Victor and Diamond Naturals are both value-focused brands offering quality nutrition at accessible prices. Here's how these popular budget-friendly premium options compare.
Brand Overview
Victor
- Founded: 1950
- Headquarters: Mount Pleasant, Texas
- Philosophy: Performance nutrition at fair prices
- Price Point: $$ (Value-premium)
- Specialty: High protein, active dog focus
- Manufacturing: Own Texas facilities
Diamond Naturals
- Founded: 1970
- Company: Diamond Pet Foods
- Headquarters: Meta, Missouri
- Philosophy: Natural ingredients, accessible pricing
- Price Point: $$ (Value-premium)
- Specialty: Natural nutrition for all budgets
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Victor | Diamond Naturals |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Price (40 lb) | $45-55 | $40-50 |
| Protein | 26-33% | 25-28% |
| Made in USA | Yes | Yes |
| Active Dog Focus | Yes | Moderate |
| Grain-Free Options | Yes | Yes |
Ingredient Philosophy
Victor
- "Scientifically proven" nutrition
- VPRO Blend (probiotics, prebiotics, selenium, zinc)
- High protein for active dogs
- Grain-inclusive and grain-free options
- Texas-sourced ingredients
- Performance-focused
Diamond Naturals
- Natural ingredients
- Probiotics included
- Superfoods (chia seeds, pumpkin)
- No corn, wheat, or artificial additives
- Accessible premium quality
- Balanced nutrition
Nutritional Comparison
Protein Content
- Victor Hi-Pro Plus: 30%
- Diamond Naturals Adult: 25-26%
- Victor Purpose: 26-33%
- Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete: 32%
- Victor generally higher
Fat Content
- Victor: 18-22%
- Diamond Naturals: 15-18%
- Victor higher (performance focus)
Key Differences
Victor:
- VPRO proprietary blend
- Higher protein/fat ratios
- Active dog formulation
- Texas manufacturing
Diamond Naturals:
- Superfood ingredients
- More moderate nutrition
- Wider variety
- More locations
Product Lines
Victor
- Hi-Pro Plus: High protein athletes
- Purpose: Nutra Pro, Senior, etc.
- Select: Grain-free options
- Classic: Budget line
- Professional: Working dogs
Diamond Naturals
- Adult/Large Breed: Core lines
- Extreme Athlete: Performance
- Light: Weight management
- Puppy/Senior: Life stages
- Grain-Free: Various proteins
Both offer good variety at value prices.
Price Comparison
Per 40 lb Bag
- Victor Hi-Pro Plus: $50-55
- Diamond Naturals Adult: $40-48
- Victor Purpose Nutra Pro: $45-55
- Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete: $45-50
Both are excellent values; Diamond is slightly cheaper.
The VPRO Difference
Victor VPRO Blend
Victor's proprietary blend includes:
- Probiotics for digestion
- Prebiotics for gut health
- Selenium yeast for immunity
- Zinc for skin/coat
Diamond Naturals
- Standard probiotics
- Superfoods (chia, pumpkin)
- No proprietary blend
- Still effective
Victor's VPRO is a meaningful differentiator.
Manufacturing
Victor
- Own Texas facilities
- Family-owned heritage
- Single-source production
- Strong quality control
Diamond Naturals
- Diamond Pet Foods facilities
- Multiple manufacturing locations
- Historical recall issues
- Improved quality control
Victor has better manufacturing reputation.
Active Dog Focus
Victor
- Designed for working/active dogs
- Higher protein and fat
- VPRO performance blend
- Popular with hunters, ranchers
- Enthusiast following
Diamond Naturals
- More moderate nutrition
- Suitable for average activity
- Extreme Athlete for performance
- General purpose focus
For active dogs, Victor has the edge.
Quality and Safety
Victor
- Good safety record
- Own manufacturing
- No major recalls
- Family business values
Diamond Naturals
- Historical recall issues (Diamond overall)
- Quality has improved
- Good recent track record
- Acceptable for price point
Victor has better safety history.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose Victor If:
- Your dog is active/working
- Higher protein/fat needed
- VPRO blend appeals
- Texas manufacturing preferred
- Performance nutrition matters
Choose Diamond Naturals If:
- Budget is primary concern
- Moderate activity dog
- Superfoods interest you
- Widest value desired
- Standard nutrition sufficient
Our Verdict
For Active Dogs
Victor wins:
- Higher protein/fat
- Performance-focused
- VPRO blend benefits
- Better for working dogs
For Value
Diamond Naturals wins:
- Lower price point
- Good quality for cost
- Sufficient for most dogs
- Excellent accessibility
Overall
Victor offers better quality and performance nutrition but costs slightly more. Diamond Naturals is excellent value for average dogs. Both are outstanding budget-premium options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better quality?
Victor is marginally higher quality with its VPRO blend and own manufacturing. Diamond Naturals is still good quality at a slightly lower price. The difference is modest.
Is Victor good for non-active dogs?
Yes, but you may not need the high protein/fat levels. Victor Purpose Nutra Pro is balanced for average dogs. Diamond Naturals may be more appropriate for sedentary dogs.
Why is Victor popular with hunters?
Victor's high protein, high fat, and VPRO blend support active working dogs. Texas manufacturing and word-of-mouth in hunting communities built the reputation.
Has Diamond improved its quality?
Yes, Diamond Pet Foods has significantly improved quality control after historical recalls. Recent track record is acceptable, though Victor remains safer.
Are the grain-free options safe?
Both face FDA DCM concerns. Consider grain-inclusive options (Victor has many, Diamond Naturals Adult). Consult your veterinarian.