In this comparison article for Pure Balance vs Kirkland Signature, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pure Balance 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 Pure Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Pure Balance Review Page or Kirkland Signature Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Kirkland Signature vs. Pure Balance
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.
Pure Balance Dog Food vs. Kirkland Signature Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Pure Balance
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
29.2%
27.5%
Crude Fat
16.7%
15.3%
Crude Fiber
5.6%
5.4%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Pure Balance
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
34.6%
44.4%
Crude Fat
24.6%
27.8%
Crude Fiber
7.2%
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.
Kirkland Signature and Pure Balance both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature provides significantly more protein (about 9.88% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature typically provides a little more fat (about 3.17% more).
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Kirkland Signature also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Pure Balance Cat Food vs. Kirkland Signature Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Pure Balance
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
39.9%
34.8%
Crude Fat
17.7%
15.9%
Crude Fiber
5.9%
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.
Our analysis shows that Pure Balance guarantees 5.07% more protein than Kirkland Signature dry cat food recipes.
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):
Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
As you can see, Kirkland Signature and Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fat.
Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Kirkland Signature Pet Food Ingredients
Pure Balance and Kirkland Signature both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Garlic Powder
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea Protein Concentrate
Pea protein concentrate is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein concentrate is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal fat is a by-product of tissue rendering. The source animal is not specific and therefore we cannot be certain that the source does not include diseased animals or even euthanized dogs and cats.
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry fat is a by-product of poultry tissue rendering. Poultry fat is a controversial ingredient because the specific protein is not specified. Such ingredients are typically low-quality in comparison to named poultry fats (e.g. chicken fat, turkey fat).
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Kirkland Signature.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Organic Canola Meal
Organic Canola Meal
Organic canola meal is a high protein by-product of canola oil production. This ingredient is marked controversial because it may be derived from genetically modified rapeseed, which is associated with multiple adverse health affects.
Organic Pea Protein
Organic Pea Protein
Organic pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Organic Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Organic Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Organic canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
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 Pure Balance.
Added Color
Added Color
The ingredient "added color" is ambiguous and may include various artificial dyes. Most artificial dyes have been linked to various chronic diseases.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Pure Balance & Kirkland Signature?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of Pure Balance or Kirkland Signature pet food products.
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 Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Kirkland Signature Pet Foods
You can purchase Kirkland Signature pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Pure Balance
Kirkland Signature
Dry Dog Food
7 Recipes
12 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
15 Recipes
1 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
None
Dry Cat Food
5 Recipes
3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
4 Recipes
None
Cat Treats
3 Treats
None
Top Rated Pure Balance Recipes
Dog Food
Pure Balance Wild & Free Grain Free Formula - Bison, Pea & Venison Recipe
