The acquisition of a dog is a serious and responsible step for every person. When deciding on it, it is necessary to take into account the upcoming concerns about the new pet. Especially if the plans have a dream to have a Maltese lap-dog. This decorative breed of small dogs is characterized by exacting care and maintenance. The nutrition of a little friend should be healthy and balanced, because his health and quality of life depend on him. That is why you should take care of how to feed the Maltese lapdog and make an approximate diet long before the appearance of the dog in the house.
Puppy acquisition
It is only necessary to bring a puppy to his new home when he begins to feed on his own and dispense with his mother. Breeders do not recommend purchasing a dog earlier than 2 months, as the artificial feeding of small puppies is a rather complicated process.
Maltese lapdog is very attractive for its appearance. But it is extremely important not to forget that the dog must have documents confirming its pedigree, as well as the state of health. At the time of acquiring a puppy, he should already have some types of vaccinations. You should also pay attention to the activity of the baby. The more mobile and playful the dog will be, the higher the likelihood that the animal is completely healthy both physically and psychologically.
Veterinarian Tips
Specialists who are asked the question of how to feed the Maltese lapdog answer the question unequivocally. They recommend making the diet of these pets as nutritious and rich in vitamins. The animal’s daily meals should be composed of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats and vitamins.
It is also extremely important to give your dog free access to fresh drinking water without gas. When thinking about how to feed a puppy of a Maltese lap dog, it is very important to take into account the fact that without a plentiful drink of pure water, the puppy will not completely absorb beneficial substances.
The younger the pet, the more dairy products, lean fresh meat, soups and various cereals should be in his diet. The Maltese lap-dog belongs to the category of dwarf breeds that grow very quickly and reach puberty. That is why the animal needs a lot of energy reserves, as well as nutritious and at the same time digestible food.
Protein Food
When thinking about how to feed a Maltese lap-dog, it is necessary to remember that protein is very important for the development of muscle and bone tissue of an animal. Therefore, products with its content should be in first place in the diet of a pet. Most protein is found in meat. The Maltese lapdog can be fed chicken, turkey, lamb, rabbit and beef. A larger percentage of meat dishes is best given to the dog in its raw form, although boiled meat will be very useful for it.
Another source of large amounts of protein is cottage cheese. When thinking about how to feed a Maltese lapdog, it should be remembered that cottage cheese should be given to her almost every day. It should be fresh and not greasy. It is useful to add vegetables or fruits to meat, cereals and dairy products. They need to be cut into small pieces and mixed with the main course. Veterinarians advise giving preference to apples and carrots. For the hormonal system to function properly, dogs need chicken eggs. They need to be boiled and given separately from other products.
Fats in the diet
Thinking about how you can feed the Maltese lapdog, you can opt for both special feed and homemade products. If the animal eats non-natural food, and special food for dogs of small breeds, then there is a sufficient amount of fat in its body. Manufacturers of high-quality feed always take into account the needs of the particular animal species for which this feed was developed. This applies not only to fats, but also to proteins, carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. However, if the dog eats exclusively natural products, it must be remembered that it needs an additional intake of fish oil, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. In any case, the better to feed the Maltese lap-dog - dry food or natural food - only the owner himself decides, based on his own abilities.
Carbohydrate food
In order not to doubt that your beloved pet receives a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, you should include cereals in the daily food for the Maltese lap-dog. It is cereals that are the best and most nutritious source of carbohydrates. It can be any porridge that the dog likes more than others. Most often, Maltese prefers rice, buckwheat and oatmeal. The latter is allowed to be given exclusively in its raw form. Cooked oatmeal contains gluten, which impairs the absorption of food.
The importance of vitamins and minerals in nutrition
Dry food for the Maltese lapdog contains the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals for the animal. Therefore, when choosing a ready meal for a pet, there is no need to give him vitamin supplements separately. Dry food must be of good quality and must be super-premium. When choosing it, it is better to seek the advice of a veterinarian. He will recommend some of the best quality dog food manufacturers.
The Maltese lap-dog especially needs minerals such as selenium, manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium. If these trace elements are not enough in her diet, this can provoke a disease such as rickets. Excess minerals are also highly undesirable. If a dog eats natural food, care must be taken to ensure that these substances are always in his diet.
Dog Care Features
The owner of this beautiful dog will have to work hard so that the pet always looks beautiful and tidy. Care for the Maltese lap-dog mainly consists in regular washing of the wool and combing. Procedures should be carried out regularly. Full baths should be carried out about 2-3 times a month, and it is advisable to comb the hair daily. When washing, it is necessary to use special shampoos for dogs with long hair, and also do not forget about the conditioner, which will facilitate the process of further combing.
To make the Maltese lapdog look more well-groomed, you can make her a fashionable short haircut. However, if the pet will participate in breed shows, it is better to refrain from this. Judges appreciate the long and luxurious fur of the Maltese. If the dog was purchased as a pet, and not the winner of various contests, then it is better to make life easier for the animal and cut it. Short hair will be less likely to get dirty and tangled in tangles.
When caring for a dog, it is very important not to forget to cut the hair on the legs, trim the outgrown claws, clean the ears from time to time and wipe the pet’s eyes as necessary. After each walk on the street, you need to wash the lap's feet. If the roads in the city are treated with special reagents, then before leaving the house you should treat the fingerpads with special wax, which is sold in pet stores. With it, you can prevent cracking and erosion of the skin on the paws that occurs when in contact with harmful substances.
Pet policy
Immediately after familiarizing the puppy with a new home, you need to accustom him to certain maintenance rules. The animal should have its own place in the form of a house or a cozy couch. You should also take care of a sufficient number of toys for the dog. If the pet is bored, this will provoke him to damage furniture and personal belongings of all family members.
The Maltese lapdog is a decorative dog, but, nevertheless, this does not reduce her need for training, regular active walks on the street, as well as in communication with people and other animals. The pet must know the team, obey his master, be able to ask for a walk, experiencing the need for bowel movement, and also calmly respond to strangers. Proper education of the dog is the key to its healthy psyche and friendly attitude to all.