Bakers Edward Baker Senior review

An Average band finish puts this senior recipe just below the typical adult dry food, a respectable showing for a traditional cereal based kibble. Turkey meal at 28% anchors protein at 28.6% of dry matter, generous for an older dog's food, while protein and processing and nutritional balance both read Average and transparency reads Good. Carbohydrate at 50.0% of dry matter runs above the category typical of 46.2%, and that starch load is the main thing standing between this recipe and a stronger result.

Ingredients, as declared: Turkey Meal (28%), Wheat*, Corn*, Wheat Middlings*, Animal Fats, Dried Beet Pulp, Digest, Minerals, Dried Chicory Root*1 (0.5%), Fish Oil, Dried Carrot* (0.07%), Dried Spinach* (0.07%), Dried Parsley* (0.07%).Natural Ingredients, 1Natural Prebiotic

Turkey meal at 28% gives the recipe a firm start. Because meal is dried and concentrated, its share survives the oven intact, and turkey suits older dogs particularly well, lean and easy on the digestion. Protein at 28.6% of dry matter is on the generous side for a senior food, which matters because ageing dogs lose muscle more readily than they lose appetite.

Wheat, corn and wheat middlings supply the carbohydrate and push the estimated figure to 50.0% of dry matter. They are the long standing backbone of mass market kibble, unremarkable for most dogs and unsuitable only where wheat intolerance is in play.

The senior tailoring is modest but real. Fat comes down to 10% to match a slower dog's needs, fish oil adds the omega 3s that older joints and coats appreciate, and dried chicory root at 0.5% feeds the gut's friendly bacteria. Decoration more than nutrition, the dried carrot, spinach and parsley sit at 0.07% apiece.

Animal fats and digest are the two unnamed entries, one an energy source and the other a palatability coating, and either can come from any species. That never troubles most dogs, but the turkey on the front is not the only animal in the bag, which is worth knowing for a reactive dog. The additive panel is complete and dosed, zinc at 120 mg per kilo among the entries, with selenium supplied as selenite.

Bag options are 2kg and 12kg.

Using the estimated energy content and a maintenance allowance of about 840 kcal a day for a 15kg adult (110 × bodyweight^0.75), daily feeding lands near 251 grams. The label asks 160 to 290 grams for dogs between 10kg and 25kg, and older, slower dogs tend to sit at the bottom of any range, so err low and watch condition.