Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Dog Food
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult is manufactured by Diamond and sold at Costco’s around the United States. Kirkland Signature Range Lamb & Rice Adult falls in the middle of the spectrum of dog food quality. I am going to break this food down and give an unbiased review.
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Dog Food Review
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb & Rice Adult falls in the middle of the spectrum of dog food quality. For the price you are getting a pretty decent bag of dog food. Other brands in the same price range fill their bags with filler and overload them with grains.
First five ingredients of Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult:
- Lamb – Since this meat ingredient is not in form of a meal, it means before it was put into the dog food its weight consist of its water weight as well.Which ultimately means that after being cooked and included into the dog food its true place in the ingredient list would drop, due to the loss of its water weight.
- Lamb meal – Lamb meal would now be the first true ingredient. It is preferred that the first ingredient of dog food would be a protein source in the form of a meat. Dogs naturally feed of meat and they need it in their diet.
- Whole grain brown rice -the entire product obtained by grinding the rice kernels after the hulls have been removed.
- Rice flour –
- White rice - Rice is a goof source of additional proteins and adds additional carbohydrates.
If were to take the 3rd, 4th and 5th ingredient and combine them together rice would probably be the first true ingredient. Its hard telling what the true weight would be. Manufactures split these ingredients up to try and fool people into thinking what they want. Is rice is bad ingredient? No. But when is the last time you saw a dog in the while eating some rice?
As with all the Kirkland dog food brands we were unable to find a statement of them using Ethoxyquin free fish in their Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult formula.
Beet pulp is also found as an ingredient and has been linked to allergies in dogs. It comes in the form of a by product. This brand of food would rank higher in the quality scale if it did not include Beet pulp.
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult Full Ingredients List:
Lamb,lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, rice flour, white rice, egg product, cracked pearl barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and Vitamin E), beet pulp, potatoes, fish meal, flaxseed, natural flavor, brewers dried yeast, carrots, peas, kelp, apples, dried skim milk, cranberry powder,potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, rosemary extract, parsley flake, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, taurine, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, chondroitin sulphate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite (source of vitamin k activity), riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Kirkland Signature Range Lamb and Rice Adult Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein…………….23% min
Crude fat …………….14% min
Crude fiber……………. 4% max
Moisture……………. 10% max
Zinc……………. 200 mg/kg min
Selenium……………. 0.4 mg/kg min
Vitamin A …………….15,000 IU/kg min
Vitamin E …………….150 IU/kg min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids*……………. 2.2% min
Omega-3 Fatty Acids* …………….0.4% min
Glucosamine hydrochloride not less than 300 mg/kg
Chondroitin sulfate not less than 100 mg/kg
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient profile.
This food is definitely a little more grain-heavy than its chicken counterpart, however, still a decent quality food for a really good price. However, you’ll still want to avoid it if your dog has any allergies to grains, beet pulp, or brewers yeast.
I needed to switch my 14 month old Irish setter pup to adult food from puppy food. On the advice of a friend, I switched him to Kirkland brand lamb and rice formula. Even before gradual switch was complete, his beautiful lustrous coat lost its sheen. After fully switched over to the Kirkland food, he left a pile of red hair where he slept, developed terrible dandruff, and looked awful. Horrified at how quickly my pup’s condition went from magnificent to scruffy, I switched him back to Blue puppy food immediately. My pup’s coat is now regaining its former shine, and he no longer sheds where he lays. The pet nutritionist at PetSmart says I can keep him on the Blue puppy formula as long as he doesn’t gain weight on it. Yes, it’s expensive, but compared to vet bills because of poor nutrition and food allergies, I’ll pay the premium price!
Think about it: if a food cost around $20 for 40 lbs, how much do you think the company is paying for ingredients? even if meant is the first ingredient, it’s probably been rejected for other purposes. Lamb isn’t a cheap meat. the ingredients may be whole, but I question the quality of the ingredents, not the food itself.
I have to tell you that my 3 golden retrievers are and have been on the lamb and rice formula and thrive immensely. They have no doggy odor and no fleas. I do supplement with herbal trace minerals from Naures Sunshine and they get 1000mg of ester c a day. That is critical for their hips and they receive no vaccinations except pupppy vacs. THAT is critical! I muscle test my animals for any food or herbs vitimins etc. What is muscle testing? It is a form of kinesiology and I use this on myself and family on everything we put on the table to what we put on our skin. We are living proof that it works. No doctor visits for us as we are out enjoying life with our healthy dogs for many years. You can learn how to muscle test from nauropaths that know how. Trust me, we need to be proactive. I use to spend lots on vets, I know what I am talking about.
