Best Dog Foods For Belgian Malinois: Puppies, Adults & Seniors

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Looking for the best dog food for your Belgian Malinois? Exercise is the key to happiness with this breed, but without the right nutrition, this isn’t possible. So, for your Mal to be a happy bunny, you need to find him the proper nutrition. But what nutrients does he need? Do his needs change as he gets older? And what separates a good-quality kibble from a poor one?

This breed is a hardworking, muscular canine who needs top-quality nutrition to fuel his 40 to 80-pound body. But because not every Mal is the same, we have found options for every Mal and every budget. So, whether he is a canine colleague of yours or he is a family pet, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at our top picks for the best food for Belgian Malinois in more detail so you’ll know exactly what to put in his bowl.

Puppies	Adults	Seniors
Blue Buffalo	The Farmer’s Dog	Purina Pro Plan
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All of the dog foods I’ve included in my reviews meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines, are made in the U.S., and contain no fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients.

Belgian Malinois Puppy Nutrient Needs

Many Belgian Malinois puppies will eventually grow into large-size adults, and large-breed puppies have unique nutritional needs. For this reason, during his puppyhood up until the age of 12 months, he’ll need large-breed puppy food. Regular puppy food will not do because it doesn’t control his rapid bone growth. Controlling this is the key to lowering the risk of joint diseases, such as hip dysplasia.

This breed’s energetic body and intelligent mind needs high-quality fuel. Budget store kibbles aren’t going to cut it with the Mal. Instead, choose the best food that you can afford to ensure that your puppy gets all the developmental power that he needs to set the foundations of a healthy life.

According to the AAFCO, all puppies need a protein content of at least 22%. A Mal puppy ideally needs at least 24% protein to keep his large muscle mass fueled. The first ingredient should be real meat protein, and all meat ingredients should be named so that you know what your Mal is eating.

So that he can fight disease and illnesses, his immune system needs vitamins and minerals. Look for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as supplements, in the ingredient list. Prebiotic fibers and probiotic ingredients such as dried bacillus acidophilus fermentation products promote friendly bacteria in the gut. They will assist his digestive system resulting in healthy stools.

Omega fatty acids are essential for healthy development and overall wellness. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are also crucial for cognitive function and eye development. They are naturally found in mothers’ milk, and high-quality kibbles contain them too. Look for ingredients such as named meat meals, fish oils, eggs, and flaxseed.

Adult Belgian Malinois Nutrient Needs

At one year old, you will need to transition to an adult formula. If he did well on his puppy kibble, the adult version is sometimes a great place to start. Alternatively, you could look for a different formula. Just be sure to transition him slowly. A high-quality dog food that provides a well-balanced diet is the focus of his adult diet. Because the Belgian Malinois is an active breed, it’s always a good idea to double-check your dog’s calorie needs with an online calorie calculator or another tool.

As a hardworking pooch, protein is the star of the nutrition show. In adulthood, AAFCO states that he needs a minimum protein content of 18%. This will keep his large muscle mass healthy and energized. Meats and meat meals are ideal here. Look for food rich in omega fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, probiotic ingredients, vitamins, and minerals for overall wellness.

Senior Belgian Malinois Nutrient Needs

As your Mal reaches eight years, you will need to think about switching him to a senior kibble or wet food. All dogs are different, and if he is still working as hard as he was in adulthood, you might want to leave it another year or so. Essentially, senior kibbles are lower in protein, fats, and energy simply because seniors don’t need as much as they did.

High-quality kibbles will still provide a well-balanced diet but with a few differences. He’ll need extra glucosamine and chondroitin for his joints, and meat meals are a fantastic natural source. He will also need additional vitamins and minerals for his weakening immune system and probiotics to assist his aging digestive tract.

Best Puppy Food For Belgian Malinois

A Belgian Malinois puppy should be weaned off their mother’s milk by the time they are around six weeks of age. Once this happens, it’s time to have them start eating nutritious dry kibble. This is likely going to be the food that they eat for the first year of their life. The Mal is known to have a more sensitive stomach, so keep that in mind when considering your puppy’s first food. Limited-ingredient formulas, poultry-free formulas, or pea-free dog food formulas may work well during puppyhood if your Mal has a sensitive stomach. Let’s take a look at our favorite foods for Belgian Malinois puppies.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Review

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This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy kibble is fortified with six probiotic ingredients for easy digestion. And fibers such as dried chicory root and alfalfa help with this function too. Blue Buffalo has added their exclusive LifeSource Bits to this formula, which are packed full of superfoods and optimum nutrients for large breed pups. They also add extra texture to his bowl, too.

