Jessica
Welcome to WeLovePetz, your number one source for all things pets.
Introduction: Premium Nutrition Without the Premium Price Tag?
Navigating the dog food aisle is often a battle between your heart and your wallet. You want to avoid the cheap fillers found in grocery store brands—like corn syrup and mystery by-products—but the “ultra-premium” boutique bags can cost as much as a weekly grocery run for a human. Is there a middle ground?
Diamond Naturals Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Formula has quietly become the go-to solution for savvy pet owners. It promises “super premium” ingredients—like pasture-raised lamb and proprietary probiotics—at a price point that is shockingly affordable, especially in the bulk 40lb bag. It targets the conscious owner who wants clean ingredients without the markup of heavy marketing campaigns.
But does a lower price mean lower quality? We analyzed the ingredient label and fed this massive bag to our pack to see if it truly delivers on its promise of balanced, holistic health.
Key Features and Ingredient Analysis
Diamond Naturals distinguishes itself by stripping away the “junk” (corn, wheat, soy) and focusing on nutrient density. Here is what makes this specific Lamb & Rice formula stand out.
Pasture-Raised Lamb Protein
The first ingredient is Lamb Meal. While some owners get hung up on the word “meal,” it is actually a highly concentrated protein source with the water removed. This provides a dense source of amino acids needed for lean muscle maintenance. For dogs with sensitivities to chicken (a common allergen), lamb is often a much gentler, easier-to-digest alternative.
Proprietary K9 Strain Probiotics
This is a rare feature at this price point. Diamond adds proprietary K9 Strain Probiotics after the cooking process to ensure viability. Each pound of food is guaranteed to contain 80 million live, active cultures. These probiotics are crucial for gut health, helping your dog absorb nutrients efficiently and maintaining a strong immune system.
Superfood Antioxidants
Instead of artificial vitamins, this formula relies on whole foods. It includes ingredients like kale, chia seeds, pumpkins, blueberries, and oranges. These provide natural antioxidants (phytonutrients) that support overall cellular health and vitality, mimicking a more ancestral diet.
Skin and Coat Support
The recipe is balanced with Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are essential for keeping your dog’s skin hydrated and their coat shiny, reducing the itchiness and dandruff often associated with lower-quality dry foods.
Hands-On Review: Feeding Experience
We tested the 40lb bag with a Golden Retriever prone to sensitive skin and a high-energy Border Collie mix. Here is our assessment.
Digestion and Sensitivity
The most immediate benefit we noticed was digestive stability. The Golden Retriever often gets loose stools with rich foods, but the fiber blend (pumpkin, kelp, coconut) combined with the probiotics in this formula kept things firm and regular. Switching to a lamb-based diet also seemed to help reduce his seasonal scratching, suggesting the formula is indeed gentle on sensitive systems.
Palatability
The kibble size is standard—suitable for medium to large breeds. It has a mild, earthy smell rather than an overpowering meaty odor. Both dogs ate it willingly, though it isn’t as “rich” or greasy as some higher-fat performance foods. For a picky eater, you might need a little warm water or a topper, but for the average dog, it is perfectly appetizing.
The Bulk Value
We cannot overstate the value of the 40lb bag. In a multi-dog household, food disappears fast. This bag lasts significantly longer than the standard 24lb or 30lb bags from competitors, offering a noticeably lower cost-per-cup. It is a heavy lift to get it into the house, but the savings are worth the workout.
Pros and Cons
Is Diamond Naturals the hidden gem of the dog food world? Here is our transparent breakdown.
| Pros (The Good Stuff) | Cons (Things to Consider) |
|---|---|
| Excellent value per pound (40lb bulk size). | Bag is very heavy to maneuver. |
| Guaranteed live probiotics for gut health. | “Lamb Meal” is processed (though protein-dense). |
| No corn, wheat, or soy fillers. | Kibble size might be too large for toy breeds. |
| Includes real superfoods (Blueberries, Kale). | Packaging is not resealable (requires a bin). |
| Made in the USA by a family-owned company. |
Product Comparison
How does Diamond Naturals stack up against the competition?
| Feature | Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice (Our Pick) | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Lamb (Competitor) | Purina ONE Lamb & Rice (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Protein | 🐑 Lamb Meal | 🐑 Deboned Lamb | 🐑 Lamb |
| Probiotics | ✅ Guaranteed K9 Strain | ❌ No Live Probiotics | ❌ No Live Probiotics |
| Fillers | ✅ No Corn/Wheat/Soy | ✅ No Corn/Wheat/Soy | ⚠️ Contains Corn/Wheat |
| Bag Size | 📦 40 lbs | 📦 30 lbs | 📦 31.1 lbs |
| Best For | ⭐ Best Overall Value | ⭐ Brand Loyalists | ⭐ Tightest Budgets |
Final Verdict
Diamond Naturals Adult Lamb Meal & Rice is arguably the best value in the premium dog food market today. It successfully bridges the gap between affordable grocery store brands and expensive holistic diets.
If you have a large dog or multiple dogs and want to feed them clean ingredients—like pasture-raised lamb and superfoods—without going broke, this is the bag to buy. The inclusion of guaranteed probiotics sets it apart from even pricier competitors, ensuring your dog isn’t just eating good food, but actually digesting it well.
