Ziwi Peak Cat Food Unbiased Review
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
The Ziwi Peak brand is a New Zealand company that claims to be “born of love, crafted with goodness, and made in New Zealand.”
Though some pet parents are concerned about pet products made outside the United States, Ziwi Peak is a quality brand worthy of your consideration.
Not only do they use real, wholesome, natural ingredients in their products, but they follow ethical and sustainable sourcing methods as well.
Their products are slowly and gently air-dried as well, which helps them maintain more of their original nutrition content.
All of these things add up to a high-quality brand committed to improving the lives of pets and pet parents through premium nutrition.
- No product recalls to date
- Premium-quality ingredients, ethically and sustainably sourced
- Can be found easily in pet stores and online
- More expensive than average
- Lack of product variety
- No product recalls to date
- Premium-quality ingredients, ethically and sustainably sourced
- Can be found easily in pet stores and online
- More expensive than average
- Lack of product variety
How We Review Cat Food Brands
Unlike dogs who are scavenging carnivores, cats are obligate carnivores.
This means that they have a biological requirement for meat in their diets and a very limited ability to digest plant foods. So, when we’re reviewing a new cat food brand, we look for high-quality, wholesome sources of real animal protein.
We also pay attention to the other ingredients and their quality, as well as the guaranteed analysis for the product and the brand’s reputation.
Here Are Some Of The Other Things We Look For In A Good Cat Food Brand:
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Rich in healthy animal fats (ex: chicken fat or salmon oil)
- Few to no carbohydrate ingredients (especially within the top 5)
- Limited number of main ingredients plus supplements
- No low-quality fillers, grains, or by-products
Additional factors we consider when reviewing a cat food brand are the variety of recipes available, the price per pound, the recall history of the brand, the availability, and customer reviews.
It is important for a cat food brand to offer a variety of products because cats tend to be picky and having variety gives you more to choose from.
The brand’s recall history is a good way to gauge quality and safety as a whole while customer reviews provide insight into the brand’s quality and popularity.
Overview Of The Ziwi Peak Brand
The Ziwi Peak brand was founded in 2015 and has recently changed its name to just Ziwi.
Despite being fairly new to the pet food scene, Ziwi has already established a name for itself. This company is based in New Zealand where they source many of their ingredients.
Ziwi uses only humane, ethical, and sustainably managed local farms that not just meet, but exceed strict New Zealand government standards.
If you’re worried about Ziwi being a quality brand because it isn’t based in the United States, there is no reason for concern. This is a brand you can trust.
What allows Ziwi to be so strict in their sourcing is the fact that New Zealand has a temperate climate.
This means that their animals can be free-range and grass-fed all year round. Natural feeding ensures that the nutritional content of their animal-based proteins like beef, lamb, and venison are as high as possible – not to mention the natural flavor.
The island of New Zealand also has strict biosecurity, so they don’t have to worry about infectious animal diseases like mad cow.
Ziwi knows that dogs and cats thrive on meat, so that’s the basis of their products.
Not only does Ziwi use high-quality meat ingredients, but their recipes also include organs like heart and lung because these are the organs wild cats and dogs would ingest while eating their prey.
All of their air-dried products contain over 96% fresh meat, organs, seafood, and bone to ensure complete and balanced nutrition of the highest quality.
What Kind Of Cat Food Products Do They Offer?
Because Ziwi is still a fairly new brand, their product selection is somewhat limited.
They currently only offer canned wet foods and air-dried kibble. In terms of their canned food selection, Ziwi offers eight different recipes, both single-source protein and multi-protein.
These recipes feature premium animal proteins like lamb, chicken, beef, rabbit, venison, and fish. In addition to their wet food offerings, Ziwi has several recipes for air-dried kibble. Choose from five recipes featuring chicken, beef, lamb, venison, or a combination of venison and lamb.
