While you’re probably familiar with the golden retriever, the French bulldog, or maybe even the pug, chances are that you haven’t heard of the Belgian Malinois.
The Belgian Malinois is one of the more unusual dog breeds. They’re not only intelligent, but they’re also incredibly active and high-energy. And, sure, some people might be worried that a dog that’s constantly on the go might end up eating something it shouldn’t—but that’s just not true.
Belgian Malinois are extremely picky eaters and are prone to nutritional deficiencies if they don’t get the right kinds of food. That’s why it’s so important to understand what Belgian Malinois can (and can’t) eat before you bring one home.
What Can My Dog Eat?
Belgian Malinois are very active dogs, so they require quite a bit of food! In general, these dogs should be fed the following amounts:
-Puppies: 4-5 meals per day (at two months old)
-Adult Dogs: 3-5 meals per day (grown by ten months of age)
Belgian Malinois can eat most human foods—besides chocolate, of course—but there are some foods that are particularly good for them. These include:
- Hearty proteins like fish or steak
- Grains like rice and oats
- Veggies like broccoli and carrots
- Fruits like apples and bananas
- Yogurt
- Cheese, but only in small amounts if you have lactose intolerance.
- Eggs without the shell
- Sweet potatoes, both raw and cooked
Foods to avoid:
-Berries (especially blackberries)
-Apples (seeds are toxic, but the flesh is safe)
-Pears (seeds are toxic, but the flesh is safe)
-Cherries (the seeds are toxic, but the flesh is safe)
-Apricots (the seeds are toxic, but the flesh is safe)
-Peaches (seeds are toxic, but the flesh is safe)
Foods to enjoy:
-Whole wheat bread (not too much or they’ll get a tummy ache)
-Brown rice (not too much or they’ll get a tummy ache)
-chicken breast, turkey breast, lamb breast, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin (no more than one ounce per pound of body weight)
My furry friend
I know they say not to feed your Belgian Malinois table scraps, but I have a secret: my dog Muff loves them. And I’m not just talking about the occasional bite of hamburger under the table.
Muff has a full-blown obsession with anything that comes out of the refrigerator, and he will eat it all if he can get his paws on it.
Once, I actually saw him sneak up to the counter and open the fridge door with his mouth. He was so stealthy about it too, like a real cat burglar!
By now you’re probably wondering if there’s some special dog food I’m feeding Muff that allows him to indulge in such decadent human foods without suffering any ill effects. The answer is no!
He eats a diet of high-quality grain-free kibble—the same kind of kibble I feed to my other dog, Dingo, who does not try to steal our food (even though she definitely knows how).
They’re both healthy dogs who exercise regularly and live long lives. But there’s one thing that sets them apart: Muff is a Belgian Malinois.
Belgian Malinois is an extremely intelligent and high-energy breed with lots of energy to burn off.
What can Muff eat?
He was more than happy to eat all of the following:
-Cilantro (3/4 cup per day)
-Kale (2 cups per day)
-Dark chocolate (1/2 bar per day, max)
-Eggs (1 boiled egg per day)
Dietary Restrictions
A Belgian Malinois’s diet should consist primarily of proteins like eggs and meat. They can also have whole grains like rice and oats, as well as green beans and lima beans. Fruit and vegetables? Not so much! This is because Belgian Malinois don’t have the same sort of digestive system that we do—while humans can easily digest fruits and vegetables, dogs need to have their food cooked before it’s edible for them.
So what does a healthy Belgian Malinois diet look like? Here’s a sample meal plan:
Breakfast: 1/2 cup of scrambled eggs with some finely chopped chicken breast on top.
Lunch: 1/4 cup of brown rice with a few bits of green bean or lima bean mixed in.
Dinner: a few tablespoons of finely chopped beef or pork with some
As far as treats go, we recommend sticking with something safe and simple like bones or rawhide chews—just make sure they’re made of beef or chicken (not pork).
The Do’s
Do feed your Belgian Malinois lots of dog food that has been specially formulated for active dogs. You should be sure to give your dog plenty of protein; the bulk of their diet should be made up of animal proteins like chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. They also need lots of healthy fats from sources like flaxseed oil or fish oil for their coats and skin health.
Do make sure your Belgian Malinois gets enough calcium in its diet by feeding it a calcium-rich dog food or supplementing it with crushed up eggshells or bone meal powder mixed in with their regular food.
Making Sure Your Dog Gets What They Need
As with any breed, it’s important that your Belgian Malinois gets all the right nutrients in its diet: proteins, carbs, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. If they don’t get what they need in their food, they may start looking around for snacks—and that’s when you start losing control over what they’re eating.
How to take proper care of a Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are bred for their strength and intelligence. They can be aloof, but their loyalty is unwavering! If you’ve adopted a Mal, you’re in for an incredible experience. Malinois needs to be exercised regularly and have a lot of mental stimulation. They enjoy having a job and are easily trained. Here’s what you should know about your mal’s health needs:
Physical activity:
Belgian Malinois are working dogs, which means they need regular physical activity. You should walk your dog every day and participate in agility training or other sports with them. They also enjoy obedience training as it keeps their minds sharp.
Grooming:
Malinois have short hair that sheds lightly throughout the year. You should brush your dog once a week and more frequently during the shedding season in the spring and fall. Your dog will require occasional baths, but since they love water, they tend to enjoy bath time!
Nutrition:
Malinois are very active dogs who need high-energy food to support their lifestyle. You should feed your dog a formula made specifically for active breeds, such as Diamond Naturals Active Dog & Puppy Formula. A Recipe for Natural Dry Meat
Here’s what you need to know about a mallinoid:
- Energy level: medium-high You’ll want to take at least one long walk with them every day, ideally with some time off leash in a fenced area where they can run around and play.
- Shedding: low-medium. While they have a fairly thick coat, they don’t shed all that much, except during seasonal changes when they’ll lose and regrow new fur twice per year.
- Training ability: high. The Belgian Malinois is very trainable and will pick up on commands quickly if you take the time to train them properly. They do need to be told the same rules over and over again in order to stay obedient over time.
- Grooming requirements: low-medium: Owners should keep an eye out for common medical problems like hip dysplasia, even though this breed doesn’t need a lot of attention.
Belgian Malinois dogs come in a variety of colors, including rich mahogany, black, and tan. They also vary in height and weight. For example, an adult female Belgian Malinois may weigh around 35-40 pounds, while males may weigh around 40-50 pounds. Most adult dogs are normally between 21 and 26 inches tall at the shoulder.
They need a lot of space and attention, but the payoff is incredible.
They are fully capable of being trained for anything from police work to search and rescue, and they make companions that are loyal and protective.
The Belgian Malinois may not get along with other dogs or pets.
While Belgian Malinois can be very social with humans, they don’t always get along with other animals. This is especially true if they were bred to look like wolves because they will perceive cats and other small animals as prey. When taking your dog on a walk, it’s important to keep them on a leash at all times. Belgian Malinois are high-energy dogs, and they might get the zoomies and run into traffic, or try to herd other people or animals.
Conclusion
You know your Belgian Malinois is part of the family, and you want to make sure they get everything they need—including all their favorite foods. But it’s important to know what is and isn’t good for them, so here’s a list of some of the things that can cause problems if you give them to your pup.The Belgian Malinois can eat anything from kibble to raw dog food. However, there are some things that are dangerous for them to eat, so it’s important to make sure they don’t sneak into the garbage or rummage through your pantry while you’re away.