How Much To Feed a Belgian Malinois? (Puppy and Adult!)

The Belgian Malinois is a beautiful, strong, intelligent, and highly active dog breed. That’s why you need to have in-depth knowledge of how much to feed a Belgian Malinois puppy and how many times a day if you are thinking of bringing one home.

In the following paragraphs, we will give you a comprehensive guide (and tables) concerning the amount of food a Belgian Malinois should consume.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

How Much to Feed a Belgian Malinois? 

How much to Feed a Belgian Malinois - Belgian Malinois feeding chart

How much should a belgian malinois eat? The recommended daily amount of food for a Belgian Malinois puppy is between 1 to 1.75 cups which should be divided into 3-4 meals. The daily amount for an adult Belgian Malinois is between 1.75 to 3 cups. The amount of dry dog food depends on the dog’s size, weight, and activity and should decrease as the dog grows.

When it comes to feeding your Malinois, you have the option of choosing between wet dog food, home-cooked meals, or a combination of both. Regardless of your choice, it is important to ensure that you are providing the appropriate portion size for your dog.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when feeding your Malinois:

  1. If your dog is particularly active and engages in strenuous exercise, you may need to increase its food intake to support its energy needs.
  2. However, it is important to be mindful of overfeeding as this can negatively impact your dog’s health, leading to weight gain and potential health issues such as diabetes and joint problems.
  3. You should consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate serving size and type of food that best suits your dog’s unique needs, taking into account factors succh as breed, age, weight, and activity level.
  4. Provide a balanced diet that includes the necessary nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
  5. If you choose to home-cook your dog’s meals, make sure you are using high-quality ingredients and are providing a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients.
  6. Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust their food intake accordingly, ensuring that they maintain a healthy weight.
  7. It’s also recommended to conduct a dog sensitivity test to determine if your dog has any food allergies or sensitivities. This can help you make informed decisions about the ingredients you include in their diet and potentialy prevent any negative health effects caused by allergic reactions.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your Malinois receives the proper nutrition they need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Take control of your dog’s health today! Our dog food calculator, dog calorie calculator, and dog BMI calculator are all easy to use and will help you give your pet the best care possible. Check them out now!

Belgian Malinois Feeding Chart

The following Belgian Malinois food chart will help you take care of your new Malinois puppy for optimum health and nutrition. 

Age in monthsApprox. weightApprox. quantity per dayMeals per day
2-37-12 lbs1 cup (150-200 gr)4
4-515-22 lbs1.5 cups (250-300 gr)3-4
626-37 lbs1.6 Cups (300 gr)3
937-50 lbs1.9 cups (300-400 gr)2-3
1241-61 lbs2.2 cups (400 gr)2
16-1853-77 lbs2.5 cups (400-460 gr)2

*1 cup kibble = 180 grams approximately. I manually weighed the kibble I had at home. I strongly suggest you do the same with your dog’s kibble, as it may have a different density than what I weighed.

**These numbers are only approximations to give you an idea. Consult your veterinarian (or an online veterinarian available 24/7) to get detailed and specific dosages for your dog.

Suggested Calorie Intake by Weight for a High-activity Adult Dog Like The Belgian Malinois

In this table, you will find categorized in order of weight an approximate caloric intake for adult dogs that perform a high physical activity:

Weight (kg)Weight (lbs)Calories per day (Kcal)
511486
1022817
15331107
2048.51373
2555.11623
3066.11861
3577.12089
4088.12309
50110.22730
60132.23130
70154.33514
80176.33884
90198.44243

Need more detailed information? Have a look at our free calorie calculator and water intake calculator.

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Best Dog Food for Belgian Malinois

Feeding a high-quality, high protein and low fat diet is crucial for the overall wellbeing of large-breed working dogs like the Belgian Malinois. This will ensure that they can perform their working duties to the fullest and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

We have compiled for you a list of some of the best dog foods for Belgian Malinois, including premium, budget-friendly and puppy options. This will help you make an educated choice for your dog’s diet.

My Ollie Lamb Recipe (Best Fresh Recipe)

Human-Grade Food Supplying Platform
My Ollie - Freshly Cooked Dog Food Supplies At Your Doorstep

Ollie is a dedicated food supplying platform where dog food is prepared with premium quality ingredients in human-grade kitchens. They deliver precisely portioned and naturally driven food to your home, such as protein, minerals, and vitamin-packed beef; chicken; lamb; turkey, etc.

In addition, they feature many recipes suggested by nutritionists, including hormone-free meat, and healthy meals without any by-products or funky fillers. 

Pros:
  • No excipients or fillers are used in the formation of pet food.
  • Customized meal plan for your dog after undergoing a short quiz.
  • Deliver fresh food in small portions.
  • Change your plan or cancel your subscription at any time.
  • The meal comes with a feeding guide and free tools such as feeding scoops, and little containers.
Cons:
  • Only once a week shipping.
What Do We Think: ​​It’s an excellent option for those who place high value on their dog’s diet plan or for dogs struggling with a certain medical condition and requiring a specific nutrition plan.
Discover Ollie's Delicious Recipes Our Review
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Ollie is a great choice for pet owners looking for customized premium dog food that caters to their pup’s specific needs. The brand offers a questionnaire for pet parents to fill out about their dog’s weight, height, breed, and potential allergies, to recommend the best diet for their pup.

One of the options available is their lamb formula, which is perfect for dogs with protein allergies, as it still provides 44% crude protein when measured on a dry matter basis. Additionally, the recipe includes ingredients such as butternut squash, kale, and cranberries , which offer vitamins A and C for immune health and protect urinary health, respectively.

