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2021 Kirkland Cat Food Review: Premium Quality, Affordable Cat Food

Costco’s Kirkland has been a household name for almost every product under the sun. From liquor to vitamins to mattresses, if you use it, there is probably a Kirkland version of it at Costco. Pet products are no exception.

The brand has pet beds, treats, and other supplies. But is their cat food the one for your kitty? To help you decide, we have created this comprehensive 2021 Kirkland cat food review.

Kirkland’s cat foods are manufactured for the brand by Diamond Pet Food. Diamond has their own brand of pet food products but also produces food for other brands such as Chicken Soup for the Soul and Taste of the Wild. All of Diamond’s manufacturing facilities are in the United States.

Kirkland has three kinds of dry cat food: Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula, Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight Indoor Adult Cat Formula, and Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain. The brand does not offer wet cat foods at this time.

Kirkland Cat Food Reviews

Reviewed Kirkland Products

1. Maintenance Cat Chicken and Rice Formula

Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken and Rice Formula is a dry food specially formulated for the nutritional needs of adult cats. Designed to be highly digestible, this cat food is made with fresh chicken. Chicken is also the first of its ingredients.

This chicken and rice cat food is enriched with antioxidants. It has guaranteed levels of vitamin E, selenium, and zinc to help support your cat’s overall health. Omega fatty acids are included in this Kirkland cat food for skin and coat health.

Probiotics and natural prebiotic fiber ingredients from the root of dried chicory help preserve the right balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines of your cat. These probiotics in this cat food product are formulated according to strict human-grade standards.

The first five ingredients of this Kirkland cat food are chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, ground white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols).

Pros

Healthy, beautiful coat. This Kirkland Signature Chicken and Rice cat food has received rave reviews from pet owners about how it has given their cats such soft, shiny coats. Cat parents are thrilled to see the visible health benefit it has given their kitties. Some reviews even state that their cats are looking so much healthier with this dry food than when they were fed more expensive brands of cat food.

No more itchy, flaky skin. Some cats who were previously suffering from itchy, flaky skin have found relief in this chicken and rice formula. Their skin condition significantly improved since being switched to this Kirkland cat food. No more scratching and gnawing their skin and paws.

Long, healthy lives. This pet food product from Kirkland Signature has received some of the best reviews from cat parents. According to the reviews, they have been feeding their cats this cat food for years (even 20 years!) and they have grown up to be happy, healthy kitties. Some even lived to over 20 years. They attribute the cats’ good health and longevity to this Kirkland cat food.

Perfect kibble size. The small kibble size is just the right size to a lot of kitties, even for younger ones. Certain cat breeds have difficulty eating larger-sized kibbles because of the shape of their faces. The small kibbles of this cat food make it easier to pick up in their mouths, chew, and digest.

Cons

Possible formula change. According to a handful of reviews, there may have been slight changes to this chicken & rice cat food product. Some customers suspect a change as their cats seem to have changed their minds about this cat food. A few kitties who used to love this cat food do not like it as much anymore or have completely turned away from it.

Conclusion

Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat Chicken and Rice cat food has been quite popular among numerous cats and their owners. The cats are noticeably healthier with thick, silky coats. Many take this as a sign of good nutrition.

Some pets who were previously suffering from allergy-related issues such as itchy, flaky skin have found relief since being fed this chicken & rice dry food product. Their skin are much healthier and they are no longer constantly scratching.

Kitties seem to enjoy it as well. This food is made even tastier with chicken fat in its ingredients. The kibbles of this product are small and easy to chew. However, a few cat parents feel that there may have been a slight change in this Kirkland cat food as their pets no longer like the product after eating it regularly for some time.

2. Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato Recipe 

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato Recipe is a grain-free cat food formulated for kitties of all life stages. Made of salmon meal and ocean fish meal, it provides high quality proteins for lean, healthy muscles.

Salmon is naturally rich in omega fatty acids. This Kirkland cat food has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health, and to boost your cat’s immune system. Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain cat food does not have wheat, corn, or soy that could trigger some allergic reactions in sensitive cats. This cat food is free from artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.

This salmon meal and sweet potato cat food includes guaranteed probiotics for healthy digestion. Probiotics and natural prebiotic fiber from dried chicory root is added to help maintain the balance of good bacteria in cats’ intestines. Each serving of this cat food provides live, active cultures to support good digestion.

Nature’s Domain cat food has nutritious plant ingredients such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, blueberries, and raspberries. They provide vitamins and antioxidants for overall and immune system health.

The first five ingredients of this grain-free salmon and sweet potato cat food are salmon meal, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes.

Pros

High quality protein source. Made with salmon meal and ocean fish meal, cat parents are assured that their kitties get high-quality protein with every serving of this grain-free cat food. No by-products are used in making this Kirkland cat food.

Great value. Cat owners have given Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato cat food positive reviews for the high quality ingredients and its affordable price. Not only do their cats love it, it costs a lot less than other good quality brands. Some have even compared the ingredients to more expensive premium cat food brands and have found that they are almost exactly the same.

Healthy skin and coat. This grain-free Kirkland cat food has been credited by many cat parents for their pets’ healthy skin and soft, shiny coats. Their silky, thick furs are taken as a sign of good overall health from eating nutritious food.

