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Hill's Science Diet vs Kirkland Signature

Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition (owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company), and Kirkland Signature is branded by Costco Wholesale Corporation and made by third-party co-packers, and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Hill's Science Diet averages 9.6 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.6 for Kirkland Signature. Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer, while Kirkland Signature does not.

Hill's Science Diet and Kirkland Signature compared

Hill's Science Diet Kirkland Signature
Manufacturer Hill's Pet Nutrition Costco Wholesale Corporation
Parent company Colgate-Palmolive Company Independent
Founded 1907 1983
Headquarters Topeka, Kansas, USA Issaquah, Washington, USA
Manufacturing Whether a brand makes its own food in-house or has it produced by an outside contract manufacturer or co-packer.
In-house Co-packer
Made in United States USA
Manufacturing region Kansas Not listed
Products listed 74 17
Serves Cats & dogs Cats & dogs
Price tier A relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost.
$$$$ $$
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
Yes No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
Yes No
Score The average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science. How scoring works .
9.6 (avg of 74) 8.6 (avg of 17)
Recalls on record We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
2 None
Where to buy
Amazon
Amazon

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Hill's Science Diet vs Kirkland Signature: how they compare

Scores

Hill's Science Diet scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 9.6 out of 10 across 74 scored foods, compared with 8.6 across 17 for Kirkland Signature. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science.

Who makes them

Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition, owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, based in Topeka, Kansas, USA, founded in 1907. Kirkland Signature is a brand of Costco Wholesale Corporation, based in Issaquah, Washington, USA, founded in 1983. Its food is made by third-party co-packers in USA.

Standards and range

Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria, while Kirkland Signature does not. Hill's Science Diet is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; Kirkland Signature is not. KibbleLab lists 74 Hill's Science Diet foods and 17 Kirkland Signature foods.

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Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Hill's Science Diet or Kirkland Signature?

Hill's Science Diet scores higher: it averages 9.6 out of 10 across 74 scored foods, compared with 8.6 for Kirkland Signature. Scores reflect published veterinary science.

Who makes Hill's Science Diet and Kirkland Signature?

Hill's Science Diet is made by Hill's Pet Nutrition, which is owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company. Kirkland Signature is a brand of Costco Wholesale Corporation. Its food is made by third-party co-packers in USA.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Hill's Science Diet has 74 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 17 for Kirkland Signature.

Where is each brand based?

Hill's Science Diet is based in Topeka, Kansas, USA. Kirkland Signature is based in Issaquah, Washington, USA.

Do Hill's Science Diet and Kirkland Signature meet WSAVA criteria?

Hill's Science Diet meets WSAVA's published criteria for evaluating a manufacturer; Kirkland Signature does not, based on public information. WSAVA publishes criteria; it does not certify or endorse brands.

Are Hill's Science Diet or Kirkland Signature PSC Accredited?

Hill's Science Diet is a PSC Accredited business. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification.

Have Hill's Science Diet or Kirkland Signature been recalled?

Hill's Science Diet has 2 recalls on record in the KibbleLab database; Kirkland Signature has no recalls. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

See the full profiles: Hill's Science Diet and Kirkland Signature .

More comparisons

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA filings, and a filing may name the parent company rather than the brand. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.