How good is Kirkland Nature’s domain dog food? A Complete Guide

Review of Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

The Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain product line includes the 6 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Nature’s Domain Turkey and Sweet Potato was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =

Ingredients: Turkey meal, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, tomato pomace, flaxseed, natural flavor, salmon oil (a source of DHA), salt, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, Yucca schidigera extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%

Protein =

Estimated Nutrient Content
Method Protein Fat Carbs
Guaranteed Analysis 24% 14% NA
Dry Matter Basis 27% 16% 50%
Calorie Weighted Basis 23% 33% 44%

The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey meal. Turkey meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh turkey.

The second ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.

The third ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The fourth ingredient is potato. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fifth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.

Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

The sixth ingredient is tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

The seventh ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

After the natural flavor, we find salmon oil, which is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Kirkland product.

With 3 notable exceptions

First, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.

Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.

Next, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

And lastly, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Based on its ingredients alone, Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas and flaxseed in this recipe, and the legumes contained in other recipes, this still looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing a notable amount of meat.

Our Rating of Kirkland Nature’s Domain Dog Food

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain is a grain-free dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to Kirkland.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisor’s recall notification list.

Nature’s 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.

Taste of the Wild vs Nature’s Domain by Costco’s Kirkland Signature

Kirkland Signature dog food is a well-known and loved brand. It’s owned and sold by Costco.

The brand has two product lines: Kirkland Signature Super-Premium and Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain dog foods.

The range, on the whole, won dog owners’ hearts by offering better-than-average ingredients at an affordable price.

In this Kirkland Nature’s Domain dog food review, we will look at the nutritional profile, online reviews, and alternatives to one of the formulas in this product line.

Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain is an affordable brand line of grain-free dog food.

All the products in Nature’s Domain dog food line are grain-free formulas. There are 5 dry foods and 2 canned dog foods.

In this Nature’s Domain dog food review, we will take a closer look at Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato recipe.

Below you can see the ingredients and the guaranteed analysis of Kirkland Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato recipe. Other formulas are pretty similar to this recipe.

Ingredient List: Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Canola Oil, Ocean Fish Meal, Pea Protein, Potato Fibre, Natural Flavour, Flaxseed, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Reuteri Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.

The first ingredient is a salmon meal. Salmon is good for your dog — besides a high-quality protein, it will also provide Omega-3 fatty acids.

But, meat meals are somewhat controversial. They can be either great sources of protein — or pretty bad.

How do you know which one it is? Usually, when the meat is specified, the protein is probably good. However, if you see an unspecified “meat and bone meal” or “meat by-products,” this might point to low-quality dog food.

In Nature’s Domain case, the meat, i.e. salmon, is specified. So that means we know exactly what we’re dealing with.

Sweet potato formula is good for dogs. It is a good source of stable energy. Furthermore, sweet potato also contains dietary fiber. This improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The next ingredient are peas. Peas are also widespread in grain-free recipes. They have a high fiber content and even carry a certain amount of protein.

First, since they have protein, they will raise the overall protein in the formula. In other words, even though the label states 24% crude protein for this recipe, the total animal protein is probably lower because of peas.

Peas, rice, and lentils can be split into several components within the ingredients list. This process is called “ingredients-splitting.” It pushes other ingredients to the forefront.

So, let’s say a brand uses a lot of peas in its formulas. If they want meat as the first ingredient, they just have to break down peas into pea flour, peas, pea starch, and other components. The more components, the smaller the individual amounts. And further down the ingredient list they go.

We know — it’s not what we would want to see in the ingredients list, either. But this practice is allowed.

Peas are followed by regular potatoes. They are ok for dogs, although the sweet potato is more nutritious. The regular ones here are probably used as filler.

The fifth ingredient is somewhat debated canola oil. Canola oil does have Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are beneficial to dogs. Omega fatty acids contribute to heart health, shiny fur, and healthy skin.

However, canola oil often comes from GMO crops. So if you are looking for more natural dog food, you might want to skip this one.

Furthermore, canola oil quickly turns rancid if left out in the open. Rancidity will destroy the healthy omega fatty acids ratio and turn them into unhealthy fats. Feeding your dog regularly with that kind of fat is dangerous.