After reading the products in Kirkland brand compared to other top brands it’s really more bang for you’re buck. Iams, Pedigree, Purina and even the higher quality foods like Nutra Nuggets have corn in them. I did not see this in the Kirkland brand all meat and grains, and that’s what all these crazed dog lovers are ranting about meats and grains are best for your dog. As far as anyone saying we don’t trust the qualit in the meet be realistic just because you pay more doesn’t mean it’s better, and besides we’re talking about dogs you know a dog the kind of animal that would est road kill. I think if the dog likes it, and with the food contents feed it. Of course you can get a little more protiens and crude fibers out of a kibble that cost $40.00 plus dollars for a $40.00lb bag. Question would be if you spend that much just why not feed natural. I just by the cheap multi-vitamin form wal-mart and feed the Kirklands brand it will cost you a lot less. Breeder of bully breeds and yes I beleive in quality and the truth of the matter is Kirkland brand is quality. Enjoy your dog’s I just brought a bag of Iam’s and will be swtitching to Kirklands brand next go around.
My 9yo Golden Retriever has done very well on Nature Valley Prairie Lamb Meal and Oatmeal Medley for dogs. He has been on this diet for several years and maintained great skin and coat and overall health. We recently tried the Kirkland Lamb and Rice (less expensive, thought I could save a few dollars) and his skin has broken out with small raised bumps, itching and losing small clumps of fur. He must have an allergy to something in the Kirkland food. The only obvious ingredient that is different is the beet pulp, which was mentioned as being an allergen. Soooo, I am changing him back to his original food and we will see how his skin condition does. (and no, its not fleas!) I will keep you posted!
I have 2 older dogs: one lab corgi mix, and one giant Newfoundland mix. Both dogs are incredibly gassy and unhappy on anything other than lamb/rice mixes. For the great price and apparent great taste (both of them wolf down the food when they turn up their noses at other food) I really like to give them the Kirkland Lamb and Rice food. I like the way their coats feel on it as well as the way the dogs feel–they are much more active on the Kirkland brand than other lamb and rice formulas.
I will say that it is a great medium grade food, but I can’t afford the premium brands so I can’t say what that would be like! (At least my two (rescued) dogs have food now… they were sticks when they came home with me,)
–Cass
One thing to bear in mind when you look at the low cost is that costco does not pay a dime in advertising. That is how they sell startbucks coffee beans with their name on it for half the price. We certainly can’t say that about any of the other brands.
I doubt many people know this but when manufacturers buy Lamb meal, thye usually have a choice between North american Lamb meal and New Zealand Lamb meal. The differance is that North American Lamb meal has to be at least 51% Lamb meal with the the rest coming from any other ruminating animal. New Zealand Lamb meal is 100% Lamb meal. This is the truth. Maybe that is why it is so cheap in comparison to California NAtural. The other differance is that Kirkland uses beet pulp which is a filler and is not a normal part of a Dogs diet. I have been in the Pet biz for over 20 years, own a store that has never been part of any recall.
I just bought my first bag of Kirkland Lamb & Rice. All I know is that if my dog does not like it or does not do well on it, I can take it back opened and mostly used for a FULL refund. Therefore, I have to try it.
Our dogs will not eat the chicken and rice part of the case of food we get from Costco. They usually will eat the super premium lamb & rice formula for dogs. I will have to find a company that will sell us only lamb and rice? Can you help?
Thanks Tom
I have fed my dogs many other more expensive brands, Solid Gold, Eagle Pack , Wellness etc. and my dogs have done exceptionally well on the Kirkland brand foods. I was recommended to try from a breeder and have been feeding Kirkland as my primary food for almost 5 years. When given the option my dogs would rather eat the Kirkland food. There coats are super shiny and there weight couldn’t be better! I recommend this food to everyone and know many people who have switched from higher priced brands that don’t come close to Kirklands quality. Just compare the ingredients!
I fed this lamb and rice variety to a kennel full of German Shepherds, all except 4 who were fed as usual with a light variety made by Royal Canin. Every single dog fed the Kirkland variety threw up and/or had diarrhea in two days. I waited several days and tried again, with the same results and tried a third time after some days with the same result. I do not think it was coincidence that the dogs became ill and I believe that something was wrong with the food. Diamond, the manufacturer, when contacted said they had heard of no problems, but 20 GSDs cannot be wrong! A client of mine also had the same result. I won’t feed it again.
I just witched to Kirland Lamb and Rice Adult formula food and my black lab is not adjusting well. She has been experiencing diarrhea every day for a week. Maybe she is allergic to the beet pulp. Thinking of switching back to the more expensive Eagle Pack.
