In this comparison article for Solid Gold vs Kirkland Signature, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Solid Gold 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 Solid Gold comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Solid Gold Review Page or Kirkland Signature Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Kirkland Signature vs. Solid Gold
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.
Solid Gold Dog Food vs. Kirkland Signature Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Solid Gold
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
30.2%
27.5%
Crude Fat
14.7%
15.3%
Crude Fiber
5.5%
5.4%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Solid Gold
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
41.8%
44.4%
Crude Fat
24.8%
27.8%
Crude Fiber
6.2%
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.
According to our data, Solid Gold guarantees 2.69% more protein than Kirkland Signature. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Kirkland Signature wet dog foods also provide more protein than Solid Gold wet foods.
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.
Solid Gold and Kirkland Signature both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Kirkland Signature typically provides a little more fat (about 2.97% more).
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Solid Gold and Kirkland Signature also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Solid Gold Cat Food vs. Kirkland Signature Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Solid Gold
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
39.9%
34.8%
Crude Fat
17.2%
15.9%
Crude Fiber
5.6%
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 Solid Gold guarantees 5.05% 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.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fat.
As you can see, Solid Gold and Kirkland Signature guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber.
Solid Gold Pet Food Ingredients vs. Kirkland Signature Pet Food Ingredients
Solid Gold 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.
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.
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.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Solid Gold.
White Rice
White Rice
White rice is produced by removing the husk, germ, and bran of rice grains. Unlike brown rice which contains the bran and germ, white rice is nutritionally empty.
Dried Garlic
Dried Garlic
Dried garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
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.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil
Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.
Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried 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.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Kirkland Signature.
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.
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 Solid Gold.
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 Solid Gold & Kirkland Signature?
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 Solid Gold Pet Foods
You can purchase Solid Gold pet foods from the following stores:
76 Recipes In-Stock Today
21 Recipes In-Stock Today
58 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Kirkland Signature Pet Foods
You can purchase Kirkland Signature pet food products from these retailers:
