Brand Comparison · 2026

Kirkland Signature vs Taste of the Wild

Kirkland Signature (Costco's private-label dry food, reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods, which meets 2 of WSAVA's 5 questions) and Taste of the Wild (grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. Both brands meet 2 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Kirkland Signature is roughly 62% less than Taste of the Wild.

The verdict

Both score 2 of 5 on WSAVA's manufacturer questions, and both lead back to Diamond Pet Foods. Taste of the Wild is a Diamond brand, and Kirkland Signature is reportedly made by Diamond. If the Diamond link holds, both lean on its seven US plants and test-and-hold program, and both share the same gaps: no named nutritionist and labels that say "formulated to meet" AAFCO profiles. Price separates them. Kirkland Signature costs about $20 a month, Taste of the Wild $40-65.

Taste of the Wild adds novel proteins such as bison, salmon and venison, the main reason to pay the extra $20 to $45. If you do not need them, Kirkland Signature offers similar evidence for less at Costco. The FDA's 2019 DCM update also named Taste of the Wild and Costco's Nature's Domain grain-free line, so ask your veterinarian before choosing either for a dog with cardiac risk factors.

Key differences at a glance

Different owners, reportedly the same maker: Kirkland Signature is listed under Costco (reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods); Taste of the Wild is listed under Diamond Pet Foods.
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: both meet 2 of 5 criteria.
Monthly cost: Kirkland Signature runs roughly 62% less than Taste of the Wild for a typical 50 lb dog.
Heart-health context: both Kirkland Signature and Taste of the Wild appear in the FDA's diet-related DCM investigation, which has not established that any food caused the disease.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Kirkland Signature	Taste of the Wild
Parent company	Costco (reportedly made by Diamond Pet Foods)	Diamond Pet Foods
Category	Mass-market dry kibble	Boutique dry kibble
WSAVA criteria met	2 of 5	2 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Formulation only
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Partial	Partial
Credentialed formulator	Partial	Partial
AAFCO feeding trials	No	No
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	Yes
Quality control program	Yes	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$20 / month	$40 – $65 / 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 ↗

Diamond Pet Foods

Taste of the Wild

Grain-inclusive and grain-free kibble at mid-tier pricing; partial WSAVA compliance.

Strengths

Lower price than most premium kibbles
Owned manufacturing through Diamond
Recipes built around novel proteins (bison, salmon, venison)

Watch-outs

Historical contamination recalls (notably 2012 Salmonella)
No board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff
Named in 53 reports in the FDA's 2019 DCM update. The FDA did not establish that any food caused the disease

Best for: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

Avoid if: You want full WSAVA compliance or have a dog with cardiac risk factors.

Visit Taste of the Wild ↗

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. Taste of the Wild is the better choice when: Owners drawn to novel protein lineups at moderate prices.

On cost, Kirkland Signature is roughly 62% less than Taste of the Wild at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, both brands tie at 2 of 5.

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