Merrick Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
If you are specifically looking for grain-free canine formula, then you can’t go wrong with this Merrick recipe.
It’s perfect for all breeds, ages, and sizes and is available in a variety of different flavors. We recommend the beef and sweet potato recipe as it is poultry-free .
Containing a whopping 38% protein and 15% fat, Merrick’s philosophy is that these two properties in combination with a host of vitamins and minerals will do wonders for promoting the overall dog’s health.
They are extremely transparent with regards to the ingredient composition, choosing only the best available products and containing no corn, wheat, soy or gluten ingredients.
This helps give us tremendous confidence in recommending the brand. At $60 for a 25-lb bag, this does fall into the premium category.
Whether the exceptional nutritional content is worth the increased price is up to you.
Is Diamond Food Good For Dogs
Yes, Diamond Dog Food is good.
Diamond Dog Food uses whole and natural ingredients in their pet foods and offers formulas from puppy food to food for senior dogs, from small breeds to large breeds, and formulas for dogs with specific needs.
In short, Diamond Dog Food does a great job of ensuring it offers safe, nutritious, and affordable dog food.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
Our team, with the help of experts, established a set of main criteria that we deemed important when evaluating dog food brands. This is what a good dog food formula should encompass:
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Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken
Gentle Giants have produced a chicken-based dry budget dog food that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It uses twelve whole fruits and vegetables including beets, tomatoes, blueberries, cranberries, spinach, celery, and apples.
This means that your dog will not only be enjoying a flavor sensation, they will also be absorbing Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, and Vitamin C from natural sources. These aim to foster good immune health in your dog. We are a little disappointed in this formula’s protein and fat content.
Containing only 22% protein, this food falls below the average amount in this price bracket. Still, this will adequately meet the nutritional needs of your dog and support their muscles and bones.
This formula has been designed for dog’s with sensitive stomachs, so it might be a good idea to try this if your pet is having digestive trouble with standard canine food.
Whilst, it isn’t really competitive with premium foods, Gentle Giants will be more than adequate for pet parents on a tight budget.
Diamond Has Three Private Label Brands: Diamond Diamond Naturals And Diamond Grain Free
Diamond has been involved in numerous recalls that affect not only their own brands but some of the products they make for other companies. Because of these recalls, Diamond has has garnered quite a negative reputation that the company is still trying to correct. Diamond just settled a lawsuit due to a large 2012 recall, which was in regards to Salmonella and sickened both pets and people. The company was also involved in a widespread 2007 recall due to melamine contamination that caused liver and kidney failure in many pets. Before that, the company was involved in an aflatoxin recall in 2005, a liver damaging toxin that occurs secondary to mold.
I cannot figure out if Diamond has such a high incidence of recalls due to the sheer volume of food they produce, or if there are issues with the manufacturing practices. Regardless, I recommend caution to anyone feeding foods produced in Diamond plants. There are so many other quality foods out there, some of which have never been recalled, that the consumer has no shortage of good food from which to choose.
An ingredient review of Diamond pet foods is difficult, as there are so many formulations and brands. Couple that with the long history of recalls, we have a hard time recommending feeding any Diamond products. According to their website, the company now employs several safety measures, including:
- On-Site Product Testing
- Air Quality Control
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Best Dehydrated: Sundays Food For Dogs
Sundays
Want something truly different? Heres how dehydrated food works: After its made, the food is air dried. This preserves all the nutrients, while killing off germs. It’s a good option for pet owners who are intrigued by the idea of raw food diets, but are worried about potential bacteria in raw meat.
Everything in the food is 100 percent human-grade. That means its also safe for humans to eat . Its also formulated without common allergens and with ingredients that support digestion .
Because its dehydrated, the food doesnt need to be stored in the fridge or freezer, and it also doesnt need to be heated up or cleaned up carefully after your dog eats.
Is Diamond Dog Food Worth It
Yes, Diamond Dog Food is worth it.
Diamond Dog Food is priced at a mid-tier level and provides quality nutrition from whole food sources, even though the primary ingredient in most of their recipes is chicken meal. The brand also uses superfoods in its recipes.
They have a wide variety of formulas to suit the needs of nearly any dog in almost any situation, although their flavors are limited.
Diamond Dog Food sources its ingredients in the USA from sustainable sources and produces its food in the USA as well, so when you buy this brand, you are helping to support American families.
Overall, Diamond Pet Food is a great choice.
