How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Maltese
The friendly Maltese is a delightful breed that charms every person it meets. Easily identified by their distinctive flowing white coat, the Maltese carries itself with elegance and fun.
In spite of its sophisticated looks, the Maltese is a dog that is up for adventure, taking great pleasure in spending time with its family in active pursuits or simply cuddling on the couch. Full of life and with energy to spare, the Maltese requires a high quality diet to enjoy excellent health and the full longevity the breed is renowned for.
When choosing the best dog foods for Maltese, it’s important to keep in mind the specific dietary requirements that are unique to the breed. Many Maltese suffer from gastrointestinal distress if not fed a diet suited to their unique needs. To assist with this, any food selected for this breed should contain lean proteins and be comprised of ingredients that are easily digestible.
One of the main priorities owners should have when considering a food for a Maltese is its high flavor profile. Maltese are known for having finicky appetites, meaning a food that contains an exceptionally tasty protein is an excellent way to encourage hearty eating. Unlike some breeds that will eventually eat a food they don’t particularly enjoy, Maltese are quite stubborn and will starve themselves before giving in and partaking of a diet that isn’t up to their specific standards.
However, when the correct diet for a Maltese has been found, care must be taken to measure and monitor all food intake. Maltese can easily become overweight, putting a great deal of stress on their delicate musculoskeletal system. Obesity can also contribute to joint issues which can be quite common in this charming toy breed.
To help support joint function, there are many different supplements that can be a great help to the Maltese. These include both glucosamine and chondroitin.
As can often be a problem with toy breeds, Maltese can also suffer from dental issues. As a result, any food for a Maltese should contain pieces of kibble that are slightly textured to help provide a scrubbing action against the teeth to help prevent the accumulation of tartar.
Among the health problems that can plague the Maltese are:
- Allergies
- Glaucoma
- Collapsed trachea
- Hypoglycemia
- Patellar luxation
- Portosystemic shunt
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- White Dog Shaker Syndrome
Diet can have a significant impact on many of these health conditions, thus boosting overall health and improving the quality of life for the dog.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count Maltese
Since the Maltese is considered to be a toy breed, it is vitally important that this sweet pooch maintains a healthy body weight to avoid illness or injury. The average Maltese weighs between 4 and 7 pounds when fully grown. To help achieve a proper weight, all food given to this happy breed should be carefully measured with all intake monitored. Free feeding is strongly discouraged.
The best dog foods for Maltese are typically formulated with the needs of toy and small breeds in mind. To determine how much to feed, owners can use the suggested serving sizes on the bag as a guideline. These measurements can be adjusted with the dog’s weight and appetite serving as helpful guides to ascertaining the correct portion.
In general, adult Maltese should be fed a diet that contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Dietary Requirements for Maltese Dog Foods
The Maltese benefits from an exceptional quality diet crafted from premium ingredients to ensure its health and wellness. The foundation of any well-balanced diet for the Maltese should be a lean meat. Whole proteins are preferred, but meat meals are also an excellent option.
Generally speaking, both by-products and plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy are undesirable and should be avoided. They are more difficult to digest and can cause gastrointestinal distress in the sometimes stomach sensitive Maltese.
Artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives contribute no nutritional value to a food. Any diet containing these ingredients is best left on the shelf.
All diets require a healthy dose of carbohydrates to be well-balanced and complete. These can be derived from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. The greatest importance of any carbohydrates included in a diet for the Maltese is that it be easy to digest. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables contained in a food formulation also help to boost the Maltese’s immune system.
No diet is complete with the addition of healthy fats. These are best obtained from animal origins and include such ingredients as chicken fat and oily fish.
To help provide additional health benefits, it is a great idea to look for a food that includes supplements in its recipe. The most beneficial supplements for the Maltese include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Maltese
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Maltese:
- Whole proteins heading up 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