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Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag
Diamond

Naturals Small Breed Adult Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag

Evidence Fair
dry adult maintenance $1.83/lb

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 74/100 (B) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Reasonable protein quality. lamb delivers solid amino acid coverage..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. lamb delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Named fresh meat paired with same-species meal, a strong extrusion architecture.

STACK

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 28%
Protein
25%
min (as fed)
Fat
15%
min (as fed)
Fiber
3%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

58 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

  2. 2
    lamb meal

    Lamb cooked down to a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh lamb.

  3. 3
    white rice

    Refined grain with the bran stripped off. Easy to digest, but not as nutrient-dense as brown rice.

  4. 4
    cracked pearled barley

    Pre-cracked pearled barley for better digestibility. Same whole-grain story.

  5. 5
    grain sorghum

    Same as sorghum. Whole grain with a low glycemic index. Gluten-free, well-tolerated.

  6. 6
    egg product

    Processed whole eggs. Same nutritional profile as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

  7. 7
    dried yeast

    Natural source of B vitamins and trace minerals. Adds a savory flavor that dogs respond well to.

  8. 8
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

  9. 9
    oatmeal

    Gentle on the stomach. Slow-release carbs and soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

  10. 10
    dried plain beet pulp

    Beet fiber, with the sugar removed. Long unfairly maligned. It's a real soluble fiber that supports stool quality.

  11. 11
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  12. 12
    flaxseed

    Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.

  13. 13
    dl-methionine

    Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.

  14. 14
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  15. 15
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  16. 16
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  17. 17
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  18. 18
    dried chicory root

    Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.

  19. 19
    l-carnitine

    Amino acid derivative that helps the body convert fat into energy. Common in weight-management formulas.

  20. 20
    kale

    Leafy green with antioxidants and fiber. Small dose in kibble, but it's not just for marketing.

  21. 21
    chia seed

    Plant source of omega-3 and fiber. Like flaxseed, useful in trace amounts.

  22. 22
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  23. 23
    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

  24. 24
    oranges
  25. 25
    quinoa

    Pseudo-grain with a complete amino acid profile. Rare in dog food because it's expensive.

Showing first 25 of 58. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.

AAFCO statement

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.