WHAT'S THE BEST DOG FOOD FOR A BELGIAN MALINOIS?

Belgian Malinois: Specific Dietary Needs

The Belgian Malinois is a large dog with a powerful, well-proportioned body. This is an athlete who needs dog food suited to its metabolism and size. Every dog breed has specific characteristics, and the Malinois is no exception. These are some of the specific characteristics that you should consider when choosing the right dog food for your Belgian Malinois:

• Belgian Malinoises have a well-developed musculature: Like many herding dog breeds, the Malinois has powerful muscles that expend a lot of energy, especially with sustained activity. As such, the Belgian Malinois’ dog food needs to meet its energy requirement and provide your pooch with enough energy throughout the day.

• This dog breed is predisposed to joint problems: Large breed dogs are generally prone to joint problems due to the pressure exerted on their bones by their muscle mass. The Belgian Malinois is subject to hip dysplasia in particular. Your dog’s food will therefore need to have a composition that supports its bones.

• The Belgian Malinois has a relatively small digestive system: Again, this characteristic is unique to many large dogs. As such, their capacity for digestion is limited. Additionally, the intestine walls are more permeable than in small dogs and, as a result, more water is observed in the intestine and therefore in the faeces. This significant fermentation of bacteria in the intestine can also cause flatulence in dogs, so your Malinois’ dog food will need to be highly digestible.

• The Belgian Malinois is prone to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): Also known as gastric dilation, twisted stomach, or gastric torsion, this is due to excessive pressure in the stomach. This disorder mainly occurs when a dog has eaten too much at once or done too much physical activity before and/or after a meal.

In addition to the specific features related to the breed, it's important to take into account other factors, such as age, weight, physical activity, and any potential or reported diseases. An inadequate diet can cause many problems, such as deficiencies. Your vet or an animal nutrition expert can always help you determine the ideal diet for your dog.

What Type of Dog Food Should I Give My Belgian Malinois?

Now that you know a little more about the Belgian Malinois, you can begin to think about its ideal dog food. First and foremost, you need to make sure your dog's typical dietary needs are met, in terms of protein, mineral and vitamin requirements, etc. Then, opt for dry dog food adapted to your Belgian Malinois, which will effectively meet the requirements of the breed.

When choosing the ideal dog food for your Belgian Malinois, look for:

• Dog food that supports your dog’s muscle mass, providing them with an appropriate energy supply: A high level of protein and fat helps to maintain muscle mass while offering a sufficient supply of energy. Please note that animal protein is always recommended as part of a balanced diet for a dog.

• Dog food that protects your dog’s joints and cartilage: Lots of exercise coupled with heavy muscle mass can lead to joint problems in your dog. The Malinois is particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia.  Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, from quality fish oil, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and glucosamine and chondroitin lubricate the joints and help preserve cartilage. In addition, vitamin D promotes bone mineralisation and stability.

• Dog food that improves digestion: For dogs like the Belgian Malinois with digestive issues, we recommend you opt for grain-free dog food which has rice as the only source of carbohydrates. Rice is very digestible and helps to maintain intestinal flora. Prebiotics and probiotics are also very effective for strengthening the gut and helping to prevent digestive disorders!

• Energy-dense dog food and smaller meals: To prevent your Belgian Malinois from suffering from a twisted stomach, we recommend you feed them wet dog food (paté) or homemade dog food instead of dry dog food (kibble). Why? Because these types of dog food have a higher water content, which makes them more digestible and limits bloating of the stomach. On the contrary, dry foods often "swell" after ingestion during the digestion process. Dividing your dog’s daily food ration into a few small meals and making sure they stay hydrated can also help to avoid the risks of gastric dilation.

How Often Should I Feed My Belgian Malinois?

Once you’ve chosen the ideal food for your Belgian Malinois, you'll also need to learn how often to feed them. We recommend that you give them their meals at the same, fixed time each day to avoid possible digestive disorders, such as gas or twisted stomach. The amount of kibble provided should be adapted according to your dog's weight and daily activity level.

Here are some recommendations for how best to feed your Belgian Malinois:

• Split your dog’s daily food ration into two or three small meals: The idea is to distribute their food throughout the day, so as not to overload their digestive capacities.

• Give your Belgian Malinois their meals in a quiet place, away from possible sources of distraction: It's important to create a pleasant environment for mealtimes, as this facilitates digestion and promotes a balanced diet.

• Give them the correct amount of dog food: This will depend on different factors, such as your dog's age, weight, activity level (normal or sustained), and reported illnesses. Your vet or an animal nutritionist specialist can help you determine the appropriate amount of food for your dog.

• Treats: In addition to their regular food, you can certainly offer your furry friend a healthy dog treat from time to time. Little pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables are a great, natural option! However, be careful with this if your dog is overweight.

• Forbid certain foods: Of course, some foods are toxic to dogs. Sugar, cold meats, and chocolate are dangerous foods for dogs. Chicken and rabbit bones are also not recommended as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

• Finally, make sure that your dog has constant access to a water source: Hydration is an integral part of a healthy diet and is essential to the good health of your Belgian Malinois. Make sure you fill your dog’s bowl with fresh water every day. If you want to encourage your pooch to drink more water, try placing ice cubes in their water bowl.