Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Zignature inception product range consists of three recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 4 stars.
Please note: This is the former Inception line that is now officially under the Zignature brand.
Recipes crafted in the USA with wholesome oats and barley for digestibility and steady energy.
Pros
- Formulated without legumes, potatoes, corn, or artificial flavors
- Real meat protein as the first ingredient
- Formulated by a PhD board-certified animal nutritionist
Cons
- Limited recipes
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Zignature inception Chicken | 4 | M |
| Zignature inception Fish | 4 | M |
| Zignature inception Pork | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Zignature inception Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Zignature inception Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken broth, oats, natural chicken flavor, agar-agar, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), salt, taurine, choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, ethylenediamine dihydriodide), marine microalgae oil
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 16% | 40% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 32% | 34% | 35% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient, natural chicken flavor doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.
The fifth ingredient is agar agar, a natural vegetable gelatin derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae. Agar is rich in fiber and is used in wet pet foods as a gelling agent.
The sixth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has four notable exceptions.
Marine microalgae oil, which is usually included as a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health.
In addition, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
This food also contains chelated minerals, which have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Lastly, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Zignature inception Chicken looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36.5%, a fat level of 17.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 32.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 32.7% and a mean fat level of 19.9%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 62%.
This means this Zignature inception product line contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat, when compared to typical wet dog food.
Zignature Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Zignature through February 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Zignature inception Dog Food
Zignature inception is a grain-inclusive wet dog food using a notable amount of named meat as its primary source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
About
Zignature dog food, founded in 2010, is produced by Pets Global, Inc. Formulas for Zignature are developed by a team of veterinarians, Ph.D. animal nutritionists, and food scientists, and are manufactured in the USA.
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