Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a dry puppy food designed specifically for small and medium breed puppies and nursing adult dogs, with chicken and chicken meal providing the main protein sources. It offers relatively high protein and fat to support growth, plus added DHA from salmon oil for brain and vision development. The recipe also includes prebiotic fibers, beet pulp, and probiotics to support digestive health, along with a mix of plant ingredients that contribute antioxidants and omega fatty acids for skin and coat support.
Overall, this is a well-formulated dry food for small and medium breed puppies and nursing dogs that need extra calories and nutrients for growth and lactation. It delivers robust protein and fat levels appropriate for growth, with a good calcium and phosphorus profile and added DHA for developing nervous systems. It’s complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth, so it suits most small and medium breeds very well as long as they tolerate chicken and egg ingredients.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
At a Glance
What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein (32%) and fat (22%) levels from chicken, chicken meal, egg product, and fish meal, which is appropriate for growing puppies and lactating females.
- AAFCO-complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed growth, giving confidence that essential nutrients are covered for small and medium breeds.
- Includes DHA from salmon oil plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support brain, vision, and skin/coat health during growth.
- Contains prebiotic fibers (dried chicory root, beet pulp, Miscanthus grass) and multiple probiotic strains to help support a healthy digestive microbiome.
Considerations
- Chicken, chicken meal, egg product, and fish meal are common food allergens for some dogs, so this formula would not be appropriate for pets with known sensitivities to these proteins.
- The calorie density is fairly high at about 453 kcal per cup, so portion control is important to avoid excessive weight gain, especially in less active puppies.
- Not suitable for large-breed puppies expected to reach 70 lb or more as adults, due to specific calcium and energy needs for those breeds.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
03
White Rice
White rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate commonly used in pet foods as an energy source, binder or filler and is often included in bland diets to help manage gastrointestinal upset. It supplies readily available calories but contains little protein, fat, fiber or micronutrients (so complete diets must be balanced), and should be used judiciously in overweight or diabetic pets due to its high glycemic index; prolonged exclusive feeding is not recommended.
04
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
05
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Diamond Naturals is a mid-range premium brand featuring whole-food ingredients and added probiotics for digestive health. It provides grain-inclusive and grain-free formulas designed for balanced nutrition and holistic wellness.
Visit Diamond NaturalsManufacturer
Diamond Pet Foods maintains a rigorous quality assurance program that includes in-house testing for mycotoxins, pathogens, and nutritional analysis. The company adheres to FDA, AAFCO, and HACCP standards, employing extrusion and cooking processes designed to ensure product safety.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Diamond Naturals ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Diamond Naturals. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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