In this comparison article for WholeHearted vs Kirkland Signature, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare WholeHearted 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 WholeHearted comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our WholeHearted Review Page or Kirkland Signature Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Kirkland Signature vs. WholeHearted
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.
WholeHearted Dog Food vs. Kirkland Signature Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
WholeHearted
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
29.1%
27.5%
Crude Fat
15.6%
15.3%
Crude Fiber
5.6%
5.4%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
WholeHearted
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
43.6%
44.4%
Crude Fat
24.3%
27.8%
Crude Fiber
7.0%
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.
Kirkland Signature and WholeHearted both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet dog food, Kirkland Signature and WholeHearted also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
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 3.44% more).
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, WholeHearted and Kirkland Signature also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
WholeHearted Cat Food vs. Kirkland Signature Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
WholeHearted
Kirkland Signature
Crude Protein
36.7%
34.8%
Crude Fat
15.9%
15.9%
Crude Fiber
5.2%
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.
As you can see, Kirkland Signature and WholeHearted guarantee a similar amount of crude protein.
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.
WholeHearted Pet Food Ingredients vs. Kirkland Signature Pet Food Ingredients
WholeHearted 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.
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.
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 WholeHearted.
Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.
We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.
Iron Oxide
Iron Oxide
Iron oxide is an FDA approved natural food coloring agent. It's commonly found in rusting metal and provides a reddish-brown color.
We believe food colorants are unnecessary ingredients in pet food. Other than potential harm, food colorants do not provide any nutritional value. These type of ingredients are used only to make the food look appealing to humans.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
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.
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 WholeHearted.
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 WholeHearted & Kirkland Signature?
According to our records, neither brand has issued any product recalls. Therefore, consumers have no reason to question the safety of WholeHearted 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 WholeHearted Pet Foods
You can purchase WholeHearted 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
WholeHearted
Kirkland Signature
Dry Dog Food
22 Recipes
12 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
21 Recipes
1 Recipes
Dog Treats
18 Treats
None
Dry Cat Food
11 Recipes
3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
17 Recipes
None
Cat Treats
14 Treats
None
Top Rated WholeHearted Recipes
Dog Food
WholeHearted Dry Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
