Diamond Naturals is one of those dog foods that shows up everywhere. So a lot of owners end up trying it at least once. It aims for a simple goal: give your dog a meat-first kibble with steady nutrition, at a price that feels fair.
For this review, I’m using Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice (All Life Stages) as the main example. Then I’ll explain who it fits best, what looks strong, and what may be a deal-breaker.
Quick verdict
Diamond Naturals feels like a “safe and steady” kibble for most healthy dogs. So if your dog eats chicken and grains with no issues, this one can work as a daily food.
Best for: adult dogs, active family dogs, multi-dog homes
Not ideal for: chicken allergy dogs, dogs that need a short ingredient list
Ingredient overview (what you are really paying for)
The Chicken & Rice recipe starts with a strong core:
- Chicken
- Chicken meal
- Whole grain brown rice
- Barley
- White rice
- Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
That lineup matters. So you get animal protein early in the ingredient list, not tucked away later. Chicken meal also helps here, since it packs more concentrated protein than fresh meat alone.
Next, you get the grains. Brown rice and barley are common in kibble, and many dogs handle them well. They add energy and help the kibble hold its shape.
After that, the formula leans on fiber sources like beet pulp and chicory root. These ingredients often help with stool quality, especially for dogs that get loose stools on richer foods.
Then come the “extras.” Diamond Naturals lists ingredients like pumpkin, blueberries, and spinach. These sound exciting, and they can add variety. Still, the main value comes from the protein, fat, and the vitamin-mineral blend.
Nutrition table (Guaranteed Analysis + Calories)
Here are the label numbers for Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice (All Life Stages). So you can see the real breakdown at a glance.
| Nutrient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 26.0% min | Guaranteed Analysis |
| Crude Fat | 16.0% min | Guaranteed Analysis |
| Crude Fiber | 2.5% max | Guaranteed Analysis |
| Moisture | 10.0% max | Guaranteed Analysis |
| DHA | 0.05% min | Often linked to brain and eye support |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min | Skin and coat support |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.4% min | Skin and coat support |
| Zinc | 150 mg/kg min | Added mineral |
| Selenium | 0.35 mg/kg min | Added mineral |
| Vitamin A | 10,000 IU/kg min | Added vitamin |
| Vitamin E | 150 IU/kg min | Added vitamin |
| Probiotics | 80,000,000 CFU/lb min | K9 Strain probiotic blend |
| Calories | 3,708 kcal/kg | Calculated ME |
| Calories per cup | 421 kcal/cup | Calculated ME |
What the nutrition means in everyday feeding
This recipe lands in a comfortable middle ground. So it works for a lot of adult dogs without needing constant tweaking.
Protein at 26% supports muscle and normal activity. Then fat at 16% helps with energy and coat condition. The calories per cup (421) are worth paying attention to, though. So portion size really matters.
A simple example helps. If your dog needs 2 cups a day, that’s about 842 calories from the kibble alone. Then treats stack on top fast. So owners often blame the food, when the real issue is the total daily calories.
Still, this isn’t a weight-loss formula. So if your dog gains weight easily, you’ll want careful measuring and fewer extras.
Digestion support and probiotics (a real plus)
Diamond Naturals lists a probiotic guarantee on the label. So you get a clear number instead of a vague marketing line. The bag lists 80 million CFU per pound.
That probiotic detail can matter. So if your dog has a sensitive stomach, steady gut support often helps day-to-day comfort. At times, it can mean firmer stools and fewer “random” stomach issues.
If you care a lot about recalls, label changes, and what rules matter on pet food packaging, this guide is worth reading:
https://petsafenest.com/2025-pet-food-review-the-recalls-label-updates-and-nutrition-rules-that-reset-what-owners-buy
It lays out the bigger picture. So you can read any dog food label with more confidence.
Life stage fit (and who should skip it)
This Chicken & Rice recipe is labeled for All Life Stages. So it aims to cover adult dogs and growing dogs under the same umbrella.
That can be useful in a multi-dog home. So you can feed one kibble to more than one dog without switching bags.
Still, some owners prefer a dedicated puppy formula for young dogs. So they can control calories and growth pacing more carefully, especially for large breeds.
Now, let’s talk about dogs that may not do well on this food.
Dogs that may struggle with Diamond Naturals
- Dogs with a confirmed chicken allergy
- Dogs with strong food sensitivities
- Dogs that do best on short ingredient lists
This recipe includes several ingredients beyond the basics. So it is not the cleanest choice for sensitive dogs.
Pros and cons (plain and honest)
Pros
Diamond Naturals has a few strengths that show up fast.
- Meat-first recipe, with chicken and chicken meal up front
- Balanced protein and fat for daily feeding
- Probiotic guarantee listed on the label
- Solid value for the price
- Easy to find in many stores
Cons
It’s not perfect. So you should know the trade-offs.
- Not a limited-ingredient recipe
- Chicken-based, so it won’t fit chicken allergy dogs
- “Natural flavor” appears on many labels, and some owners avoid it
Where to buy
A quick note for homes with cats too
A lot of pet owners buy dog food and cat food in the same week. So label reading turns into a small hobby, whether you want it or not.
If you ever looked at a cat food label and thought, “Wait, what does ‘dinner’ even mean?” you’ll like this short guide:
https://petsafenest.com/the-25-rule-for-cat-food-what-dinner-really-means-on-the-label
It keeps things simple. So you don’t get tricked by product naming.
Final verdict
Diamond Naturals is a dependable kibble that covers the basics well. So you get meat-first structure, a steady nutrition profile, and a probiotic guarantee that stands out at this price level.
If your dog eats chicken and grains with no trouble, this can be a long-term option. Then you can pick a matching formula for your dog’s age and activity level.
If your dog needs a short ingredient list, skip this one. So you avoid trial-and-error stomach problems and wasted bags.
