Is ZIWI Air-Dried Chicken & Lamb Recipe for Puppies a good dog food?
We score it 70/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
We looked at four factors when working out the score. Ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, pulling the score down because the recipe does not disclose every share. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +7 points, and the processing format added +6.3, both of which lifted the result. The additive load took off -3 points, which kept the final figure at 70 out of 100.
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.
- Recipe70
- Nutritionallow100
- Transparency60
- 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
- Scores 70, in the top quarter of dry foods we track.
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
Why you might not
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
- Its additive load costs about 3 points in the rating.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 40%
- Fat
- 30%
- Fibre
- 3%
- Moisture
- 14%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 1%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 2.50%
Energy: 458 kcal/100g
Dry matter basis
- Protein
- 46.50%
- Fat
- 34.90%
- Fibre
- 3.50%
- Carbohydrates
- 6%
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E Supplement; Thiamine Mononitrate; Riboflavin; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Folic Acid; Vitamin A 20,000 IU/kg; Vitamin E 100 IU/kg
Technological additives
Citric Acid (Preservative); Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative); Rosemary Extract
Storage
Feed before the printed Best Before date and within 8 weeks of opening the package. Store in sealed bag to prevent exposure to air/moisture; otherwise food may become dry/brittle or develop mold.
Feeding guide
Use as a complete and balanced meal, as a nutritious topper, or as a treat. Because ZIWI Peak is nutrient-dense, you may feed less volume than other foods. Use the feeding guide on pack as a starting point and adjust as the puppy grows. For puppies 2–24 months (large/giant breeds may benefit through 24 months).
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at giant dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids lamb: the label lists lamb
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists green-lipped mussel
- 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 (20)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken | Chicken | meat | medium | - | 6.6 |
| 2 | Lamb | Lamb | meat | medium | - | 6.4 |
| 3 | Lamb Lung | Lamb Lung | meat | medium | - | 6.2 |
| 4 | Lamb Tripe | Lamb Tripe | meat | medium | - | 6.1 |
| 5 | Lamb Liver | Lambs Liver | meat | good | - | 5.9 |
| 6 | Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb | good | - | 5.7 |
| 7 | New Zealand Green Mussel | Green-Lipped Mussel | supplement | good | - | 5.6 |
| 8 | Chicken Bone (Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate) | Bone | mineral | medium | - | 5.4 |
| 9 | Dried Pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg | good | - | 5.2 |
| 10 | Lecithin | Lecithin | supplement | good | - | 5.1 |
| 11 | Chicken Cartilage | Cartilage | supplement | good | - | 4.9 |
| 12 | Dried Apple Pomace | Apple Fibre | fibre | medium | - | 4.8 |
| 13 | Dried Chicory Root | Chicory root | veg | good | - | 4.6 |
| 14 | Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast) | Vitamins and minerals | supplement | medium | - | 4.4 |
| 15 | Dried Kelp | Kelp | veg | good | - | 4.3 |
| 16 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 4.1 |
| 17 | Fish Oil | Fish Oil | oil | good | - | 3.9 |
| 18 | Whole Kiwifruit | unmatched | - | - | - | 3.8 |
| 19 | Citric Acid (Preservative) | Citric Acid | additive | medium | - | 3.6 |
| 20 | Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative) | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 3.4 |
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
- us.ziwipets.com
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 | +6.97 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.2% | -0.115 | -0.25 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.9% | -0.092 | -0.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 19.1% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 15.1% | 0.163 | +2.46 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 27.7% | -0.012 | -0.34 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 2.8% | -0.027 | -0.08 |
| 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 | -13.46 | 0.222 | -2.99 |
| 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 | +6.97 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.2% | -0.115 | -0.25 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.9% | -0.092 | -0.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 19.1% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 15.1% | 0.163 | +2.46 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 27.7% | -0.012 | -0.34 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 2.8% | -0.027 | -0.08 |
| 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 | -13.46 | 0.222 | -2.99 |
| 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
- 69.7
- Final score
- 70/100
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 puppies and growth. 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.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; 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 | 40 | 44.5 | 100 |
| Fat | 30 | 33.4 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 458 | 510 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
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.
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) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared).
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 — 4 checkable claims: 4 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "Free from added grains, potatoes, glycerin, and rendered meat or meals" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "no added grains, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "No rendered meats, meals or added grains or legumes" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "A complete and balanced air-dried meal made with 90% chicken, lamb, organs, bone and New Zealand Green Mussels" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain & Eye Development: DHA and EPA from fish oil support cognitive health and brain development (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Highly Digestible: Fiber and prebiotics support easy digestion and a balanced microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Immune Support: Vitamins A and E support natural defenses and everyday wellness (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Healthy skin & lustrous coat: New Zealand Green Mussel and fish oil provide rich sources of omega-3s (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Joint Support: Natural sources of chondroitin help support joint health and active mobility (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Protein Packed: 90% premium animal ingredients (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| AAFCO: ZIWI Peak Lamb Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult) (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Free from added grains, potatoes, glycerin, and rendered meat or meals (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| High Protein Recipe Formulated with 90% fresh poultry meat, organs and bones (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| no added grains, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No rendered meats, meals or added grains or legumes (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| A complete and balanced air-dried meal made with 90% chicken, lamb, organs, bone and New Zealand Green Mussels (on page) | Content | consistent | 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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