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Ziwi Peak vs Natural Balance

Ziwi Peak vs. Natural Balance

In this comparison article for Ziwi Peak vs Natural Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Ziwi Peak and Natural Balance, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Natural Balance vs Ziwi Peak comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Ziwi Peak Review Page or Natural Balance Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Ziwi Peak

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Ziwi Peak Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Crude Protein45.1%27.6%
Crude Fat34.8%14.4%
Crude Fiber2.7%5.2%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Crude Protein43.9%39.7%
Crude Fat26.0%20.5%
Crude Fiber7.6%8.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

On average, Ziwi Peak dry dog food recipes contain 17.48% more protein than Natural Balance recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Natural Balance and Ziwi Peak. For wet dog foods, Ziwi Peak provides more protein (about 4.26% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

When you look at the average percentages of crude fat for dry dog food, it's clear that Ziwi Peak provides significantly more fat. On average, Ziwi Peak guarantees about 20.40% more protein than Natural Balance. For wet dog foods, Ziwi Peak provides more fat (about 5.54% more).


If you look at the average percentages of crude fiber, you'll notice that Natural Balance typically guarantees 2.48% more fiber. This is a fairly small difference between Natural Balance and Ziwi Peak, but still worth mentioning. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance and Ziwi Peak provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Ziwi Peak Cat Food vs. Natural Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Crude Protein46.3%36.8%
Crude Fat32.8%14.3%
Crude Fiber2.3%5.5%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Crude Protein45.9%46.7%
Crude Fat24.5%20.2%
Crude Fiber7.7%7.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

The comparison table above shows that Ziwi Peak dry cat foods provide significantly more protein than Natural Balance. More specifically, Ziwi Peak guarantees at least 9.48% more protein. For wet cat foods, Natural Balance and Ziwi Peak provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

Ziwi Peak dry cat foods clearly provides more fat than Natural Balance. In fact, the difference between the fat content is roughly 18.47%, which is a significant amount. For wet cat foods, Ziwi Peak provides more fat (about 4.34% more).


According to our data, Natural Balance guarantees 3.14% more fiber than Ziwi Peak. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. For wet cat foods, Ziwi Peak and Natural Balance provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Ziwi Peak Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Ziwi Peak.

Lamb Plasma

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Giblets
Beet Pulp
Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Caramel Color
Tomato Pomace
Feeding Oatmeal
Poultry Giblets
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Ziwi Peak & Natural Balance?

According to our records, Ziwi Peak has never been recalled.

Natural Balance has been recalled 6 times.

  • July 21, 2007: ofbotulinum toxin
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • June 18, 2010: Salmonella
  • April 27, 2007: Melamine
  • April 17, 2007: Melamine
  • July 3, 2020: elevated levels of choline chloride

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Per Pound$24.49$5.23
Per Calorie$0.0106$0.0029
Dry Cat FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Per Pound$31.18$3.69
Per Calorie$0.0134$0.0023
Wet Dog FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Per Pound$9.34$6.27
Per Calorie$0.0161$0.0137
Wet Cat FoodZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Per Pound$15.68$7.63
Per Calorie$0.0279$0.0183

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Ziwi Peak or Natural Balance, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Ziwi Peak or Natural Balance will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Ziwi Peak and Natural Balance. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Ziwi Peak Pet Foods

You can purchase Ziwi Peak pet foods from the following stores:


40 Recipes In-Stock Today

20 Recipes In-Stock Today

28 Recipes In-Stock Today

22 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Natural Balance pet food products from these retailers:


96 Recipes In-Stock Today

79 Recipes In-Stock Today

83 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductZiwi PeakNatural Balance
Dry Dog Food9 Recipes39 Recipes
Wet Dog Food9 Recipes27 Recipes
Dog Treats11 Treats33 Treats
Dry Cat Food5 Recipes16 Recipes
Wet Cat Food10 Recipes43 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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