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nz brand comparison

ZIWI Peak vs K9 Natural: NZ's Premium Pet Foods Compared

Both are NZ-made, both are premium, both are expensive. We compare ZIWI Peak and K9 Natural on ingredients, price, convenience, and which one is actually better for your dog.

comparison comparison 10 March 2026

The short version

ZIWI Peak wins on convenience, variety, and overall value — it’s air-dried (scoop and serve, no rehydrating), has more protein options, and costs slightly less per day. It’s the better choice for most NZ dog owners who want premium without the prep.

K9 Natural wins on ingredient philosophy — it’s freeze-dried raw with higher protein, green tripe for gut health, and a nutritional profile closer to true raw feeding. It’s the better choice for raw-feeding enthusiasts, active dogs, and dogs with digestive issues who benefit from the tripe.

Both are exceptional NZ-made dog foods. You can’t go wrong with either.

The brands at a glance

ZIWI PeakK9 Natural
FoundedNapier, NZChristchurch, NZ
FormatAir-driedFreeze-dried raw (+ frozen)
ProcessSlow air-dried over hoursFreeze-dried (frozen then sublimated)
Prep requiredNone — scoop and serveYes — must add water to rehydrate
StorageShelf-stable, resealable bagShelf-stable until rehydrated
Protein range8+ flavours5 flavours
Cat foodYes (ZIWI Peak)Yes (Feline Natural)
B-CorpNoYes

Ingredients compared

Let’s compare their beef recipes side by side.

ZIWI Peak Beef

Beef, Beef Heart, Beef Lung, NZ Green-Lipped Mussel, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Bone, Lecithin, Chicory Inulin, Dried Kelp, Minerals, Vitamins, DL-Methionine

K9 Natural Beef Feast

Beef, Beef Blood, Beef Tripe, Beef Bone, Beef Liver, Beef Heart, Beef Kidney, Eggs, Flaxseed, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrot, Spinach, Chard, Kelp, Apple, Pear, NZ Green-Lipped Mussel, Coconut Oil, Garlic

Key differences:

  1. Green tripe — K9 Natural includes it; ZIWI doesn’t. Tripe is excellent for gut health (digestive enzymes, natural probiotics). This is K9 Natural’s biggest differentiator.

  2. Vegetables & fruit — K9 Natural includes broccoli, carrot, spinach, apple, pear. ZIWI Peak is almost entirely meat. If you lean towards the view that dogs benefit from some plant matter, K9 Natural has the edge. If you prefer a strict carnivore approach, ZIWI suits.

  3. Eggs & flaxseed — K9 Natural includes these for additional omega fatty acids. ZIWI relies more on the green-lipped mussel and organ meats.

  4. Added vitamins/minerals — ZIWI adds supplemental minerals and vitamins. K9 Natural relies more on whole-food sources (organs, vegetables).

Both use NZ-sourced proteins. Both include NZ green-lipped mussel. Both avoid grains, fillers, and artificial preservatives.

Nutritional comparison

Nutrient (dry matter basis)ZIWI Peak BeefK9 Natural Beef
Protein36%44%
Fat25%34%
Fibre2%2%
Moisture14% (air-dried)8% (freeze-dried)

K9 Natural is significantly higher in both protein and fat. This makes sense — freeze-dried raw is nutrient-dense with minimal processing. ZIWI’s air-drying process retains nutrients well but the profile is slightly more moderate.

What this means in practice:

  • K9 Natural is better for highly active dogs, working dogs, or dogs who need weight gain
  • ZIWI Peak is better for average-activity companion dogs, older dogs, or dogs where lower fat is preferred
  • Dogs prone to pancreatitis should avoid K9 Natural’s 34% fat without vet guidance

Price comparison

This is what most NZ owners really want to know. Both are expensive, but there’s a meaningful difference.

Daily cost for a 20kg dog (2026 prices, approximate)

ZIWI Peak Air-DriedK9 Natural Freeze-Dried
Daily amount~400g~170g (dry, before rehydrating)
Daily cost$9–13$12–18
Monthly cost$270–390$360–540

ZIWI Peak is roughly 25–30% cheaper per day for the same sized dog. This adds up significantly over a year.