I have to give great ratings to the Kirkland Lamb & Rice as well. I was having trouble with nutro L&R & Euka and began doing ingredient comparisons… price was NOT the deciding factor in choosing my dogs food. I have a large active rotti and seven min doxies… I would rather buy a good quality food than pay $$$ at the vet with 8 dogs. They all eat the same food…from the 9 yr old to the youngest weiner… they have been on the kirkland L&R for close to a year. Thier coats are brilliant and soft…they are all healthy, no skin issues, no stool issues. When they do thier bizness… no odd smells, solid small stool, just what I expect from a good quality food. When they were having the corn fillers and chicken by-products thier coats were dry and they didnt look half as good as they do now on a food that is less than half the price. I would rather a reliable food than a great $$$ advertising campaign. My farm cats also prefer the kirkland food to any other I have brought home.
I’ve noticed that the majority of people whose dogs have reacted negatively to the Kirkland Lamb and Rice dog food seems to happen during a switch. We have a Newfoundland pup who is currently eating this food and doing very well. When we first got her she was on Nutro large breed puppy. This was a high quality food with a high price tag……she is eating 7 cups per day. The breeder reccomended Kirkland Lamb and Rice as well as another name brand should we switch her from the Nutro. When we switched her we did so over a 3 week period. We wanted it to be gentle on her belly , and it was. Her coat is very shiny, her eyes are clear and her energy level and growth rate are on par for her breed. We would recommend this food as a low cost quality food option.
We will add this, her stools are sometimes soft. We aren’t certain if this is related to her food or if it is because she is a puppy??
My dachshund does seem to do well on this food, however my Newfoundland mix does not he has had constantly had diarrhea and throws up since I have fed him this food but he does not have any behavioral changes. It only seems to be a problem with the can food and not the dry food though.
I tried IAMS food and my dogs became constipated and had lots of nasty smelling gas. We had better luck with the Kirkland Chicken and rice.
Our last female GSD went 15 yrs on Kirland Adult Lamb and Rice dry. Her replacement is on year 8 without any problems. I get complements on her appearance, coat and disposition almost every day, even from our local K-9 officer. I think it’s a transitioning,breed or breeding problem. Is there a breed study anywhere? In any event take your time with the change over to any new food folks. I also give her the Kirkland Large Size Dog Biscuits, switching from Milkbone. Now she prefers them! I tried Ol’Roy bagged biscuits from WalMart but they seemed to upset her stomach for the one day. I read some bad stuff on the web about them that night, so I returned them the next day. As far as fallen cattle they also used to send them to the fast food places. I was told this at the slaughter house in LA!
DJ, I have no problems with Costco’s brand. But please, please keep away from ol roy, Purnia, Bil Crap, RC, Eukaweful, SD and other corn, wheat and soy infested crap. If you ever get a bonus or income tax check, check out Orijen, Acana, Evo or Innova the difference is truly amazing. Check my dog out
http://3toestony.shutterfly.com/
I had switched our lab over to Kirkland L&R food for the price, and the ingredients looked pretty good. But she was lethargic and smelly and getting a to thin looking, I found a great new food called Canadian Naturals, Turkey Salmon, that she is thriving on. She’s solid, strong and full of life again and no more problems with smell and diahrea. It was worth the extra $10 and the extra stop at the local pet store.
If you switch your dog over to this brand ‘slowly’ and give them time to adjust, they usually do okay. My dog does alright on this brand, but he most certainly does not thrive. Quality is better than the typical supermarket crass by a longshot. However my lab did get pretty gassy on this brand and I found it made his coat a little greasy. I’d be paying the extra $10-15 on Taste of the Wild, Orijen, Instinct or Now! Grain Free myself.
When we got our first dog, a normal sized Yorkie, he was on Iams and suffered badly from dry skin. We switched him over to Nutro natural and his dry flaky skin went away. He and our newer dog, a Border Terrier, have been on Kirklands Lamb and Rice dry for the past 3 years and we have had no problems. The dogs are a healthy weight and have very nice coats. Still no dry skin. The ingredients were similar to the Nutro brand but the cost is significantly cheaper. I have no complaints. Dogs do not need to eat gourmet organic super deluxe chow. I think the quantifying of dog food goes to ridiculous proportions in America. I think Kirkland makes sure Diamond produces up to their standards. My vet said I should feed them something better but I think she is full of it.
I have a 3 year old chocolate lab/ newfoundland and switched him to kirkland lamb adult dog food from Iams. His fur on his back is fadding a lot the last few months and now I’m noticing really big areas where it’s really fadded like almost a redish blond!! Is it normal for their fur to change or could this be something else? Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this issue?? Thank you! Rachel
Rachel Hi here is a link to some info about fur-pigment changes http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2=+2111&aid=425
I would recomend California Natural. Get a small bag and start mixing it with small amounts of the old food at fist, then upping the amount slowly. It’s a great product. I also recomend California Natural skin and coat Supplement and only use half the recomended amount. Both products are easy on the pocket book.