Most people consider store-brand pet food to be “cheap” and “low-quality.” Even though these statements are true of many brands (and for good reason), many pet owners have been searching for an exception, and the Kirkland brand is it.
Kirkland dog foods, which are marketed as super-premium pet foods, are prepared with premium ingredients like fresh meats, whole grains, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. In other words, it contains everything a dog requires to maintain good health.
I thoroughly examined their recipe, but more importantly, my dogs appeared to really enjoy the food.
That being said, in my opinion, Kirkland Signature dog food is a fantastic choice to take into consideration when searching for a premium brand of dog food that won’t break the bank.
What’s the Best Costco Dog Food Recipe?
These six dry dog foods are among the Kirkland product line’s offerings.
When available, the AAFCO nutrient profile of each recipe is included. These profiles include Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Costco Kirkland Signature Adult Lamb, Rice and Vegetable | 4 | M |
| Costco Kirkland Signature Adult Chicken, Rice and Vegetable | 5 | M |
| Costco Kirkland Signature Puppy | 5 | A |
| Costco Kirkland Signature Small Dog | 5 | M |
| Costco Kirkland Signature Mature Dog | 5 | M |
| Costco Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight | 3 | M |
For a thorough recipe and nutrient analysis, Costco Kirkland Signature Adult Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables was chosen to represent the other products in the line.
Using a dry matter basis, the label and nutrient data below were calculated.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =
Ingredients: Dried beet pulp, potatoes, fish meal, flaxseed, natural flavor, brewers dried yeast, millet, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, carrots, peas, dried kelp, apples, cranberries, rosemary extract, parsley flake, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium longum, dried
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 18% | 45% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 37% | 39% |
The first ingredient in this recipe is chicken. Despite being a high-quality product, raw chicken can contain up to 73% water. Most of that moisture is lost during cooking, leaving the meat with only a small portion of its original weight.
After processing, this component would likely make up a smaller portion of the finished product’s overall content.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. As a meat concentrate, chicken meal has nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
Brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that can be relatively simple to digest once cooked, is the third item. But aside from its inherent energy content, rice only has a modest amount of nutritional value for dogs.
The next ingredient is barley. The starchy carbohydrate barley contains fiber and other beneficial nutrients. However, this cereal grain is only modestly nutritious to a dog, aside from its energy content.
The fifth ingredient is chicken fat. This product is made from rendering chicken, which is a method akin to making soup in which the fat is skimmed off the top of the liquid.
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid necessary for life, is abundant in chicken fat. Even though it doesn’t sound particularly enticing, chicken fat is a superior ingredient.
The sixth ingredient is an unidentified (wet or dry?) egg product made from shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Even from commercial hatcheries, lower quality eggs can be obtained from eggs that did not hatch.
In any case, eggs are exceptionally high in biological value and are simple to digest.
Beet pulp, a high-fiber byproduct of sugar beet processing that is the seventh ingredient, is a contentious ingredient.
While some criticize beet pulp as a cheap filler, others point out its remarkable advantages for blood sugar control and intestinal health.
We’re only bringing up the controversy here because we think it’s perfectly acceptable to include beet pulp in most dog foods in a reasonable amount.
The next ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. However, potatoes have very little nutritional value for a dog, save perhaps for their caloric content.
The ninth ingredient is fish meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.
Typically, commercial fish operations’ “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” is used to make fish meal.
Unfortunately, this particular item is anonymous. We would have preferred to know the source species because different fish contain different types of fats.
The list continues after this with a number of other inclusions.
However, being realistic, ingredients this low on the list (aside from nutritional supplements) are unlikely to have an impact on how this Costco product is rated overall.
With 5 notable exceptions…
First off, one of the top plant sources of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids is flaxseed. Flax seeds are also high in soluble fiber, provided they have first been ground into a meal.
However, when evaluating the actual meat content of this dog food, one must take into account that flaxseed contains about 19% protein.
Next, brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Despite being a leftover from the brewing process, this ingredient is a nutrient powerhouse, loaded with minerals.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This might be the case, but (as with all allergies) only if your dog is allergic to the yeast specifically.
Additionally, a vocal minority maintains that exposure to yeast can increase the likelihood of contracting the potentially fatal condition known as bloat. However, we have not been able to conduct any research to support this assertion.
In any case, yeast can still be regarded as a nutritive additive unless your dog has a specific allergy to it.
Brewers yeast, which should be taken into account when assessing the actual meat content of this dog food, has a protein content of about 48%.
Peas are another addition; they are a superior source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, when evaluating the meat content of this dog food, one must take into account the fact that peas contain about 25% protein.
Next, inulin, a starch-like substance made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and present in some roots and tubers, is abundant in chicory root.
Inulin is a natural source of soluble dietary fiber that is also used as a prebiotic to encourage the development of good bacteria in a dog’s digestive system.
Last but not least, this food includes chelated minerals, which are minerals that have chemically been joined to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Kirkland Signature Dog Food appears to be an above-average dry product based solely on its ingredients.
The dashboard shows a reading of 29% for dry matter protein, 18% for fat, and an estimated 45% for carbohydrates.
This Kirkland brand’s average protein content is 28%, and its average fat content is 15%. Together, these data point to a 49% carbohydrate content for the entire product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Which means this Kirkland product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to other kibbles.
This appears to have the profile of a dry dog food with a substantial amount of meat even after taking into account the protein-boosting effects of the flaxseed, peas, and brewers yeast.
Review of Costco Kirkland Dog Food
Rating:
The Advisor gives Costco Kirkland Signature Dog Food a perfect five-star rating.
Kirkland Signature Adult Formula —Lamb, Rice and Vegetable
Due to the fact that it provides all adult dogs with complete and balanced nutrition, this is one of Kirkland’s most well-known brands. The three main components are lamb, lamb meal, and whole-grain brown rice, all of which are excellent sources of protein and are also very digestible.
Additionally, you can find antioxidants to support general health as well as glucosamine and chondroitin to support your dog’s joints. The addition of omega-6 and -3 fatty acids is the perfect component for a robust immune system. It provides live, active cultures that support a healthy digestive system using Active9 probiotics. Thus, this formula is great for overall health.
On the down side, because it contains brown and white rice, it is not ideal for dogs with grain allergies. Additionally, it contains brewer’s yeast, so if your dog suffers from immunosuppression, is prone to yeast infections, or has a yeast allergy, you should not purchase it. However, many appreciate that it does contain vegetables like kelp and peas as well as fruits like apples and cranberries.
FAQ
Is Kirkland dog food Safe?
The Advisor gives Costco Kirkland Signature Dog Food a perfect five-star rating.
Who manufactures Kirkland dog food?
A: Diamond Pet Foods manufactures all of the dry foods in five facilities that are owned by the company and are located throughout the United States. Two are in Arkansas, one each in California, Missouri, and South Carolina.
What is the healthiest dog food in the world?
- Blue Buffalo. …
- Merrick Grain-Free Food. …
- Nature’s Logic Sardine Meal Feast. …
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie. …
- CANIDAE All Life Stages. …
- Diamond Naturals. …
- CANIDAE Wet Food. …
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet.
How does Kirkland dog food compare to Purina ONE?
Nutritional Value: Kirkland uses no by-products, but Purina Pro Plan has a higher protein content. Both are comparable in terms of fiber.