Product Information
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison Dog Food is a complete, grain-free recipe made with 96% free-range, grass-fed New Zealand venison, organs, bone, and Green-lipped mussels, gently air-dried to preserve the nutritional properties of raw ingredients in a convenient scoop-and-serve format. Available in 2.5kg, the lean, high-protein formula suits dogs of all life stages with particular value for those requiring a novel protein diet. No prescription is required.
Health Benefits
- True novel protein for food-sensitive dogs: Venison is rarely used as a primary protein in mainstream commercial dog foods, making it one of the most genuinely novel protein sources available and a practical foundation for dietary elimination trials under veterinary guidance.
- Lean, high-protein formula: At 44% minimum crude protein and 24% minimum fat, this is a leaner nutritional profile than single red meat varieties, supporting high-quality muscle protein without a high fat load, which is useful for dogs prone to weight gain or with fat-related sensitivities.
- Skin and coat support: Omega-3 fatty acids from New Zealand Green-lipped mussels and omega-6 from venison work together to help support healthy skin condition and a glossy coat, particularly useful for dogs prone to dullness or seasonal dry patches.
- Joint health: Naturally occurring glucosamine (1000 mg/kg) and chondroitin sulfate (1300 mg/kg) from venison bone and cartilage help support healthy joint function and cartilage integrity, useful as part of daily care for active adults and senior dogs.
- Heart and muscle function: Naturally occurring taurine from real animal protein helps support healthy heart muscle function, an important consideration for dogs fed predominantly plant-heavy or low-meat diets.
- Convenient raw alternative: Gentle low-temperature air-drying removes moisture while preserving the nutritional properties of raw ingredients, offering a high-meat, minimally processed option without the handling and storage requirements of fresh raw feeding.
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison is a grain-free, high-meat complete dog food also well suited to dogs with skin sensitivities and food intolerances, using venison as a true novel single protein source with no rendered meals or artificial additives.
What It's Used For
- Food allergy investigation and elimination diets: Venison as a true novel single protein makes this a practical foundation for a dietary elimination trial where food allergy dermatitis in dogs is suspected and common proteins such as chicken, beef, or lamb have already been used as daily dietary staples, conducted under veterinary guidance.
- Skin and coat conditions: The omega-3 and omega-6 content from Green-lipped mussels and venison helps support dogs with recurring dog skin conditions where diet is a contributing factor, including dryness or itching linked to food components.
- Digestive sensitivity: The grain-free, potato-free recipe with chicory root prebiotic fibre helps support a healthy gut microbiome and suits dogs with recurring loose stools or discomfort linked to sensitive stomachs in dogs.
- Weight management alongside high-quality nutrition: The lean nutritional profile at 44% protein and 24% fat allows high-quality animal protein to be maintained while reducing overall fat intake for dogs needing dietary fat reduction.
- Raw feeding transition or raw alternative: For owners wanting to move away from fresh raw food without losing the high-meat, minimally processed nutritional approach, air-dried provides a shelf-stable alternative that can be introduced as a complete meal or mixed topper during the transition.
Ingredients & Nutrients
Venison, Venison Tripe, Venison Heart, Venison Lung, Venison Liver, Venison Kidney, New Zealand Green Mussel, Venison Bone, Lecithin, Parsley, Dried Apple Pomace, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Venison Cartilage, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulphate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast), Dried Organic Kelp, Salt, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 44.0% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 24.0% |
| Crude Fibre (max) | 3.0% |
| Moisture (max) | 14.0% |
| Ash (max) | 12.0% |
| Taurine (min) | 0.09% |
| Chondroitin Sulfate (min) | 1300 mg/kg |
| Glucosamine (min) | 1000 mg/kg |
| Calorie Content | 4650 kcal ME/kg (441 kcal ME/level cup) |
Product Specifications & Care
- Species: Dogs
- Life stage: All life stages (puppies, adults, seniors)
- Weight range: All sizes
- Best for: dogs requiring a true novel protein diet, dogs with food sensitivities or confirmed allergen reactions to common proteins, dogs needing a lean high-protein formula, and owners seeking a minimally processed raw-style alternative
- Available sizes: 2.5kg
- Not suitable for: large-breed puppies expected to exceed 32 kg adult weight as a complete feed, due to natural calcium and phosphorus fluctuations in an air-dried recipe; consult your vet for a large-breed puppy alternative
- Storage: store in the original resealable bag and use within 8 weeks of opening; keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture
- Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth and reproduction.
