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Is Kirkland Dog Food Contaminated and Making Dogs Sick?

There’s a rumor going around that Kirkland’s Signature dog food (sold at Costco) has killed a dog and made others very sick.

The specific food in question is the lamb and rice mixture as well as the grain-free variety, Nature’s Domain.

This is just a rumor. There has been no recall issued on this brand of food.

You can make up your own mind, but my opinion is that it’s safe to continue buying Kirkland’s dog food if that is what you’re currently feeding.

Costco has more than 50 million members, according to its web site. How many thousands of pets must be eating this food without getting sick?

Where the Kirkland Dog Food rumor got started

Is Kirkland dog food safe for my pet

The rumor seems to have started when “Larry Gejdos” posted on his personal Facebook page a photo of his mastiff Moe and a message that said Moe passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 2. This info is not private and is visible to all Facebook users.

“After having his food laboratory tested it was found the reason he passed away to be from salmonella poisoning from his dog food,” the post said. “We were feeding him Kirkland’s lamb and rice mixture purchased from Costco.”

He then goes on to ask pet owners to stop feeding Kirkland’s food to dogs and cats.

So far, the post has had at least 99,767 shares.

Here’s a screenshot of the post from Jan. 22:

Dog allegedly dies from Costco's Kirkland dog food

What Costco is saying about Kirkland Dog Food

I reached out to Costco and asked if there is any reason for pet owners to be concerned.

“At this time, there is no recall or safety concern that we have been notified of regarding any of the Kirkland Signature pet foods,” said Andrea C. of Costco’s member service center. “Should a recall be issued, Costco will immediately pull any product in question and notify all members who have purchased the product.”

[quote_center]”At this time, there is no recall or safety concern that we have been notified of regarding any of the Kirkland Signature pet foods.”[/quote_center]

She said Costco and its vendor rigorously test its pet foods to ensure their “wholesomeness” and safety.

“Our vendor and our internal resources are investigating the source of the new posts on both social media sites,” she said. “The vendor is on a strict test and hold of all finished goods. Although we have no findings of adulterants, we fully investigate each individual concern.”

There are many messages posted to Costco’s Facebook page with concerns over Kirkland’s lamb and rice variety as well as Nature’s Domain.

Costco has been responding with a response similar to what I received.

Here is a screen shot of one of the messages from Costco’s Facebook page:

Costco Nature's Domain dog food

What Kirkland is saying

I asked Kirkland Signature Pet Foods if there is any reason for dog owners to be concerned about its products. The company sent me a statement from Diamond Pet Foods, which is the manufacturer of Kirkland’s pet food.

The statement said Diamond Pet Foods spoke to the Gejdos family last week about the death of their dog Moe and that “our hearts go out to the family.”

Diamond Pet Foods said it has an extensive food safety program in place, and that all Kirkland Signature Pet Food products to through a “test and hold” program conducted by a certified, independent laboratory.

“No product is shipped until it receives final safety verification,” according to Diamond Pet Foods. “After confirming the food’s code date provided by the Gejdos family, we conducted an internal review of the independent laboratory tests. The results reaffirmed there was no presence of salmonella at the time of shipping.”

There are many reasons beyond diet that could cause a dog to become sick or even die, Diamond Pet Foods said.

“We welcome full cooperation with these serious matters, and always recommend that a pet owner consult with their veterinarian when a pet’s health is in jeopardy.”

Are you concerned about the rumors about Kirkland’s dog food?

John Haloran

Thursday 13th of October 2022

I know for a fact that Kirkland Signature was causing liver failure in 17 of my 24 dogs that were eating it. I was having the blood work tested several times and only when I switched to hills did they get better.

Colby Vendeville

Sunday 16th of October 2016

I have been feeding my Siberian huskies Nature's Domain Salmon/Sweet Potato for months and months. Suddenly they are walking away from their dishes and not eating. My male always gobbles up his food but now just sniffs at it. My female has not eaten since Friday, slowly moving around, not drinking, not going out to urinate. I thought some scrambled eggs would help her stomach so cooked some eggs for both dogs Saturday afternoon which they both loved. Female has now thrown up the eggs and is continuing to throw up yellow oily vomit. Today Sunday afternoon she almost jumped up for her nap went out side and had red (bloody) stool. Obviously felt better after get rid of that. Much more peppy and waling around, drinking water, etc. Dinner time tonight and neither dog will eat the Nature' Domain. Light bulb moment checked the 2 new bags I have, same production #. Gave them Rachael Ray food and male gobbled it up like before. Female still not feeling good enough to eat yet. Will call the vet tomorrow! but quite interesting both dogs won't eat the Nature's Domain, I'm thinking a bad batch??

Todd S

Friday 17th of June 2016

My Golden retriever is acting the same way she has been on the natures domain salmon blend now for 4 years and she usually eats it upright away and now she just looks at it and walks away , I am going to try a different food to see if she will eat that , I know she has to be hungry she is very active .

TS

Kelli

Saturday 20th of June 2015

I have been feeding my dog Kirkland Natures Domain Salmon & sweet potato food for about a year. The last bag I bought earlier this month, he sniffs at and walks away. He used to always eat his food right away now ignores it until he's really hungry. I called Costco to see if they changed the recipe or had it made somewhere else and was told there have been no changes. My dog hasn't gotten sick (no vomiting or diarrhea) but he definitely hesitates to eat it. On a whim, I got some of my neighbors dog food, since he hadn't touched his all day, to see if he just wasn't hungry or if it was the food. He ate the neighbors dog food immediately. (science Diet, I don't know which variety) I'm going to stop feeding Kirkland Nature's Domain immediately and report this to Costco. The food also appears to have tiny white specks in it. I thought it was just crumbs from the pieces rubbing in the bag but I'm not so sure.

Walter

Monday 27th of April 2015

My 2 cents. I've been told never to abruptly change dog food. There should be a gradual change over to a new diet. Even with the same food, we always keep one full bag on hand in case of a recall, hopefully the spare will be good. We've never abruptly changed their diets but we've heard that diarrhea, gas, etc can be a symptom of doing so.