Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat vs Orijen Original Grain-Free
Head-to-head comparison — specs, scores, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you pick the right one for your dog.
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Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat
From $18.99(prices may vary)
📦 Buy on Amazon
Orijen Original Grain-Free
From $35.99(prices may vary)
📦 Buy on AmazonRatings Breakdown
| Category | Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat | Orijen Original Grain-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9 | 9.2 |
| Value | 8 | 5.7 |
| Quality | 9.2 | 9.3 |
| Durability | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Ease of Use | 8.7 | 8.9 |
Pros & Cons
Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat
Pros
- ✓Exceptional value for a premium-ingredient kibble
- ✓Cage-free chicken as the first ingredient
- ✓Added probiotics and superfoods
- ✓No corn, wheat, or filler grains
- ✓Made in USA facilities
Cons
- ✗Kibble size can be large for smaller dogs
- ✗Packaging has had occasional quality-control issues
Orijen Original Grain-Free
Pros
- ✓85% meat and fish ingredients, 15% plants
- ✓Whole-prey ratios with organs and cartilage
- ✓Fresh and raw ingredients, never outsourced
- ✓No synthetic supplements except zinc
- ✓Consistently tops independent nutritional analyses
Cons
- ✗Significantly more expensive than competitors
- ✗Too rich for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat | Orijen Original Grain-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Bag Size | 40 lb | 25 lb |
| Protein Source | Cage-Free Chicken | Free-Run Chicken & Turkey, Wild-Caught Fish |
| Life Stage | Adult | Adult |
| Grain-Free | No (uses rice and barley) | Yes |
| Special Feature | Probiotics, superfoods, no filler grains | WholePrey 85/15 meat-to-plant ratio |
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Nutrition 83 Ingredients 89 Palatability 74 Value 77 Owner Satisfaction 85 | Nutrition 77 Ingredients 77 Palatability 74 Value 64 Owner Satisfaction 76 |
| Buyer sentiment | Quality Value for money Ingredients Pet Preference Buyers praise quality, value for money, ingredients and pet preference. Mixed feedback on digestive issues and palatability. Based on 1,364 user mentions | Quality Ingredients Healthiness Taste Value for money Digestion Odor Buyers praise quality, ingredients, healthiness and taste. Mixed feedback on digestibility. Some flag value for money and digestion. Based on 758 user mentions |
| Bag Size | 40 lb | 25 lb |
| Protein Source | Cage-Free Chicken | Free-Run Chicken & Turkey, Wild-Caught Fish |
| Life Stage | Adult | Adult |
| Grain-Free | No (uses rice and barley) | Yes |
| Special Feature | Probiotics, superfoods, no filler grains | WholePrey 85/15 meat-to-plant ratio |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
Our Verdict

Winner
Orijen Original Grain-Free
9.2/10 overall
It's extremely close, but Orijen Original Grain-Free edges ahead with a slightly higher overall score (9.2 vs 9). Both are excellent choices — you really can't go wrong with either. Pick the one that best fits your dog's specific needs and your budget.
From $35.99 (prices may vary)
📦 Buy Orijen Original Grain-Free on Amazon