Kirkland Large Breed Puppy Food

Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken Rice & Egg Formula

This Kirkland Mature Dog Food is designed especially for senior dogs who are in the last quarter of their lives.

It contains Kirklands usual ingredients: fresh chicken and chicken meal, as well as egg product. This blend gives your golden oldie a good dose of protein to keep her muscles strong and provide her with energy. Given that the protein content is high, at 27%, I would recommend this food for mature dogs who are still active .

This recipe contains the usual wholegrain brown rice and barley as well as oatmeal and ground white rice. While white rice is okay for dogs, it is not nearly as nutritionally beneficial as brown rice – I would prefer to see more brown rice instead.

The nutrients from the fruit and veg will support your older dogs immune system and help fight off diseases such as cancer.

If your senior dog is prone to joint conditions or already suffering minor symptoms, this food will help support her joints. Kirkland includes middling levels of glucosamine and low levels of chondroitin .

Alternative Dog Food: Victor Senior Healthy Weight

This Senior Healthy Weight recipe from Victor has almost exactly the same macronutrient balance as Kirklands. But it includes nutrients for joint support in much higher amounts , which I think makes it suitable for dogs already suffering from joint problems.

Kirklands Top 5 Dog Food Products And Their Best Alternatives

Below are the pros and cons of all the recipes included in this review:

This recipe is designed for medium to large breed adults. Its protein reading is 26%, coming mainly from chicken and chicken meal. The latter contains four times more protein than the whole meat, which makes it highly nutritious for your dog.

The fiber is fairly low here for a puppy food. However, the fruit and vegetables plus the probiotics should be enough to aid your puppys digestion.

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Organic Chicken & Pea

Rating: 4.5/5

This Natures Domain recipe is crafted for adult dogs and made with premium and organic ingredients. That said, you won’t find any GMO products, human-made fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators.

The first ingredient here is organic chicken, providing the highest amount of protein. What surprised me at first was the fact that chicken is the only animal-based ingredient in this formula. The rest of the primary ingredients are made entirely of vegetables.

Therefore, the protein content of the chicken is further supported by the presence of organic peas, organic lentils, and organic garbanzo beans.

Organic potatoes and sweet potatoes are responsible for the carbohydrate content, acting as a source of energy for your dog. And since carbs are more easily broken down than protein, they can provide canines with quick bursts of energy for intense short-term workouts and play.

Fat comes from organic canola oil and flaxseed. Flaxseed is high in fatty acids and rich in omega-3s. Its a nice addition to any dog meal because its also laden with magnesium and vitamin B1.

Now for the organic canola oil. I know that throughout this review, I haven’t been an advocate for adding canola oil to dog food. However, that goes for NON-ORGANIC canola oil. In this recipe, the brand uses only ORGANIC canola oil.

key takeaways

Best for: Young and active adult dogs.

What we like:

What we don’t like:

• It could include more fruits and vegetables

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What Do Veterinary Professionals Think Of Kirkland Dog Food

While Kirkland dog food is not considered a top of the line brand, it is higher quality for those dog owners who are feeding their pup on a budget. Kirkland dog food does offer real animal proteins and fruits and veggies in their diets, making it a healthier version of a budget dog diet. Though there may not be an option for dogs that require special diets free of grains and fillers, it is a great option for the pup parents that need a basic, yet quality diet.

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon & Sweet Potato

Rating: 4/5

Another formula from Kirkland’s Nature’s Domain range is The Salmon & Sweet Potato, crafted for dogs of all ages, from little pups to senior pooches. As its name suggests, salmon is the main animal ingredient in the meal. A fantastic choice, in my opinion.

Salmon is a fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These are responsible for the lustrous hair od dogs. These natural fatty acids are also great at reducing inflammation or itching, supporting the immune system, and generally keeping your dogs skin healthy.

The first ingredient here is a salmon meal, which itself is already a good source of protein. It’s supported by ocean fish meal, which lends even more animal protein to the food. These two are followed by plant-based ingredients , raising the overall protein levels up to 24%.

