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As a relatively new brand, Zignature has made a name for itself with its high-quality products obtained from quality sources. But who makes it? Where is it made? And are their products any good?

Manufactured in Perham, Minnesota, they specialize in luxury foods produced from a limited number of worldwide sources. In avoiding grain and other cheap ingredients, they use peas and chickpeas as sources of carbohydrates, which makes their food appropriate for sensitive dogs.

This Zignature dog food review will take a look at a series of their products, and provide a detailed analysis of their recipe based on trout and salmon, which should help clear up any uncertainties about this brand.

Additionally, we provided the AAFCO nutrient profile for our chosen products to help you distinguish food intended for Maintenance, Growth, Supplemental, Unspecified, or All Life Stages.

8 Zignature Dog Food Comparison

IMAGEPRODUCTINGREDIENTS 
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Small Product image of Zignature Lamb Formula
Lamb
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Lamb
Lamb Meal
Peas
Chickpeas
Pea Flour
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Small Product image of Zignature Trout
Trout & Salmon
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Trout
Salmon Meal
Peas
Chickpeas
Pea Flour
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Small Product image of Zignature Kangaroo
Kangaroo
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Kangaroo
Kangaroo Meal
Peas
Chickpeas
Pea Flour
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Small Product image of Zignature Zssential
Zssential
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Turkey
Turkey Meal
Salmon
Lamb Meal
Duck Meal
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Small Product image of Zignature Duck
Duck
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Duck
Duck Meal
Chickpeas
Pea Flour
Peas
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Small Product image of Zignature Catfish
Catfish
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Catfish
Catfish Meal
Peas
Pea Flour
Chickpeas
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Small Product image of Zignature Turkey Formula
Turkey
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Turkey
Turkey Meal
Chickpeas
Peas
Pea Protein
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Small Product image of Zignature Salmon
Salmon
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Salmon
Salmon Meal
Pea Flour
Chickpeas
Peas
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Lamb Formula – For Sensitive Stomach

First Five Ingredients:

  • Lamb
  • Lamb Meal
  • Peas
  • Chickpeas
  • Pea Flour

Based on lamb coming from New Zealand, this recipe with limited ingredients should be perfect for owners with more than one dog, each in different life-stages. And, as it has a low number of components, it should be appropriate for dogs with food sensitivities, as well.

With lamb as the main source of protein, your dog should be getting all the building blocks he needs to maintain the health of his muscles. Along with protein, lamb should provide your dog with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. The carbs come from peas, chickpeas, and flaxseed, providing all the energy your dog needs.

These ingredients also provide enough fiber to ensure proper absorption of all the useful nutrients, while remaining easily digestible. To make sure it is appropriate for dogs with sensitivities, this formula is free of corn, soy, and wheat, as well as dairy and chicken. It also doesn’t contain any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making it even safer.

This recipe should provide all the nutrients your dog needs daily, while also keeping him safe from any ingredients that could harm him, making it a perfect choice for dogs with sensitivities, as well as picky eaters.

Trout & Salmon Meal – Ideal for Weight Management

First Five Ingredients:

  • Trout
  • Salmon Meal
  • Peas
  • Chickpeas
  • Pea Flour

Produced from trout and salmon caught in the Northwestern USA, this formula should be perfect for the owners who prefer their dogs remain on a fish-based diet. Apart from providing all the protein they need, trout and salmon are also sources of omega fatty acids, which protect your dog’s skin and coat, as well as brains and eyes.

Along with protein and omega fatty acids, trout and salmon are rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin B and phosphorus. And with further sources of those nutrients coming from fruits and vegetables, this formula provides more than enough to give your pet everything he needs on a daily basis.

At the same time, the formula is free of wheat, soy, and corn, as well as other common allergens such as gluten or chicken, or any artificial ingredient, so it should be perfect for dogs with sensitive digestions.

This formula is balanced more towards dogs with sensitivities, as it doesn’t contain most ingredients dogs can be sensitive to, and it does include components which help with the symptoms.

Kangaroo Formula – Perfect for Active Dogs

First Five Ingredients:

  • Kangaroo
  • Kangaroo Meal
  • Peas
  • Chickpeas
  • Pea Flour

Choosing a somewhat unusual source of protein, this formula boasts kangaroo meat coming from Australia as its primary ingredient. Kangaroo meat is, of course, known to be leaner, containing less fat, and richer in vitamins B12, as well as iron and omega fatty acids, so it should be perfect for active dogs, or those prone to gaining weight.

The carbs come from peas and chickpeas, and those ingredients also provide the fiber and antioxidants so you can be sure all the good nutrients will be properly absorbed, and your dog’s immune system will remain healthy and strong.

To make sure this recipe is safe for sensitive dogs, it doesn’t include any soy, wheat, and corn, as well as any artificial ingredients. And, by keeping the number of ingredients low, it should be safer than cheaper foods, or those that contain multiple sources of nutrients.

