Diamond vs Blue Buffalo
Diamond against Blue Buffalo, measured across 27 and 107 kibble recipes: 27.6% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, and 40% vs 36% starch.
How They Differ
- Blue Buffalo runs higher in protein: 30.9% against 27.6% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Blue Buffalo is lower in starch, about 36% of the food as fed against 40%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Diamond | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 27 | 107 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 27.6%14.4% to 35.6% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 16.8%6.7% to 27.8% | 15.5%10.0% to 22.2% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 40%23% to 52% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 404304 to 488 | 388323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 85% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 26% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Egg 63%, Chicken 48%, Fish 44% | Chicken 70%, Fish 64%, Egg 46% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 19%, Wheat 22%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 22% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None5 older in the archive | None2 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Diamond Pet Foods | General Mills |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Diamond Naturals Grain-Free Pasture-Raised Beef & Sweet Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 16%
Starch 41%
Blue Life Protection Formula Beef Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 27%
Fat 16%
Starch 41%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Blue Buffalo puts more protein in each bowl.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Blue Buffalo starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Diamond runs from 14% to 36% protein and Blue Buffalo from 20% to 51%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Diamond
No FDA recalls in our record for Diamond in the last five years.
Archive: 5 older recalls
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul; Country Value; Diamond; Diamond Naturals; Premium Edge; Professional; 4Health; Taste of the Wild; Kirkland Signature. Expansion to batches of nine brands of dry dog and cat food made at Gaston, SC plant Dec 9 2011 - Apr 7 2012
Diamond. Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food (one production run)
Diamond Naturals. Lamb Meal & Rice
Blue Buffalo
No FDA recalls in our record for Blue Buffalo in the last five years.
Archive: 2 older recalls
BLUE Wilderness, Rocky Mountain Recipe. Dog food
Blue Wilderness. Cub Size - Wild Chews
About the Brands
Diamond
Diamond is a dog and cat food brand from Diamond Pet Foods, the trade name of Schell & Kampeter, Inc., a family-owned company based in Meta, Missouri. Its dog food lines include Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Diamond CARE and Diamond Pro89, and the same company also makes Taste of the Wild, Nutra-Nuggets and Professional Plus.
Based in Meta, Missouri, since 1970. Every Diamond food we review
Blue Buffalo
Blue is the pet food brand of the Blue Buffalo Company, which has been owned by General Mills since 2018. Its dog food lines include Life Protection Formula, Wilderness, Basics, Freedom and the fresh Love Made Fresh range. The company says its recipes start with real meat and exclude corn, wheat, soy and poultry by-product meals.
Based in Wilton, CT, since 2003. Every Blue Buffalo food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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