Dog Food Reviews
Diamond Naturals Dog Food Reviews: Does Diamond Deliver A Nutritious Meal For Your Dog?
Diamond Naturals dog food is made by Diamond Pet Foods owned by US giant Schell and Kampeter. Diamond pet food started in 1970 with a mission to provide good quality pet food at an affordable price. Their brands in include Diamond, Diamond Naturals and Diamond Naturals grain free.
Brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter set out to produce a premium pet food at an affordable price. They purchased a former milling company in the town of Meta, Missouri and the Diamond company was established.
The company is still based in Meta with plants in Missouri, Lathrop, California and Gaston, South Carolina. The company remains a family-owned, privately held business run by the Schell and Kampeter family.
Diamond Natural Dog Food Rating:
Due to the use of quality ingredients with the inclusion of super-foods, anti-oxidants, omega acids and real meat protein. The absence of corn, wheat and soy is also a sign of a quality product and so I am awarding this pet food:
4 Stars
Is Diamond Naturals A Good Food For Dogs?
Diamond Naturals claims to provide complete holistic nutrition for every pet. Historically they just sold dry food but have now expanded their product line to include wet food and treats.
They claim to be a Holistic brand of dog food and have a higher price tag than normal dog foods, so what does this mean and what benefits will you see in your dog?
Holistic pet foods claim to use only natural ingredients that can be traced back to the source and do not use cheap fillers, chemicals or by-products. Dog owners will attest that this has a number of benefits including; shinier coats, increased energy, better overall health and wait for the best one; less and more solid doggy poop!
Cheaper dog food brands are often labelled as “meat flavor” or a “chicken dinner,” but this does not require them to contain a high meat content, not only that but the meat source is also unclear and might contain any type of animal or byproduct from road-kill or even, and this is horrific, euthanized pets!
You can immediately see why holistic pet foods might have some dog lovers digging deeper into their wallets.
Pros:
1. Use of holistic nutrition free from wheat, soy and corn which are considered to have little nutritional value for the dog.
2. Inclusion of super-foods such as kale, chia seeds, pumpkin and blueberries which are a source of key nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and proteins.
3. Use of pro-biotics in their food which aids digestion and helps keep a healthy immune system.
4. Use of real chicken beef and lamb protein enhances the taste for you dog and is nutritionally beneficial.
5. The inclusion of chelated minerals which are normally included in better dog foods which make the food easier to absorb.
6. Good ingredients are more easily absorbed by the dog which leads to fewer trips to the yard with your pooper scooper and less smelly feces.
7. It is competitively priced when compared to other health food brands of dog food. A 30 lb bag of Natural Choice is $52.99 whereas a 40lb bag of Diamond Naturals is between $46.99 and $57.74
Cons:
1. The inclusion of high protein sources in the ingredient list could mean that the meat content is not as high as you would expect.
2. The company producing the food Diamond Pet Foods does not have the best reputation as it has had several recalls due to salmonella contamination.
3. The Diamond Naturals range is more expensive than normal dog food. I can buy a 40Lb bag of chicken and rice formula dog food listed price for 49.19 (although Chewy.com were offering a discount to $36.99) whereas a 55lb bag of pedigree chum adult roast chicken flavor is $42.99
Product line:
Dry Dog Food:
· Beef Meal & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
· Chicken & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
· Extreme Athlete
· Lamb Meal & Rice Formula for Adult Dogs
· Large Breed Adult Dog Chicken & Rice Formula
Wet Dog Food:
· Beef Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
· Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
· Lamb Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies
Diamond Natural Dog Food Recalls:
The Diamond Naturals line of foods was involved in the April/May 2012 recalls due to Salmonella concerns. I can find no recalls in the last 2 years.
Diamond Naturals Dog Food Ingredient Analysis: Based on Lamb Meal and Rice Formula for Adult Dogs.
The Website claims that Lamb protein and moderate levels of fat help support ideal body condition while providing the nutrients your dog needs to stay active day after day. My ingredient check will analyze if this is true.
Ingredients Check:
Lamb Meal = I would prefer a recipe to contain actual lamb however lamb meal does provide 300% more protein to a dog than actual meat.
