Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
Found throughout the body, especially the brain and eyes. As you might expect, these nutrients are crucial for supporting healthy brain function, growth, and development (particularly for puppies and kittens). But they also play an important role in helping your pet’s blood vessels, heart, immune system, and lungs work properly.
They’re also great for supporting healthy skin and coat. Poultry is an important source of Omega-6 fatty acids, while New Zealand green mussels and other seafoods are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine is a combination of ‘glucose’, a sugar, and ‘glutamine’, an amino acid. It helps form and repair cartilage. Together, they’re ideal for building healthy joints and resisting joint tissue breakdown - particularly crucial for our senior pets and puppies.
Taurine
An amino acid and one of the building blocks of all proteins. Necessary to maintain normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Dogs can make taurine, but cats rely on taurine exclusively from their diets. All animal proteins are an excellent source.
Calcium
Calcium builds and maintains strong bones. But it’s also needed for the heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly. In the wild, cats and dogs would eat bones along with meat to get the calcium they need. We think they have the right idea, so ZIWI Peak recipes include ground bone to reflect what your pet would eat in the wild.
Sodium
Sodium is beneficial for focus and mood, heart and blood health, weight maintenance, and fluid balance. Puppies and kittens require sodium to support healthy growth. Sources include seafood, and salt.
Selenium
Protects cell membranes from oxidative damage and is found in fish.
Pyridoxine (B6)
Glucose generation, red blood cell and nervous system function, hormone regulation, immune response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation. A good source of this especially vital vitamin is fish and white meats.
Methionine
Methionine supports good urinary health, reducing the risk of kidney disease, bladder stones, and struvite crystal formation. This nutrient is important for skin and coat health, eye health, heart health, and more. It is also one of the essential amino acids required and is a precursor to other amino acids like cysteine which can then be converted to taurine by dogs. Fish is a good source.