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Orijen Dog Original Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Giblets
- Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 3,940 kcal/kg, 473 kcal/cup
- Breed Size: Small Breeds, Medium Breeds, Large Breeds, All Breeds
- Lifestage: Adult
- Key Feature: Grain-Free, High-Protein, Gluten Free, Natural, Raw, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
Reasons to suggest
- If you are looking for the best quality food for your senior dog then Orijen is the best dog foods , Even though they are the best sellers in the market thats why we have kept this product number one on our list.
- Their range of super premium dog offerings offers dog owners the chance to pamper their dogs with a large amount of authentic meat protein throughout their life.
- Orijens products are praised for being grain free and having a mutually appropriate solution for quality nutrition.
- The diet cuts calories in its other formulations by one level to help stop weight gain when your senior dog starts to slow down and becomes less active.
- Plus, its considered fermented, low in sugar, and totally corn-free for mature dogs that may have allergies.
- Top it all off with the fact that Orijen creates her food al France within her own Kentucky kitchen and you have a diet that your dog not only deserves but will also enjoy!
What Others Are Saying
DogFoodAdvisor
The good folks at DogFoodAdvisor are generally positive about Diamond Naturals, although they do note that the protein is only derived from a moderate amount of meat. They take no real issue with most of the ingredients, and ultimately conclude its an above-average dry dog food.
RATING: 4 Stars
Dog Food Guru
This site chose to focus on the Extreme Athlete blend. Overall, they thought it was appropriately formulated for very active dogs. However, they are not fans of cellulose as an ingredient, and warn it could cause flatulence.
RATING: 4.5 Stars
Amazon
Theres a huge number of real reviews and feedback from previous consumers of Diamond naturals dog food on Amazon, and these real-life experiences are often some of the most valuable opinions you can find. .
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Diamond Dog Food Review
Diamond Pet Food is a brand that is committed to providing pets with premium quality food at an affordable price. The company has tried to uphold this commitment and their dog food is one of the most preferred among pet owners. Diamond Dog Food has established itself as one of the leading dog food manufacturers in the country.
Diamond Dog Food is manufactured in the US and all products go through stringent quality checks. To maintain the quality of the food, Diamond uses only the finest ingredients high-quality animal protein and superfoods. Under the Diamond Pet Food banner there are three main brands which together provide a range of products for dogs of every age, size and breed. They also have products for special food preferences.
Diamond Naturals Dry Food
The premier line called, simply, Diamond Naturals uses higher quality ingredients and reduced fillers compared to the Diamond line. Most have a closer to average amount of fat and protein but the higher quality ingredients mean the sources of these macronutrients are more digestible. This line costs more than the Diamond line but is still relatively affordable as far as natural dog foods go.
- All Life Stages Chicken & Rice
- Extreme Athlete Chicken & Rice
- Large Breed Lamb Meal & Rice
- Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice
- Light Adult Lamb Meal & Rice
- Senior Chicken, Egg, & Oatmeal
- Small Breed Lamb Meal & Rice
- Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice
- Skin & Coat Salmon & Potato
- Lamb Dinner Canned Food
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My Senior Dog Doesnt Want To Eat What Do I Do
Do you have an inappetent elderly dog who eats little or nothing? You can try to motivate him in the following ways:
- use interactive toys to get him to get food
- use balanced foods that are very palatable:
- add homemade chicken broth to food
- season the food with a little extra virgin olive oil
- distribute the recommended daily amount in several doses throughout the day.
If your lack of appetite is prolonged, it is advisable to visit your vet to rule out a health problem .
Warning: Our reviews on theBest Senior Dog Food are mostly based on information from experts and manufacturers. We test many products, but it is impossible to test them all. That said, we ask that you remember that the recommendations above are opinions, and before using a treatment, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian.
Where Is Diamond Dog Food Manufactured
Diamond Pet foods are based out of Meta in Missouri. The brand also owns its industry-leading manufacturing facilities throughout America. These factories are located in South Carolina, California, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Diamonds canned food products are made by a private-label cannery located in the United States.
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An Overview On Dry Dog Food
Dogs are like members of our families, so of course, we want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. The foundation for that is proper nutrition. A consistent, high-quality diet is the key to keeping your dog looking and feeling great. Feeding your dog the best dog food will keep them functioning at their best and can ward off chronic diseases, leading to a longer life. Dry dog food is very common and convenient, as it does not require refrigeration.
Theres a ton of different types of dry dog food out there, so the choices can be overwhelming. You should look for dog food that is labeled as complete and balanced, which means the food contains the minimum amount of all the nutrients necessary for dogs. This standard is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Keep in mind that buzzwords like premium and immune supporting are not regulated and should not carry much weight in your choice.
