Whitefish and Whitefish Meal Zignature guarantee that all the fish they use are ethoxyquin-free. Whitefish includes a range of fish including cod and haddock as well as others. It is widely used in human food and in some dog food, but if your dog has an allergy it is worth a try as it should be a novel ingredient.

It provides 61% protein and is an excellent source of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. Whitefish and Whitefish meal are listed as the top 2 ingredients so you can be confident that this food contains a high % of both ingredients.

Peas Peas provide around 22% protein, 76 percent carbs, and 2 percent fat. They are a good source of Vitamins including C and K and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Thiamin and Manganese. They are often used in grain free dog foods in place of grains.

Other nutritionists, on dog food review websites, question this ingredient because their high source of protein could be contributing to the 29% crude protein level in the food, rather than the fish or meat. Dogs can also have a problem digesting legumes in large amounts.

Chickpeas These have the same issues as peas, with skeptics suggesting that they are used in dog foods to boost the protein levels without using meat or fish. They are certainly not bad for your dog and may be considered to be a better ingredient than the alternatives as they are low-glycemic and gluten free.

Pea Flour Or pea-meal is produced using green peas and again can be used to boost protein levels as a substitute for meat.

Antioxidants Antioxidants are included in the foods in the form of fruit and vegetables and in vitamin E supplement. They reverse the process of oxidization within the body which is responsible for aging and other health problems and help if the dog is exposed to pollution and other chemicals. A lot of dogs do not eat enough fruit or vegetables to provide enough anti-oxidants so they are added to the Zignature range in other forms.

This is the first brand I have reviewed which has a Kangaroo meat recipe, which is a fantastic source of complete protein, with virtually no saturated fat. It contains nearly twice the Vitamin B12 as other meats and is rich in Iron, essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids, other B Vitamins.

Their website also claims that kangaroo meat is one of the most environmentally sensitive forms of meat proteins with the lowest impact to the environment.

There is no record of any Zignature Dog Food recalls on the FDA website.

As a nutritionist, who is passionate about the quality of ingredients, I do applaud Zignature for their mission statement and for the way they source good quality ingredients from around the world. Their single source protein policy is a commendable one, with each of their recipes containing a main ingredient of duck, lamb, kangaroo, salmon, turkey or whitefish.

One of the main considerations as a dog owner of course is whether your furry friend enjoys eating their food? Check out this Youtube clip, posted by an owner, which shows Zignature passing a doggy taste test! 

Many people wonder why it is so important to find a dog food that does not contain corns, grains, wheat and dairy. Well you would not feed your kids a diet of junk food would you?

It is the same principle for your dog, the bottom line is these are the same ingredients you see doctors telling people not to eat. They are also the ingredients most likely to lead to canine allergies and health problems. If your dog has a food sensitivity, this is definitely a brand to consider.

If you have the budget to buy a more expensive dog food like Zignature, then you are likely to see it pay off with a more healthy dog. I would highly recommend this brand to anyone who has a vested interest in the appearance of their dogs, like breeders, or if you compete in dog shows. The investment is sure to pay off in healthy bones, teeth and a gleaming coat.