As a dog owner, you should ensure that you’re providing your furry friend with the best possible food. But the options seem endless! There are so many brands, options, ingredients, and discussions surrounding pet food that it can be hard to know what’s good, what’s wrong, and what’s worth investing in. Also, what’s good for one dog might be less so for another, so it’s important to do your research.

In this article, we compare the Victor and Diamond dog food brands, discuss the critical things to keep in mind when selecting a dog food, and help steer you toward the best choice for your dog. Is one better than the other? Read on to see which one came out on top!

A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Victor

We crowned Victor dog food as the winner. Its Classic Hi-Pro Plus dog food contains everything that your dog needs nutritionally at an affordable price.

Let’s take a closer look at these two premium foods.

About Victor Dog Food

The American company Mid America Pet Food owns Victor, and it manufactures its food in Mount Pleasant, Texas, where it is based. Each ingredient in the food has a specific purpose, and it is geared to cater to dogs of all ages and stages of life. However, one drawback is that the company does not use a lot of whole vegetables and fruits in its formulas.

It makes up for this lack by supplementing its recipes with vitamins and minerals. Although this may be a turn-off for some pet parents, you can rest assured that Victor’s products meet the nutritional levels set by AAFCO and follow the Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.¹

Primary Ingredients in Victor Dog Food

The dry dog food of Victor contains four main ingredients, as well as a variety of meat flavors and vegetables. You will also see a range of fats, including chicken fat and canola oil, along with meat meal, which adds more protein to the food. Besides the whole-grain carbs in the regular recipes, grain-free versions use complex carbs like potatoes and legumes.

Selenium Yeast: It enhances the immune system in some dogs, but it may not be suitable for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities.

Mineral Complexes: Zinc, manganese, and iron are added to this formula to support the immune system and joint health.

Prebiotics: These help maintain healthy digestion and promote overall health.

Probiotics: Healthy digestion is ensured by the addition of these good digestive bacteria.

Controversial Ingredients

Liver: If there are no indications as to what type of animal the liver comes from, this ingredient is questionable. Liver of unspecified origins could technically be derived from any animal.

Tomato Pomace: This is sometimes used to fill lower-quality foods. Several dog food manufacturers claim that it adds fiber to the dog food. You will find it in many recipes.

About Diamond Dog Food

A family-owned company, Diamond manufactures not only its own dog food but also food for many other brands. Compared to other brands, especially Victor, it tends to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and berries into its recipes. Its manufacturing facilities are located in California, Missouri, and South Carolina.

Due to its commitment to providing a quality product that is also safe, it sources its ingredients from around the world. Diamond food is designed to meet the nutritional requirements set by the AAFCO, and it adheres to stringent protocols and tests and monitors every critical aspect of its manufacturing process.

Primary Ingredients in Diamond Dog Food

Protein: Diamond uses high-quality proteins, whether they be meat or grains. Since it uses both meat meal and whole meat in many of its recipes, the foods have a high meat protein content.

Fats: Salmon oil provides omega fatty acids that are beneficial to the skin and coat in addition to adding fat. Besdies chicken fat, sunflower oil and flaxseed oil are common ingredients.

Carbohydrates: Diamond uses plenty of fruit and vegetables in its recipes, as well as whole foods whenever possible. In the case of limited-ingredient diets, potential allergens are reduced.

Controversial Ingredients

Tomato Pomace: There is a difference of opinion on whether this by-product is a filler or a source of fiber.

Ground Corn: Corn is a cereal grain that is highly controversial among dog food manufacturers. There are nutrients in it, but it may be difficult to digest. The use of corn as a meat protein substitute causes adverse effects.

Chicken By-Product Meal: These are essentially slaughterhouse-waste ingredients that include bones, blood, and almost all other parts of the chicken. Proponents of byproducts claim that they contain many essential nutrients.

Victor Dog Food Varieties

Victor offers three dry food lines—Classic, Select, and Purpose—and one canned food line that includes everything from stews to pâtés. Recipes are suitable for all life stages or have a specific purpose. Let’s take a quick look at each of them.

Classic

In the Classic line, you will find four recipes: two for active dogs, one for normally active dogs, and one for all life stages. All of these ingredients are nutrient-dense and scientifically advanced. They contain high levels of quality protein from multiple types of meat and promote sustained energy for dogs and puppies.

Select

Designed for all life stages, the Select line offers specific proteins in a variety of recipes. It is specifically designed for large and small dogs with allergies to certain proteins. There are seven recipes in the Select range, three of them grain-free.

Purpose

Each of the six recipes in the Purpose line provides high levels of quality protein, with half of them being grain-free. This range is ideal for dogs with joint problems, low carbs, or weight management needs.

Canned Food

The canned line is suitable for adults and puppies because it is formulated with added vitamins and minerals. All stew flavors are grain-free, and the two pâtés are rice-based.

Diamond Dog Food Varieties

Diamond

A total of six recipes are available in this line, including puppy, hi-energy, performance, maintenance, and premium adult. Each of these formulas is enriched with antioxidants, probiotics, DHA, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals, so you can be sure your dog is receiving the best possible nutrition

Diamond Naturals

In addition to dry and canned options, this line is known for its complete, holistic nutrition. The Natural’s line is specific to different stages of life and breeds, with 13 dry food recipes and three canned recipes available. Small and large breeds, puppies, seniors, and a skin and coat health formula are included.

Diamond Care

These are veterinary-developed specialty foods that focus on the particular health problems of canine patients. For example, renal formulas, sensitive skin formulas, sensitive stomach formulas, and weight management formulas are all included in a limited-ingredient food.