Key Features

• Real chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain-inclusive
• DHA for brain support
• Contains no by-product meals
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• High-protein ratio
• 417 kcal/cup
• 35% protein, 14% fat, 6% fiber

Price

• Starts at $37.98 ($2.53 / lb) (15-lb bag)

Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy Review

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Wellness CORE is their high protein range, and this Wellness CORE Large Breed Puppy formula uses deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal for high-quality protein sources. Not only will he receive a variety of amino acids for his large muscle mass, but it’s full of taste that your Mal pup will go crazy for. This is suitable for large breeds.

In addition to the above ingredients, salmon oil and flaxseed provide extra omega fats for his skin health and organ development. Spinach, broccoli, kale, blueberries, and apples offer antioxidants for healthy immunity. A variety of dried fermented ingredients assist his gastrointestinal system in digesting the rich meats. Taurine is also listed for his heart health.

• Grain-free formula
• High animal protein concentration
• Contains premium, all-natural ingredients
• Based on an ancestral diet for canines
• 417 kcal/cup
• 34% protein, 13% fat, 5% fiber

Price

• Starts at $77.98 ($3.25 / lb) (24-lb bag)

American Journey Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Review

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American Journey’s Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy formula uses salmon as the primary protein source, with chicken meal and turkey meal taking second and third place. This provides a trio of amino acid selections, omega fats, energy, and glucosamine for his big body needs. And again, big meaty taste. This option has one of the highest fat contents, so you can be sure he has all the puppy growing power he needs.

In addition to the ingredients above, salmon oil and fish meal also provide DHA for his brain and eye development. This kibble is fortified with probiotic ingredients, and alongside dried beet pulp, his digestion is sure to be regular. Sweet potatoes and chickpeas replace grains and provide slow-release energy and extra fiber. Carrots, blueberries, and dried kelp are nutrient-dense too. American Journey is also an excellent dog food for those on a budget. Even with the lower cost, it holds its own compared to other brands like Taste of the Wild.

• Grain-free puppy food
• Real salmon is the first ingredient
• DHA for brain function
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• No artificial colors or flavors
• 352 kcal/cup
• 32% protein, 14% fat, 4.5% fiber

Price

• $59.99 (24-lb bag)

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Review

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This Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy recipe is based on science and made by scientists. This recipe uses lamb as the primary protein source, which is ideal for those who struggle to digest other, more common meat proteins, like chicken or beef. This is a grain-inclusive option that uses gentle brown rice, cracked pearled barley, whole-grain oats, and more. Vitamins and mineral supplements are added to this kibble.

Although this recipe has the lowest protein content, many pups do much better on a lower content. But it still exceeds the AAFCO requirements. Egg and fish oil provide DHA and EPA, and flaxseed provides the omega for nourished skin and coat. Science Diet is a high-quality brand, even though it’s more expensive than other brands.

Key Features

• Grain-inclusive formula (contains wheat)
• Natural DHA from fish oil
• Antioxidant boost for immune health
• Calcium boost for developing bones
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• 383 kcal/cup
• 24.5% protein, 12% fat, 3% fiber

Price

• $81.99 ($2.73 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Review

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Purina created this recipe for their Pro food line with large breed puppies in mind. Real chicken is the first ingredient, with rice and corn following to provide energy and fiber. ThisPurina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy kibble has a 12% moisture content, meaning that it is softer than some other kibbles. It is also formulated with live probiotics to assist in his gut health.

Fish meal, eggs, and fish oil deliver the vital puppy nutrients DHA and ARA for his organ development and cognitive function. They will also keep his skin and coat supple, alongside biotin for strong and shiny hair. This kibble is also fortified with various vitamins and minerals to ensure his immunity has the power to fight disease.

• Budget-friendly dog food
• High protein formula for muscle development
• Grain-inclusive
• DHA for brain development
• Probiotics for digestive health
• 419 kcal/cup
• 28% protein, 13% fat, 4.75% fiber

Price

• Starts at $52.98 ($2.94 / lb) (18-lb bag)

Best Dog Food For Belgian Malinois Adults

Once your Mal hits about 12 to 15 months of age, it’s time to transition to an adult large-breed formula. Usually, if your puppy has successfully made it through puppyhood with one brand, it’s best to stick with that brand and carry it over into adulthood.

However, if your dog has started having issues with their new adult food, or you are just looking for a switch for budget reasons, there are several quality options when it comes to finding the best dog food for your adult Belgian Malinois. Similar to the German Shepherd’s diet, you want a dog food that will match your Mal’s activity level. Each of the brands listed below will do so. Let’s look at our favorites.