Ground Rice = This is another name for rice flour and provides carbohydrates that are digested slowly and gives the dog a feeling of fullness after the meal. Most dogs are tolerant to rice and so there are no issues here.
Cracked pearl barley and Millett = These are another slow releasing source of carbs which supplies fiber but has a limited nutritional value to the dog.
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 doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
Peas = Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in fiber.
Egg Product = This is a bit vague as sometimes it can come from un-hatched eggs, but in general, eggs are a good source of protein and easily digestible for the dogs so can be considered a good ingredient.
The overall quality of ingredients appears to be above average and the included carbohydrates come from the less common grains which might be beneficial if your dog has a problem with allergies.
There is a lot of rice in the food, which as a Lamb and Rice formula, means it does what it says on the tin! I would say therefore it only has a moderate meat content which may put off some dog owners.
Is Diamond Natural A Good Dog Food?
All Diamond Naturals Dog Food Reviews I have read are positive. All their products are perfectly legal and monitored by the FDA and by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Operatives) who oversee pet food labeling. The only negative I have found is the recalls for Salmonella.
Diamond are obviously aware of consumer concerns and have posted this following video on Youtube outlining all their safety procedures, including a water purification system which means that any water used in the process of preparing the food contains not micro-organisms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWjv8_OmxdU
Unfortunately, there is a higher risk of contamination when natural ingredients are used than if you buy a mass produced lesser quality food. Diamond, however, now claim they have fixed the issues they had and you may want to consider that the very small risk of your dog catching salmonella, is less of a risk than you pose by giving your dog a bad diet?
Does Del Monte Deliver Joy In Every Bite Or A Nutritional Nightmare?
Kibble and Bits Dog Food Review:
Kibbles´nBits dog food is manufactured by Del Monte, which is the fifth largest producer of dog food in the U.S. The brand was created in 1981 and Wikipedia reports that at that time was the first “dual-textured” dog food, with both hard, crunchy kibble and softer, chewy bits. H.J. Heinz Company took over the company in 1995 and it was later sold to Del Monte. Today they offer a range of dry and wet food lines marketing themselves as “joy in every bite.” Their factory in Lawrence, Kansas produces 497 million pounds of Kibbles and Bits Dog Food per year.
Kibble and Bits Rating:
Due to the lack of quality ingredients in Kibble and Bits my rating is as follows:
2 Stars
Is Kibbles and Bits Good Food For Dogs?
Looking at the packaging of the Kibbles and Bits dry food range I am almost licking my pips along with the dog! The picture shows delicious slices of roast beef and a bowl full of vegetables which I would happily gobble up myself. I am promised that tender meaty bits combine with crunchy kibble to create a one of a kind taste sensation.
This is all sounding good so far! Then I look at their website and reads their marketing spiel; “Thoughtfully prepared with the tastes of roasted beef and harvest vegetables,” Now Alarm bells start to ring in my head!” What do they mean by “tastes of”?
Another packet of their dry dog food is called “American Grill, Grilled steak flavor.” So what do they mean by “flavor?”. What is the actual meat content? When a pet food is sold in this way it should send out a warning signal.
According the guidelines of the FDA, if a food claims to be beef or chicken then it is required to contain at least 95 percent meat, (this actually equates to 70% after the water is taken out). If it is labeled as “Beef Flavor,” we are in a different ballpark! With this labeling, the meat content only needs to be 25% and with the water taken out it could mean the actual content could be as little as 10%.
Pros:
1. Good Value for money: The American Grill dry food retails at $10.49 for a 15lb bag. Compare this to a bag of Taste of the Wild Dog Food which contains all natural ingredients which costs $48.99 for the same quantity.
2. Del Monte has a very good manufacturing reputation. The Kibbles ‘n Bits brand has been around for a long time and it is very popular with lots of dog owners.
3. Kibble and Bits reviews from owners suggest dogs seem to enjoy eating them. Most owner testimonials are positive apart from those owners who have actually read the ingredient list!
4. None of their food has ever been recalled which suggests no dogs have actually got sick from it. This is because larger manufacturers often have better manufacturing practices than the smaller brands which have better ingredients.