Diamond Pro89

This is Diamond’s line of performance dog food due to its high protein content and amino acid content. Around 89% of the protein comes from animal sources, but ancient grains, such as sorghum, millet, and chia, are also included.

Three Most Popular Victor Dog Food Recipes

Let’s explore three of the most popular recipes from each brand’s dry food lines in greater detail.

1. Victor Classic — Hi-Pro Plus Dry Dog Food

One of Victor’s most popular recipes is a highly nutritious, multi-meat formula with high protein content. With 30% protein, this recipe is ideal for puppies and pregnant and nursing females that require extra protein. It’s easy to digest and gluten-free and is perfect for dogs with high energy levels.

Due to the fact that this recipe is not grain-free and contains four different animal proteins, it is not ideal for dogs that suffer from allergies or food sensitivities. Fish, beef, chicken, and pork meals are the protein sources. In addition to being suitable for dogs of all life stages and breeds, the Classic line is the most economical of the three dried dog food lines. However, it contains blood meal, which is controversial.

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2. Victor Purpose — Grain-Free Active Dog and Puppy Dry Food

With 33% protein per serving, this formula is ideal for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities. It contains beef, pork, and fish meal, making it the perfect formula for active dogs with a lot of energy. Since it contains so much protein, though, this formula could easily lead to overweight dogs with low energy levels.

Including vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids for optimal nutrition at every stage of life, it is suitable for puppies, lactating females, and pregnant dogs. It is a little more expensive than Victor’s classic recipes, but it is grain-free. Many dogs love the added sweetness of sweet potatoes, as well as the other vegetables and legumes. The downside of this food is that it contains blood meal, a controversial ingredient.

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3. Victor Select — Grain-Free Yukon River Canine Dry Dog Food

Suitable for dogs with allergies or sensitivity to grains, this grain-free Victor food contains fish meal as its main animal protein, making it ideal for dogs with other food sensitivities. This food is suitable for dogs with normal activity levels since it contains only 16% fat and 390 calories per cup. However, it would not be suitable for overweight or low-energy dogs.

In addition to vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids, this formula contains plenty of nutrients for your dog. It’s suitable for large and small breeds at all stages of life, but it’s not ideal for puppies or lactating or pregnant females. It’s a costly product, but for dogs that have multiple sensitivities, it is a top-quality food.

Three Most Popular Diamond Dog Food Recipes

1. Diamond Naturals Adult Dog Food — Beef and Rice Formula

There are probiotics in every Diamond product, and this Naturals formula is no exception. The food contains 25% protein and is suitable for dogs of all breeds. Along with pasture-raised beef, grain sorghum, and white rice, this recipe is enhanced with superfoods like kale and blueberries, which are packed with powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients to boost your dog’s immune system. Chia seeds, pumpkins, kelp, coconuts, and chicory root provide digestive support.

However, puppies and pregnant dogs are not recommended to eat this food. Still, when meat allergies are a concern, this is a good choice if you want to restrict your dog’s diet to one animal protein. It’s a bit expensive, though.

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2. Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Food

Diamond’s classic puppy food provides the right balance of fat, protein, and other nutrients to help your puppy grow big and strong. It is also suitable for pregnant or nursing adult dogs. It contains DHA for brain and vision development, along with probiotics, antioxidants, and omega-fatty acids for optimal nutrition. A chicken by-product meal is the first ingredient, followed by wheat flour and whole-grain ground corn. In spite of the controversial first two ingredients, Diamond claims to provide puppies with the nutrients that they need.

This formula meets the nutritional levels set by the AAFCO, and it’s an affordable option for those on a tight budget. It contains 31% protein and 20% fat, so you can rest assured that your pup is receiving adequate amounts of all nutrients.

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3. Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Limited Ingredient Grain-Free

This grain-free formula is specially formulated for dogs with skin sensitivities. Hydrolyzed salmon is used as the single animal protein source in this formula, which also contains skin- and coat-nourishing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Since it provides complete and balanced nutrition, it can be fed for the long term.

A disadvantage is that it contains tomato pomace, a controversial ingredient, and it is a high-cost item because it is specialized. But this Diamond Care diet was developed by veterinarians to meet the nutritional needs of specific breeds.

Victor vs. Diamond Comparison

Having examined each brand in detail separately, let’s compare them so we can see their differences.

Ingredients

Despite both formulas using quality ingredients, Diamond uses more whole foods that include fruits and vegetables. However, it also uses more controversial ingredients. Diamond Care dog food is a great choice if you feel that you need more specialized food created by veterinarians. Victor dog food is packed with nutrients without too many controversial ingredients. As far as protein content is concerned, Victor wins out.

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Price

As a whole, Diamond is the more expensive of the two, especially with its Diamond Care formulas. Victor Select is its highest-priced line, but it’s still not as expensive as Diamond Care.

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Selection

Compared to Diamond, Victor offers a broader variety of products to choose from, but keep in mind that it does not offer as many specialized products.

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Customer Service

Both companies are committed to providing excellent customer service and responding to customer concerns. More information about Diamond’s ingredients and why it uses them can be found on its website.

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Dog Food Recall History

Diamond was recalled in 2012 because of Salmonella concerns, but Victor has never been recalled.

Closing Thoughts

Finding quality dog food that meets your expectations can be challenging. In this review, we compared Victor to Diamond Dog Food, and Victor was found to be the best. That said, Diamond offers good options for dogs with allergies or renal disease that require more specialized food.

Ultimately, Victor is the more affordable option of the two premium dog foods. It offers foods that are full of essential nutrients, high in protein, and available in a variety of flavors, making it easier for you and your dog to find the perfect food.