  Picking the right product from the Bakers Complete range helps your dog get the right balance of proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients – just what every pooch needs for his life stage and lifestyle.
Nutrition Your puppy has a lot of growing up to do! His body needs to manufacture muscle, bone, hair, teeth and a strong immune system very, very quickly. So naturally he’ll need the best nutrition there is to get there. And plenty of it – a healthy, energetic puppy burns 2-3 times as many calories a day than a grown up dog! A special formulation, like Bakers Complete Puppy, is packed with protein to support all that growing, plus higher levels of essential minerals such as calcium and iron, as well as Vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth. Not to mention Bakers Complete Puppy tastes scrummy yummy too! And as your dog grows bigger his energy needs will increase even more, supporting growth bursts and building big, strong muscles. Puppies also have smaller mouths than adult dogs. The smaller kibbles in Bakers Complete Puppy will make it easier for your puppy to chew and release all those really important nutrients. Feeding Puppies have tiny tums but big appetites! You'll need to feed your puppy little and often. Exact frequency depends on your puppy's age: 6 weeks-3 months – 4 meals a day 3-6 months – 3-4 meals a day 6 months-adulthood – 2-3 meals a day. Don't be tempted to overfeed your puppy so he’ll grow more quickly. Most of the food will be wasted as he won’t be able to digest it all, and it could lead to bone problems later on in life. Also be aware that overweight puppies turn into overweight dogs. Try not to feed your puppy straight before or after exercise. Always allow about an hour between feeding and play to prevent damage to his tummy. And don’t forget to provide a clean bowl of fresh drinking water. Transition Even though most breeds look fully-grown by around 6-8 months, they're still puppies on the inside. Their bones are becoming stronger and their bodies filling out. Only after 12 months (24 months for very large breeds) is your dog ready for the big move to adult food. For more information about puppies and a comprehensive feeding guide please check out our puppy site
Nutrition To stay healthy and fighting fit, your adult dog needs the right balance of the six big nutrient groups; proteins, fats & oils, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and water. Unless your dog is pregnant or nursing, there’s no need to change his diet from the early days of adulthood at 12-24 months, to the end of your dog’s sixth year. They may be our best friend but they certainly have very different nutritional needs from humans. Dogs can manufacture much of their own Vitamin C, and can live without carbs (although they remain a useful energy source), but they do need plenty of protein and oils in their diet. More interestingly, dogs are not true carnivores and can't exist on meat alone. So they need a delicious combination of meat, cereals and vegetables, like the new, tastier Bakers Complete Adult range, to get all they need to run and sniff about their day. Feeding Generally you should feed your dog once or twice a day. Even if he looks hungry for more! Some breeds such as Dobermans (and other deep-chested breeds), junior dogs, and smaller breeds tend to benefit from their daily measure being split into 2 meals. Dogs like routine – so ideally you should always feed your dog in the same, quiet, place away from interruptions, on an easy to clean surface. Don't let children disturb your dog when they’re eating – you wouldn’t like to be disturbed during your mealtime! If you have more than one dog it’s probably best to feed them separately to avoid bullying, stealing and fights. You can get further information regarding feeding from either your vet or the Purina Petcare Team. It’s not nice to run on a full, or empty, tummy – so don’t feed your dog straight before or after exercise; many dogs can experience a twisting of the gut and blocking of the stomach. About an hour's grace either side is best. And don’t forget to provide a clean bowl of fresh drinking water. What not to feed You may get tempted by his sad, feel-sorry-for-me face, but it’s not a good idea to feed your dog scraps as he won’t be getting a well-balanced diet as a result. And he may put on a few pounds as well. Never feed fatty scraps or uncooked vegetables – or chocolate, as it’s toxic for dogs! Beware that raw meat can be infected with bacteria, and bones can damage teeth and cause obstructions in his tummy. For much a much yummier option that’s also good for him, why not check out Bakers Meaty Treats.
Nutrition At about age 7 your dog's nutritional needs start to change. He’s growing more mature! His metabolism is slowing down and he may not be as energetic or crazy as he used to. So he’s going to need fewer calories. To help keep him slim, trim and fighting fit, good quality, easily digestible protein is more important than ever. A good senior diet, like Bakers Complete Senior, gives him everything he needs - a high quality, low fat protein source, such as chicken (to stop him becoming a little rounder from exercising less) and easy to digest carbohydrates for energy, such as rice. Vitamins E and C, antioxidants, and selected minerals are important for strong healthy immune system and to support those ageing joints. Older dogs' sense of smell and taste can wane a bit too, along with their ability to chew and therefore digest food. The smaller kibble size in Bakers Complete Senior, help your dog to get the most out of his meal, particularly if his mouth is sensitive and he’s losing a few teeth here and there. Higher meat content helps whet his appetite. He’ll be barking for more! Feeding Generally you should continue to feed your senior dog 1-2 times a day, but you might find he prefers to eat smaller meals more often. It’s a dog’s life after all. This takes the pressure off his digestive system and means he absorbs a lot more nutrients. Sometimes larger, older dogs, susceptible to arthritis, find it hard to bend all the way down to feed and may find it easier feeding at head height. And don’t forget to provide a clean bowl of fresh drinking water.
Pregnancy & Nursing Like puppies, mums-to-be or nursing dogs need that extra protein and energy boost to help them through a period of physical stress. Milk production is one of the most nutritionally demanding tasks in a mum’s life. So what she eats may double or even quadruple during lactation. The best solution is to switch your pregnant dog back to a puppy formula, like Bakers Puppy, until weaning, whilst carrying and for some weeks after birth. The extra calories and higher levels of key nutrients that Bakers Puppy is bursting with will see her through motherhood in the best of health. Be aware that her appetite may vary during pregnancy, so feed the amount needed to help keep her a happy and healthy mummy. Small Breeds Smaller dogs have dramatically different nutritional requirements than their larger cousins. Calories are the key. Small breeds are quick, have speedier metabolisms and burn lots and lots of energy. That's why there's more high quality protein and more fat and carbohydrate in Bakers Complete Small Dog. Their smaller mouths benefit from smaller kibble size, which helps them chew better and improves their digestion too. They also have much smaller tummies and so need to be fed more often (2-4 times a day) to meet their nutrient and calorie targets. Beware! Small dogs can often be a bit on the fussy side. Resist the temptation to feed your dog kitchen or table scraps that might interfere with a properly formulated, 100% balanced and complete small breed food. Why not take a look at our scrummy Bakers Meaty Treats. Overweight Dogs If your dog is a little on the heavier side, his weight needs to be monitored carefully. Larger breeds and older, less active dogs are particularly prone to piling on the pounds, and overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory problems and arthritis. If your pooch has a few extra pounds, try switching him to a 'lighter' formula pet food, like Bakers Complete Weight Control which is lower in fat but still contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals for strong muscles and plenty of energy. Plus, Bakers Complete Weight Control is bursting with all that scrummy, doggylicious flavour and goodness that dogs just can’t get enough of. You can get more information about your dog's weight or advice regarding feeding from either your vet or the Purina Petcare Team. Allergies & Sensitive Stomachs Just like us, some dogs develop allergies or are particularly sensitive to certain foods; even the foods they enjoy the most. Your vet may advise you manage your dog's diet to avoid common ingredients such as dairy products, wheat gluten, soya and red meat. Specially formulated recipes, such Bakers Complete Sensitive, are designed to deliver all the nutrients your dog needs without the problem food groups, and without compromising on taste.
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