Zignature vs Orijen
Zignature against Orijen, measured across 26 and 12 kibble recipes: 32.0% vs 44.0% protein on a dry matter basis, and 34% vs 19% starch.
How They Differ
- Orijen runs higher in protein: 44.0% against 32.0% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Orijen is lower in starch, about 19% of the food as fed against 34%.
- Orijen is more calorie dense, 459 kcal per cup on average against 403, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
| Measure | Zignature | Orijen | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 26 | 12 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 32.0%21.7% to 45.6% | 44.0%43.2% to 47.7% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 17.3%11.1% to 28.3% | 19.6%14.8% to 22.7% | 16.0% |
| 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. | 34%19% to 43% | 19%11% to 22% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 403385 to 447 | 459401 to 494 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 92% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 77% | 92% | |
| Most used proteins | Fish 38%, Turkey 31%, Lamb 23% | Fish 100%, Chicken 58%, Turkey 58% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None | None | |
| Made by | Pets Global | Champion Petfoods |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Zignature Essence LIR Landfowl Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 46%
Fat 23%
Starch 19%
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
Protein 43%
Fat 21%
Starch 21%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Orijen puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Zignature is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Orijen starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Zignature runs from 22% to 46% protein and Orijen from 43% to 48%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Zignature
No FDA recalls in our record for Zignature in the last five years.
Orijen
No FDA recalls in our record for Orijen in the last five years.
About the Brands
Zignature
Zignature is a dog food brand owned by Pets Global, Inc., an independently owned, family-run company in Valencia, California that also makes Fussie Cat. The brand is known for limited-ingredient, meat-first recipes built around single or novel proteins such as kangaroo, which the company says are aimed at dogs with food sensitivities.
Based in Valencia, CA, since 2012. Every Zignature food we review
Orijen
Orijen is a premium dog and cat food brand made by Champion Petfoods, which also makes Acana. The brand is known for high-protein recipes, and the company says its foods are built around WholePrey ingredients such as meat, organs and bone.
Based in Edmonton, Alberta, since 2005. Every Orijen food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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