The frozen option: K9 Natural also sells frozen raw versions of their recipes, which are considerably cheaper than freeze-dried. If you have freezer space, frozen K9 Natural can be competitive with ZIWI pricing.

The topper strategy: Both brands offer smaller packs designed as meal toppers. Adding a scoop of either to quality kibble gives your dog premium nutrition without the full premium price. This is how most NZ owners actually use these brands.

Convenience

This one isn’t close.

ZIWI Peak: scoop and serve. Open the bag, measure it out, put it in the bowl. Done. It looks and handles like premium jerky treats. No prep required.

K9 Natural: must rehydrate. Measure the freeze-dried food, add warm water, wait a few minutes for it to absorb and return to a raw-food consistency. Then serve. Not difficult, but it’s an extra step — and it means you can’t free-feed or leave it out all day.

For busy NZ households, ZIWI’s convenience is a genuine advantage.

Flavour range

ZIWI Peak options:

  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Mackerel & Lamb
  • Chicken
  • Tripe & Lamb
  • East Cape (fish)
  • Venison
  • Free-Range Chicken
  • Provenance series (multi-protein blends)

K9 Natural options:

  • Beef Feast
  • Lamb Feast
  • Chicken Feast
  • Hoki & Beef Feast
  • Lamb & King Salmon Feast

ZIWI has more variety, including single-protein options that are useful for elimination diets and dogs with allergies. The Provenance series also offers regional multi-protein blends.

Availability in NZ

Both are NZ-made, but ZIWI Peak has better retail distribution:

ZIWI Peak: Animates, PetDirect, Pet Circle, Petstock, supermarkets (limited), independent pet stores. You can walk into most NZ pet stores and find ZIWI.

K9 Natural: PetDirect, Pet Circle, Animates (limited), K9 Natural website, selected pet stores and vet clinics. Harder to find in physical stores, easier online.

Which one is better for…

Puppies

Both work, but check feeding guides carefully — puppies need more per kg of body weight. K9 Natural’s higher protein and fat can be good for growth. ZIWI’s convenience wins for busy puppy parents. Neither is cheap for a growing pup.

Senior dogs

ZIWI Peak — lower fat content is generally better for older, less active dogs. The green-lipped mussel in both supports aging joints.

Dogs with allergies

ZIWI Peak — more single-protein options for elimination diets. The Venison and Mackerel & Lamb recipes avoid common allergens (chicken, beef).

Active/working dogs

K9 Natural — higher protein and fat supports high energy expenditure. The freeze-dried raw format is closer to what performance-focused owners feed.

Dogs with digestive issues

K9 Natural — the green tripe is a meaningful differentiator. Tripe contains natural digestive enzymes and probiotics. Many owners report improved digestion after switching.

Budget-conscious premium buyers

ZIWI Peak — 25–30% cheaper per day. Or K9 Natural frozen if you have the freezer space.

What NZ owners say

We scanned NZ pet forums, Reddit, and Facebook groups. The consensus:

  • Most owners who’ve tried both slightly prefer ZIWI for everyday use (convenience + cost)
  • Owners who prioritise raw feeding philosophy prefer K9 Natural
  • Both have extremely high palatability — fussy dogs eat both eagerly
  • The most common complaint about both is price
  • Many owners use either as a topper rather than sole diet

The bottom line

If you’re choosing between NZ’s two premium dog food brands:

Choose ZIWI Peak if:

  • You want scoop-and-serve convenience
  • Your dog is average activity, senior, or needs a moderate fat diet
  • Budget matters (even at premium, every dollar counts)
  • You need variety or single-protein options for allergies

Choose K9 Natural if:

  • You believe in raw feeding and want the closest thing to it in shelf-stable form
  • Your dog is highly active or needs weight gain
  • Gut health is a priority (green tripe advantage)
  • You can rehydrate without it being a hassle

Or just do what most NZ owners do: buy whichever is on special, use it as a topper on quality kibble, and don’t stress about it. Both are among the best dog foods made anywhere in the world.

Read the individual reviews: