The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co dog foods are considered low-risk. The company produces a line of freeze-dried and a line of air-dried dog foods with acceptable levels of protein and carbohydrates. These foods are minimally processed which contributes to a score of 9/10 for food safety. 

However, it’s worth noting that some recipes (chicken and beef) include kale and apples. These are crops that are often high in pesticide/herbicide residues. However, when questioned about pesticide use, the company explained that their supplier is working towards organic certification. We therefore did not deduct safety points for these ingredients. 

When it comes to ingredient quality all recipes have a high ranking but there are a few things to note. Several of the recipes include a few added vitamins or minerals. While these are minimal, it’s preferable to have vitamins come from whole food sources that include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. 

An interesting concern is the addition of Manuka honey which lowered the quality score in all recipes as it’s a sugar. Admittedly, Manuka honey has benefits as an antibacterial and antimicrobial supplement but it’s not something that needs to be included in a dog’s food every day. Its fructose content can stress the liver, especially if diabetes is a concern.

These recipes also include coconut oil, which is rich in saturated fats and lauric acid. Some studies show it can increase gut inflammation and permeability. It doesn’t cost points but it’s something to be aware of.

The company reports that its food is manufactured in small batches in New Zealand but it doesn’t specify where or if it’s in their own facility. They also say they use local sourcing which is practical given the country’s remote location. They don’t use corn, wheat or soy. In fact, there are no added grains or starches in any of their dog foods. Their recipes include novel proteins like venison, hoki, duck and wild brushtail. 

The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co doesn’t provide the omega-6:omega-3 ratio in their foods. They are certainly not the only brand omitting this information, but it’s our hope that more brands will pay more attention to these fats since omega-6 fats are inflammatory and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.

These foods miss scoring higher because of a few quality decisions. Their recipes are certainly based on whole foods which is what we like to see, but we’d prefer there were no added vitamins and minerals. 

The average score of The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co is listed below. Click on any food to view the individual food score.