Vets FAQs

• Feeding ZiwiPeak if your Pet is a Diabetic?

  Diabetic Dogs and Cats require foods that release sugars slowly into their bloodstream to avoid sugar spikes which cause deterioration of their health.

  
  

  It's also very important that these animals are not obese, which can predispose them to making blood sugar level control more difficult, and not too thin. 

  
  

  A diet that is high in protein, especially for Cats, and low in simple carbohydrates is ideal to help meet these needs and studies suggest that low carbohydrate diets may lower insulin requirements in diabetic cats. 

  
  

  It is therefore important to ensure that your vet monitors your animals' insulin requirement with a change in diet.

  
  

  In addition to this optimal amounts of vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids can be an invaluable aid in promoting optimal health.

  
  

  ZiwiPeak meets these needs beautifully.

• The 5000 year old benefits of Chicory

  Many pet treats are meant to be just an extra snack between meals. ZiwiPeak Treats are not only intended to be a highly palatable reward, but also beneficial for good health. Chicory Inulin is one of the ingredients in ZiwiPeak Treats which improves the health of pets. Chicory optimises digestion, supports the immune function, and promotes nutrient absorption.

  
  

  Chicory

  Chicory (with the nice Latin name Cichorium intybus) is a blue-flowered plant with a long white root and a long history. Chicory was already cultivated 5000 years ago by Egyptians.

  
  

  The root extract of the chicory is used for ZiwiPeak, and is free of gluten, fat, protein, phytic acid, pesticides, toxins and allergens. All chicory plants are GMO-free.

  
  

  Chicory inulin is a soluble dietary fibre. This inulin is enzymatically hydrolysed (enzymes are of course GMO-free), leading to a syrup with a high concentration of fructose. The syrup is called inulin syrup, fructose syrup or, as on the ZiwiPeak label, chicory. It has a sweet sugary taste, highly preferred by pets. The fructoses in the chicory syrup belong to the group of fructans, one of the most effective prebiotics.

  
  

  Prebiotics

  To be classified as a prebiotic ingredient in food and feed products, the ingredient must have the following three properties:

  
  

  1. it must be resistant to gastric acidity, digestion (hydrolysis) by mammalian enzymes and gastrointestinal absorption;

  
  

  2. it must enter the colon intact and be subsequently fermented by intestinal bacteria;

  
  

  3. it must selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of intestinal bacteria associated with good health and well-being. (van Loo, 2004; Gibson et al, 2004)

  
  

  In short, a prebiotic must pass unchanged to the colon where it supports the good bugs.

  
  

  Fermentation

  The prebiotics of ZiwiPeak's chicory inulin are fermented in the last part of the gastrointestinal tract, the colon.

  
  

  Fermentation is a conversion into biological active components, here into the so-called Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) like acetate, propionate, butyrate and lactic acid. These SCFAs provide building blocks and energy for the colonocytes, the cells that make up the lining of the colon. This improves the gut mucosal barrier, which is more resistant to lesions and inflammation. A healthy gut can better resist attacks of bacteria and other nasty micro-organisms, with a reduced risk on gut-related diseases like diarrhoea and colon cancer.

  
  

  The fermentation process stimulates also the development of good bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bif do-bacteria (bifidogenic effect), and suppresses the development of bad bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli).

  
  

  The Good and The Bad

  The development of good bacteria prevents the bad bacteria from multiplying. Bad bacteria can produce different toxins (causing diarrhoea and cell damage). More good bacteria increase the faecal bulk and thus the intestinal motility, with reduced risk of constipation, and reduce the harmful breakdown product ammonia in the colon, as this will be entrapped in the faeces. Flatulence and the malodour of faeces will be reduced.

  
  

  The good bugs support the immune function of the gut; the gut has a unique immune defence system (‘GALT') as it plays a major role to protect your cat or dog against bad bacteria entering the total body.

  
  

  Increased amounts of good bacteria like Bif do promote the synthesis of healthy vitamin B and, in general, nutritient absorption.

  
  

  Summary

  Chicory Inulin improves the palatability of ZiwiPeak Treats and supports the well-being and good health of cats and dogs. The prebiotic function promotes intestinal health, by strengthening the colon and improving the composition of the bacteria inside. Chicory optimises the nutrition, and enhances the quality of life.

  
  

  ZiwiPeak Treats are not only a palatable reward, but also a functional 
  way to promote your pet's health.

  
  

  Dr Joep Lupgens, BSc MVSc DVM, 
  Veterinary and Nutritional Consultant

• ZiwiPeak's Oral Healthcare Range - Antlers

  ZiwiPeak's Oral Health Care range featuring 'Deer Antlers' are a 100% natural, mineral rich, long lasting dog chew.

