Diamond Naturals vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food (2026): Which Is Worth It?
Quick Verdict
| Category | Diamond Naturals | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Ingredient Quality | Good | Good |
| Price (avg bag) | ~$40–$52/40 lb | ~$55–$65/30 lb |
| AAFCO Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Budget natural food, farm store availability | Wider retail availability, antioxidant-enriched |
Brand Overview
Diamond Naturals is Diamond Pet Foods’ natural tier, offering premium-ish ingredients at very accessible prices. Available at Tractor Supply, PetSmart, and online. Despite Diamond’s recall history, Naturals has maintained a steady customer base due to its value proposition.
Blue Buffalo is General Mills’ natural pet food brand, offering the True Blue Promise: no by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, with LifeSource Bits antioxidant blend in most formulas. Available everywhere.
Ingredient Comparison
Diamond Naturals Pasture-Raised Lamb & Rice features lamb meal as primary protein. Brown rice and cracked pearled barley as carbs. Fruits and vegetables for antioxidants. Natural preservatives. No corn, wheat, or soy in Naturals line.
Blue Buffalo leads with deboned chicken or lamb. LifeSource Bits in all formulas. Oatmeal, barley, sweet potato as carbs. No by-products, corn, wheat, soy. Some formulas add pea protein.
Nutritional Comparison
| Nutrient | Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice | Blue Buffalo LPF Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 22% | 24% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 12% | 14% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 4% | 5% |
| Calories (kcal/cup) | ~360 | ~368 |
Pros and Cons
Diamond Naturals
Pros
- Exceptional price point (~$42/40 lb)
- No corn, wheat, soy
- Lamb meal as primary protein in Lamb & Rice formula
- Widely available at farm stores and online
Cons
- Made by Diamond Pet Foods (recall history)
- Lower protein than Blue Buffalo
- Less variety and specialty options
Blue Buffalo
Pros
- LifeSource Bits antioxidant blend
- No by-products, corn, wheat, soy
- Enormous variety across life stages
- Widely available everywhere
Cons
- Multiple recalls (2017, 2019)
- More expensive than Diamond Naturals
- Owned by General Mills
Best For
Choose Diamond Naturals if: Budget is the primary concern and you want natural-positioned nutrition with no major fillers.
Choose Blue Buffalo if: You want LifeSource Bits, wider variety, and broader retail access at a modest premium.
Alternatives
- [Diamond Naturals vs Purina Pro Plan](/compare/diamond-naturals-vs-purina-pro-plan)
- [Kirkland vs Blue Buffalo](/compare/kirkland-vs-blue-buffalo)
- [Canidae vs Blue Buffalo](/compare/canidae-vs-blue-buffalo)
- [Full Diamond Naturals Review](/reviews/diamond-naturals-dog-food)
- [Full Blue Buffalo Review](/reviews/blue-buffalo-dog-food)
FAQ
Is Diamond Naturals the same as Diamond? No. Diamond Naturals is a premium sub-line with better ingredients (no corn, wheat, soy). The base Diamond brand uses more commodity ingredients.
Has Diamond Naturals been recalled? Diamond Naturals specifically has not been recalled, but its manufacturer Diamond Pet Foods had a significant 2012 Salmonella recall affecting multiple brands.
Which is cheaper, Diamond Naturals or Blue Buffalo? Diamond Naturals is significantly cheaper—often $10–$15 cheaper per comparable bag.
Is Blue Buffalo worth the extra cost over Diamond Naturals? For most healthy adult dogs, Diamond Naturals provides comparable nutrition. Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, slightly higher protein, and greater variety make the premium worth it if budget allows.
Where can I buy Diamond Naturals? Available at Tractor Supply, PetSmart, Chewy, Amazon, and most pet retailers.
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