review
Sample buyer review I am a former pet store employee so I know a little bit about pet nutrition. I was wanting to transition my dogs into a new food that was still a good quality for a lower price. Diamond naturals does both. It has no bad ingredients and had fresh fruit and vegetables which I love. My two dogs seem to really be enjoying their new food!
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
