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Sniff
Zignature Lamb Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag
Zignature

Lamb Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
dry $3.76/lb

Zignature Lamb Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food, 12.5-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 51/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Named fresh meat paired with same-species meal, a strong extrusion architecture.

STACK

Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.

MNI

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 32% ⓘ
Protein
29%
min (as fed)
Fat
16%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4%
max (as fed)
Moisture
10%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

35 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

  2. 2
    lamb meal

    Lamb cooked down to a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh lamb.

  3. 3
    chickpeas

    Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  4. 4
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  5. 5
    flaxseed

    Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.

  6. 6
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  7. 7
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  8. 8
    dehydrated alfalfa meal

    Dried alfalfa. Fiber and trace minerals. Not exciting but it's a real plant ingredient.

  9. 9
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  10. 10
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  11. 11
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  12. 12
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  13. 13
    niacinamide
  14. 14
    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  15. 15
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

  16. 16
    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

  17. 17
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  18. 18
    vitamin b12 supplement

    Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.

  19. 19
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

  20. 20
    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

  21. 21
    biotin

    B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  22. 22
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  23. 23
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  24. 24
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  25. 25
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

Showing first 25 of 35. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.