The food does not have a specified calorie count as it is tailored to the dog’s nutritional needs, but it has high-fat and high-fiber content, which is 32% crude fat and 8% crude fiber respectively.

Pet parents love that the food contains human-grade ingredients and is fresh with real ingredients, however, some dislike the subscription system and the extended shipping times.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein With Chicken Adult (Best Meat Recipe)

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an ideal choice for the active Belgian Malinois. As a high-energy breed, this food provides the necessary protein from real chicken to support and maintain lean muscle mass.

The inclusion of complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, in addition to LifeSource Bits, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by experts, helps to fuel the Malinois’s active lifestyle while supporting overall health and well-being.

And with the absence of chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors and preservatives, you can trust that you are giving your Mal the best nutrition possible.

Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Adult (Best Fish Recipe)

Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free dog food may be on the expensive side, but its high-quality ingredients make it worth it. This dog food formula is made with 85% real fish, providing a high-protein and low-fat diet for your Belgian Malinois.

The main ingredients include mackerel, herring, and flounder among other types of fish. Additionally , the formula includes a variety of fruits and vegetables such as lentils, squash, pumpkin, pears, and apples, which not only add flavor but also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog’s overall health.

However, it’s worth noting that if your dog prefers meats other than fish, he may not be a fan of this food.

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken (Best Recipe for Puppies)

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is specially formulated for growing Belgian Malinois puppies between 8 weeks and 14 months old. With high levels of protein and calories, this formula supports the growth and development of your pup.

When searching for the best foods for Belgian Malinois puppy, this option is a great choice as it provides the necessary nutrition for their growth and development.

Additionally, it includes freeze-dried raw bits to entice picky eaters and 33.5% crude protein and 18.5% crude fat from chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat, which provide essential nutrients for muscle development and cartilage health.

While this formula is grain-free, it’s worth noting that grains are generally recommended by veterinarians for growing puppies unless they have allergies. This formula still offers fiber and vitamins A and C from blueberries, peas, and pumpkin seeds, but if your vet recommends grains it may not be the best option.

One of the key benefits of this recipe is the inclusion of DHA from salmon oil, which supports brain health and cognitive function, which is crucial for puppies who have weaned off their mother’s milk.

Many puppy parents report that their pup has shiny fur and perfect teeth after eating this food, however, some have noted that it can cause stinky farts and gas in some puppies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding a Belgian Malinois

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The amount of food will start from one cup daily and reach as high as 3 cups a day as your puppy grows. It is important to note that the volume may vary depending on the Malinois puppy’s age, size, and activity level. Also, puppies require a bit more nutrients than adult dogs because they are still growing and developing. 

How many times to feed a Belgian Malinois puppy? Puppies’ stomachs are smaller than adults, and because of this, they tend to get hungry more often than adults. That’s why you should divide their daily food intake into four equal parts throughout the day. In addition to their daily food, it is important to give them chewable snacks, multivitamins, and dietary supplements to help them grow strong and healthy.

According to the caloric requirements of your Malinois, you should stick to the plan prescribed by your veterinarian. This is because overfeeding would make them obese, while undernourishment would make them lethargic and prone to various diseases. As mentioned several times, consult your veterinarian for more detailed information regarding your dog’s dietary needs.

Adult Malinois do not need three or four meals a day as puppies do. Once the dog has reached one year of age, it means that adulthood has begun. So from now on, you should only give your dog two or at most three meals a day. 

Puppies need more nutritious food than adults; as your pup grows one year old, you can shift them to adult food. 

Yes, some Belgian Malinois have a sensitive stomach, and you will know it when your dog shows signs like loose stool and vomiting. 

When it comes to feeding a Belgian Malinois, it’s recommended to provide an adult dog with 2 to 3 cups of food per day, divided into 2 to 4 meals. For puppies, the recommended amount is slightly less, at 1.5 to 2 cups per day, divided into 4 to 6 meals. As the puppy grows and matures, the frequency of meals can be gradually reduced. It’s important to keep in mind that the exxact amount of food may vary depending on the weight and energy needs of the individual dog. It’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian to determine the best feeding plan for your Belgian Malinois.

When it comes to feeding a Belgian Malinois, it’s important to provide a high-quality, balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. This should include a protein source such as chicken, fish, or lamb, as well as complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats.

It’s also important to ensure that the food is formulated for the specific life stage of the dog, whether that be puppy, adult, or senior. Grain-free options are a good choice for Belgian Malinois, but it’s important to consult with a veterinarian first, as some veterinarians recommend grains for growing puppies unless they have allergies.

Malinois are known to be prone to weight gain, so it’s essential to pay attention to your Belgian Malinois diet and make sure it’s biologically appropriate and balanced. This means including lean proteins, healthy fats, and a good amount of vegetables , which are packed with essential vitaminns and minerals for optimum health and performance.

Additionally, it’s important to adjust the amount of food based on the weight of the dog and monitor their body condition regularly to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight.

A Belgian Malinois puppy should be fed four times a day in smaller, equal portions to accommodate their smaller stomachs. Along with their daily food, it is important to provide them with chewable snacks, vitamins, and supplements to support their growth and overall health.

Wrapping up

When do Malinois dogs stop growing - belgian malinois growth chart

If you have made it this far, you surely care for your puppy, but if you have just skipped right away to the conclusion, you are looking for the best advice you can get. 

The appropriate amount of dry food for your Malinois will depend on factors such as its size, weight, and activity level. Typically, an adult and active Malinois will require 2.5 to 3 cups of food per day, while a 2-month-old puppy will need around 1 cup.

If you are about to buy or adopt a Malinois, make sure you know all the important information regarding this breed. For more information, read also our Belgian Malinois Guide.