As a pet parent, the recent avian flu outbreak in the United States (HPAI) H5N1 is likely raising concerns regarding your pet’s health and well-being. Raw pet food diets may be at risk of spreading harmful pathogens such as Bird Flu or Salmonella, but the good news is that while ZIWI provides the benefits of a raw diet through quality ingredients and gentle processing, our recipes are not raw and 100% safe to feed. In this article we’ll address some common questions given the recent outbreak and how it affects our pets.
Is ZIWI raw?
While ZIWI recipes start with raw ingredients and provide the nutrition of a raw diet, none of our finished products are raw. Instead, they are Air-dried and fall under the alternative-to-raw category.. Importantly, ZIWI invented Air-dried technology more than 20 years ago, so have had the time and expertise to perfect this incredibly innovative heat treatment system.
Is air-dried pet food safe from avian flu?
Our manufacturing process and gentle Air-drying techniques achieve temperatures that kill avian flu and other pathogenic bacteria while maintaining the nutrient structure of protein ingredients. This means that the nutrition from the raw diet is maintained in our recipes but free of the safety risk associated with feeding raw.
The nutrition of raw without the risk
Contamination risk from feeding raw
While feeding a raw diet can provide rich nutrients and health benefits, it comes with risks of spreading bacteria and viruses. This can make your pet sick but also you or your family, due to contamination during meal preparation. ZIWI requires no refrigeration as it is shelf-stable, providing the nutrition of a raw diet without the risk or messy prep work – just scoop and serve safe, quality nutrition directly into your pet’s bowl.
What are the benefits of an alternative-to-raw diet?
Raw meat, organs and bone are rich in high-quality protein, essential fats, and minimal carbohydrates, which align with their biological needs as carnivores. The high levels of essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 in raw meat promote a shiny coat, healthy skin, and reduced shedding, and the nutrient-density provides pets with energy they need for an active and playful lifestyle. Raw nutrition also provides naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that support a healthy immune system, joint health and mobility, and overall organ function.
Many commercial pet food companies use harsh temperatures or extrusion when cooking their food, removing most of the nutritional value and using rendered meats or meals instead of real raw meat. With ZIWI’s world-first Air-dry technology, our recipes made with high contents of real, raw meat, are gently air-dried to lock in nutrition and taste while safely and effectively removing pathogenic bacteria. We use no harsh temperatures or extruding, and never use rendered meats or meat meals so you not only know exactly what is going into your pet’s bowl, you know that it is going to help them thrive.
Better than global standards
New Zealand’s agricultural and fishery industries have strict biosecurity protocols in place, ensuring their health and safety standards are world-leading.
At ZIWI, we go the extra mile, by sourcing free-range, grass-fed, ethically raised beef and lamb, local poultry, and wild-caught seafood.
All ingredients undergo rigorous testing for contaminants and all final product batches are tested prior to being packaged and shipped around the world.
Feed with peace of mind with ZIWI
You don’t have to choose between safety and nutrition. Our recipes provide the nutrition of raw without the risk, so you can feed your pet with confidence. Switch to ZIWI to start feeding up to 96% meat, organs, bones and seafood for a longer lifetime of health, happiness and peace of mind.
ZIWI Air-dried Dog Food
