Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Zignature Essence canned product range consists of three recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.
Limited ingredient recipes perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, featuring a moist texture to aid hydration.
Pros
- Formulated without grains, legumes, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, or byproducts
- Real meat protein as the first ingredient
- Formulated by a PhD board-certified animal nutritionist
Cons
- Expensive
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 Essence LIR Landfowl | 4.5 | M |
| Zignature Essence LIR Ocean | 5 | M |
| Zignature Essence LIR Ranch | 4.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Zignature Essence LIR Ocean was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Zignature Essence LIR Ocean
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Whitefish, fish broth, sardines, olive oil, natural flavor, agar-agar, taurine, salt, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacinamide, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid), potassium chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, ethylenediamine dihydriodide), l-carnitine
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 48% | 23% | 22% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 38% | 44% | 17% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is whitefish, a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
The second ingredient is fish broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food they are a common additional component in many canned products.
The third ingredient is sardines. Sardine is a small, oily marine fish which is nutrient rich, high in protein and is a source of omega 3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The fourth ingredient is olive oil. Olive oil contains oleic acid, a healthy monounsaturated fat. It’s also rich in natural antioxidants and carotenoids.
After natural flavor we find 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 seventh ingredient is 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.
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 one notable exception.
This food 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Zignature Essence LIR Ocean looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 46.2%, a fat level of 23.1% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 19.2%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 44.9% and a mean fat level of 30.8%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 12.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 69%.
This means this Zignature Essence product line contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate, and above-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 Essence Canned Dog Food
Zignature Essence is a grain-free wet dog food using a notable amount of named meat as its primary source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 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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