5. The protein in Kibbles and Bits Savory Beef & Chicken Flavor dog food For Dogs of All Sizes is 19% and therefore falls within the percentage level provided by the government which is 18%. The fat level also falls within the boundaries of the government’s recommendations.
Cons:
1. Use of filler ingredients like corn will be bad for dogs with allergies and contains little nutritional value for a canine.
2. The use of the term “flavor” in the marketing of their dry food, means that there is an indeterminate meat content which could be as low as 10%.
3. There is no mention of what animal the meat content comes from in their dry food, so it could be from an animal carcass of little nutritional value. The only meat mentioned is bone meal which is a low-quality ingredient.
4. The Kibbles and bits dry dog food reviews from other dog nutritionists that you will find online are all negative and do not make positive reading.
Product line:
Dry Dog Food:
· Chefs choice hearty harvest roasted beef and vegetable flavors.
· Bistro small breed mini bits oven roasted beef flavor.
· American grill, grilled USA beef steak flavor.
· Light and tasty roasted chicken and vegetable flavor.
· Beefy Bits.
Wet Dog Food:
· Chef´s choice American grill burger dinner with real bacon and cheese bits in gravy.
· Chef´s choice bistro hearty cuts with real beef chicken and vegetables in gravy.
· Chef´s choice home-style meatballs and pasta dinner with real beef in tomato sauce.
· Chef´s choice bistro tender cuts with real beef and vegetables in gravy.
· Chef´s choice bistro tender cuts with real beef turkey, bacon and vegetables in gravy.
Kibbles and Bits Recalls 2016:
I could find no evidence of any Kibble and Bits wet or dry food being recalled at any time.
Kibbles And Bits Food Dog Food Ingredient Analysis: Based on Kibble and Bits American Grill USA Beef Steak Flavor.
Their website states that this recipe is:
· Thoughtfully prepared combining crunchy kibbles and tender meaty bit
· Steak-shaped pieces taste and look like they're right off the grill
· Each serving has 100% complete and balanced nutrition for your dog
The food does indeed look tasty however I fear this is more designed to appeal to the human buyers rather than be beneficial to our furry pals who eat it. It contains several dyes and colorings which will make the food look good to us, but a dog does not really care what their food looks like, so they are an unnecessary additive.
They say they combine a crunchy taste with a tender meaty bit which sounds appetizing and would be great if it did actually contain meat, but the ingredients show it does not. I would conclude that it is not providing a balanced diet.
Finally, the food contains hydrochloric acid and other acids to help your dog break down the food which shouldn’t be necessary in a better-quality food.
Ingredients Check:
Ground Yellow Corn = Corn is an inexpensive and controversial ingredient among dog nutritionists because it is a filler and of no real nutritional value to a dog.
Soybean Meal = Although it contains 48% protein it has a lower nutritional value than actual meat and can boost the protein content of a dog product at the expense of meat. It is also a cheap ingredient more commonly found in farm animal feed.
Beef and Bone Meal = This is a dry rendered product and can include bone and other tissue. Bone has a lower nutritional value than other meats but at least it contains 300% more protein than normal meat. But it is not in my option a quality ingredient.
Ground Whole Wheat = This ingredient is another controversial addition, considered by many animal nutritionists to have the same issue as corn.
Animal Fat = Since there’s no mention of a specific animal, this item could come from almost anywhere: roadkill, spoiled supermarket meat, dead, diseased or dying cattle. I would like to know where the meat comes from before giving it to my pet.
Corn Syrup = A glucose rich highly calorific ingredient of questionable benefit to the diet of your dog.
Wheat Middlings = This is not good news, these can be essentially floor sweepings, it is an ingredient more associated with low-quality dog food.
I now turn to their wet food, which their website claims are:
· Made with real meat and poultry
· 23 essential vitamins and minerals
· High-quality protein to help support strong muscles
The Ingredient list contains, chicken, chicken liver and beef, which is slightly more heartening, however, the crude protein contents are listed at 8% compared to 19% in the dry food so I question how much actual meat there is in the food. If I look at the nutritional content 82% is listed as moisture so I would always recommend dry food as having more quality content than wet food.
