How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Maltese Puppies
The charming Maltese is a fluffy, white ball of fun that is sure to bring its family years of joy and excellent companionship. A dog breed that is characterized by its unique white and flowing coat, the Maltese puppy is the true picture of adorable sophistication.
Maltese puppies are loving and deeply affectionate with their family members. A breed with a happy enthusiasm for life, Maltese puppies enjoy spending time with those they love most; whether it is off on an outdoor adventure, out for a car ride, or simply enjoying a lazy afternoon on the couch.
When selecting the best dog food for Maltese puppies, there are many considerations owners must ponder. Maltese are notoriously finicky eaters, easily refusing to eat any food they deem to be not up to their standards. To encourage a healthy appetite, owners will want to select a diet that is renowned for being highly flavorful.
However, when a Maltese puppy finds a diet it enjoys, it will easily eat far past the point of satiation. This can easily lead to weight gain, a problem that can cause permanent damage to the Maltese puppy’s final adult structure. To prevent this from occurring, all food should be measured, and all intake carefully monitored.
Maltese puppies often suffer with sensitive stomachs. To help prevent gastrointestinal distress in the breed, it is important to choose a diet that contains ingredients that are easy for this dog type to process and utilize well. This includes lean proteins and fruits and vegetables that contribute healthy amounts of dietary fiber as well as antioxidants to boost the immune system of this sometimes stomach sensitive breed.
Other common health ailments that can befall Maltese puppies that can be positively influenced by the right diet include eye disorders, joint problems, allergies, hypoglycemia, and patellar luxation.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Maltese Puppies
Determining the correct amount of the best dog foods for Maltese puppies to feed a pup can be a challenging task. As a general rule of thumb, experts recommend using the suggested serving size printed on the bag as a starting point. These amounts can be adjusted gradually until the correct portion is found. The puppy’s appetite and weight will serve as helpful guides.
Since Maltese puppies will overeat if given the opportunity to do so, it is important to always carefully measure and monitor all intake. Obesity is a common problem in this breed, and thus, free feeding is strongly discouraged.
One of the key components owners should look for in a food suited to Maltese puppies is a puppy food that has been crafted to meet the unique needs of toy and small breeds. In addition to this, the amount of calcium to phosphorus should be properly balanced to promote a proper rate of bone growth. The ratio to look for is 1.2 parts of calcium for every part of phosphorus.
The ideal food for Maltese puppies should contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. Maltese puppies should be transitioned to an appropriate adult food when they reach one year of age.
Dietary Requirements for Maltese Puppy Foods
Maltese puppies need a food that is properly balanced and designed to meet the unique needs of developing toy and small breeds. As with most dog breeds, the best dog foods for Maltese puppies take a lean meat-based protein as their foundation. Whole meats are the preferred selection; however, meat meals are also of excellent nutritional benefit for Maltese.
Since Maltese puppies can be prone to issues with sensitive stomachs and poor digestion, there are certain ingredients that should be avoided in their daily diet. These include by-products and plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy. These ingredients have little nutritional value and can be common allergens for many dogs.
Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives contribute little to no value to a Maltese puppy’s diet. In dogs prone to allergies, these ingredients can lead to recurring skin sensitivities. Diets containing these items are best left on the shelf.
No balanced diet would be complete without the inclusion of carbohydrates. These can be included in the form of whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Of primary importance in any carbohydrate added to a food for a Maltese puppy is its ease of digestibility. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables also provide a boost to encourage strong immunity in puppies.
Healthy fats are an important part of the Maltese puppy’s daily diet. These include the DHA and ARA needed to promote strong eye and brain development. In addition to this, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids encourage healthy joint function and good skin and coat quality. These fats are best derived from animal origins such as chicken fat and oily fish.
Supplements provide additional health benefits to boost the Maltese puppy’s overall wellness. The ideal ones to look for in a diet for this breed include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Maltese Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a food for a Maltese puppy:
- Complete proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Contains the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus to promote a healthy rate of bone growth