Overall, while this formula is well-rounded, and it does provide all the nutrients dogs need daily, it seems more geared towards active dogs that need higher quality protein, or those that need to watch their weight.

Zssential Formula – Hypoallergenic Recipe

First Five Ingredients:

  • Turkey
  • Turkey Meal
  • Salmon
  • Lamb Meal
  • Duck Meal

Unlike other formulas, this one obtains its protein from many different types of meat. The primary source is turkey from the American Midwest, but it also contains salmon from the Northwest, lamb from New Zealand, and duck meat from France to further round this recipe out.

All these sources make this formula really packed with proteins and low in fat. It is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, some coming from the meat sources, others from peas, flaxseeds, blueberries and cranberries and other supplements. At the same time, omega fatty acids provide for the skin and coat, as well as brain, eyes, and heart.

Despite multiple sources of protein, this formula still avoids common allergens such as chicken or dairy, alongside other potentially harmful ingredients, making it extra safe for dogs with food sensitivities.

Unlike the other formulas we have selected, this one has more than one primary ingredient, and it is specialized in providing more than enough protein, even for growing puppies belonging to larger breeds.

Duck Formula – Promotes Healthy Heart

First Five Ingredients:

  • Duck
  • Duck Meal
  • Chickpeas
  • Pea Flour
  • Peas

Using duck sourced from Western France as a primary source of protein, this grain-free limited-ingredient formula should provide all the building blocks your dog needs to keep his muscles healthy and strong.

And at the same time, duck meat contains higher amounts of omega fatty acids, as well as iron and phosphorus, and it also has lower quantities of sodium. Peas and chickpeas provide the necessary antioxidants to boost your dog’s immune system, carbohydrates to provide him with energy, and fiber to ensure proper absorption of all the nutrients.

Alongside a low number of ingredients, this formula doesn’t include any artificial ingredients such as preservatives, flavors, or colors, nor does it contain any potential allergens such as corn, soy, or wheat.

All that makes this formula ideal either for dogs with sensitive digestions, and even if your dog doesn’t have such problems, he could enjoy what this recipe provides nonetheless.

Catfish formula – For Building a Strong Muscles

First Five Ingredients:

  • Catfish
  • Catfish Meal
  • Peas
  • Pea Flour
  • Chickpeas

Sourcing catfish coming from Georgia, USA as the main source of protein, this formula is sure to provide all your dog needs. In addition to protein, catfish is also rich in omega fatty acids, which also help maintain your dog’s overall health.

The amino acids contained in catfish also help provide the material to maintain muscles and tendons, as well as cartilages and ligaments, while also providing for your dog’s skin and coat. The natural sources of vitamins and minerals contained in this formula are further complemented with supplements, all to make sure your pooch has all the nutrients he needs.

While providing all the useful ingredients, this formula also manages to avoid potentially harmful components usually found in other, cheaper food, making it safer for sensitive doggies, as well.

This recipe provides a well-balanced option if you’re looking for a formula containing high quantities of protein. It should provide more than enough even for growing large breed puppies.

Turkey formula – Ideal for Picky Eaters

First Five Ingredients:

  • Turkey
  • Turkey Meal
  • Chickpeas
  • Peas
  • Pea Protein

As it is another Zignature limited-ingredient formula, this one is built on farm-raised Turkey from the American Midwest. And since turkey is a quality source not only of protein but of minerals such as selenium and phosphorus, with this formula, you can be sure your pet will get all he requires.

Along with a limited number of ingredients, this recipe is also free of artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors, and it doesn’t contain any wheat, corn, or soy, making it safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs. And since turkey meat is normally low in saturated fat, it should be appropriate for dogs with weight management problems.

To round out the formula, fruits such as cranberries and blueberries, as well as veggies such as peas and carrots, all provide vitamins and minerals, which are further strengthened with supplements.

All that makes this formula a solid choice for sensitive dogs, or those picky eaters. It is, after all, made from a small number of ingredients, and at the same time, it is rich in nutrients.

Salmon Formula – Maintaining Strong Bones

First Five Ingredients:

  • Salmon
  • Salmon Meal
  • Pea Flour
  • Chickpeas
  • Peas

Even though this formula may be similar to an earlier one, this one is based exclusively on salmon as its primary source of protein. That further limits the number of ingredients and making it even safer for dogs with sensitive digestions.

As earlier, besides protein, salmon provides vitamins and minerals, as well as omega fatty acids, all to further protect your pet’s general health, and ensure the health of his vital organs and skin and fur. Those nutrients are further supplemented by peas and chickpeas, which also provide antioxidants and fiber, making this formula even better.

And, as it is also free of harmful artificial ingredients, this recipe is even safer for dogs with sensitivities. It is also free of gluten, wheat, corn, or soy, like all the other Zignature products.

All that combined make this an ideal formula for dogs with sensitivities, and even those without such problems should enjoy all this formula provides.

