Rating: 
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog Food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of five stars.
The Artemis Fresh Mix product line includes eight dry dog foods which have been covered as a group in a previous review.
However, Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog is such an outstanding product we have elected to cover it here in its own special report.
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), chicken, flavor enhancer, tomato pomace, natural mixed tocopherols, choline chloride, dried chicory root, dried skim milk, kelp, carrots, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, cranberries, rosemary extract, parsley flake, pea powder, green tea extract, barley grass extract, l-carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.3%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 42% | 22% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 47% | 24% | 21% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 37% | 47% | 17% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second item lists potato. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The third ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is a quality ingredient.
The fourth ingredient is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.
Following the flavor enhancer, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient… a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content… while others scorn it as a cheap pet food filler.
Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog
The Bottom Line
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog stands alone compared to its other quality kibble litter mates. This grain-free recipe is notable for its simplicity… and the quality of its ingredients, too
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 47%, a fat level of 24% and estimated carbohydrates of about 21%.
High protein. High fat. And low carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing an unusually generous amount of meat. Meat-based products like this are truly rare amongst kibbles.
Those looking to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet (and yet still desiring convenience) will find Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog an excellent choice.
Bottom line?
Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Dog is a grain-free kibble using an abundance of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
To learn more about grain free feeding and to see a list of our favorites, be sure to visit our article, “Best Grain Free Dog Foods“.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
03/26/2010 Original review
10/26/2010 Review updated
10/26/2010 Last Update
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.