Products Included in This Review |
||||
| Name | Type | Protein % | Fat % | Top 5 Ingredients |
| Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food |
Wet | 9.5% | 6% | Lamb, water, lamb lung, lamb kidney, lamb liver |
| Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food | Dry | 43% | 25% | Mackerel, lamb, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb liver |
| Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | 11% | 3.5% | Rabbit, water, lamb, lamb lung, lamb liver |
Compare Ziwi Peak Cat Food
|
Type of Food
Wet |
Type of Food
Dry |
Type of Food
Wet |
|
First 5 Ingredients
Lamb, water, lamb lung, lamb kidney, lamb liver |
First 5 Ingredients
Mackerel, lamb, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb liver |
First 5 Ingredients
Rabbit, water, lamb, lamb lung, lamb liver |
|
Guaranteed Analysis
9.5% protein, 6% fat, 2% fiber, 78% moisture |
Guaranteed Analysis
43% protein, 25% fat, 2% fiber, 14% moisture |
Guaranteed Analysis
11% protein, 3.5% fat, 2% fiber, 78% moisture |
|
Calories per Cup
245 calories/cup |
Calories per Cup
273 calories/cup |
Calories per Cup
81 calories/3-ounce can |
|
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$0.57/ounce |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$19.14/pound |
Price Per Pound/Ounce
$1.04/ounce |
Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, water, lamb lung, lamb kidney, lamb liver
- Guaranteed Analysis: 9.5% protein, 6% fat, 2% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 245 calories/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $0.57/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Lamb, Water Sufficient for Processing, Lamb Lung, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Liver, Chickpeas, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Heart, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Bone, DL-Methionine, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex), Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
This Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food features 100% single-sourced lamb that is both free-range and grass-fed, sourced from ethical and sustainable New Zealand farms.
It is completely free from antibiotics and growth hormones and offers a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
This recipe is nutrient-dense and rich in natural meat flavor, packed in a chunky loaf style with added moisture to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters.
The primary ingredients in this recipe are fresh meat and animal organs – the only source of carbohydrates is chickpeas.
Overall, when measured as dry matter, this recipe contains 43% protein and 27% fat.
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Dry
- First 5 Ingredients: Mackerel, lamb, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb liver
- Guaranteed Analysis: 43% protein, 25% fat, 2% fiber, 14% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 273 calories/cup
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $19.14/pound
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Mackerel, Lamb, Lamb Heart, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Liver, Lamb Lung, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Kidney, Lamb Bone, Lecithin, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Salt, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, Taurine.
This Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food is gently air-dried instead of being cooked at a high temperature like traditional kibble. This preserves more of the original nutrient content as well as the real meat flavor. This formula features New Zealand grass-fed lamb and fresh, whole mackerel, both of which are 100% sourced from ethical farms.
It contains 95% digestible, high-quality protein that is calorie-dense and loaded with nutrients.
You’ll also find fresh organs, bones, and New Zealand green-lipped mussels which provide a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin.
This recipe contains a very limited list of ingredients and is very low in carbohydrates.
Overall, it contains a full 43% protein with 25% fat and 2% fiber.
Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Type of Food: Wet
- First 5 Ingredients: Rabbit, water, lamb, lamb lung, lamb liver
- Guaranteed Analysis: 11% protein, 3.5% fat, 2% fiber, 78% moisture
- Calories per Cup: 81 calories/3-ounce can
- Price Per Pound/Ounce: $1.04/ounce
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Rabbit Meat, Water Sufficient for Processing, Lamb, Lamb Lung, Lamb Liver, Chickpeas, Lamb Kidney, Hare Meat, Lamb Tripe, Lamb Heart, New Zealand Green Mussel, Lamb Bone, DL-Methionine, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex), Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
If your cat doesn’t suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, a multi-protein formula could be a good option.
This Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food features free-range, grass-fed lamb and wild-caught rabbit in a delicate balance of protein and fat.
This recipe offers natural sources for glucosamine and chondroitin by incorporating both lamb bone and New Zealand green mussels.
This recipe is very low in carbohydrates, the only carb-heavy ingredient being chickpeas.
It contains a variety of nutrient-rich organ meats which also contribute to the real meat flavor. Overall, when measured as dry matter, this recipe contains 50% protein and 16% fat.
What Do Customers Think Of Ziwi Peak Cat Food?
The majority of customers love Ziwi Peak cat food and most recipes carry an average of a 4-star rating.
Customers love the quality of the ingredients and the high-protein, low-carb recipes.
Those who review the brand negatively mainly comment that their cats simply didn’t like the food or weren’t interested.
Negative reviews have little to do with quality when it comes to the Ziwi Peak brand.
Positive Customer Reviews
“Been feeding Ziwi canned food to my cat since I got him at 6 months old, and he never leaves a morsel behind. The exception was the Hoki recipe, he didn’t care for that flavor. I’m a vet tech and appreciate the real ingredients and limited ingredients.”
– Lemmie, reviewing Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
“My cat who refuses to eat wet food will eat this food! I can tell he would prefer a less healthy option, but he will eat it and I have noticed significant improvements in his health since he has. He already seems to have more energy and better muscle tone, after a month of feeding Ziwi. He is getting so much more animal protein, and no fillers with this food!”
