New Zealand dog food: A comprehensive guide to choosing the right one!

Okay, so, let’s talk about dog food, specifically in New Zealand. I’ve been on a bit of a journey trying to find the best food for my furry buddy, and man, it’s a jungle out there! I started this whole thing because my dog, let’s call him Buddy, started having some tummy issues.

First, I started by just grabbing whatever was on sale at the supermarket. Big mistake. Buddy’s problems just got worse. So, I decided to get a bit more serious and do some actual research. I started hitting up forums, reading articles about dog nutrition, the whole nine yards. It was pretty overwhelming, to be honest.

My Research Process

• Read a lot of guides online, and most of them said to consider premium dog food.
• Figured out that New Zealand has some pretty strict regulations about pet food, which is good.
• Found out that not all dog foods are created equal. Even some of the “premium” brands had some questionable ingredients.
• Learned to read labels! That was a big one. Turns out, the first few ingredients are the most important.
• Discovered that New Zealand has some awesome local brands that use locally sourced ingredients.
• Noticed that some brands offer different price ranges based on ingredients and recipes. Like ZIWI Peak has their Steam & Dried option, which is a bit more affordable than their other lines.
• Realized that dogs are primarily carnivores but can handle some omnivorous foods. It’s fine to feed them high-quality biscuits, or you can mix it up with cooked meat, raw food, or fish.

After all that, I narrowed it down to a few brands that seemed promising. They all had good quality meat as the main ingredient, not a lot of fillers, and good reviews from other dog owners. I also checked with my vet, and she gave me a couple of recommendations.

Then came the taste-testing phase! I bought small bags of a few different brands and let Buddy try them out. He’s not a picky eater, luckily, but he definitely had his favorites. Eventually, we settled on a New Zealand brand that uses locally sourced lamb and vegetables. It’s a bit pricier than the supermarket stuff, but it was definitely worth it.

Buddy’s tummy troubles cleared up, his coat is shiny, and he’s got way more energy. It was a bit of a process, but I’m so glad I put in the effort to find the right food for him. Seeing him happy and healthy makes it all worth it. Plus, I learned a ton about dog nutrition along the way, so that’s a bonus!