Rating: 
NRG Maxim Grainless dehydrated raw dog food earns the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4 stars.
The NRG Maxim Grainless product line includes four dehydrated raw dog foods… each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- NRG Maxim Beef
- NRG Maxim Buffalo
- NRG Maxim Salmon
- NRG Maxim Chicken
NRG Maxim Chicken was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
NRG Maxim Chicken
Raw Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Free range meat chicken, squash, carrots, pumpkin, eggs, liver, grapefruit, wheat germ, broccoli, cranberries, papaya, garlic, goat milk yogurt, flax seed, salmon fillet, apples, cider vinegar, limes, kelp, blueberries, eggshell, coconut oil
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.7%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 26% | 18% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 19% | 45% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 23% | 39% | 38% |
The first item in this dog food lists chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The third ingredient mentions carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and fiber.
The fourth ingredient is pumpkin. Like squash, pumpkin is also rich in complex carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The fifth ingredient lists eggs… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth ingredient is liver. Normally, liver is considered a quality component. However, we would have preferred to have known the source species.
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 as likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, it’s important to note the inclusion of wheat germ… a nutritious by-product of the wheat milling process. Containing about 25% protein, wheat germ is also rich in fiber, B-vitamins and minerals.
However, the use of wheat germ here causes us to question the company’s claim this product can be considered “grainless” (as its name implies).
And lastly, we find no added vitamins or minerals on the ingredients list. We would assume these essential nutrients are provided by the food ingredients in the recipe.
NRG Maxim Grainless Dehydrated Raw
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, NRG Maxim looks to be an above-average dog food.
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 28%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 45%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 19%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45% for the overall product line.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical raw dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a raw food containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
NRG Maxim is a plant-based dehydrated raw dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
For even more raw diet suggestions, be sure to visit the Advisor’s Recommended Raw Dog Foods summary page.
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
05/13/2011 Original review
05/13/2011 Last Update
- Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.