The next ingredient in Nature’s Domain recipe is an ocean fish meal. The fish meal itself can be beneficial as a protein source and because it contains healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.

But we don’t like the generic name of this fish meal. Dog food brands use cheaper ingredients under general terms like “meat meal,” “poultry fat,” or “ocean fish.”

“Ocean fish” could refer to the menhaden fish, which is extremely healthy because it is less exposed to mercury. Or it could be some other type of fish with a much worse nutritional profile.

We are not particularly happy about this ingredient because it seems that there has been ingredient splitting in the formula. Meaning, the absolute quantity of peas in Nature’s Domain was split into two components.

The thing with pea protein is that it contains 55% protein. Isn’t that good? Nope. It’s harder for your dog to digest it, AND it does not contain all the amino acids your dog needs.

It does serve one purpose — to raise the overall protein. So, it’s a cheap protein-filler (if there is such a word). Think about it — what costs more? Peas or salmon? Exactly.

The next ingredient — potato fiber — contributes to the suspicion of ingredient splitting. Dietary fiber itself is good and beneficial for your dog’s digestive system.

But the ingredients splitting means that the ingredients list probably should have looked a little different.

The ninth ingredient is a generic natural flavor. Natural flavor can mean a lot of things (FDA). It is essential to specify precisely which compound we are talking about. That way, we can establish how nutritious it is (or isn’t).

The tenth ingredient is flaxseed. Flaxseeds are a common ingredient in dog food recipes and a valuable source of Omega-3 fatty acids. We’re glad to see them here. True, they are not as expensive, but they are beneficial to a dog’s health.

The formula also contains sodium selenite, which is a controversial ingredient. It provides selenium, which is essential for healthy cells in animals. However, too much of it can be toxic.

Truth be told, many vitamins and minerals are toxic in excessive amounts. Dog owners are worried about this mineral because the border between a healthy and a toxic dose is somewhat closer than with other elements.

Nature’s Domain dog food contains a few exciting and high-quality ingredients further down the list worth mentioning.

Higher up on the Nature’s Domain ingredient list, we can see that the formula contains dried chicory root. Costco’s website mentions that this ingredient is sourced from Belgium because it is rare.

Chicory root is rich in inulin. Inulin introduces healthy bacteria to your dog’s gut and makes it run more smoothly. The dog can then absorb other nutrients faster and more efficiently.

The formula also contains canine probiotics. These live cultures are slowly making their way into dog food products because they are essential to the healthy gut microbiome.

Finally, Nature’s Domain dog food also has a Yucca Schidigera extract. The extract comes from a dried plant root, and it neutralizes the odor of dogs’ feces. So, you might argue it’s a good thing.

This recipe has vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E supplements. The formula also features many B-vitamins: B6, Vitamin B12 Supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and folic acid.

Minerals are chelated, which is great for dog food. Basically, chelation means that a mineral is attached to a protein. This way, dogs can more easily absorb it and use it.

Finally, we should mention the ingredient missing in Nature’s Domain. Since this is a grain-free formula, there is some concern about dilated cardiomyopathy.

The 2019 FDA report stated that many dogs on grain-free diets experienced DCM due to decreased taurine levels. Most grain-free recipes nowadays add taurine to address this problem.

This formula, and the others in Kirkland grain-free recipes, do not contain taurine. In some cases, this won’t be a problem — but every dog is unique. We recommend you discuss it with your vet before feeding them to your dog.

Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal and Sweet Potato formula has 24% crude protein. The percentage is well above the AAFCO guidelines (18% minimum for most dogs). This means that your dog should get the complete amino acids and proteins for daily activities.

Yet, remember that most of the protein comes from a salmon meal? Meat meals are better protein sources than meat by-products, but whole meats are generally preferred.

Most Nature’s Domain dog food recipes use meals as the primary protein sources. Nature’s Domain Organic Chicken and Puppy formulas are exceptions, with whole meats as the first ingredients.

Furthermore, since there are plenty of peas in Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato dog food, some protein will come from vegetable sources.

