PEAK REFRESH CUSTOMER FAQs
Air-Dried: Recipes
Why did you change your air-dried recipes?
We are committed to innovation and our mission of providing Peak Nutrition Without Compromise. That commitment means that ZIWI is always seeking ways to further enrich our high-quality recipes. With our new enhancements to our Peak Originals Air-Dried recipes we have made slight alterations to increase organ and superfood inclusions and overall improvements to the food. You won’t notice any major changes in our recipes – they all remain 96% meat, organs, and green-lipped mussels 100% sourced from New Zealand. We just included greater organ variety and the helpful addition of a natural binder so your pet can enjoy an even more diverse diet with less crumbing!
What are the new ingredients?
The new ingredients you can expect to see in our air-dried recipes are Beef Spleen, Lamb Spleen, Beef Cartilage, Lamb Cartilage, Chicken Cartilage, Venison Cartilage, and Chicken Necks to the recipes pertaining to those proteins. We have also added Apple Pomace, Riboflavin, and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride.
Which recipes will these new ingredients be in?
Our Air-Dried Beef recipes have been improved with added Beef Spleen and Beef Cartilage. Lamb Spleen and Lamb Cartilage have been added to our Air-Dried Lamb, Tripe & Lamb (for dogs) and Mackerel & Lamb recipes. Venison Cartilage has been added to our Air-Dried Venison recipes and Chicken Cartilage and Chicken Necks have been added to our Air-Dried Chicken recipes. You will also find that Apple Pomace has been added to all of our air-dried recipes, and Riboflavin and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride have been added to all our air-dried dog recipes.
Are any ingredients being removed?
In our continued mission to improve, a few ingredients have been removed from select Peak Air-Dried recipes. Selenium Yeast has been removed from our Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb recipe for dogs and Sodium Selenite has been removed from our Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb recipe for cats. Lecithin has been removed from our Air-Dried Chicken recipes.
What is Apple Pomace and why did you add it?
The Apple Pomace used in our ZIWI Peak recipes comes from human-grade, non-GMO apples grown in Germany and are free of Plant Growth Regulator. Apple Pomace essentially is what’s left behind after all moisture is removed, such as the pulp and apple skins. From a nutritional perspective, Apple Pomace is a natural source of fiber that prevents inflammation and supports digestion and gut health. Apple Pomace is also used as a natural binder to keep our Air-Dried recipes together and prevent breakage so pet guardians can have a more positive feeding experience with less crumbs and improved appearance. The addition of Apple Pomace as a binder is in place of alternative options such as grain or glycerin. ZIWI stays committed to remaining free from these added carbohydrates and binders.
What is Beef Spleen and why has it been added?
Beef Spleen has been known to be effective in helping pets suffering from digestive upset, weight loss, and muscle loss. It’s also great for sensitive stomachs! It is a low fat, incredibly nutritious organ packed with protein and iron. It’s a great source of vitamin B5, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12, and potassium, all of which are required by cats and dogs in their diet. You can find Beef Spleen and discover its health benefits in our Air-Dried Beef recipes.
What is Lamb Spleen and why has it been added?
Lamb Spleen is a nutrient-dense organ known to boost immunity and prevent muscle loss. It’s also a great source of iron, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, and potassium. You can find Lamb Spleen and discover its health benefits in our Air-Dried Lamb, Tripe & Lamb, and Mackerel & Lamb recipes.
What is Cartilage and why has it been added?
Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects joints and bones. It contains beneficial amounts of both glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health and reduce stiffness and joint pain in pets. You can find Beef, Lamb, Venison, and Chicken Cartilage additions in their corresponding recipes.
What are Chicken Necks and why have they been added? And in what recipes?
Chicken Necks are the whole necks of chickens, including the spine, trachea, connective tissues, and muscle meat. They are loaded with calcium, chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids to help improve joint health, strengthen bones, and reduce inflammation. You can find Chicken Necks and their health benefits in our Air-Dried Chicken recipes.