To provide your dog with much-needed carbohydrates, Kirkland added potatoes, sweet potatoes, and potato fiber into the formula. Carbohydrates are quick sources of energy, while fiber keeps the digestive system functioning properly.

Canola oil provides the main fat content in the recipe. That’s something many, including myself, may not overly fancy. While safe for dogs, canola oil is highly processed and refined, so it may not be the best choice if you want dog food to be 100% natural.

key takeaways

Best for: All dogs, no matter the age and size.

What we like:

What we don’t like:

• Highly processed canola oil as the main source of fat

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Orijen Puppy Large Grain

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Deboned Turkey, 3. Eggs, 4. Chicken Heart, 5. Whole Red Lentils

Orijen Large Puppy Food is a worthy premium option for those looking to feed their puppies the best possible diet. Its packed with premium-grade proteins from chicken, turkey, and mackerel to promote more muscle growth in larger puppies. Nearly 85% of those proteins are animal-based and offer a lot more nutrients than just amino acids.

Since the recipe is free from grains, it makes an ideal choice for puppies with allergies. As an alternative, the brand uses lentils, peas, and beans because theyre easier to digest and provide just as many carbs. The food will also be a pleasant surprise for finicky puppies since its coated with freeze-dried liver that gives the kibbles a meaty flavor.

Pedigree Vs Kirkland Signature

In this comparison article for Pedigree vs Kirkland Signature, we’ll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pedigree and Kirkland Signature, we’ll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Kirkland Signature vs Pedigree comparison, we’ve utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you’d like to see individual product reviews, visit our Pedigree Review Page or Kirkland Signature Review Page.

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Which Types Of Dogs Is Kirkland Best Suited For

There are two lines of Kirkland dog food: the Kirkland Signature and the Kirkland Signature Natures Domain. Kirkland signature offers six varieties that include specialized formulas for adults, small breeds, puppies, seniors, and healthy weight formula. Canned formulas are offered in chicken and rice or lamb and rice.

Natures Domain line has five dry food varieties and two wet foods that are all grain free. There are different flavor profiles: one formulated for puppies and an organic variety. The wet food is offered as an organic chicken with vegetables or a turkey and pea stew .

Natures Domain Dog Food Recalls: What You Need To Know

A few years back, on May 4, 2012, Diamond Pet Foods performed a voluntary recall of the Kirkland Signature Dog Food from Costco due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Diamond Pet Foods offered free replacements or refunds for dog owners who purchased products included in the recall. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed the recall several days later.

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Eukanuba Dog Food Vs Kirkland Signature Dog Food

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog’s diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature typically provides a little more protein .

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits :

• Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
• Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
• Improve skin and coat health
• Improve the palatially of your dog’s food

As you can see, Kirkland Signature and Eukanuba guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature provides more fat .

Eukanuba and Kirkland Signature both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Eukanuba typically provides a little more fiber .

Kirkland Signature Puppy Formula Chicken Rice And Vegetables Review

This post may contain affiliate links. We are compensated for referring customers to our affiliate partners.

You can find detailed information about Kirkland, a private label brand made for Costco by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc., in our main review of Kirkland Dog Food. There you will also find information about how the food is made, recalls, and their quality control measures. This review will provide some information about the main ingredients, additional ingredients that stand out, the guaranteed analysis, and any special concerns.

• See The Updated List Of The Most Popular Puppy Food

Kirkland has a very good reputation with dog breeders and dog show exhibitors, especially in areas served by Costco, and many people say they have been feeding the food for years with good results. Kirklands grain free line of foods is called Kirkland Signature Natures Domain. Kirklands food is designed to compete with premium dog foods at a lower cost. They contain no corn, soy, or wheat and they have no animal digest, by-products, or artificial preservatives. These are some of the reasons they have been popular with dog breeders and exhibitors, especially people who own multiple dogs. They are able to feed what seems like a good quality food at a lower cost which is an important consideration when you have multiple dogs.