What does all this mean? Considering that many of the Nature’s Domain dog food formulas use loads of peas, we are leaning towards those with whole meats as the first ingredient. For example, Nature’s Domain Organic Chicken recipe.

The Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato recipe also contains 14% crude fat. This amount is within the healthy range prescribed by AAFCO (10-20%).

The fat in this dog food comes mainly from canola oil, salmon meal, fish meal, and flaxseed to a minor extent.

It seems that there will be plenty of Omega-3s in this particular dog food, based on the sources. However, do not leave the dog food out in the open. There is a chance it will turn rancid because of canola oil.

The Nature’s Domain nutrient profile also mentions 3% crude fiber. This is within the AAFCO guidelines (<5%), but generally considered low.

The amount of fiber should contribute to healthy digestion in dogs, especially when combined with chicory root and probiotics.

Fiber mainly comes from sweet potatoes and peas in this recipe. But, going back to ingredients-splitting — the total quantity of peas is probably higher than what you might suspect at first glance.

So, if your dog is sensitive to legumes, you should keep an eye out for any digestive distress.

The last thing we should discuss here are calcium and phosphorus. These are not featured in the guaranteed analysis of the formula, but they are available on the Costco website.

Both Kirkland Super-Premium and Nature’s Domain dog foods tend to have a little too much of one or both in their formulas.

According to the Costco website, the Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato recipe has 1.2 Ca and 1 P. AAFCO raised the calcium-phosphorus ratio to these precise numbers (previously they have been 0.8 and 0.9).

However, some Kirkland dog food formulas have much more phosphorus — going up to twice the allowed amount. Kirkland Signature Super-Premium Adult dog formulas are an example of this. Such an amount could potentially be a problem.

Higher calcium and phosphorus amounts are ok for growing and lactating dogs. BUT they are not needed for maintenance.

If your dog is suffering from kidney and liver conditions, make sure to check with your veterinarian before feeding them Nature’s Domain food high in either calcium or phosphorus.

Kirkland Nature’s Domain dog food is a well-known and popular product line. The price is affordable compared to other grain-free dog food, and you get high-quality ingredients.

Many Nature’s Domain dog food reviews have been very positive. People say that dogs with food allergies love the food, and their coat is shinier.

However, recent dog food reviews reveal that the food might have changed. Many people ask if the Nature’s Domain dog food recipes have been altered.

Here is one dog food review from the Costco website that perfectly sums all of these:

In 2012, Diamond Pet Foods recalled several products, including Nature’s Domain dog food, because of possible salmonella contamination (FDA).

Diamond Pet Foods had been previously recalled — in 2007, during the melamine crisis (FDA). Many pet foods were a part of this recall. Nature’s Domain, however, was not one of them.

You can check all the recalls of pet foods on the official FDA webpage.

Maybe you are unsure about the Kirkland dog food, and want better ingredients? Check out the options below.

The prices are similar — Kirkland is a little cheaper. But the ingredients in Blue Buffalo are better.

The crude protein is much higher and comes from whole meat sources. Furthermore, all the Omega-3 sources are specified.

This is probably the most comparable food to Kirkland Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potatoes. The price is slightly higher, and the ingredients are very similar — but there are a few important differences

Specifically, the first ingredient is the whole salmon and not a salmon meal. The second ingredient is also an animal source. There are also other salmon components down the ingredients list, which shows more salmon than in Kirkland’s recipe.

However, what you get with Merrick is worth it. We are talking about multiple animal sources, whole meat as the first ingredient, pork fat, beef liver, taurine, and many other nutritional goodies.

This dog food review concludes that Nature’s Domain dog food is an above-average affordable option. It is a pretty sweet bargain, and there are no super-concerning ingredients.

The main problem is the lack of animal protein sources and the exclusion of taurine. Additionally, be careful with the calcium and phosphorus ratio in Nature’s Domain formulas.

Domain’s Nature dog food is a great option if we are looking strictly at the affordability-to-quality ratio. Some of the ingredients, like dried chicory root and probiotics, are amazing for the price.

They are fantastic additions — but there are better alternatives for the stuff that dog foods should focus on.