Ziwi Peak Dog Food Review (2026): Is It Worth It?
Quick Verdict: 9.4/10 — New Zealand’s finest—air-dried raw-equivalent food with 96% meat, organs, and seafood. The ultimate premium dry food.
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Company Overview
Founded: 2004 | Parent Company: Ziwi (private, NZ) | Price Range: ~$80–$110 per 8.8 lb bag
Ziwi Peak is a New Zealand brand founded in 2004, specializing in air-dried and wet dog and cat food. Their air-drying process gently removes moisture without high heat, preserving nutrients at near-raw levels. Every formula contains 96% meat, organs, and seafood from New Zealand farms and waters—free-range beef, venison, lamb, or seafood. Ziwi is considered one of the highest-quality complete foods on the market.
Product Lineup
| Product | Size | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Air-Dried Beef (8.8 lb) | 8.8 lb | ~$95 |
| Air-Dried Venison (8.8 lb) | 8.8 lb | ~$100 |
| Air-Dried Lamb (8.8 lb) | 8.8 lb | ~$95 |
| Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb (8.8 lb) | 8.8 lb | ~$100 |
| Wet (13.75 oz can) | 13.75 oz | ~$8.00 |
Ingredient Analysis
Primary Ingredients (Air-Dried Beef): Beef, beef heart, beef tripe, beef liver, beef kidney, New Zealand green mussel, New Zealand kelp, organic sunflower seeds, dried chicory root, inositol.
96% beef with organs—heart, tripe, liver, kidney. New Zealand green mussel provides glucosamine/chondroitin naturally. Kelp for minerals. Organic sunflower seeds for vitamin E. Chicory root as prebiotic. No grains, fillers, legumes, potato, or starch of any kind. This is as close to a pure prey diet as you’ll find in a commercial dry food.
Nutritional Profile
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 38% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 32% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 4% |
| Moisture (max) | 14% |
| Calories (kcal/100g) | ~419 |
Pros
- 96% New Zealand meat, organs, and seafood
- Air-dried preserving near-raw nutrition
- No grains, legumes, potato, or starch
- Natural joint support from NZ green mussel
- Free-range and grass-fed New Zealand proteins
- One of the cleanest ingredient lists in the industry
Cons
- Extremely expensive ($95+ per 8.8 lb—equivalent to ~$120/lb)
- Requires very small serving sizes due to caloric density
- Heavy for shipping (dense product)
Best For
Owners who want the absolute best available in commercial food and budget is no object. Exceptional for dogs with multiple food sensitivities, dogs needing maximum nutrient density, or senior dogs needing easily digestible high-quality protein.
Alternatives
- [Orijen Review](/reviews/review-orijen)
- [Primal Review](/reviews/review-primal-pet-foods)
- [Stella & Chewy’s Review](/reviews/review-stella-and-chewys)
FAQ
Why is Ziwi Peak so expensive?
Ziwi uses New Zealand free-range proteins (among the highest standard globally), air-dries in small batches, and the serving size is much smaller than kibble due to very high caloric density. The cost per day is often comparable to premium fresh brands.
What is the serving size for Ziwi Peak?
Because of high caloric density, a 25 lb dog needs only about 2.5 oz (70g) per day. This makes the bag last longer than the price per bag suggests.
Is Ziwi Peak good for cats too?
Yes. Ziwi makes an excellent cat food line with the same philosophy.
Has Ziwi Peak been recalled?
No recalls on record. Ziwi has an excellent safety history.
What is air drying?
Air drying slowly removes moisture at low temperatures (39–42°C), preserving enzymes, amino acids, and nutrients that high-heat processing (kibble extrusion) destroys.
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