I have been feeding my puppy on Eukanuba puppy food which was given by the breeder, but after a visit to my mams house who has a cocker spaniel as well and feeds her dog on Bakers puppy food, my puppy semed to devour this more than the Eukanuba.  Is Bakers really that bad (have seen a few negative remarks on here about Bakers)?  Once on one particular brand can you alternate or is it best to keep on one brand?

Thanks

I would not let a puppy trough into something without getting it adjusted to it in very steady stages as you are likely to upset its digestion but I do know several people that feed their dogs on Bakers and they do very well on it.  It will all depend on the dog what suits.  Some dogs are much more sensitive to colourings, for instance, than others. 

Is Bakers really that bad (have seen a few negative remarks on here about Bakers)?

The short answer to that is yes. if you search this name, you will find many posts that list whats in it, and believe me there is not much other than sugar and colours, and preservatives, something not needed for man nor beast.

Bakers is full of additives, colourings and sugar.  It would be like bringing up a child on a diet of sweets and crisps with a few vitamin tablets thrown in!

It is nothing like a diet of sweets and crisps :-)  They have obviously used sugar to enhance the flavour which may prove useful for owners of dogs that have poor appetites, but sugar is not a poison.  Agreed, colourings are unnecessary to dogs and are clearly there to please the owners but do no harm unless the dog is sensitive to them.  Additives?  Many foods have added vitamins, again don't see the problem. Preservatives? Again, very useful to keep the food and in particular the vitamins and fats in good condition.
I'm sure you have read all this before maisiemay, well you have said you have, so not sure what anyone can say that would be different.  I think you have to make up your own mind whether it would suit your dog.  Many people have found it suitable otherwise it would not be a viable product.

There is no right or wrong way too feed your dog, but as a responsible dog owner, its up to you to research and look at the foods ingredients and give your dog what you feel is best

Absolutely :-) although in the UK we are lucky because all foods are safe and appropriate, we have laws to ensure this, unless the dog, or breed perhaps, has a specific requirement.  So, personally I would not worry too much about specific ingredients, you can probably go straight on the next stage of trying it to see if you dog likes it and it agrees with them.  That's the only way to know what is best for them really.

Bakers is full of additives, colourings and sugar.  It would be like bringing up a child on a diet of sweets and crisps with a few vitamin tablets thrown in!

It certainly is I agree with you, the only thing you would be pressed to find is good quality food among all the other stuff. its funny how the better quality, but similar priced dog food, does not need all this sugar and taste enhansers and colours to make the dogs eat it. :) try Autarky, or Arden Grange (cheaper by the bag from berriewoods) they don't cost much more than overpriced Bakers but just check out whats in the bag :)

Imagin your puppy as a child and put a bowel of sweet, choclate, chrisps etc infront of them and also a bowel of a baanced diet including plenty of veg....which one would they prefer and which you you prefer they eat?

Bakers is like the sweets etc, eukanuba more like the balanced healthy diet ;)

> Imagin your puppy as a child and put a bowel of sweet, choclate, chrisps etc infront of them and also a bowel of a baanced diet including plenty of veg....which one would they prefer and which you you prefer they eat?

Why not imagine a balanced diet with everything a child/puppy needs and a little sugar because they enjoy it? :-)
I don't take a sugar free diet because I am not a diabetic.  Do all these people who object to sugar never allow it in their childs diet?

Imagin your puppy as a child and put a bowel of sweet, choclate, chrisps etc infront of them and also a bowel of a baanced diet including plenty of veg....which one would they prefer and which you you prefer they eat?

Bakers is like the sweets etc, eukanuba more like the balanced healthy diet

Very good example icequeen. Obviously, as a parent we prefer to feed our children healthy meals, rather than meals consisting of high fats, sugars, and whatever else goes into processed food, or the sweets and fruit juices that are laden with sugars and colours and goodness knows what else that rot teeth and cause obesity problems, never mind the hyperactivity problems with all the colours etc. Dentists certainly object to sweets, sweet drinks and choc, especially before the teeth even arrive, and certainly afterwards. Your midwife and Gp will recommend a healthy, well balanced diet with no need for sweet things. Children may have these things in strict moderation, but they don't, or shouldn't, form the whole of the diet, and thats what happens with this type of dog food. Its all they eat, not just the occasional treat.

I wouldn't feed my kids OR my dogs a sugared,coloured,preservative/additive filled rainbow for every meal.I feel i would be a very irresponsible parent and dog owner if i did so...

My cocker was on eukanuba went onto Natures Best after trying a load of foods which all upset his tummy. Recommend Natures Best or JWB. Whistler is 16 months now, and his coat is beautiful on Natures Best.

Well...apart from the obvious reason not to change suddenly....whats wrong with all things in moderation?
Isn't it that they start getting bored with the 'same old same old' ?
All things need to be a bit interesting in life dont they.
Karen ;)

If you really want to give your dog something to enjoy try those Arden Grange lamb treats.  VETUK accidentally sent me these instead of the salmon ones that I normally have.  I gave them one each and stored the treats (on high).  Maisie stood up on her little high Jack Russelly legs in a vain attempt to reach them and stayed in the kitchen to be as near to them as possible.  These treats were very interesting to Maisie and do not contain sugar either!