– Catmom, reviewing Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food
“I adopted this old cat from a shelter last year. I tried several kinds of dry and wet food, but he’s picky and apparently has a sensitive stomach. I finally found a dry food he likes and tried the best canned food the stores had. My sister told me about Ziwi and, having read about how dry food is processed, I was afraid my cat wasn’t staying hydrated or getting the nutrients he needed. I ordered this rabbit and lamb food. It was here the next day with a free return guarantee but ol’ Nelson loves it.”
– Shambles, reviewing Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Negative Customer Reviews
“I have one cat who can’t do seafood. She’ll eat it, but I’ll suffer when cleaning the mess. I thought this would be a good solution but didn’t realize that there were mussels in it. Neither of my cats would even taste this food (the lamb recipe). I gave some to a friend whose cat is pretty much happy to eat anything – that cat looked at it with negative interest.”
– Ferg, reviewing Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
“Cats wouldn’t eat it. I then mixed with kibble then with wet foods, even chicken gizzards. They ate around it. If cats don’t eat it no matter how good the ingredients are, it’s pretty much useless.”
– Duke, reviewing Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food
“So, I was excited about this food since a lot of other Rabbit formulas have added protein powders and this one didn’t have that. After giving my cat a can, I noticed the second can had little bits of bone inside which is a very scary thing to see as he had already eaten some. Back to searching for a good formula.”
– Buddy, reviewing Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Recall History
A product recall occurs when there is a problem with a product and either the FDA issues a recall or the company withdraws it voluntarily. In many cases, product recalls are issued due to concerns of potential contamination, such as salmonella.
In other cases, however, they might be issued due to something simple like a packaging error.
Having a product recall or two is not necessarily a bad reflection on the brand because accidents happen, especially in large scale processing operations.
The fact that Ziwi Peak has no product recalls, however, can only be viewed as a good thing – especially considering it is a non-USA company. Ziwi Peak’s products are held to the highest standards set by both the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industry and AAFCO.
How Much Does Ziwi Peak Cat Food Cost?
When shopping for cat food, it is easy to be concerned about price because some cat foods are extremely expensive.
Unfortunately, Ziwi Peak foods are more expensive than the average kibble or canned food.
The first recipe reviewed is the most affordable, priced at $0.57/ounce while the other canned food recipe costs over $1.00 per ounce.
The air-dried food is the most expensive of all, however, priced at nearly $20 per pound.
Keep in mind that this brand uses only premium-quality ingredients that are both ethically and sustainably sourced.
In this case, price certainly is correlated with quality.
To give you a better idea how Ziwi Peak stacks up against other cat food brands, here is a quick chart to show you some average cat food prices:
| Brand/Recipe | Type | Quality | Price/Ounce | Price/Pound |
| Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Food | Dry | Low | X | $0.90/pound |
| Friskies Classic Pate Mixed Grill Canned Food | Wet | Low | $0.07/ounce | $1.16/pound |
| Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Adult Dry Cat Food | Dry | Moderate | X | $2.53/pound |
| Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Chicken Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | Moderate | $0.36/ounce | X |
| Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | Dry | High | X | $3.45/pound |
| Ziwi Peak New Zealand Venison Recipe Canned Cat Food | Wet | High | $1.21/ounce | X |
Where Can You Buy Ziwi Peak Cat Food?
Ziwi Peak has grown tremendously from being a rather small company offering a limited number of wet food products to being a slightly larger company offering a wider variety.
Though you may only be able to find Ziwi products in large pet store chains and specialty pet food stores, you can easily find the brand online.
Chewy offers most of Ziwi’s product lineup and you can purchase directly through the brand’s website as well. Ziwi products are currently not available online from Petco or PetSmart, however.
Our Final Thoughts: Is Ziwi Peak A Good Brand?
Overall, we are big fans of Ziwi Peak cat food.
Although this brand isn’t made in the United States, everything we’ve read about the ingredients and processes Ziwi uses leads us to think that perhaps New Zealand standards are higher than those in the U.S. This is also a brand that uses only ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, so you can feel good about feeding your cat this brand.
Even if you aren’t particularly environmentally conscious, you can’t deny the quality of the ingredients.
Because we love this brand so much, you might be wondering why it has less than a 9-score rating.
The places where this brand falls short is in its high prices and lack of variety. As the brand grows, however, they may develop more recipes and the prices may stabilize.
Either way, we heartily recommend that you try this brand for your cats!