Will the air-dried recipes continue to be 96% meat, organs, and New Zealand green-lipped mussels?
Yes, all our air-dried recipes will remain 96% meat, organs, and New Zealand green-lipped mussels.
What is Riboflavin & Pyridoxine Hydrochloride and why has it been added?
Riboflavin is another name for vitamin B2 and is essential for metabolic energy production. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is another name for vitamin B6 and is required for utilization of energy in food, production of red blood cells, and proper functioning of nerves.
Did your previous recipes lack B2 and B6?
No, our previous recipes already had sufficient levels of these ingredients, but we have changed the meat & organ ratios. Because we believe in Peak Nutrition, we need to ensure that every recipe is complete & balanced for all life stages, including large breed puppy.
Why did you remove Selenium Yeast and Sodium Selenite from Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb?
We have used Selenium Yeast in each of our Air-Dried Dog recipes and Sodium Selenite in all our Air-Dried Cat recipes as safe sources of selenium, which helps to keep your pets healthy and boosts their immune systems. However, fish naturally contains high enough levels of selenium, so these ingredients weren’t needed in Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb.
Why did you remove Lecithin from Air-Dried Chicken?
We’ve always used Lecithin in ZIWI recipes as it’s a great source of linoleic acid. However, poultry naturally contains high levels of this essential fatty acid, so adding Lecithin to our Air-Dried Chicken recipes was not needed. For this reason, we decided to remove Lecithin from our Air-Dried Chicken recipes.
What is Chicory Root and why did you change from Chicory to Chicory Root?
Chicory Root comes from a plant with bright blue flowers that belongs to the dandelion family. We have always used Chicory Root in our Air-Dried recipes; the name change on the ingredients list is just that – a name change! There have been no changes to this actual ingredient in the food.
How can I compare the nutrient levels of the new recipes to the old recipes?
Please reach out to our friendly customer care team at customercare@ziwipets.com and they will be able to assist you!
Why did the fat decrease?
ZIWI’s goal of updating our air-dried recipes is to deliver more nutrition and health to dogs and cats. In some of the cases where we added more organ meat or superfoods, you will see an adjustment to fat. This is because organs and superfoods would be considered ultra-low fat compared to muscle meat. So, by adding more of the organs and superfoods our pets need to thrive, you can expect to see a reduction in fat levels and/or overall kcals of the recipes.
Why are the calories reduced in the recipes?
You will see that on some recipes, the calories were adjusted downwards, or upwards. This was due to ZIWI changing the measurement used to calculate energy, which is called modified Atwater (previously Atwater). The change of measurement was recommended by our industry consultants and is the format utilized most frequently in North America and by AAFCO. In changing to modified Atwater, our feeding guidelines will align more closely to other alternative-to-raw products in the market.
Are these new recipe changes related to the FountainVest acquisition?
No, all the recipe changes have been implemented to improve the food and feeding experience for dogs and cats. Our R&D team and veterinary consultants have been planning this change well before our acquisition.
Air-Dried: Sourcing
Are these still made in New Zealand?
Yes! We are committed to our home New Zealand and continue to make 100% of our products in New Zealand.
Did you change the sourcing of your ingredients?
No, 100% of all existing ingredients maintained their original sourcing. All meat, organs, bone, and seafood are still sourced from New Zealand.
What is the sourcing on all new ingredients?
Our meats and seafood are 100% sourced ethically and sustainably from New Zealand. Our apple pomace is sourced from Germany, where the apples are grown GMO free and human grade. Our vitamins and minerals are sourced from reputable and traceable suppliers in New Zealand, Europe, Japan and the USA.
Are any of your ingredients coming from China?
No, ZIWI has never sourced any ingredients from China. New Zealand sourcing is an essential element to ZIWI’s identity in producing products based on clean and ethical farming processes and superior quality. We will continue to honor our commitment to New Zealand sourcing for all current and future recipes.
Air-Dried: Feeding
Will my pet need to transition to the new recipes?
