Zignature inception Dog Food Review (Dry)

Zignature inception dry product range consists of three recipes with ratings varying from 3 to 4 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 3 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, barley, and milo for digestibility and steady energy.

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.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Zignature inception Pork was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is pork meal. Pork meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh pork. Yet it can also be high in ash – about 25-30%.

However, the ash content of the final product is typically adjusted in the recipe to allow its mineral profile to meet AAFCO guidelines.

The next ingredient includes oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The third ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth ingredient is milo. Milo is another name for sorghum, a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.

Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, milo can be considered a quality non-meat ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.

Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids.

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

After the natural flavor, we find choline chloride, an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plant and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ.

Because a dog cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.

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 this Inception product.

With three notable exceptions…

First, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

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.

Also, salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Zignature inception Pork looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 22.8%, a fat level of 16.8% and estimated carbohydrates of about 44.2%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 23.7% and a mean fat level of 16.5%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 43.9% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 70%.

Which means this Inception product contains…

Below-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, this still looks like the profile of a dry dog food containing a notable amount of meat.

Zignature Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Zignature through January 2026.

No recalls noted.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

Our Rating of Zignature inception Dry Dog Food

Zignature inception is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meal as its primary source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3 stars.

Recommended with Reservations

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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