Is Kibbles and Bits A Good Dog Food?
A review website recently surveyed dog owners and reported that 70% did not know what the dog food they purchased contained. Given this, most dog owners would probably be happy with this food because of its fantastic packaging. This food would not kill your pet, and the quality of the production probably means you dog won´t get sick eating it.
I do sympathize with purchasers who are misled by their packaging which is very deceptive, how can they call a food oven roasted beef flavor when there is no sign in the ingredients of any beef apart from Beef and bone meal? They use animal digest as the source of the roasted flavor which is not the same thing at all!
All Kibbles and Bits products are perfectly legal and monitored by the FDA and by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Operatives) who oversee pet food labeling. They are no more misleading than a lot of human products which are marketed. However, good dog owners should educate themselves and be aware what the foods they serve to their 4 legged friends actually contain.
Zignature Dog Food Reviews: Should You Make This Brand Your Pet´s Signature Dish?
Zignature dog food is made by US company Pets Global Inc, with headquarters in North Hollywood, California. They produce a holistic, low glycemic diet for dogs and source ingredients from all over the world.
Their website claims that they are not a pet food company but a “Pet health company.” Their mission is to produce the highest quality pet food and they boast that they will not compromise their standards for profit. These are very noble objectives and I am going to set about trying to find out if they succeed.
Zignature Dog Food Rating:
Of all the dog food brands whose ingredients I have analyzed Zignature is the one that comes closest to a raw, natural diet for dogs. The absence of any grains and omission of chicken also means it is the best food on the market for dogs with allergies or a sensitive stomach. I have therefore awarded Zignature Dog Food the following rating:
5 Stars
Is Zignature A Good Food For Dogs?
Zignature claims to provide complete holistic nutrition for every pet, they follow the natural blueprint of what dogs would have fed on in the wild, with aminol protein as a first ingredient. Instead of high glycemic carbohydrates such as wheat, corn or potatoes they use low glycemic carbs, such as chickpeas. The omission of un-needed carbs will result in a softer glossier coat.
This food also uses limited ingredients which is good for dogs with allergies. The most common allergen to a dog is chicken which is why Zignature has absolutely no chicken products in its food including eggs and chicken meal.
They also add to their food the beneficial ingredients your dog might not have found in the wild like essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and a complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals. They boast that they use ingredients from all over the world like Kangeroo fish but where is Zignature dog food made?
They prepare their foods in USDA regulated plants with partners including Tuffy’s in Perham, Minnesota and Performance Pet in Mitchell, South Dakota. In 2015 Tuffys opened a new $70 million facility, built to provide state of the art production standards designed to meet the high standards expected by the pet food industry.
Pros:
1. Use of holistic nutrition free from wheat, soy and corn which are considered to have little nutritional value for the dog and use of low glycemic carbs instead.
2. The closest food I have found on the market to a natural “raw” diet for the dogs.
3. Use of real animal protein enhances the taste for you dog and is nutritionally beneficial.
4. The inclusion of chelated minerals which are normally included in better dog foods which make the food easier to absorb.
5. A faultless record with their production with no re-calls.
6. Use of un-usual meat sources such as kangaroo meat, which is good for dogs that are allergic to more regular protein sources such as chicken. All ingredients can be traced to the source and come from trusted suppliers from around the world.
7. Their foods are for all life-stages which might benefit you if you have dogs of different ages.
Cons:
1. The inclusion of high protein sources in the ingredient list could mean that the meat content is not as high as you would expect.
2. Zignature is one of the most expensive brands I have found on the market. TheTrout and salmon meal formula retails at $78.02 for a 27lb bag compared to a bag of Nutro Grain Free Chicken Recipe retailing at $37.99 for 25lb bag.
3. Some pet owners have reported that some of the foods such as the Kangaroo recipe are not being easily absorbed by their dogs. They are seeing their dog needing to poop more frequently and becoming gassy.
4. There are no pro-biotics in their food which follows their philosophy of a natural diet but which are used in other dog foods to aid digestion.