Because the recipe changes were minor, there is no need to transition from the old recipes to the new recipes.
Will my pet have digestive upset?
Because the recipe changes are so minor, you shouldn’t expect any digestive upset in your pet.
How do I figure out how many cups to feed vs the formerly included scoop?
The feeding guidelines on our packaging have been updated to include feeding amounts by grams or household measuring cups. We also have an easy-to-use feeding calculator available online here. If you need help converting scoops to cups and figuring out how much to feed, feel free to contact our friendly Customer Care team by filling out the contact form on our website! For your awareness, one household cup holds approximately 3.3 oz. of ZIWI (by weight). One scoop is equal to 0.6 cups or 2 oz. of ZIWI by weight.
Will your online feeding calculator be updated?
Our online feeding calculator will be updated to calculate both cups and scoops as we work through the transition in the marketplace. This will allow customers to be able to understand feeding amounts in old or new recipes.
Why do I need to feed more?
You will see that on some recipes, the calories were adjusted downwards, or upwards. This was due to ZIWI changing the measurement used to calculate energy, which is called modified Atwater (previously Atwater). The change of measurement was recommended by our industry consultants and is the format utilized most frequently in North America and by AAFCO. In changing to modified Atwater, our feeding guidelines will align more closely to other alternative-to-raw products in the market.
Is my pet going to be hungry because I am feeding less?
Our feeding guidelines are an accurate average for what pets should eat; however, it should be noted that every pet is unique and may have a varying metabolic rate, so variations in our calculator are expected for each animal’s individual needs, as expected with all forms of calculation. If you notice weight gain or weight loss at the recommended amount, we encourage you to adjust the amount you’re feeding accordingly.
Air-Dried: Packaging & Product Sizes
Why did you remove the scoop?
Sustainability is important to us. In an effort to be better “kaitiaki” – guardians of the land, sea, and its creatures – we have made the conscious decision to remove our plastic scoops from our air-dried bags. This small step is great progress towards reducing household waste and improving the environment we live in. If you have a scoop saved from previous bags, you are welcome to continue using that, or you can use a standard household measuring cup in its place! The feeding guidelines on our packaging have been updated to include feeding amounts by grams or household measuring cups.
Can I buy a scoop?
We recommend you either keep a plastic scoop from a previous bag or transition to using a household measuring cup. ZIWI will not be offering or selling scoops.
Why did you change the look of the packaging?
At ZIWI, we believe in constantly innovating to make sure that we can put our best foot forward in not only new product development, but also in the brand itself. With the refreshed look of our packing, we wanted to showcase our home of New Zealand and elevate the product itself, making sure key recipe features are highlighted and that the bags and labels are simple and easy on the eye so pet parents know exactly what they’re getting.
Are the product sizes changing?
All of the bag and can sizes will remain the same.
Is this new packaging recyclable?
Our ZIWI packaging is not recyclable. Environmental sustainability is something we take very seriously, and we continue to test and explore ways to produce a durable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly option.
Has the open life and shelf life changed?
There has been no change to the open life or shelf life of the recipes. All our air-dried recipes still have a 21-month shelf life. After opening the bag, we recommend feeding within 8 weeks for maximum freshness.
Air-Dried: Purchasing
Where can I buy the new recipes, or the old recipes?
The new recipes will be arriving in stores and online over a period of several months. Our retailers will be selling all their old recipes first, then moving on to the new recipes once they receive them. You can expect to see a mix of both old and new bags over several months while we work through existing inventory at our multiple warehouses.
Is there a price increase with this new recipe?
There is no price increase correlated with the new and improved recipes.
Canned: Recipes
Are the canned recipes changing?
The ZIWI canned recipes are staying the same. While the cans have a fresh new look on the outside, there have been no changes to any of the ZIWI canned recipes. Behind the scenes, we are working hard on ideas for new recipes for the future.
Are the recipes going to change in the future?
ZIWI doesn’t have any plans to modify or change our canned recipes. Behind the scenes, we are working hard on securing incremental production capacity so we can bring innovations and new recipes to the market.
