Usually bred and groomed to be a show dog this breed comes with its pros and cons like with all pets, but if you have a Maltese dog then you will know all too well the necessity of a well-balanced diet. Nutrition can be the difference between a winning show dog and a second runner-up, and let’s be honest, nobody goes to compete only to come in second place, so diet and meal planning is as priority as health and physical attributes.
Which ingredient works best?
As a pet owner, you want your dog to have the best food produce possible, suitable to the breed and allergy preferences if any, careful research and homework into what is advisable will make for a happy home.
If you are a homebody then growing your own vegetables may well be a hobby of yours, and to your advantage, no doubt, ruling out and essentially eliminating the risk of harmful pesticides and chemicals. The last thing you want to be feeding your pet is a dinner plate where the vegetables have been genetically grown or had growth hormones added to them.
Think natural, organic, and as toxin-free as possible, companies who specialize and understand the need for tailored meals such as holistapet maltese may just be the cherry on the top that you have been looking for. Too many times brands and companies put quantity over quality to increase revenue, and this has negative long-term effects we wouldn’t want for our pets.
Wholesome foods offer an essentially rich vitamin and mineral portfolio, and similarly to us, dogs need as many if not more nutrients to maintain their energetic daily adventures. And even more so if they arerare and sought-after breeds.
Age-specific foods.
Depending on the age of your dog will determine the food products most likely needed, broken down into 3 categories let’s take a look at what could be the best options.
• Puppy. Like with children they are at an integral growing point in their lives and need help with their development. A high fat and protein diet is recommended to develop and grow muscles and to feed the endless energy we see as they sprint around the garden chasing the kids for ages. Bone density and growth are also important so be sure to include phosphorous and a healthy dose of calcium.
• Adult. Fully grown your dog now needs tweaking to their diet, and you should be offering now lean meat with a reduction in fats to prevent obesity. Taking care of muscle joints, be sure the meals and ingredients include Glucosamine and Chondroitin (read about them here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5356289/ ) for increased flexibility as they age.
• Senior. Reaching their third trimester is an achievement in itself and making it as comfortable for them as possible is the least we can do as a responsible dog owners. Foods need to be as lean as possible now that the days of running around for hours on end are behind them, as well as easily digestible for their guts. Combined with supplements for joints and heart and your pup will be living his best days.
How to care for a specialized breed.
If you have been fortunate enough to look after a rare pet then there are features and practices you need to do to keep them in their best shape and form as possible.
This becomes even more important when dealing with Maltese as they have a single coat of long hair (its signature look) and foods with artificial colors or flavorings can have a serious impact on their skin as well as gastrointestinal system.
See a handy guide with tips and advice in this link which will not only help you in the right direction but keep you up-to-date and on track with grooming, nutrition, as well as hygiene. While food and diet play a big role in a dog that looks healthy, internally we have a responsibility to ensure an optimal functioning system.
A final thought round-up.
Dogs like these are, in a nutshell, social animals that like to be around people and can get stressed or have anxiety attacks if left alone for too long. Always teach children how to hold and put them down properly as they are quite thin and fragile, be sure to supervise them until you are confident in their care, and try to be less clingy with them –although it can be tough because they are so cute- as this only adds to the human dependency factor.
It may not be well-knownbut Maltese have small stomachs so opt for high-quality foods as opposed to quantity, chatting to your vet will help with food recommendations,and then read the food packaging labels.
Often we assume that the food brands are giving quality meats and ingredients, but unless the meat is named on the product label your best bet would be to look for one that does state it. Organic and bio-friendly foods always come recommended as trials and extensive testing have been conducted to produce the very best in products.
In most cases we outlive our pets, let’s make sure that the time we have with them is a quality one.
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