What Buyers Say

Pros

  • A limited number of ingredients form the basis of most of Zignature’s formulas, making it safe for dogs with sensitivities, as well as making easier to identify potential problems.
  • Zignature provides a wide choice of sources. Some of them are more common, such as salmon or lamb, and some are more uncommon, such as duck, catfish, or kangaroo.
  • Their products contain quality ingredients from places with high safety standards, making sure you aren’t getting any cheap or potentially harmful components in your dog food.
  • Appropriate for dogs with allergies because of a limited number of sources of nutrients.
  • No artificial ingredients, which means no potential digestive complications or long-term effects.

Cons

  • Price can be higher than other formulas, and if you choose a recipe your dog doesn’t like, it may feel like wasted money.
  • Some formulas can contain higher amounts of salt, making them inappropriate for older dogs, or dogs with heart or kidney problems.
  • Picky eaters might be turned off by some ingredients, and as there aren’t other sources, they may leave the food uneaten.

Nutrition Content Percentage & Information

In order to see what you can expect from Zignature’s products, we have selected their recipe based on trout and salmon meal for a more detailed analysis.

This formula has a high amount of protein, about 33%, which means that it is appropriate even for growing puppies belonging to large breeds, as those usually require the most nutrients to build their rapidly growing bodies. All the protein comes from named sources, some from fish, some from vegetables.

The amount of fat is a bit lower, at about 14%, and it also comes from natural sources, mostly from salmon and sunflower oils. That should, however, provide more than enough energy for your dog.

For that little extra energy, this recipe also contains natural sources of carbohydrates, sourced mostly from peas and chickpeas. While some Zignature formulas contain higher amounts of carbs, some even exceeding 40%, this one, at about 38%, shouldn’t be appropriate for dogs with weight problems.

Protein

33%

Fat

14%

Carbs

40%

Image of Zignature Trout & Salmon Meal Big

Zignature Trout and Salmon Meal Ingredients

In this segment, we will analyze the main ingredients and provide you with enough data to make an informed decision.

Trout

Trout is generally a safe and quality source of protein, and along with that, it is also rich in omega fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals. While it usually contains high amounts of water, over 70%, as this is a dry food formula, the processing removes most of that, leaving all the useful nutrients intact.

Salmon Meal

This ingredient is basically salmon meat further processed to produce a purified source of protein packed in a small package. As with trout, salmon is also rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as omega fatty acids, and these nutrients remain even after processing.

Peas

Used primarily as a source of carbohydrates, peas also provide fiber, making sure this formula stays easily digestible and ensuring the proper absorption of all the useful nutrients. However, it is also a source of protein, which is why this formula is so protein-rich.

Pea Flour

Roasting yellow peas and grounding it to powder produces pea flour. Like peas, it also serves as a source of carbs, as well as protein, further boosting its presence in this formula.

Chickpeas

Serving as another plant-based source of protein, chickpeas also provide fiber and carbs. As it is a plant-based source of protein, it may not be fully biologically compatible with dogs, but the other nutrients present, as well as the carbs, make this ingredient a safe choice.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is primarily used as a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, and at the same time, it is a quality source of dissolvable fiber, making it a safe choice over other grains.

Salmon Oil

As it is an additional source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon oil is a desired ingredient. It also provides fish-based fat, which gives your dog energy, making it even more useful.

Alfalfa Meal

This is basically the only controversial ingredient in this formula. While ground alfalfa meals are usually combined with horse food, it is still a component rich in protein and fiber, and it is generally safe for dogs.

Beet Pulp

Produced from ingredients left over after extracting sugar from sugar beets, this is a fiber-rich component, and that is its only purpose in this formula. While it may sometimes be considered controversial, it is a common ingredient, and it is normally included in lower quantities.

Sunflower Oil

Supplementing salmon oil’s omega-3 sources, sunflower oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which further helps round this formula out. While there are better sources of oils, such as flaxseed or canola, combined with other ingredients, sunflower oil is an acceptable addition.

Chelated Minerals

These are basically minerals that are artificially connected to protein, which makes their absorption much easier. As it is normally included in higher quality dog food, this is another desired component.

Zignature Recall History

While there haven’t been any recalls of Zignature’s products, they are a relatively young brand, only existing for about 5 years.

Conclusion

Zignature is a quality brand, specializing in luxury limited-ingredient dog food for dogs with sensitivities, or those with sophisticated and picky tastes. After carefully analyzing their products, we have concluded that their dog food provides more than enough nutrients, justifying their cost.

Their formula built on trout and salmon provides more than enough protein for your dog, making it appropriate for growing large breed puppies, as well as working dogs, or any other that require more protein in their diet.

Additionally, their other recipes contain more unusual combinations of sources so even the pickiest of eaters can find something they like. And in the end, no matter which Zignature recipe you choose, you can be sure it will provide more than enough nutrients for your dog.

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