Will you ever remove chickpeas in the future like you did in Provenance cans?
At this time ZIWI is evaluating all options to expand canning capacity so we can bring a greater supply of our current cans to the market; as well as bring new varieties of cans in texture, recipes, and packaging type. Stay tuned for future updates!
Why did you change the recipe?
None of the ZIWI cans had recipe or ingredient changes.
Are you going to be offering new varieties of cans?
At this time ZIWI is evaluating all options to expand canning capacity so we can bring a greater supply of our current cans to the market; as well as bring new varieties of cans. Stay tuned for future updates!
Canned: Sourcing
Are any of the ingredients coming from China?
ZIWI has never sourced any ingredients from China and will continue to honor our commitment to New Zealand sourcing for recipes moving forward.
Canned: Feeding
Will my pet have digestive upset?
The great news is that there aren’t any recipe changes so your pet can simply switch between the old packaging and new packaging cans without the need to transition or the potential risk of digestive upset.
Will my pet need to transition to the new recipes?
Transitioning will not be required for cans as there were no recipe changes.
Do I need to feed this recipe differently?
Because there have not been any changes to the recipes or the manufacturing process, you can continue to feed ZIWI cans without requiring modifications. If you want to learn more about how much to feed, you can visit our online feeding calculator.
Canned: Packaging & Product Sizes
Why did you change the look?
At ZIWI, we believe in constantly innovating to make sure that we can put our best foot forward in not only new product development, but also in the brand itself. With the refreshed look of our packaging, we wanted to showcase our home of New Zealand and elevate the product itself, making sure key recipe features are highlighted and that the bags and labels are simple and easy on the eye so pet parents know exactly what they’re getting.
Are the can sizes changing?
ZIWI cans will remain the same size.
This can looks different – is this a ZIWI product?
ZIWI canned products have not undergone any recipe, formulation, or manufacturing changes. If you believe you are seeing a difference, then it is likely the natural variation arising from our high-meat recipes that don’t include any fillers, chemical preservatives, or binding agents. Seasonality, age of the animal, and fat levels in the animal are just a few of the variables that can have an impact on the smell, texture, and color of our food.
Did you change the type of can you use? (Are they still BPA free etc.)
There have been no changes to the can size, shape, texture, or properties.
Will these new cans be easier to open?
ZIWI hasn’t made any changes to the can itself or what is inside the can; only the label has a refreshed look. We are continually looking toward future innovations and manufacturing processes to create user-friendly products that deliver Peak Nutrition Without Compromise.
Will these new cans be more resistant to denting?
ZIWI hasn’t made any changes to the can itself or what is inside the can; only the label has a refreshed look. We are continually looking toward future innovations and manufacturing process to create user-friendly products that deliver Peak Nutrition Without Compromise.
Has the open life and shelf life changed?
There are no changes to expiration dates or shelf life.
Is it related to the Fountain Vest acquisition?
Our packaging change is an updated, modern and refined version of our long-standing packaging. The purpose of the change was to ensure we are improving packaging to meet the needs and expectations of pet parents around the world.
Canned: Purchasing
My cat likes the old can, where can I buy it?
The packaging enhancements will come through the market in gradual fashion. This means that some recipes will change before the others, and some locations may sell through the old faster than others and therefore you can expect to see a mixture on the shelf. Because there aren’t any recipe changes, your pet can simply switch between the old packaging and new packaging cans without the need to transition or the potential risk of digestive upset.
Is there a price increase to this new recipe?
ZIWI's cans will only have a new and refreshed look of the label. There is no price increase or recipe change affiliated with the updated packaging.
I purchased a new can but now I can only find old cans. Why?
The packaging enhancements will come through the market in gradual fashion. This means that some labels will change before the others, and some locations may sell through the old faster than others; therefore, you can expect to see a mixture on the shelf. Because there aren’t any recipe changes, your pet can simply switch between the old packaging and new packaging cans without the need to transition or the potential risk of digestive upset.