Product line:
Dry Dog Food:
· Salmon Formula
· Venison Formula
· Kangaroo Formula
· Whitefish formula
· Duck Formula
Wet Dog Food:
· Lamb Formula
· Trout and Salmon Meal Formula
· Turkey Formula
· Zssential Formula
· No Chicken Formula
Zignature Dog Food Recalls:
There is no record of any Zignature Dog Food recalls on the FDA website.
Zignature Dog Food Ingredient Analysis: Based on their Whitefish Dry Dog Food:
This is a limited ingredient dog food recipe, which are normally chosen by dog owners who have a dog with an allergy. However, if your dog has no allergy there is no reason why you cannot feed them this product, indeed many dog nutrition experts would consider a food will fewer ingredients more resembles the evolutionary diet of a canine.
Ingredients Check:
Whitefish and Whitefish Meal = Zignature guarantee that all the fish they use are ethoxyquin-free. White fish includes a range of fish including cod and haddock as well as others. It is widely used in human food and in some dog food but if your dog has an allergy it is worth a try as it should be a novel ingredient. It provides 61% protein and is an excellent source of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Whitefish and Whitefish meal are listed as the top 2 ingredients so you can be confident that this food contains a high % of both ingredients.
Peas = Peas provide around 22% protein, 76 percent carbs, and 2 percent fat. They are a good source of Vitamins including C and K and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin and Manganese. They are often used in grain free dog foods in place of grains. Other nutritionists on dog food review website question this ingredient because their high source of protein could be contributing to the 29% crude protein level in the food, rather than the fish or meat. Dogs can also have a problem digesting legumes in large amounts.
Chickpeas = These have the same issues as peas, with sceptics suggesting that they are used in dog foods to replace the protein levels without using meat or fish. They are certainly not bad for you dog and may be considered to be a better ingredient than the alternatives as they are low glycemic and gluten free.
Pea Flour = Or peasemeal is produced using green peas and again can be used to boost protein levels as a substitute for meat.
Anti-oxidants = Anti-oxidants are included in the foods in the form of fruit and vegetables and in vitamin E. They reverse the process of oxidization within the body which is responsible for aging and other health problems and help if the dog is exposed to pollution and other chemicals. A lot of dogs do not eat enough fruit or vegetables to provide enough anti-oxidants so they are added to the ZIgnature range in other forms.
It is the first brand I have reviewed containing Kangaroo meat, which is a fantastic source of complete protein, with virtually no saturated fat. It contains nearly twice the Vitamin B12 as other meats, and is rich in Iron, essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids, other B Vitamins. Their website also claims that kangaroo meat is one of the most environmentally sensitive form of meat proteins with the lowest impact to the environment.
Conclusion:
The overall quality of ingredients appears to be above average and with my ingredient analysis I have found nothing in the dog foods which would sound any alarm bells. My only warning would be the use of high protein ingredients may be contributing to the high protein levels rather than the fish however as white fish and white fish meal are listed as the first 2 ingredients I believe consumers can be confident that they are the main ingredients.
Is Zignature A Good Dog Food?
As a nutritionist, who is passionate about quality of ingredients, I do applaud Zignature for their mission statement and for the way they source good quality ingredients from around the world. Their single source protein policy is a commendable one, with each of their recipes containing a main ingredient of duck, lamb, kangaroo, salmon, turkey or whitefish.
The main question of course is whether a dog enjoys eating their food and from this Youtube clip posted by an owner it would appear so! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AxLWxIeKnEQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
If you at has one of the lowest environmental impacts of any animal protein in the world. So not only is it good Many people wonder why it is so important to find a dog food that does not contain corns, grains, wheats and dairy, well you wouldn´t feed you kids a diet of junk food would you? Well it is the same principle for your dog, the bottom line is these are the same ingredients you see doctors telling people not to eat. They are also the ingredients most likely to lead to canine allergies and health problems.
If you have the budget to buy a more expensive dog food like Zignature, then you are likely see it pay off with a more healthy dog. I would highly recommend this brand to anyone who has a vested interest in the appearance of their dogs like breeders or if you compete in dog shows. The investment is sure to pay off in healthy bones, teeth and a gleaming coat.
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