Kirkland Signature and Taste of the Wild are both manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods and represent excellent value in the premium dog food space. Here's how these popular budget-friendly options compare.
Brand Overview
Kirkland Signature
- Retailer: Costco
- Manufacturer: Diamond Pet Foods
- Philosophy: Premium quality at warehouse prices
- Price Point: $ - $$ (Best value)
- Availability: Costco membership required
Taste of the Wild
- Founded: 2007
- Manufacturer: Diamond Pet Foods
- Philosophy: Ancestral diet, novel proteins
- Price Point: $$ (Mid-premium)
- Availability: Widely available
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Kirkland | Taste of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Price (40 lb) | $35-45 | $50-60 |
| Manufacturer | Diamond | Diamond |
| Novel Proteins | No | Yes (bison, venison) |
| Costco Required | Yes | No |
Same Manufacturer, Different Products
Both are made by Diamond Pet Foods:
- Same manufacturing facilities
- Same quality control
- Similar base quality
- Different formulations and proteins
The key differences are in specific ingredients and marketing.
Ingredient Philosophy
Kirkland Signature
- Real meat first ingredient
- Simple, straightforward recipes
- Lamb/rice or chicken/rice (Adult)
- Nature's Domain for grain-free
- Probiotics included
- No exotic proteins
Taste of the Wild
- Novel proteins (bison, venison, wild boar)
- "Ancestral diet" concept
- Grain-free primary focus
- Sweet potato carbohydrates
- Probiotics (K9 Strain)
- More exotic variety
Nutritional Comparison
Protein Content
- Kirkland Adult: 26%
- Taste of the Wild: 28-32%
- Kirkland Nature's Domain: 30%
- Taste of the Wild is slightly higher
Fat Content
- Kirkland: 16-18%
- Taste of the Wild: 15-18%
- Similar ranges
Probiotics
Both include probiotics—Taste of the Wild's K9 Strain is specifically marketed, while Kirkland includes standard probiotics.
Product Lines
Kirkland Signature
- Adult Dog: Lamb/Rice, Chicken/Rice
- Nature's Domain: Turkey or Salmon (grain-free)
- Puppy: Chicken/Rice
- Healthy Weight: Limited
- Very limited selection
Taste of the Wild
- High Prairie: Bison and venison
- Pacific Stream: Smoked salmon
- Wetlands: Duck
- Sierra Mountain: Lamb
- Ancient Grains: Grain-inclusive
- Prey: Limited ingredient
Taste of the Wild offers much more variety.
Price Comparison
Per 40 lb Bag
- Kirkland Adult: $35-42
- Taste of the Wild: $50-60
- Kirkland Nature's Domain: $38-45
- Taste of the Wild Prey: $55-65
Kirkland is approximately 25-35% cheaper.
Novel Proteins
Taste of the Wild Advantage
Offers exotic proteins:
- Bison
- Venison
- Wild boar
- Duck
- Smoked salmon
Ideal for dogs with common protein allergies.
Kirkland
- Standard proteins (chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey)
- No exotic options
- Sufficient for dogs without allergies
Availability
Kirkland
- Costco membership required (~$60/year)
- Limited to Costco stores
- Cannot buy online easily
- Membership needed
Taste of the Wild
- Widely available
- Pet stores, online retailers
- Amazon, Chewy, etc.
- No membership needed
If you don't have Costco access, Taste of the Wild is more convenient.
Grain-Free Considerations
Both offer grain-free options:
- Kirkland Nature's Domain: Turkey or Salmon
- Taste of the Wild: Most formulas
FDA DCM concerns apply to both:
- Kirkland grain-inclusive options available
- Taste of the Wild Ancient Grains addresses concerns
- Consult your veterinarian
Quality and Safety
Same Manufacturer
Both made by Diamond Pet Foods:
- Same facilities
- Same quality control
- Same historical recall issues
- Same improvements
Neither has a quality advantage over the other based on manufacturing.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose Kirkland If:
- You have Costco membership
- Standard proteins are fine
- Maximum value desired
- Limited options acceptable
- Your dog has no protein allergies
Choose Taste of the Wild If:
- No Costco membership
- Novel proteins needed
- Your dog has chicken/beef allergies
- More variety desired
- Widely available preferred
Our Verdict
For Pure Value
Kirkland wins:
- Lowest price from same manufacturer
- Adequate for most dogs
- Best value available
- Same base quality
For Variety/Allergies
Taste of the Wild wins:
- Novel proteins
- More formula options
- No membership required
- Better for allergies
The Reality
Since both are made by Diamond, quality is essentially equal. The choice comes down to:
- Do you need novel proteins? → Taste of the Wild
- Do you have Costco access? → Kirkland saves money
- Do you want variety? → Taste of the Wild
Frequently Asked Questions
Are they really the same quality?
Essentially, yes. Same manufacturer, same facilities, same quality control. Formulations differ, but base quality is equal.
If Diamond makes both, why the price difference?
Kirkland benefits from Costco's buying power and no-frills approach. Taste of the Wild has marketing costs, wider distribution, and premium positioning.
Which is better for allergies?
Taste of the Wild's novel proteins (bison, venison) are better for dogs with chicken/beef allergies. Kirkland uses standard proteins that may trigger allergies.
Should I get Costco membership for Kirkland?
If you shop at Costco for other items, definitely use Kirkland dog food. The membership pays for itself quickly. If only for dog food, Taste of the Wild may be more convenient.
Are the grain-free options safe?
Both face FDA DCM concerns. Both now offer grain-inclusive alternatives. Consult your veterinarian about grain-free feeding.