Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
Updated on
We give Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain dog food a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
One popular line of dog food at Costco is Nature’s Domain. It is a grain-free alternative for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities to grain products. Each Nature’s Domain recipe meets the nutritional standards established by the AAFCO, so you know your dog is receiving the proper amount of nutrition from their dog food to stay healthy and happy.
It can be a difficult task to find the best dog food, and you may have plenty of questions about Nature’s Domain or Kirkland Signature. This review goes over where the dog food is manufactured, the primary ingredients used, as well as the pros and cons of this brand so you can make an informed choice. Continue reading to learn about our take on Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain dog food.
At a Glance: The Best Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food Recipes
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Blue |
|
Check Price |
|
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Yellow |
|
Check Price |
|
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Red |
|
Check Price |
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Dog Food Reviewed
Overall View
Kirkland Signature is known for providing quality products, which is why it is a popular brand — this includes its dog food formulas too. The dog food is affordable and made with ingredients that can be pronounced and understood by a layperson. A variety of meats with healthy carbohydrates and other plant proteins makes for well-rounded dog food. Nature’s Domain has three all-life-stages of dry formulas, one organic option, a puppy formula, and two varieties of wet dog food.
Who Makes Kirkland and Where Is It Produced?
Kirkland Signature brand dog food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. Diamond manufactures its own brand of dog food, as well as for many other companies. There are five factories located across the United States, and you will find Kirkland Signature dog food sold through Costco and a few varieties on Amazon.
Which Types of Dogs Are Best Suited to Kirkland Dog Good?
Nature’s Domain line has five dry food varieties and two wet dog foods, both of which are grain-free options. These are suitable for dogs who can’t have grain in their diets due to allergies and sensitivities. There are different flavors of meat, one for puppies, and an organic chicken recipe. The wet dog food offers a turkey and pea stew or organic chicken with vegetables.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Dogs who require a specialized diet because of a disease or other health concerns would benefit from a different brand. For example, a dog who suffers from kidney disease would do well with Blue Buffalo Kidney Support as recommended by a veterinarian. If you have a dog who is overweight and diabetic, then Hill’s Digestive/Weight/Glucose Management could be an option.
Primary Ingredients in Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food
These are grain-free formulas suited for dogs with allergies and other sensitivities. The main protein source is either beef, salmon, turkey, or lamb. Complex carbohydrates such as sweet potato, peas, and potatoes provide plenty of energy, and the Active9 probiotics are added to some Nature’s Domain recipes for digestive health. You will find vegetables and fruit in this line with other antioxidants added.
Nature’s Domain wet food offers either a turkey or chicken recipe that is full of vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to offer complete nutrition while remaining grain free. All the formulas meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages and/or maintenance.
A Quick Look at Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food
- Primary ingredients support overall health
- Variety of recipes
- Dry dog food and wet dog food
- Offers an organic recipe
- High in protein
- Grain-free
- Use of fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes
- Active9 probiotics included
- Affordable
- No information about the production process
- No specialized dog food
- Does not manufacture their dog food
Overview of Ingredients
Calorie Breakdown:
Protein
Nature’s Domain recipes have a high-quality protein source within each recipe, which is good to reduce the chance of a meat allergy. The percentage of protein is 20% or above in all their recipes, with many above 24%. With these grain-free diets, some protein is provided by added garbanzo beans, lentils, and peas.
Fats
Depending on Nature’s Domain recipe, there will be different fat sources used — either canola oil, chicken liver, or salmon oil. All these provide plenty of energy, with salmon oil containing omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen the immune system and DHA, which is good for brain and eye development.
Carbohydrates
Since Nature’s Domain is grain-free, the carbohydrates sources are derived from plants such as sweet potato, peas, and beet pulp to make sure your dog receives plenty of nutrients and energy.
Controversial Ingredients
- Canola oil: Canola can offer health benefits to a dog’s diet, proponents say. Critics, however, argue that salmon oil is a better choice for dogs.
- Brewer’s dried yeast: It adds nutrients and protein to the dog foo, but can also be an allergen source for some dogs, which is why it is controversial. It is not included in every Nature’s Domain recipes.
- Tomato pomace: This ingredient is a source of soluble fiber and provides other nutrients. However, some argue that it is used as a filler, even though it is seen in many high-quality dog foods.
