Ziwi Peak Originals Air Dried Dog Food

With an average score of 9, Ziwi Peak Originals Air Dried Dog Food line is considered a low risk food. The food has a low amount of carbohydrates at 4% and is has a moderate level of protein, with an average of 33% (though this is lower than most frozen or freeze-dried raw foods). It’s fairly high in fat with an average of 24%. 

The ingredient quality score is affected by the addition of added minerals, suggesting that the minerals are lacking from whole food sources. However, the minerals are chelated, which are better absorbed than non-chelated. 

The food is moderately processed and the company describes it as gently air-dried. The company claims it’s shelf-stable and as nutritious as raw food, but they don’t disclose the drying temperature or time. They do state the food is dried sufficiently to eliminate pathogens, which suggests there’s also sufficient heat to cause some nutrient loss. 

The mackerel in the recipes is wild-caught and meat proteins are grass.fed and said to be free-range and ethically-raised. 

Ziwi Peak doesn’t disclose the omega-6:omega-3 ratio, which is unfortunate since AAFCO allows a very inflammatory limit of 30:1.