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 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:
- If your dog is particularly active and engages in strenuous exercise, you may need to increase its food intake to support its energy needs.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide a balanced diet that includes the necessary nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
- 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.
- Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust their food intake accordingly, ensuring that they maintain a healthy weight.
- 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 months | Approx. weight | Approx. quantity per day | Meals per day |
---|---|---|---|
2-3 | 7-12 lbs | 1 cup (150-200 gr) | 4 |
4-5 | 15-22 lbs | 1.5 cups (250-300 gr) | 3-4 |
6 | 26-37 lbs | 1.6 Cups (300 gr) | 3 |
9 | 37-50 lbs | 1.9 cups (300-400 gr) | 2-3 |
12 | 41-61 lbs | 2.2 cups (400 gr) | 2 |
16-18 | 53-77 lbs | 2.5 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) |
---|---|---|
5 | 11 | 486 |
10 | 22 | 817 |
15 | 33 | 1107 |
20 | 48.5 | 1373 |
25 | 55.1 | 1623 |
30 | 66.1 | 1861 |
35 | 77.1 | 2089 |
40 | 88.1 | 2309 |
50 | 110.2 | 2730 |
60 | 132.2 | 3130 |
70 | 154.3 | 3514 |
80 | 176.3 | 3884 |
90 | 198.4 | 4243 |
Need more detailed information? Have a look at our free calorie calculator and water intake calculator.
You may also like:
- Are Belgian Malinois suitable for first-time owners?
- Are Belgian Malinois compatible with children and infants?
- Do Belgian Malinois have a tendency to get along well with other dogs?
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)
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.
- 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.
- Only once a week shipping.
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)
- MORE CHICKEN IS COMING: An evolution of your dog’s formula with more chicken than ever, plus wholesome grains
- PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN: A recipe made to satisfy your dog’s natural love for meat, this high protein dog food features real chicken to help build and maintain lean muscle mass
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: BLUE Wilderness grain free dog food, made with healthy carbohydrates including sweet potatoes and peas, helps fuel your adult dog’s active lifestyle; It also contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog food is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals; BLUE contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
- Contains one (1) 11-lb bag of BLUE Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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 dog food delivers a diet rich and varied in fresh, whole fish ingredients from Atlantic mackerel, herring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, flounder, and silver hake
- With 85% quality animal ingredients, ORIJEN nourishes dogs according to their natural, biological needs
- Using fresh and raw animal ingredients, including meat, organs, cartilage, and bone, ORIJEN is the Biologically Appropriate, grain-free diet that dogs have evolved to eat
- Our Fresh Regional Ingredients are supplied by people we know and trust, and are delivered to our kitchen fresh or raw, in their most natural and nourishing form
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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)
- GRAIN FREE PUPPY FOOD WITH FREEZE DRIED RAW CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Raw Boost dry dog food combines high protein, grain free kibble with all natural bites of freeze dried raw chicken. Cage free chicken is the #1 ingredient - for energy to grow & play
- PUPPY DOG FOOD PLUS FREEZE DRIED RAW PIECES: Made with calcium & phosphorus for strong teeth and bones plus natural DHA for brain & eye development. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by product meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
- THE FIRST RAW BOOSTED LARGE BREED PUPPY KIBBLE: Raw Boost mixes natural, high protein, grain free dog food with our freeze dried raw dog food toppers in one bag. Also includes probiotics and omegas. Complete & balanced nutrition for large breed puppies.
- POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
- OUR BEST DOG FOOD FOR PUPPIES BOOSTED WITH RAW: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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

Wrapping up

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.