In the Tiki Mood with Tiki Catfood

In honor of the fire spewing volcano's and the crashing waves of the South Pacific Ocean, the ancient Hawaiians filled their Eden like island with the amazing lore of the Tiki gods.  These ancient oracles of Hawaiian kahunas were perched on volcanic cliffs, carved tiki gods were scattered through the rainforest and hidden in mystic caves and worshipped in many ways.  I have always been fascinated by the lore of the American Tiki Culture and was just delighted to see that www.chewy.com is featuring Tiki Cat Food at 20% off this month!

 Tiki Cat Food by Gourmet Carnivore is a new brand to me. I decided to try it because they use better than quality ingredients as it is "human grade" food.  In addition, it is hormone and antibiotic free and, the food is grain free, carb free and has a zero glycemic index.  The Tiki Cat Food is 55% protein and 35% fat with no carbs and truly replicates a wild prey diet.

My cats all seem to love fish so today I tried the Flaked Tilapia that is mixed with wild caught Mackerel loins.  Tiki Cat simmers this sustainable seafood combination in a consommé broth that is made with bones, heads, and unused portions of the fish in a traditional stock method that produces a healthy and flavorful setting for the big flakes of fish.  Oil, vitamins and minerals finish off this healthy dish.

The actual ingredients are: Flaked Tilapia 56%, Tilapia Consommé 25%, Flaked Mackerel 14%, Olive Oil 4%. Contains less than 1% of the following: Tricalcium phosphate, Taurine, Choline chloride, Magnesium sulfate, Potassium chloride, Ascorbic acid, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin A acetate, Thiamine mononitrate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium pantothenate, Riboflavin supplement, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Vitamin B12 supplement.  

Tiki Cat Food comes in lots of flavors including: chicken with duck, beef liver & lamb, chicken & liver, bonito tuna, chicken with turkey,beef liver and chicken, chicken with turkey, seabass and tilapia. Maybe for Valentine's Day, we'll have chicken and duck followed by seabass...a surf and turf.  If you would like to try this food for your cats go to www.chewy.com and order a sampler - it's 20% off.

Tiki culture made the jump to the mainland of the United States in the 20th century with Polynesian styled restaurants and clubs inspired by Tiki carvings and mythology. The first restaurant to open in the US began in 1934 with the opening of Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood that served Cantonese cuisine and exotic rum punches.  

Les Baxter, Arthur Lyman and Martin Denny integrated the Tiki idea with jazz music with  "tropical" themes creating the "Exotica" genre. This music combines South Pacific and the Orient and what a lot of people imagined the islands were like...it's pure fantasy but fun.  The term "exotica was coined after the album of the same name by Martin Denny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2dQ3WbcF44.  The cats seem to like Tiki music and Tiki Cat Food! 

Treats and Memories of New Zealand

Kia Ora as they say in New Zealand...it's a Maori greeting that has made its' way into New Zealand English.  It means literally to be well/healthy and translates into an informal hello, farewell and thank-you.  Having visited New Zealand I could not help but try a new cat treat product by ZiwiPeak imported from Mt Maunganui New Zealand.  It is being offered by ww.Chewy.com and is discounted this month.  Sabu, my Tonkinese imported from Thailand is definitely intrigued....he has just turned one isn't he a beauty?

Mt Maunganui, a coastal resort town with drop dead beautiful beaches  is located on the North Island  and is where ZiwiPeak, a family owned company is located. This company is founded on the belief that there is no better pet food than raw natural meat, in short, they believe in natural feeding for cats --  and dogs too. Cats are descended from big cats that survive on a diet of high levels of protein and fat from raw meat and organs. ZiwiPeak uses a unique air-drying system that reduces moisture in raw meat and organs that make up their dry food and treats. This method of air-drying preserves nutrients in this product.

 Farms are a big part of life in New Zealand, with sheep, cattle and dairy farms being the most popular.  On my drive from Auckland to Wellington I lost count of the number of farms I passed.  While the coastline of New Zealand is mostly pristine, the interior of New Zealand seems to be an endless patchwork of lush open pastures, colorful orchards and sun dappled vineyards.  Farm to table dining is a way of life; and knowing this, ZiwiPeak Good Cat Treats Jerky Lamb and Liver  seemed to be a must have treat for my tribe of cats -- two Thai Tonkinese, Sabu and Mocha and three Himalayans -- two seal points  TheMaxx and Zoey and Ziva, my little silver lynx point.

There was a great deal of excited sniffing (and begging) going on when I first opened the package of Lamb and Liver Jerky Cat Treats.   Zoey, my 4 month old Himalayan was really quite interested in trying the Jerky Treats... and she gobbled them up... this was taken just before she knocked the bag over and started to try them...

Not to be outdone by her half sister, Ziva, my silver lynx Himalayan was also curious...and loved them as well...she is more cautious than Zoey so she ate just three!  The cat treats are made with 90% natural New Zealand ingredients with 10% comprised of  vitamins and minerals plus select herbs like parsley to keep your cat's breath fresh...I like that idea!  I also like the fact that there are no nasty additives like sugar, glycerine, antibiotics, growth promotants, fillers, grains, or potatoes.

ZiwiPeak comes in a resealable package and is good for adult cats and kittens --- obviously -- but, more to the point, these treats  are easy to digest because they mimic a cat's natural diet.  New Zealand is known for raising the best lamb in the world so in my book, it really is a treat to be able to give my cats this jerky cat treat made of New Zealand Lamb and Liver.

As always, patient Mocha, Sabu's half brother is waiting, patiently for his turn to try the Jerky Treats...if he likes them as much as Sabu does... then I think I shall have to get another bag!  Thanks http://www.chewy.com/

www.chewy.com sent this for review.