Healthy weight. Cats seem to be able to maintain healthy weights with this cat food product. According to reviews from cat parents, their underweight kitties were able to build muscle mass and gain some weight. Overweight kitties on the other hand lost excess weight and were able to maintain ideal weights.

Cons

Hard kibbles. According to a few reviews, the kibbles of this salmon meal and sweet potato Kirkland cat food are a bit too hard. Their cats found it difficult to chew.

Conclusion

This Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain in Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato cat food has received good reviews on the quality of the main protein source. This grain-free product has helped underweight cats build lean muscles, and overweight kitties lose excess weight. The quality of the protein in this food product has helped them maintain their new healthy weights.

This food product also received positive feedback on how it has helped give their cats healthy skin and coats. Their coats are softer and shinier than before they started eating this dry food product regularly.

All these benefits come at an affordable price. This Kirkland Signature cat food has been a great help to those who require grain-free food but are on a budget. This product has also helped those who feed multiple cats or feral cat communities.

3. Healthy Weight Cat Food

Kirkland Signature Healthy Weight Indoor Adult Cat dry cat food is specially formulated for the unique needs of indoor kitties. It is nutritionally balanced to help them achieve a leaner body condition. The first of its ingredients is chicken meal. This product has a blend of fiber ingredients to help prevent hairballs and support healthy digestion.

Probiotics and natural prebiotic fiber ingredients from dried chicory root help maintain the balance of beneficial flora in your cat’s intestines. One kilogram of Healthy Weight cat food has 220 million live cultures to ensure healthy digestion. Good digestion helps the body absorb more nutrients.

L-carnitine is added to the ingredients of this Indoor Adult Cat product to help turn fat into energy. One cup of this cat food has only 285 calories. According to Costco’s website, this product could help cats return to their optimal weight range in just 6 weeks if fed properly.

The first five ingredients of Kirkland cat food product are chicken meal, ground white rice, peas, powdered cellulose (source of fiber), and potato protein.

Pros

No more hairballs. Hairballs are a common problem among indoor kitties. Kirkland Healthy Weight Indoor Adult Cat food has resolved this issue for numerous cats. It has received rave reviews from cat owners on how it has reduced or completely banished hairballs.

Healthy weight. Many cats who have been switched to this Indoor Adult formula have been able to maintain healthy weights. Cats who were overweight lost their excess pounds. This dry cat food product has fiber blends, L-carnitine, and guaranteed probiotics that all help kitties improve digestion and keep healthy weights.

Cons

Not available in-store. According to numerous food reviews, cat parents are quite disappointed to find that Healthy Weight is only available online. Many would like to purchase it directly from the store.

Conclusion

Kirkland Healthy Weight Indoor Adult Cat has helped a lot of kitties achieve their healthy weight goals. Overweight cats shed their excess pounds and maintain ideal weights. Hairballs have also been reduced significantly. This Indoor Adult formula contains fiber blends, L-carnitine, and guaranteed probiotics that all help address common indoor cat issues like weight gain and hairballs.

However, many cat parents are requesting that Healthy Weight be made available in stores again.

Summary

Kirkland Signature cat foods have surprised many cat owners with the quality of its ingredients. Some who were purchasing premium brands have discovered that Kirkland’s cat foods are actually comparable to the more expensive ones.

The cats love the taste of their Kirkland dry cat foods. The kibble size is just right for most cats to pick up in their mouths and chew. They love the flavor and get excited for mealtimes.

All three variants of Kirkland cat food have high quality animal proteins as the first ingredient. This not only gives a richer flavor to the kibbles, but also provide more protein to help build healthy muscles. No by-products are used on all three variants of pet food. Grains such as corn, wheat, or soy are also not used. They are all free from artificial enhancers as well. The plant-based ingredients are rice, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, berries, and others.

The brand’s cat foods have also delivered excellent results to many cats. Maintenance Cat food has been credited with some cats’ longevity and good overall health. Nature’s Domain has helped cats with grain sensitivities improve their skin and coat conditions. Healthy Weight has helped indoor kitties shed excess pounds and reduce hairballs.

Based on quality of ingredients, results delivered, reviews, and affordability, Kirkland Signature is overall a great cat food brand. Generations of cats have grown up on their food and many of them lived long healthy lives. The products are affordable, yet do not contain questionable artificial ingredients or by-products. Definitely worth the Costco membership for many cat parents.

Have Kirkland cat foods ever been recalled?

Yes. In 2012, Kirkland Signature was one of the brands involved in a recall issued for some pet food products manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. The recall was due to potential salmonella contamination. No recall has been issued for Kirkland Signature pet food products since.

What company makes Costco cat food?

Kirkland cat foods are sold exclusively at Costco Warehouses and are made in the United States by Diamond Pet Foods.

Is Costco cat food good quality?

Kirkland is a well-known, reputable brand name that seems to be getting it right with their cat food products. Both the Super Premium Maintenance Cat Formula and the Adult Cat Healthy Weight and Hairball Control blends are produced with a cat's special nutritional needs in mind.

How much is cat food at Costco?

The Costco Kirkland Signature cat food is about $1.67 per pound online and $1.10 per pound in-store.