maltese dog

As the owner of a Maltese; one of the world’s most loving and active dogs, you may question what foods are the best for them. This is a common and important question when addressing the Maltese, as they are a highly energetic breed that resides mainly in enclosed areas.

Good nutrition for your Maltese dog is important for overall health and beauty. Essential nutrients are required by your little pooch to maintain a healthy coat and teeth; stay active; and live longer.

FEEDING A MALTESE PUPPY

When purchasing your new puppy, it is often from a reputable supplier. Full bred dogs generally come with a detailed lineage, documentation, and instructions. It is likely that your Maltese is already weaned from mother’s milk, and your breeder has introduced solid foods.

Most breeders will specify which foods and how often the puppy has been fed. In this case, it is wise to continue the dietary plan until your Maltese reaches the age of three months. At this time, some alteration can be made to ensure your growing puppy’s further development.

If the breeder has given no instruction, or you have acquired the puppy through other means; foods that are appropriate for young Maltese’s should include the following ingredients:

• Meat proteins to maintain your puppy’s vitality and vigor.
• Fatty acids to promote healthy skin and liver function.
• Vitamins and Minerals for excellent bone growth and healthy body function.

FEEDING YOUR MALTESE DOG

As your Maltese grows, so do his or her needs. Nutritional values change after 3 months, so it is important to understand how much and what foods are required by your dog to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Dry dog foods are the most convenient and affordable way to guarantee your Maltese is receiving its daily intake of nutrients. Packed with all the essential elements your dog needs, these foods are scientifically proven for taste and nutritional value.
• Canned dog foods specifically designed for small, indoor dogs are available at most retail stores and come in a wide variety of flavors. These are slightly higher in cost and less convenient than dry foods, but tend to be more appetizing for many dogs.
• Frozen or fresh dog foods are less commonly used. These foods are made of high quality meat and are packaged into rolls similar to that of hamburger packaging. While the most natural and nutritional forms of dog food, these foods are higher priced and must usually be purchased online.

Regardless of form, only foods specifically designed for small, indoor canines should be served to your Maltese. Most manufacturers clearly note on all packaging which dogs will benefit from their product and include a list of key ingredients found within each blend.

An important note: When introducing new foods to your Maltese, be sure to watch for any signs of food allergies. While not completely common, food allergies can present themselves at any time and if unaddressed; can cause serious harm or death to your pet. Implications of an allergy may be displayed through vomiting, hair loss, or diarrhea.

Some of us will probably feel a bit (or a lot) hurt by this. But leaving the pride aside, we must admit that 99 percent of the times this is a true fact. We are prone to show we love someone with food, and we do the exact same thing with our dogs.

Just like happens when we are too self-indulgent, giving our dog too many treats can be harmful to their health.

But besides the treats, we commit another mistake. Most of us cannot deny that we do not read the food-labels, which is something important, because those labels indicate the amount of food our dog needs.

It is true that when we neuter our pets the physical activity is diminished, that's why it's important that if we continue giving the same amount of food we gave before neutering, our dog will gain weight because of the lack of exercise.

How to tell if your dog is a bit heavy? Easy. When looking our dog's back, we should be able to notice a waist below the ribs, sort of hour-glass shaped. If the opposite happens and all we see is a squared back and not a hint of a waist whatsoever, the diagnosis is one: overweight.

Maltese don't have special demands when it comes to food. All our dog will need is a balanced diet with proteins, carbon hydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. Don't over-feed the dog, and try not to indulge their whims too much.

When choosing the right food, the size and age of our dog must be considered. Usually, 100 gr. of dry food or 315-390 Kcal every day should satisfy our dog's needs.

The Food:

• Meat, can be chicken, bovine, lamb or others (although is not highly recommended). This can be raw or cooked, although pork meat should always be cooked.
• Liver, guts, entrails. It's a great food, especially for puppies and growing dogs. It should always be cooked.
• Fish is good for growing dogs; it should also be prepared before giving it to our pet.
• Eggs are given to puppies, breeding dogs, and during breastfeeding.
• Milk, just when puppies.
• Is recommendable that all animal by-products to be previously cooked or boiled. The same goes for rice and pastas.
• Veggies and fruits. If you haven't tried it before, you'll be surprised to see how much dogs love it. Try with apples, pears, celery, avocado, watermelon (in summer, very refreshing), etc.
• There is a wide variety of prepared food nowadays. Most of them have all the needed, making of it a more convenient and easier way to feed our pet.
• DO NOT forget: Fresh Water. Water is the most important thing for living beings. There should be fresh water at all times. Remember to change the water a few times during the day, to maintain the freshness.