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What Is The Best Homemade Puppy Food

Boneless chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, pork, or duck deboned fish, especially salmon and eggs which can be cooked with their crushed shells included for extra calcium. Organ meats are very healthy as well, but typically should not make up more than 15% of the diet. Carrots, blueberries, peas and more.

About Kirkland Puppy Food

Well start off our our Kirkland puppy food review with some general details about this brand. Behind the Kirkland Signature concept stands Diamond Pet Foods. The company runs four different manufacturing centers across the United States. They have several different formulations available and use high-quality protein sources like chicken and salmon in many of their recipes.

The average amount of food that is needed to feed a 20-30-pound adult dog is substantially less with Kirkland puppy food than most other bargain brands. With Kirkland, the amount needed is between 1 and one ¼ cups per serving. Most other bargain brands use somewhere between 1 ½ and 2 ¼.

If you are interested in trying this brand out for yourself, you should be aware that it is only available for purchase at Costco locations. You can use their Costco warehouse locator to find a location near you to pick up a bag today.

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Top 5 Ingredients Breakdown

Chicken is the first ingredient and chicken meal is the second ingredient. Together, this indicates that the food contains a lot of good quality chicken protein. Chicken is about 80 percent protein and its a good source of Vitamin B6 and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Niacin and Selenium. Chicken meal is a condensed form of chicken with most of the moisture removed so it contains several times as much protein as whole chicken.

The third ingredient is whole grain brown rice. Brown rice is often used in dog foods, especially as a change from corn. From a dog food viewpoint, rice is a cereal grain. Brown rice is higher in fiber than white rice, and less processed. It can also be a little more irritating to the stomach than white rice. Its a simple carbohydrate that can give dogs quick energy. Used in conjunction with more complex carbs in a dog food, brown rice is a good ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is cracked pearled barley. Cracked pearled barley has been polished to remove part of its hull and bran and make it easier to digest. Keep in mind that the more its processed, the more nutrients it loses, even if it makes it easier to digest. It has a moderate amount of starch that can be slowly digested, along with soluble fiber. It features about 7 percent protein, 3 percent fat, and 90 percent carbohydrates.

Kirkland Signature Adult Formula Chicken Rice And Vegetable Dog Food

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Guaranteed Analysis: Kirkland Signature Vs Eukanuba

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Pedigree Pet Food Ingredients Vs Kirkland Signature Pet Food Ingredients

Pedigree and Kirkland Signature both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Pea Protein

Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.

Powdered Cellulose

Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pedigree.

Liver

Liver is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous animal ingredients are typically very low quality and may contain almost any animal, including dogs and cats!

Beet Pulp

Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.

We’d also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.

Iron Oxide

Iron oxide is an FDA approved natural food coloring agent. It’s commonly found in rusting metal and provides a reddish-brown color.

Animal Liver

Brewers Rice

Wheat Gluten

Animal Plasma

Caramel Color

Garlic Powder

Bha

Bht

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Our Kirkland Grain Free Dog Food Reviews

Weve started with Kirklands organic dinner from their Natures Domain range. Then, choices for your smaller breed pup, and a nice All Life Stages option.

• Small, specially-designed kibble allows your smaller pooch to eat in comfort
• Contains Kirkland Signatures proprietary range of gut-healthy bacteria
• Totally without any grains, so suitable for intolerant pooches
• Provides your little pooch with Omega 3 and 6 for a gorgeous radiant coat and
• Its simple to break down and digest, so its easy on small tummies!

Cons

• Nope, its a great mix of meat-and non-meat proteins with a delectable salmon flavor for little dogs!

Pros

• Includes selenium, which helps canines fight against heart disease and various other health conditions
• Thats coupled with Vitamin E for healthy doggy skin your dogs first layer of defense against disease!
• Contains prebiotics to help your fluffy friend break down his food more easily
• First ingredient, as the name suggests, is turkey and
• Also includes natural vitamins from fruits like blueberries and veggies like peas and sweet potatoes.

Cons

• For puppies, 24% may be a slightly low protein figure.