Senior dogs have unique nutritional requirements in order to ensure good health as they age. Their food should be lower in calories and higher in fiber to guard against obesity and constipation, both common problems faced by older dogs. This food matches those requirements and has a small kibble that smaller breeds find easier to chew. In keeping with the Artemis brand philosophy, the food also contains added fruits, vegetables, and botanicals to support your pet’s general health and resistance to disease.
Quick Look
Nutritional Content Information
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Kcal Information – Calories Per CupThis senior dog formula for small breeds has 3435 Kcal per kilogram of kibble, which is 321 Kcal per 8 oz cup. This is about 25 Kcal less per cup than the Fresh Mix Small Breed Adult kibble. |
Cost
Two sizes are available. The 15 lb bag costs on average $35.99 and the 30 lb bag $59.99.
| February 7, 2013 |
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| Artemis Fresh Mix Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food |
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Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken — fresh, deboned chicken
- Chicken meal — a rendered meat concentrate very high in protein and nutrients
- Turkey — fresh deboned turkey
- Barley — whole grain source of carbohydrates, fiber and nutrients
- Brown rice — easily digestible whole grain for carbohydrates and fiber
Other Ingredients List
- Peas
- Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
- Oatmeal
- Millet
- Potatoes
- Tomato pomace
- Duck
- Salmon
- Flaxseed
- Flavor enhancer
- Fish meal
- Glucosamine hydrochloride
- Choline chloride
- Dried chicory root
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Dried skim milk
- Kelp
- Carrots
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Bluberries
- Spinach
- Cranberries
- Rosemary extract
- Parsley flake
- 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
AAFCO Statement
No AAFCO statement was available on the product website.
Product Overview
As an older dog ages he often experiences a decrease in activity level and his metabolism tends to slow down. For the last third of his expected lifespan, feeding your pet a senior formula that is lower in calories and fat can help protect him against obesity, a condition that affects his overall health in many ways just like it does for people. Since his digestive system isn’t as efficient as it used to be, higher fiber guards against constipation, a frequent problem for older dogs. Compared to the Fresh Mix small breed adult kibble, this food is an appropriate alternative when your pet reaches the last third of his lifespan.
The protein is provided by chicken meal as well as fresh chicken and turkey with some contribution from peas. Fresh meat has high moisture content that disappears upon cooking, so the cooked chicken and turkey would most likely be entered further down on the list. Chicken meal is a quality concentrated cooked meat product that is very high in protein and nutrients. Whole grain sources of carbohydrates like barley and oatmeal provide plenty of fiber as well as easily digestible carbohydrates and other nutrients.
There are various fruits and vegetables included in keeping with the emphasis by the company on holistic health. The idea is that these, in combination with the included botanicals, help your pet’s body to fight off or heal diseases naturally. Vitamins and minerals are included for complete nutrition. The minerals chelated to protein are particularly valuable since this kind is more easily absorbed. In this senior dog diet chondroitin and glucosamine are included to support good joint health as well.
Analysis and review of the ingredients show that this kibble is based on whole grains with a significant amount of meat-based protein. It seems to have the modifications appropriate for a senior dog formula and your pet would probably do well. Monitor his weight closely and if he gains weight, change how much he eats until you see positive results.
The Artemis company is located in California but there is no information on the company website about where the food is actually produced.