How to Feed Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison to Your Dog
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison is significantly more calorie-dense than standard dry kibble (approximately 441 kcal per level cup), so a smaller daily portion delivers the same nutritional value as a larger serve of a conventional food. Transition gradually over at least 7 days by mixing increasing amounts with your dog's current food to allow their digestive system to adjust.
| Adult Dog Weight | Daily Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1 kg | 27 g |
| 2 kg | 43 g |
| 3 kg | 59 g |
| 5 kg | 86 g |
| 10 kg | 145 g |
| 15 kg | 194 g |
| 20 kg | 242 g |
| 25 kg | 285 g |
| 30 kg | 328 g |
| 40 kg | 404 g |
| 50 kg | 479 g |
Adjust amounts for puppies (typically feed 2x the adult maintenance serving), pregnant or nursing dogs, and very active or working dogs. For a more precise daily serving, use the Ziwi Peak feeding calculator at ziwidog.com.au.
Why Dr Jack Ayerbe Recommends It
“Venison is the protein I start with when a dog has already been through a chicken or beef elimination trial without resolution, or when the owner wants to go straight to the least likely allergen for a formal dietary trial. Because venison is genuinely uncommon in Australian commercial pet food, it provides a clean novel protein baseline in a way that most standard recipes cannot. The lean nutritional profile at 44% protein and 24% fat also suits dogs where I want high-quality muscle protein without a high fat load. Feed it exclusively for at least 8 to 10 weeks with nothing else, no flavoured supplements, no other treats, and that is when you get a reliable read on whether food is driving what you are seeing.”
— Dr. Jack Ayerbe OAM, Veterinarian & Vets Love Pets Partner
Shipping
Non-Prescription Products:
• Free shipping on metro orders over $49+.
• Shipping fee for regional orders & metro orders under $49 will be calculated at checkout.
Prescription Medications:
Shipped separately via express shipping at a flat rate of $9.49, or select free standard shipping*.
Returns
Non-Prescription Products:
We offer a hassle-free return policy within 30 days for unopened items in original condition for exchange or store credit. Refunds are available if the product is faulty or not as described; however, food or treats cannot be returned once opened.
Prescription Medications:
We cannot accept change of mind returns for prescription products, given that there are laws that prohibit the resale of medication. Please make your selections carefully, and double-check your order before submitting.
Palatability Guarantee
Our Palatability Guarantee applies to selected brands, including Advance, Royal Canin, Purina, Hill's and 4CYTE, allowing you to return any unused portion of dry/wet food for an exchange or full refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transition gradually over at least 7 days, adding a small amount of Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison to your dog's current food and increasing the proportion each day while reducing the previous food. Loose stools during the first week or two are common and often indicate the portion needs adjusting rather than a true intolerance. If you are transitioning onto venison as part of an elimination diet trial, your vet may recommend a faster switch with a brief washout period. Consult your vet if loose stools persist beyond two weeks.
Venison is considered a novel protein because it is rarely used as the primary ingredient in mainstream commercial dog foods. A novel protein is one the dog's immune system is unlikely to have been previously exposed to, which reduces the probability of a pre-existing sensitisation. For dogs where chicken, beef, lamb, or fish have already been used as primary dietary proteins, venison provides a genuinely different starting point for a dietary elimination trial. A single-protein venison diet can serve as the basis for investigating food allergy dermatitis in dogs under veterinary guidance.
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison uses venison as the sole animal protein, with no grains, rendered meals, or artificial additives, making it a practical single-protein option for an elimination diet trial. For the trial to provide meaningful diagnostic information, only this food should be fed for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks, with no other food, treats, flavoured supplements, or medications containing animal-derived ingredients. Any break in the exclusion period resets the assessment. Always conduct an elimination trial under veterinary supervision, as other conditions can mimic food allergy, and a vet can help interpret the response and plan any reintroduction challenge.
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison is formulated for all life stages including puppies, with one important exception. Due to natural fluctuations in calcium and phosphorus levels in an air-dried recipe, Ziwi Peak Air Dried is not recommended as a complete feed for puppies expected to weigh 32 kg or more as adults. Large-breed puppies need a precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for healthy bone and joint development, and an air-dried food may not consistently deliver that ratio for this size bracket. Owners of large-breed puppies should speak with their vet about an appropriate complete diet for large-breed growth.
Ziwi Peak Air Dried Venison contains 44% minimum crude protein and 24% minimum fat, compared to 38% protein and 30% fat in the chicken and beef varieties. This leaner nutritional profile provides a higher protein-to-calorie ratio, which can be beneficial for dogs requiring high-quality muscle protein without a high fat load, such as dogs prone to weight gain or those recovering from pancreatitis. The calorie density is approximately 441 kcal per level cup, lower than the chicken recipe at 474 kcal per cup. The lean, high-protein profile combined with the novel protein status makes venison one of the more clinically versatile varieties in the Ziwi Peak range.
