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LINE VS LINE · ZIGNATURE KIBBLE

Zignature Original vs Zignature Select Cuts

Zignature Original vs Zignature Select Cuts: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

Zignature Original against Zignature Select Cuts, measured across 18 and 5 kibble recipes: 29.6% vs 26.1% protein and 35% vs 36% starch, as fed.

18 kibble recipes reviewed 5 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Zignature Original recipes average 29.6% protein as fed, higher than Zignature Select Cuts' average of 26.1% protein.
  • Zignature Select Cuts recipes average 16.1% fat as fed, higher than Zignature Original's average of 14.2% fat.
  • Estimated starch and calories are close between the lines: Zignature Original averages 35% estimated starch and 398 kcal per cup, while Zignature Select Cuts averages 36% estimated starch and 392 kcal per cup.
  • Zignature Original has a grain-free share of 100%, while Zignature Select Cuts has a grain-free share of 0% and is not grain-free.
  • Zignature Original offers 18 kibble recipes across All Life Stages, Puppy, and All Breeds, while Zignature Select Cuts offers 5 recipes across the same stages and breed size. Both lines share an estimated price per pound of $3.32.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Zignature Original Zignature Select Cuts Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 18 5 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 29.6%26.0% to 32.0% 26.1%23.0% to 28.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 14.2%10.0% to 17.0% 16.1%14.5% to 18.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 35%30% to 43% 36%34% to 38% 37%
Calories per cup 398385 to 406 392376 to 416 398
Grain-free recipes 100% 0%
Life stages All Life Stages 1, Puppy 1 All Life Stages 4, Puppy 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 13 All Breeds 5
Price per pound, estimate $3.32/lbEstimate, median of 17 of 18 recipesRecipes run $2.76 to $4.56Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026 $3.32/lbEstimate, median of 5 of 5 recipesRecipes run $2.36 to $3.92Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 19, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

Zignature Original

Zignature Original Small Bites Zssential Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 32.0% as fed Zignature Original Small Bites Zssential Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 32% Fat 17% Starch 30% 405 kcal/cup Zignature Original Puppy Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 31% Zignature Original Puppy Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 31% Fat 17% Starch 31% 406 kcal/cup Zignature Original Small Bites Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 395 kcal per cup Zignature Original Small Bites Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Protein 31% Fat 14% Starch 34% 395 kcal/cup

Zignature Select Cuts

Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 28.0% as fed Zignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Protein 28% Fat 15% Starch 36% 376 kcal/cup Zignature Select Cuts Puppy Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 34% Zignature Select Cuts Puppy Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 18% Starch 34% 416 kcal/cup Zignature Select Cuts Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 380 kcal per cup Zignature Select Cuts Lamb & Lamb Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog Food Protein 25% Fat 17% Starch 37% 380 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Zignature Original

  • Owners wanting an entirely grain-free kibble, since Zignature Original has a 100% grain-free share.
  • Owners wanting higher protein recipes, which average 29.6% protein across the line.
  • Owners wanting wide recipe choice, with 18 kibble recipes including trout, venison, and goat formulas.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Zignature Select Cuts

  • Owners wanting higher fat recipes, which average 16.1% fat across the line.
  • Owners open to grain-inclusive kibble, since Select Cuts has a 0% grain-free share.
  • Owners of puppies considering the Select Cuts Puppy Formula, at 416 kcal per cup and 18% fat.
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every Zignature Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
Original 18 29.6% 14.2% 35% 398 100% $3.32
Select Cuts 5 26.1% 16.1% 36% 392 0% $3.32
Essence 3 37.2% 23.5% 20% 441 100% $4.29
Inception 3 20.3% 14.2% 42% 392 0% $2.07

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

The Zignature Lines

All Zignature food Zignature Original Zignature Select Cuts Zignature Essence Zignature Inception

Zignature Against Other Brands

Zignature vs Orijen Zignature vs Acana

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

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