Is Kiwikitchens Air-Dried Chicken Dinner a good dog food?
We score it 68/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
This recipe scores 68 out of 100. The undeclared ingredient shares, meaning ingredients without printed percentages, cost the product -10.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list lifted it by +7.3. The processing format contributed +6.3, and being labelled nutritionally complete added a further +2.3.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe68
- Nutritionallow92
- Transparency55
- Safety100
- Evidencestrong100
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Why you might choose it
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
- Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.
Why you might not
- Meat makes up an estimated 3% of the dry matter (10% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
- Its additive load costs about 2 points in the rating.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 32%
- Fat
- 22%
- Fibre
- 4%
- Moisture
- 16%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 0.50%
Energy: 460 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Iron Amino Acid Chelate; Zinc Oxide; Vitamin E Supplement; Selenium Yeast; Copper Amino Acid Chelate; Thiamine Mononitate; Vitamin A Supplement; Niacin; Calcium Pantothenate; Manganese Proteinate; Riboflavin; Biotin; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Calcium Iodate; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Folic Acid
Technological additives
Mixed Tocopherols (preservative)
Feeding guide
Complete & balanced meal or meal mixer (1/4 Kiwi Kitchens with 3/4 current food). Examples: 2.3kg dog 40g/0.5 cups; 9kg dog 110g/1.25 cups; 22.5kg dog 220g/2.5 cups; 31.5kg+ dog 280g plus 60g per additional 10kg. Adjust for breed, age, activity, body condition, neutered status. Puppies and pregnant/nursing mothers may need 2-3x more.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (27)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 4.9 |
| 2 | Chicken Liver | Chicken Liver | meat | good | - | 4.8 |
| 3 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg | good | - | 4.7 |
| 4 | Vegetable Glycerine | Glycerine | other | medium | - | 4.6 |
| 5 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil | good | - | 4.5 |
| 6 | Sunflower Oil (with Mixed Tocopherols) | Sunflower oil | oil | good | - | 4.4 |
| 7 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 4.3 |
| 8 | Choline Chloride | Choline | supplement | good | - | 4.2 |
| 9 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 4.2 |
| 10 | Mixed Tocopherols (preservative) | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 4.1 |
| 11 | Iron Amino Acid Chelate | Iron Proteinate | mineral | good | - | 4.0 |
| 12 | Zinc Oxide | Zinc Oxide | supplement | good | - | 3.9 |
| 13 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 3.8 |
| 14 | Selenium Yeast | Selenium | mineral | good | - | 3.7 |
| 15 | Copper Amino Acid Chelate | Copper proteinate | supplement | good | - | 3.6 |
| 16 | Thiamine Monohydrate | unmatched | - | - | - | 3.5 |
| 17 | Vitamin A Supplement | Vitamin A | supplement | good | - | 3.4 |
| 18 | Niacin | Niacin | supplement | good | - | 3.3 |
| 19 | Calcium Pantothenate | Calcium pantothenate | supplement | good | - | 3.3 |
| 20 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement | good | - | 3.2 |
| 21 | Riboflavin | Riboflavin | supplement | good | - | 3.1 |
| 22 | Biotin | Biotin | supplement | good | - | 3.0 |
| 23 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement | good | - | 2.9 |
| 24 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement | good | - | 2.8 |
| 25 | Calcium Iodate | Calcium iodate | supplement | medium | - | 2.7 |
| 26 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 2.6 |
| 27 | Folic Acid. | Folic acid | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
Brand
- Website
- https://kiwikitchens.nz/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +64 800 738 546
- Contact page
- kiwikitchens.nz
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-19
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- kiwikitchens.nz
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.32 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 10.7% | -0.092 | -0.98 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 5.1% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 9.1% | 0.163 | +1.48 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 58.2% | -0.012 | -0.71 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.8% | -0.375 | -1.04 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.027 | -0.06 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -10.17 | 0.222 | -2.26 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.08 | 33.786 | +36.49 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | yes | 6.331 | +6.33 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.32 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.115 | +0.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 10.7% | -0.092 | -0.98 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 5.1% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 9.1% | 0.163 | +1.48 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 58.2% | -0.012 | -0.71 |
| Other share of dry matter | 2.8% | -0.375 | -1.04 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.027 | -0.06 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -10.17 | 0.222 | -2.26 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.08 | 33.786 | +36.49 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | yes | 6.331 | +6.33 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.28
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 68.3
- Final score
- 68/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 32 | 35.6 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 22 | 24.5 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 4 | 4.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 460 | 512.2 | 50 |
Scored over 4 declared nutrients (combined weight 60); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 10.2% from the food type.
Portion-control flag: 460 kcal/100g as fed with fat at 24.5% dry matter, above the reference band. High-energy foods need smaller portions.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · strong — 3 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "High-protein recipe made with 93% free-range & barn-raised chicken" — supported by the declared high protein data.
- "Complete and balanced" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs (70lbs. or more as an adult)" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
9 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Strong: at least three checkable claims, all consistent with the declared label, and no compliance cap.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturally sourced from New Zealand (on page) | provenance | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Superior nutrition compared to dry extruded/kibble-format pet foods (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Gently air-dried to lock in nutrients (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain-free dog food (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Free from added colours and flavours (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Rich in Omega Three (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with a whole food philosophy (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High-protein recipe made with 93% free-range & barn-raised chicken (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete and balanced (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Packed with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs (70lbs. or more as an adult) (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Locks in nutrients from 93% free-range & barn-raised NZ Chicken (on page) | provenance | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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