The Farmer’s Dog Review

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The Farmer’s Dog makes a variety of grain-free formulas customized for the needs of different working dogs, making it ideal for the Belgian Malinois. With four different vet-created recipes (turkey, beef, chicken, pork), meat is always the first ingredient, followed by wholesome vegetables. In fact, The Farmer’s Dog looks, smells, and tastes like real food because it’s made with human-grade ingredients.

The protein content and added nutritional supplements ensure a balanced, power-packed meal for performance dogs. Compared to the kibble competition, each Farmer’s Dog recipe contains close to 40% protein, primarily from real meat, not meat meal. This provides the working energy and calories to keep your Mal going. And the added vitamins help keep your pup’s coat looking and feeling lush.

These grain-free meal plans are customized for your dog’s breed, age, weight, activity level, and ideal weight. If your dog also enjoys grains in his diet, you can cook up some rice to mix in. This will add more diversity to your Mal’s meal and stretch the meals a little further, saving you money.

Key Features

• Human-grade meals
• All are grain-free
• Cooked fresh, flash-frozen, and shipped to you
• Personalized meal plans
• 4 healthy, vet-designed options: beef, chicken, turkey, or pork
• No fillers or artificial preservatives
• Calories and nutritional values vary based on recipe

Price

Our readers have access to 50% off your first box. No code is needed; just use this link, and the discount will be applied!

• Starts at $2/day

Merrick Large Breed Grain-Free Review

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This Merrick Large Breed Grain-Free recipe has the second-highest protein content on this list, thanks to deboned chicken and chicken meal starring as the first two ingredients. His DHA is supplied thanks to salmon meal and eggs, as well as other omega fatty acids for his overall health. These ingredients also contribute towards high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin that support his hardworking joints.

Fresh fruit and veggies such as peas, sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries provide vitamins and minerals for his immunity. Taurine is listed for his cardiac health, and L-carnitine is added to support his metabolism. Four probiotic ingredients are listed, supporting his digestive system, and yucca schidigera extract will reduce stool odor.

Key Features

• Deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• Grain-free formula
• Gluten-free formula
• Ingredients sourced from local farmers
• 387 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 15% fat, 3.5% fiber

Price

• $72.98 ($3.32 / Pound) (22-lb bag)

American Journey Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Review

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This recipe follows the puppy option, and it is almost exactly the same, except it is now aimed at adults. The first two ingredients are deboned salmon and turkey meal, with fish meal following shortly after. So, not only is this recipe full of meaty taste, it takes care of his large muscle mass, energy needs, and higher glucosamine content for your dog’s joints.

This is a grain-free option, and it relies on peas, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes. They also contribute towards the fiber content, which will help to keep his digestive system regular and keep him feeling full too. Nutrient-dense ingredients such as blueberries, dried kelp, and carrots boost his immunity.

We love that this recipe is high in healthy omega fatty acids, thanks to the primary fish protein. This recipe will do wonders for his skin and coat health.

• Budget-friendly dog food
• Grain-free formula
• Made with real fruits and vegetables
• High protein content
• Made with Omega fatty acids & DHA
• 370 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 12% fat, 5% fiber

Price

• $59.99 (24-lb bag)

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult Review

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This Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Adult recipe follows on from the puppy formula, so if your Mal did well on this as a pup, he will probably do well on this. Again, it uses lamb meal, which is the first ingredient. This is a low protein content compared to the rest of our recommendations, but some Mals do better on a less-rich option.

This is a grain-inclusive option and uses brown rice, brewers rice, barley, and more as the main energy sources. It is fortified with vitamin and mineral supplements to support his immunity, and chicken fat and flaxseed support the health of his skin and coat. Taurine is added for his heart health, and L-carnitine will support his metabolism.

Key Features

• Veterinarian endorsed brand
• Grain-inclusive (includes corn & wheat)
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• Antioxidants for immune health
• Made with natural ingredients
• 369 kcal/cup
• 19% protein, 12% fat, 3% fiber

Price

• $83.99 ($2.55 / lb) (33-lb bag)

Best Food For Belgian Malinois Seniors

A Belgian Malinois enters their senior years at around 6 or 7 years of age. Once that happens, they’ll need additional support for their aging joints and bones. This means you’ll need food with an increased level of Glucosamine and chondroitin, especially for active dogs. For less active dogs, consider looking at a dry kibble that’s lower in calories.  While most Mals won’t gain too much weight in their golden years, it’s still something to consider if your pup is less active. Let’s look at our favorite dog foods for Belgian Malinois seniors.

Purina Pro Plan Senior Bright Mind Review

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This Purina Pro Plan Senior Bright Mind formula has higher calories and fat than the others below, making it more suitable for older Mals who are still active. Real chicken is the first ingredient, and egg, fish oil, and fish meal will keep his slowing brain ticking, as well as ensure his other organs function as they should. Botanical oils such as L-arginine provide efficient fuel for his mind to help him stay sharp and alert.

