The Best Food for Maltese Dogs

If you are planning to get a Maltese dog, pay special attention to the food that it will need. Like us, Maltese need a diet that is balanced and full of essential vitamins. Also, a Maltese dog's nutritional requirements will change as it ages and becomes less active. Additionally, its organs may not be able to process all kinds of foods. Therefore, you will need to reconsider your pet's diet as it grows older.

1. Nutritional Requirements

   • Like any other dog, Maltese require a diet that balances essential amounts of nutrients, such as proteins, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals. If you are considering commercial and packaged products, look at their ingredients. The beauty of the Maltese lies in their shiny and silky coats, and they require a diet high in proteins and fat to keep their glow.

     A good indication of whether the packaged food is disagreeing with your dog is dry skin, weight loss or weight gain, and stomach gas or flatulence. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you need to change its diet.

   Home-Cooked Food

   • A lot of dog lovers are warming up to the idea of cooking food for their pets at home. Contrary to popular belief, it is neither expensive nor time-consuming. It's ideal to make a week's worth of food at a time and buy meat accordingly. Your Maltese dog requires meat as, like all dogs, it is carnivorous and derives its essential nutrients from meat.

     Fifty percent of a Maltese's food needs to be meat. You could add organs, lean chicken, lean hamburger, fish and lamb. Next up are vegetables, which should make up about 25 percent of the meal. Maltese dogs love baby carrots, green beans, peas, broccoli, potatoes and spinach. Finally, they need a source of starch, which could be white or brown rice or pasta.

     This kind of a diet is cheaper than commercial dog food, is free of additives, and provides your Maltese dog with necessary vitamins and nutrients.

   Treats

   • Your Maltese dog will love an occasional treat. They can be used as a reward for good behavior or as an in-between-meals snack.

     Maltese are partial to raw carrots and broccoli, probably because they have such a crunchy texture. These treats also stimulate the gums and keep them healthy.

     Another option is beef liver. Slice it up into little pieces and boil it with a bunch of garlic till it's cooked through. If you find the preparation to be too messy, you can bake it in the oven at 250 degrees. The slices should be dry but not too hard. Take care not too give too many of these delectable treats to your Maltese pets, as they can cause diarrhea. An alternative that doesn't cause diarrhea is beef hearts, cooked in the same way.