Diamond Naturals Dog Food: Is It Really That Good?

So, I've been getting asked a bit about what food I feed my dog, Max. We landed on Diamond Naturals a while back, and I figured I’d share how that went down for us.

It all started when Max, my energetic lab mix, just wasn't thriving on his old food. His coat looked kinda dull, and honestly, his energy levels seemed a bit low for his age. Plus, the cost of that fancy boutique brand was really starting to add up. I needed something that felt like a good balance – decent ingredients without totally breaking the bank.

I started poking around online, reading reviews, looking at ingredient lists. You know how it goes, down the rabbit hole of dog food research. Diamond Naturals kept popping up. People seemed to either really like it or have strong opinions against it, but the price point and the ingredient list looked reasonable enough for me to give it a try. They list real meat as the first ingredient, which was a big plus for me.

Making the Switch

I decided to go with the Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult formula, the chicken and rice one first. Picked up a bag at the local feed store. The transition was the next step. I didn't want to upset Max's stomach, so I did it gradually over about a week and a half.

• Days 1-3: Mixed about 25% new food with 75% old food. Max didn't even seem to notice, just gobbled it all down. So far, so good.
• Days 4-6: Went up to a 50/50 mix. Still no issues. His stools looked fine, maybe even a bit better than before. That was a relief.
• Days 7-9: Moved to 75% new food, 25% old. He seemed to be really enjoying the taste.
• Day 10 onwards: Fully switched over to Diamond Naturals.

Honestly, the transition was smoother than I expected. No major digestive upset, no picky eating. Max seemed perfectly happy with the change.

Long-Term Observations

We've been on Diamond Naturals for probably over a year now. What have I noticed?

His Coat: This was a big one for me. His coat definitely looks shinier and feels softer. Less shedding too, I think, although with a lab mix, there's always gonna be hair!

Energy Levels: He seems to have good, consistent energy. Ready for walks, ready to play fetch. No crazy highs or lethargic lows, just steady energy, which feels right.

Digestion: His poops have been consistently solid and, well, normal. Less frequent "uh oh" moments in the yard, if you know what I mean.

Value: The price is definitely more manageable than what we were paying before. It feels like a solid mid-range food. It’s not the absolute cheapest, but for the quality you seem to get, it works for our budget.

We did try the Lamb & Rice formula once, just for variety, and Max handled that fine too. Seemed to like it just as much.

So, Is It Good?

Look, every dog is different. What works wonders for Max might not work for another dog. I've seen people online complain about it, maybe it caused allergies or tummy issues for their pup. It's like any food, really. But for my dog, Max, Diamond Naturals has been pretty darn good. He's healthy, happy, energetic, and his coat looks great. And my wallet is happier too.

It hit that sweet spot for us – decent ingredients, readily available where I shop, and a price I can stick with long-term. So yeah, based on my own experience feeding it day in and day out, I'd say it’s a solid choice worth considering if you're looking for something reliable that doesn't cost a fortune. Just make sure you transition slowly and watch your own dog to see how they do.