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Instinct vs Kirkland Signature

Instinct vs. Kirkland Signature

In this comparison article for Instinct vs Kirkland Signature, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Instinct 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 Instinct comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Instinct Review Page or Kirkland Signature Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Kirkland Signature vs. Instinct

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.

Instinct Dog Food vs. Kirkland Signature Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodInstinctKirkland Signature
Crude Protein36.2%27.5%
Crude Fat24.1%15.3%
Crude Fiber4.4%5.4%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodInstinctKirkland Signature
Crude Protein42.1%44.4%
Crude Fat27.7%27.8%
Crude Fiber10.0%5.6%

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.

Instinct dry dog foods clearly provides more protein than Kirkland Signature. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 8.69%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature typically provides a little more protein (about 2.38% more).


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 (not exhaustive):

  • 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

On average, Instinct dry dog food recipes contain 8.87% more fat than Kirkland Signature recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the fat content of Kirkland Signature and Instinct. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature and Instinct provide roughly the same amount of fat.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fiber (about 4.40% more).

Instinct Cat Food vs. Kirkland Signature Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodInstinctKirkland Signature
Crude Protein43.7%34.8%
Crude Fat25.4%15.9%
Crude Fiber3.7%5.9%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

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

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry cat food, it's clear that Instinct provides significantly more protein. On average, Instinct guarantees about 8.84% more protein than Kirkland Signature.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Aid in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve the health of skin/coat
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Slow the development and spread of certain type of cancers.
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure

The comparison table above shows that Instinct dry cat foods provide significantly more fat than Kirkland Signature. More specifically, Instinct guarantees at least 9.44% more fat.


According to our average data, Instinct typically provides less fiber than Kirkland Signature. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands.

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. Kirkland Signature Pet Food Ingredients

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

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

Garlic
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Kirkland Signature.

Powdered Cellulose
Organic Canola Meal
Organic Pea Protein
Organic Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Instinct.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & Kirkland Signature?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

  • July 24, 2015: Salmonella
  • Feb. 15, 2013: Pieces of clear plastic in bag

According to our records, Kirkland Signature has never been recalled.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Instinct Pet Foods

You can purchase Instinct pet foods from the following stores:


84 Recipes In-Stock Today

59 Recipes In-Stock Today

67 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Kirkland Signature Pet Foods

You can purchase Kirkland Signature pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductInstinctKirkland Signature
Dry Dog Food37 Recipes12 Recipes
Wet Dog Food10 Recipes1 Recipes
Dog TreatsNoneNone
Dry Cat Food20 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food16 RecipesNone
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Instinct Recipes

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Top Rated Kirkland Signature Recipes

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(Costco) Super Premium Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula For Adult Dogs
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(Costco) Super Premium Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula For Puppies
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(Costco) Nature's Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Cat Food
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