Recalls of Kirkland Dog Food
In 2012, seven of the Kirkland Signature formulas were voluntarily recalled by Diamond Pet Foods for possible salmonella contamination; the recall included one Nature’s Domain recipe.
Reviews of the 3 Best Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food Recipes
1. Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain — Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato
This is an all-life-stages formula that meets the nutritional needs of puppies to seniors. It contains the Active9 probiotic formula that provides live, active cultures to support healthy digestion. Prebiotics and probiotics also come from the added chicory root.
It is a grain-free formula, so it is ideal for dogs who have grain sensitivities or allergies. The main ingredients are salmon meal and ocean fish, which provide protein and omega-3 fatty acids for overall health and a shiny coat. Sweet potato is a great source of carbohydrates, while also making the dog food tasty to canines. There are fruits included, as well as yucca extract to provide vitamin C and beta carotene.
On the downside, this dog food has a strong odor from the salmon and contains canola oil, which is a controversial ingredient.
- Salmon meal
- Grain free
- Appropriate for all life stages
- Active9 probiotics
- Tasty
- Fruits included
- Contains canola oil
- Strong odor
2. Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain — Beef Meal & Sweet Potato
Beef meal is the primary ingredient, followed by sweet potato, garbanzo beans, and peas. It is a grain-free recipe appropriate for all life stages. The omega fatty acid blend works to maintain healthy skin and coat, while the antioxidants from blueberries and raspberries support overall health for your dog.
Chicory root is prebiotic, and the Active9 probiotics both work together to provide healthy digestion. The sweet potato gives this recipe a great flavor, and overall, there is 24% crude protein and 14% crude fat. On the downside, it contains brewers’ yeast, canola oil, and tomato pomace, all of which are controversial ingredients. However, this is an affordable option with only one meat source to reduce the potential for meat allergies.
- Ideal for all life stages
- Prebiotic included
- Active9 probiotics
- Antioxidants
- Tasty
- Grain free
- One meat source
- Contains brewer’s yeast
- Contains canola oil and tomato pomace
3. Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain — Turkey Meal & Sweet Potato
This kibble contains plenty of nutrition to provide overall health for your dog for all life stages. It is a grain-free formula with turkey meal as the primary ingredient. It’s nice that it contains only one meat source to reduce the potential for other allergies. Sweet potato gives it a great flavor, as well as provide energy for the day.
The Active9 probiotics are included and provide live, active cultures that are specific to a dog’s GI tract. Probiotics are essential for digestive health and a healthy immune system. Vitamin E and selenium are antioxidants that support overall health, while the salmon oil provides omega fatty acids and DHA. On the downside, this recipe has tomato pomace and canola oil, which are considered controversial ingredients.
- Ideal for all life stages
- Supports the immune system
- Promotes digestion
- One protein source
- Omega fatty acids and DHA
- Tasty
- Grain free
- Contains tomato pomace and canola oil
What Other Users Are Saying
Here’s what other reviewers are commenting about Kirkland Signature dog food:
This site reviewed Nature’s Domain and concluded, “These are all human-grade recipes with ingredients that bear positive impact on your four-legged buddy. Everything is fine tuned to the minute detail for adult dogs.”
This site reviewed Nature’s Domain Puppy food and rated it an eight out of 10. They state, “Kirkland Nature’s Domain Puppy Chicken & Pea is a high-quality dry puppy food. Its nutrient profile is above average and it provides an above-average proportion of protein and fat.”
Amazon:
We check the reviews on Amazon from buyers before recommending a product to you. You can read these reviews by clicking here.
Conclusion
As dog owners, we want to provide healthy dog food to our pets yet keep it affordable. It can be frustrating and overwhelming to figure out what type of dog food is ideal. This review of Nature’s Domain gives you information about the ingredients, in-depth reviews on certain formulas, and what others are saying. Being informed helps make the decision process somewhat easier.
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain dog food is a grain-free variety for dogs who have grain allergies or sensitivities. It has plenty of nutrients within the recipe to keep the immune and digestive systems healthy, while providing overall wellness for your dog. The brand is still affordable, though it can be more difficult to find outside of the Costco store. Costco doesn’t manufacture its dog food, but Diamond Pet Foods is known for producing high-quality formulas.
