Our Verdict
Diamond CARE Dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 3 stars.
This grain free recipe is formulated for cats who have issues with their weight. It contains L-Carnitine which helps fat metabolism, along with omega fatty acids, antioxidants and probiotics.
Pros
- High in fiber to help cats feel full for longer
- Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
- No fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
- Affordable
Cons
- Low moisture content
- Protein and fat content is low
- High in carbohydrate
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
The Diamond CARE cat food line has just one recipe.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Management Formula for Adult Cats | 3 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
A detailed recipe and nutrient analysis of the Diamond CARE Weight Management Formula for Adult Cats is given below.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Weight Management Formula for Adult Cats
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, chickpeas, lentils, peas, ground miscanthus grass, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, egg product, flaxseed, sodium bisulfate, dl-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, l-carnitine, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin e supplement, zinc proteinate, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, sodium selenite, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid. contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 10%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second and third ingredients are chicken meal and turkey meal. Both are considered a meat concentrate and contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken or turkey.
The fourth ingredient is chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, beans and lentils, chickpeas are a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables. However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The fifth and sixth ingredients are lentils and peas. Both are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, lentils and peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The seventh ingredient is ground miscanthus grass, also known as elephant grass. Miscanthus is a non-GMO source of crude fiber.
The eighth ingredient is 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.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Recipe star rating 3.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Diamond CARE Weight Management Formula for Adult Cats looks like an average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 35.6%, a fat level of 10% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 46.4%, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 28%.
This means that Diamond CARE dry cat food contains near-average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and lower than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Diamond CARE Weight Management Formula for Adult Cats is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.
Weight management formulas typically have a lower calorie content and are often higher in fiber compared to regular cat foods. The higher fiber content can help cats feel more satisfied with smaller portions, reducing their overall calorie intake.
Has Diamond cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes, Diamond Pet Foods has had recalls in the past.
The most recent was in March 2013, when they recalled Diamond Naturals cat food due to potentially low levels of thiamine.
In April and May 2012, there was a large recall event Diamond and Diamond Naturals, plus several other brands. Samples of Diamond’s own pet food tested positive for salmonella, which then prompted other brands produced at Diamond’s plant in Gaston, South Carolina, to be recalled including Taste of the Wild and Natural Balance.
In October 2009, Diamond Pet Food recalled two of its cat food brands after cats were reported to have shown neurological symptoms. The foods affected were: Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat with codes of RAF0501A22X (18-lb. bag), RAF0501A2X (6-lb. bag), RAH0501A22X (18-lb. bag) and RAH0501A2X (6-lb. bag).
In December 2005, Diamond Maintenance and Diamond Professional was recalled following a string of pet deaths and illnesses linked to dog and cat food produced in Diamond’s South Carolina plant.
The food was thought to be contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic byproduct of a mold that attacks corn under certain temperature and moisture conditions.
For more details visit the Dog Food Advisor.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Diamond Pet Foods was founded by brothers-in-law Gary Schell and Richard Kampeter in Missouri in April 1970, under the name Meta Feed and Grain.
As of 2020, Diamond Pet Foods was the No. 5 pet food company in the world, with $1.5 billion in annual revenue, according to data provided by Pet Food Industry.
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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