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Brand Comparison · 2026

Kirkland Signature vs Pedigree

Kirkland Signature (Costco's private-label dry food, reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods, which meets 2 of WSAVA's 5 questions) and Pedigree (low-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, with a flagship label that says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Pedigree meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Kirkland Signature is roughly 33% less than Pedigree.

The verdict

Pedigree's low end undercuts Kirkland Signature's price. Kirkland Signature costs about $20 a month, and Pedigree costs $15-45. Pedigree meets 4 of 5 WSAVA questions. Kirkland Signature meets 2 of 5. Pedigree gets credit for Mars Petcare's named PhD nutrition scientists, while Costco's Kirkland page names no manufacturer, nutritionist or formulator. Both labels say "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles, so neither has feeding trials behind it.

That makes Pedigree the better-documented budget buy for most owners. Kirkland Signature still makes sense for a Costco member who values the single stop and the $20 figure, and who will check the manufacturer line on the bag. A dog with health conditions needs a veterinarian's input on food, whichever store sells it.

Key differences at a glance

Quick comparison

DimensionKirkland SignaturePedigree
Parent companyCostco (reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods)Mars Petcare
CategoryMass-market dry kibbleMass-market dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met2 of 54 of 5
AAFCO substantiationFormulation onlyFormulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionistPartialYes
Credentialed formulatorPartialYes
AAFCO feeding trialsNoNo
Owns manufacturing plantsYesYes
Quality control programYesYes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)$20 / month$15 – $45 / month

Costco (reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods)

Kirkland Signature

Costco's private-label dry food, reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods, which meets 2 of WSAVA's 5 questions.

Strengths

  • Low price, about $1 a pound for the 25 lb bag, or roughly $20 a month for a 50 lb dog
  • Diamond, the reported maker, publishes a test-and-hold program with certified-lab testing
  • Diamond operates seven US manufacturing facilities and is family-owned

Watch-outs

  • Costco's product page names no manufacturer. Costco's 2025 pet FAQ said Diamond makes the dry foods, but the bag's own maker line was not checked
  • Label says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
  • No named nutritionist or formulator. Diamond describes only unnamed experts
  • Costco's Nature's Domain grain-free line was named in 29 reports in the FDA's 2019 DCM update. The FDA did not establish that any food caused the disease

Best for: Costco members who want a low-cost dry food and will check the bag's manufacturer line themselves.

Avoid if: You want a named, credentialed nutrition team or feeding-trial substantiation behind the food.

Visit Kirkland Signature ↗

Mars Petcare

Pedigree

Low-priced kibble from a maker that meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, with a flagship label that says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles.

Strengths

  • Meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions through Mars Petcare's named PhD nutrition scientists
  • Low cost, about $15-$45 a month for a 50 lb dog
  • Publishes a finished-product testing program and annual system audits

Watch-outs

  • Flagship label says "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles rather than citing feeding trials
  • Pedigree's own pages name no nutritionist or formulator, so the credit comes from Mars's named staff

Best for: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners want a maker with published testing and credentialed nutrition staff.

Avoid if: You want feeding-trial substantiation on the label, or your dog has a medical condition (ask your veterinarian first).

Visit Pedigree ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. Kirkland Signature is the better choice when: Costco members who want a low-cost dry food and will check the bag's manufacturer line themselves. Pedigree is the better choice when: Healthy adult dogs on a tight budget whose owners want a maker with published testing and credentialed nutrition staff.

On cost, Kirkland Signature is roughly 33% less than Pedigree at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, Pedigree meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Kirkland Signature.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Kirkland Signature WSAVA-approved or is Pedigree WSAVA-approved.

Where to buy

Made your pick?

Check current pricing on whichever brand fits your dog. Prices and promotions change frequently, so it is worth comparing both before you commit to a bag or a subscription.

Shop Pedigree on Chewy →

Disclosure: these are affiliate links and IntelliBowl may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission does not influence the comparison above. See our methodology.

Personalized recommendation

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Compare these brands against others

Methodology: WSAVA criteria reflect each brand's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of October 2026, scored against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. AAFCO substantiation reflects the dominant method used across the brand's main retail product line. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. Recommendations are editorial and not influenced by affiliate relationships. See our recommendation methodology for IntelliBowl's quiz-engine ranking logic.