  
  

  A mineral analysis would show high levels of calcium and phosphorus and trace levels of iron, zinc and sodium.

  
  

  Deer Antlers are slowly ground down by chewing, providing a dog with enjoyment at the same time as helping to keep teeth and gums healthy.

  
  

  Deer Antler is basically bone material, naturally shed by the Deer and because they are natural they are easy on the digestive system.

• Allergies in our Animals

  Maggie-Lee from New Zealand asks the following question from ZiwiPeak.

  
  

  I have a 5 year old mixed Shepherd retriever who has had chronic, nasty ear infections.    Finally determined to be allergies related and two years ago started on Hills Prescription Low Allergen Z/D.    This has taken care of the problem and she has since been well.    But I have been hearing lately that Hill's food isn't all that great. 

  
  

  Do you have a food intended for dogs with allergies? 

  
  

  Thank you for your enquiry, yours is a common question. 

  
  

  Modern thinking is that kibble based diets do create allergy problems because kibble and other grains are major sources of allergens. 

  
  

  The ZiwiPeak range on the other hand is all natural meat, have no preservatives and no grains or fillers.    In case you are unaware of the range, we specialize in "Good Cat or Good Dog" natural jerky treats and our "Cuisine" is a naturally designed complete food in air-dried and moist canned formulations.  

  
  

  It is based on the "natural fall" of the meat and organ ingredients that the animal would naturally hunt and eat in the wild. , the meat and organs such as a cat or dog would eat in the wild.    We also add specially formulated vitamins and minerals specific to cat or dogs as specified by nutrition experts to ensure that the cuisine has everything that the pet needs.     The specifications on the products are far superior to any other petfood, and the health benefits are well documented.   

  
  

  Because of this ZiwiPeak is deemed to be hypoallergenic and we have had great responses from owners of dogs prone to allergies. You should certainly try ZiwiPeak on your dog. 

  
  

  Kind regards

  
  

  ZiwiPeak

• Taurine and ZiwiPeak

  Question:

  
  

  I have recently been introduced to the ZiwiPeak Cat Cuisine food by a client and I was wondering if you add Taurine and if not why not?

  
  

  Dr. Elise Holt. DVM. CVA.

  Veterinary Acuptuncture and Herbal Medicine, Seattle.

  
  

  Answer:

  
  

  Thank you for your email Elise.   Taurine is indeed an essential nutrient, especially for Cats.   It is naturally present in all our products, but because it is essential, we have especially added it to our Cat Cuisine in both ( dry and our moist can products) at above the minimum maintenance levels required for Cats.

  
  

  The pet nutrition experts advise a minimum maintenance level of 0.18% ME,  at ZiwiPeak we have it at 0.28% ME.

• Green Lipped Mussel New Zealand

  Question:

  
  

  Is the Green Lipped Mussel in your food added in a medicinal quantity?

  
  

  Answer:

  
  

  The volume of Green-Lipped Mussel we add was recommended by animal nutritional experts.   Mussel extract has not been formally accepted yet as a medicinal aid but is generally accepted that it may be beneficial for a variety of reasons, especially in joint health and mobility.

  
  Green-Lipped Mussel has high levels of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and fatty acids Omega 3 & 6.  There is sufficient Glucosamine & Chondroitin in ZiwiPeak Cuisine to provide the recommended daily dosage for your pet.  You will not need to buy costly supplements if you feed ZiwiPeak.

• Are there Carbs in ZiwiPeak?

  We have been approached by a lady who has a diabetic dog and wanted to know the carbohydrate content of our Cuisine Food in relation to percentage grams per our ZiwiPeak scoop.

  
  

  The ZiwiPeak team answers:
  

  
  

  Thanks for your enquiry.   You may have seen from our website that ZiwiPeak pet food has been formulated by a team of animal nutrition experts as a pure meat product that is based on what the animal would have naturally hunted and eaten in the wild.
  

  
  

  It has no grains, no preservatives, chemicals, colour, sugar or salt etc.  
  

  
  

  At ZiwiPeak we combine our pure raw meat products plus other natural health ingredients and vitamins and minerals which makes ZiwiPeak pet food the very best you can buy on the world market.   ZiwiPeak is considered the best alternative to feeding a raw diet.
  
  

  The cuisine comes in two forms, air dried and moist.  Naturally occurring carbohydrates are from the kelp, parsley, lecithin, chicory and grass from the green tripe. These naturally occurring carbs equate to approximately 8% of the ingredients.  
  
  

  The feeding guide on the packaging will give you the daily volume required based on the weight of your dog.   I would only suggest that you work on the low side of this because it is based on an average range of dogs (who are not diabetic!).
  

  
  

  Good luck to you and your dogs as I am sure they will love ZiwiPeak.