Glucosamine is supplied through meat meals, which keeps his joints supple. This is a grain-inclusive option that many older dogs need to keep their digestive system regulated. This formula is fortified with vitamin and mineral supplements. And each kibble piece is guaranteed to have probiotics to promote friendly bacteria in his gut.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly dog food
• Probiotics for gut health
• Made with real chicken
• Botanical oils that support brain health
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• 423 kcal/cup
• 29% protein, 14% fat, 3% fiber

Price

• Starts at Check Amazon for availability (5-lb bag)

Merrick Senior Grain-Free Review

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This Merrick Senior Grain-Free recipe is not designed with large-breed seniors in mind. But it ticks all the large breed boxes, which is why we have chosen it for the Mal. Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients, and turkey and salmon meal follow shortly after. This recipe has the high content of glucosamine and chondroitin for the Mal’s aging joints.

Merrick’s Grain-free senior recipe has a lower fiber content, which some senior dogs need because too much fiber can cause irregularities in their digestive system. This recipe also lists probiotics, which promote extra-friendly bacteria. Vitamin and mineral supplements will support his immune system, and it is a grain-free formula using sweet potatoes and peas instead.

Key Features

• Grain-free formula
• Gluten-free formula
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• 382 kcal/cup
• 30% protein, 12% fat, 3.5% fiber

Price

• $72.98 ($3.32 / lb) (22-lb bag)

American Journey Grain-Free Senior Salmon & Sweet Potato Review

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This American Journey Grain-Free Senior Salmon & Sweet Potato recipe has a higher protein content thanks to a trio of proteins, meaning it is suited to energetic seniors with active muscles. Like the above product, this formula is not specifically for large breeds. But it also has a high glucosamine content, so it ticks the boxes again. This is a salmon-based recipe that provides many omega fatty acids to keep his skin and fur nourished.

Instead of grains, this formula uses sweet potatoes and chick peas for carbohydrate sources. Nutrient-dense ingredients such as blueberries, pumpkin, kelp, carrots, and microalgae keep his body fighting fit against diseases. It also has a high-fiber content, which is excellent at keeping hungry Mals feeling fuller for longer.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly
• Grain-free formula
• Glucosamine boost for aging pups
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• MCT’s for brain health
• 329 kcal/cup
• 32% protein, 10% fat, 7% fiber

Price

• $59.99 (24-lb bag)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Senior Review

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This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Senior recipe has lower caloric and fiber content, making it an ideal option for Mals who aren’t that active anymore. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, and chicken meal adds extra meat and glucosamine. It’s also ideal for those Mals who go crazy for chicken flavor. L-carnitine is added to ensure that his metabolism is supported to prevent senior weight gain.

Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits are added to the mix, which are full of seven superfood ingredients to support the needs of the Mal’s aging immune system. In addition to this, taurine is added for his cardiac health, and probiotic ingredients to increase friendly bacteria in his digestive tract. Salmon meal and flaxseed keep his drying skin and coat supple and healthy.

Key Features

• Budget-friendly formula
• Grain-inclusive (brown rice, oatmeal, etc.)
• Glucosamine boost for joint health
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• No chicken by-product meals
• L-Carnitine for metabolism
• 343 kcal/cup
• 20% protein, 10% fat, 7% fiber

Price

• Starts at $69.98 ($2.33 / lb) (30-lb bag)

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Senior Formula Review

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Another good option for Mals who have slowed down, this Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Senior formula is low on calories, low on fats and lists L-carnitine. All of these features This lowers the chances of your senior Mal from putting on too much weight.

It still includes enough omega fatty acids to keep him healthy, thanks to flaxseed, folic acid, vitamin E, and biotin ingredients. Apple, broccoli, carrot, and cranberry provide his immune system with antioxidants. Dried beet pulp keeps his digestive system working in his senior years.

Key Features

• Veterinarian backed brand
• Grain-inclusive (cracked pearled barley, brewers rice, etc.)
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health
• Glucosamine for joint support
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• 352 kcal/cup
• 15.5% protein, 10.5% fat, 4% fiber

Price

$80.99 ($2.45 / lb) (33-lb bag)

Should I Consider A Hip & Joint Supplement?

Due to the increased likelihood of Belgian Malinois experiencing hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and arthritis, it might be beneficial to incorporate a daily joint supplement into your dog’s diet. The best joint supplements for dogs not only support the joints of healthy canines but also aid those with existing joint issues by enhancing joint health and alleviating inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort. As with any supplement, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian to ensure it’s safe for your furry companion.

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