Just as with human food, you want to make sure your dog is eating a diet with real, whole foods and one that is free from artificial preservatives and additives. Make sure your dogs food contains a high-quality animal protein source, like lamb, chicken or turkey. Leading brands contain multiple protein sources, including chicken, turkey, flounder and egg.
What To Look For
The best puppy food will have animal protein at the very top of the ingredients list.
You want to see a named animal protein not a by-product or some other version of protein.
Chicken and beef are the most common proteins and you will want them to be one of the major components of the food.
An additional benefit to foods like Diamond Naturals puppy food, is that their protein sources come from cage-free chickens and responsibly farmed lamb.
Many of the companies that make the best puppy foods will not consider factory-farming protein for their food blends.
You should make sure that the food also includes vegetables, fruits and whole grain.
While there have to be grains in dog foods as binders, you do not want the grain component to be anything that is not a whole grain and this part of the food should not be listed too early in the ingredients.
A balanced diet is a huge part of healthy development and growth for a puppy.
Always avoid puppy foods that include wheat gluten and corn.
You will also want to avoid foods that have meat and grain meals or by-products listed in the ingredients. Included food dyes are usually a bad sign when considering quality and you should also see rendered fat as a problem ingredient.
Low-quality foods usually also include chemical components like BHA and BHT . Ethoxyquin and Propylene Glycol are also problematic and should be avoided.
If you are still feeling a bit stumped about which food to buy for your puppy, you are in luck.
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Kibbles N Bits Homestyle Grilled Beef & Vegetable
At first glance, this recipe looks alright. Its promoted as having a culinary-inspired formula and is supposed to be loaded with proteins.
The texture crunchy kibbles with soft, meaty bits is also something that would definitely interest a pup. However, if you look closely at the label, youll see that the food is made up of low-quality ingredients.
Its not meat-based. Although its billed as a beef and vegetable recipe, the vegetables come first and there are more of them than necessary.
In fact, the main ingredients of the meal are corn and grains. The meat doesnt come in until the third slot. and its the only meat within the first eight ingredients of the recipe .
We dont usually have a problem with corn or grains, but this many? And its not only that. Theres corn syrup in the food. While corn syrup is not a dangerous ingredient, it has a high sugar content.
Its not necessary in dog food, and manufacturers only add it to enhance the flavor. If your pup is already struggling with obesity, then this sugar product makes the problem worse.
Lastly, were not a fan of artificial colors, and this food has plenty of it. Dogs arent tempted by colored foods, so the artificial hues are really intended to attract pet owners.
Recall Info: No food recall for this specific recipe although Kibbles n Bits has been involved in a recall for its canned foods back in 2018.
Fat Content Of Diamond Naturals
Dogs rely on fat for most of their energy needs. We prefer to see the first whole-fat ingredient listed within the first five ingredients as this shows the food has enough high-quality animal fats to support normal metabolic function.
While the first whole fat in this formula shows up at number eight, the listed fat content, 15%, is about average for adult maintenance recipes. This food would work well for less active dogs and older canines, but may not have enough quality fats to support active pups.
Feeding quality dog food is important, but so is taste, at least as far as Fido is concerned. Most dogs have no problem chowing down on foods that contain meat as the first ingredient, especially if there is added fat and natural flavors.
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Is Diamond Dog Food Good For Itchy Skin
Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula is a limited ingredient grain-free diet specifically designed for dogs with food-related skin issues. Its made with peas and hydrolyzed salmon protein to help prevent adverse skin reactions. For more options, be sure to visit The Advisors Best Dog Foods for Allergies page.
Diamond Premium Recipe Complete And Balanced Dry Dog Food Puppy
This premium dog food recipe from Diamond Naturals has been carefully designed with the highest levels of protein possible for your dog. In fact, it contains a minimum of 31 percent of the makeup of this food as pure protein. Protein and fat make up the majority of this food and both of them are extremely good for your dog. You also get choose from three different sizes including a 40-pound bag, 8 pounds and 20 pounds. One of the things that you may not realize is that the phrase complete and balanced is important to look for when youre choosing dog food. If a dog food contains the phrase complete and balanced, then it has to meet certain legal requirements for dog nutrition.
This particular food does contain the phrase complete and balanced and it is terrific for puppies because it provides more protein than many of the other Diamond Naturals dog foods that we have discussed here as well as DHA from salmon oil to develop your dogs brain and vision centers. The cable is also smaller than it is with other foods and total of 51 percent is made up of just protein and fat alone. Thats why this is the number one recommended food on this list to feed to your puppy. Other benefits include fiber to support digestive health, antioxidants to develop the immune system and fatty acids for a healthy skin and a shiny coat.
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