Review of Zignature Dry Dog Food
Zignature Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.
The Zignature Dog Food product line includes the 15 dry dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available… Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
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Zignature Kangaroo Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Zignature Kangaroo Formula
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Kangaroo, kangaroo meal, chickpeas, peas, sunflower oil (preserved with citric acid), dehydrated alfalfa meal, natural flavors, flaxseed, dicalcium phosphate, salt, choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin A, acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d‐calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), taurine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, cobalt proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate), sodium selenite, DHA, mixed tocopherols (preservative), calcium carbonate, l-carnitine
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%
Red denotes controversial item
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 16% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 33% | 42% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is kangaroo. Kangaroo is a lean meat containing less than 2% fat, which makes it a healthier red meat alternative.
It’s also rich in protein, essential B vitamins, minerals as well as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
In pet food, kangaroo is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered” kangaroo and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Keep in mind, raw kangaroo contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is kangaroo meal. Kangaroo meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh raw kangaroo.
The third ingredient includes chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, bean and lentils, the chickpea is a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables.
However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fourth ingredient lists peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The fifth ingredient is sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3’s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.
The sixth ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), it can be less common to find it in a dog food recipe.
After the natural flavor, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
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 Zignature product.
With 4 notable exceptions…
First, 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.
Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
In addition, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
And lastly, this food includes 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Zignature Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 29%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 48%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 33% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 42% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 52%.
Which means this Zignature product line contains…
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, chickpeas, flaxseed and alfalfa meal, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Our Rating of Zignature Dog Food
Zignature is a grain-free dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
However, it’s unfortunate the company chose to include so much plant-based protein in its recipe. Otherwise, we would have been compelled to award this product a higher rating.
Zignature Dog Food
Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to Zignature.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
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More Zignature Brand Reviews
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Important FDA Alert
The FDA is investigating a potential link between diet and heart disease in dogs. Click here for details.
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- Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for beef published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2018 Edition ↩
11/05/2021 Last Update