*Introduction*

I usually buy Pedigree Jumbone for Poppy and Coco, but I saw buy one get one free offers on Bakers Maxi Chew which is why I thought I would try them out. Would it prove to be a good alternative to one of their favourite treats?

*The Claim*

Bakers Maxi Chew: great taste that lasts a long, long time. Maxi Chew is a unique chew which combines great taste, fantastically long chewing time and a soft and gentle texture which your dog will love.

*About the Product*

Bakers Maxi Chew has a special soft texture that is chewy enough to make the pleasure last, soft and gentle enough to keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. With a succulent meaty flavour, Maxi Chew is very high in protein, low in fat and contains high quality ingredients like essential vitamins and minerals to help keep your dog in ideal body condition and aid good digestion.

*Price and Availability*

Bakers Maxi Chew can be found on the shelves of most pet shops, in particular the big pet stores like Pets at Home and Jolleyes. You are also able to find it in various smaller pet stores. Alternatively, you can buy it online from www.petsupermarket.co.uk.

This big dog chew is available to buy for £2.34. Now I am not sure about you, but I find this to be extremely high in price. Usually I am more than happy to spend a fair amount on my dogs but in future if this wasn't for sale on offer I don't think I would be willing to spend this much money on just one chew.

You are also able to buy these for small and mediums dog. This is basically the same treat but smaller in lengt and width. And also a little lower, although not by a great deal, in price.

*My Opinion*

The packaging: As with all Bakers products, Bakers Maxi Chew has the bright blue coloured packaging. This particular product comes in a thick plastic packet. I think that this packaging is actually quite good as the plastic is so thick that there is little chance of it ripping and causing the treat to lose its freshness and go hard. On the back of the packaging of this packet, you can read a list of ingredients as well as a feeding chart and any other important pieces of information.

Flavours: Bakers Maxi Chew is only available in one flavour and I'm not even sure what this is other than meaty. Perhaps in time they will release different flavours as having just the one is quite limited.

Appearance: Bakers Maxi Chews are approximately 7 inches in length and 2 inches thick. They are also shaped in a twist which is embossed. They are a reddish brown colour and are quite chunky and boring looking. The texture of this large chew is smooth but hard. Your dog will definitely have to chew them before swallowing it.

The colour of this treat is red/brown as I said and my one piece of advice is that you do not give them this to eat on light carpet. I made this mistake and it took a fair amount of cleaning to get the stain out.

Smell: Yuck. There is a horrible smell that comes with Bakers Maxi Chew. The second that you open this packet, the smell hits you. It is very strong and meaty. A bit like those horrid dried meat sticks that people eat and I really cannot stand.

I am certainly not a big fan of smelly dog treats so this is a negative from my point of view. Even though you only hold this treat for a moment before giving it to your dog, the strong smell sticks to and lingers on your fingers until you wash your hands thoroughly.

Allowance: On the bottom of the outer packaging, there is a brief guide to the number of this treat that your dog can consume per day. This treat is complementary pet food for adult dogs and you should adjust their main meal accordingly.

Adult weight 15kg: 1 chew per day
Adult weight 20kg: 2 chews per day
Adult weight 30kg: 2 chews per day

Poppy and Coco would be allowed 2 chews per day as they are large dogs but there is absolutely no hope that I would allow this. Not in a million years!

This chew is not suitable for puppies (below 9 months), dogs under 7kg or senior dogs, therefore ensure that you do not give it to your dog if they fall under one of these categories.

What is in them? Vegetable protein extracts, Sugar, Minerals, Meat and animal derivates (minimum 1.15%), Derivatives of vegetable origins, Cereals. Coloured with and preserved with EC additives.

How long does the Bakers Maxi Chew last? The length of time that this treat lasts is one of the positives. This chew lasts roughly 5-6 minutes obviously depending on how quickly your dog chews their food. Poppy and Coco are typical Labradors and the second they have the treat it is like a race for who will finish their chew first. With this chew it is good because it is hard and ensures that my dogs actually chew it rather than swallow it whole.

*Would I Recommend This Product?*

I would not recommend Bakers Maxi Chew for the simple reason that there are much better alternatives that are also lower in price and better for your dogs. This product isn't particularly good for your dogs although they do tend to enjoy devouring it. I certainly do not recommend this product if you do not want to give your pooch a treat that doesn't smell a lot as this does strongly of meat.

*Overall*

Bakers Maxi Chew didn't really have too many positives from my point of view, other than the fact that Poppy and Coco seemed to enjoy it. Unfortunately this was countered by the fact that the ingredients aren't particularly great for your dogs, the treat itself makes quite a mess and the smell is strong and horrible. I think that it is unlikely that I will be buying Bakers Maxi Chew again. In the future I will definitely stick to Pedigree Jumbone.