Feeding your dog an appropriate diet is crucial for his overall well-being. When it comes to large-breed working dogs such as the Belgian Malinois, their diet should consist of high-quality foods that are high in protein and low in fat. That way, they can perform their working duties to the fullest and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
So, what are some of the best dog foods that you can feed your Belgian Malinois? We have compiled a list of some of the products that we think are good choices, whether you’re looking for a premium product, a more budget-friendly option, or even an option for a Belgian Malinois puppy. We have also provided reviews of these products, along with the pros and cons of each so that you can make the most educated choice.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 11 Best Dog Foods for Belgian Malinois
1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
Main Ingredients:
Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach
Protein Content:
33%
Fat Content:
19%
Calories:
721 calories/lbs
We think that the best overall dog food for Belgian Malinois dogs is The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food. All of their recipes are packed with protein, but the turkey recipe is our favorite for the Belgian Malinois because it’s full of USDA-grade turkey and supplemented with a variety of fresh and wholesome greens.
Kibble can be dry, brittle, and boring day in and day out. The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food formulas are created with high-quality ingredients and backed by the AAFCO so you know they aren’t only delicious, they’re healthy too!
Along with turkey, there are three other protein recipes available – chicken, beef, and pork. You’ll need to complete a small questionnaire about your dog, and when you’ve completed it The Farmer’s Dog shows you a list of options that are best suited to your pooch.
The one thing to consider about this brand is it is a little more expensive than your average kibble, but we think it’s a small price to pay for this level of quality and convenience.
Pros
Human grade
Delivered to your door
AAFCO backed
Cons
A bit pricer than average food
2. American Journey Active Life Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Dog Food – Best Value
Main Ingredients:
Deboned salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, peas
Protein Content:
25% min.
Fat Content:
15% min.
Calories:
345 kcal/cup
In our opinion, the best dog food for Belgian Malinois for the money is American Journey Active Life Formula Salmon, Brown Rice, and Vegetables Recipe dog food. This dog food is already budget-friendly, but you can purchase different-sized bags as well if you need an even more budget-friendly option. The main meat proteins are fish, which is one of the best lean meats for keeping your dog’s muscles and heart healthy.
It is slightly lower in protein than other dog foods, but along with vegetable ingredients such as carrots and sweet potatoes that are high in antioxidants, this dog food provides a balanced diet that supports the overall health of your Belgian Malinois. It’s also much lower in fat and calories than other dog food products so it’s great for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight. The only downside is that some dogs may not like the flavor if they prefer chicken or a wider range of flavors besides just fish.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Low in calories and fat
Lots of antioxidant-rich ingredients
Cons
Some dogs may not like the flavor
3. Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Whole mackerel, whole herring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, flounder, whole hake
Protein Content:
38% min.
Fat Content:
18% min.
Calories:
468 kcal/cup
Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free dog food is pricey, but this dog food is made with mostly natural ingredients with 85% of the ingredients coming from real fish. That means your Belgian Malinois is getting a very high-protein diet that is also very low in fat. The main ingredients include mackerel, herring, and flounder among other types of fish. Also included in this dog food formula are vegetable ingredients such as lentils, squash, and pumpkin as well as fruits such as pears and apples.
These fruit and vegetable ingredients help to give the food flavors besides just fish, but your dog still may not like it if he prefers other meats. However, fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to keep your dog healthy.
Pros
High in protein
Full of vitamins and minerals
Made with real and mostly natural ingredients
Cons
Pricey
Some dogs may not like the flavor
4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
Main Ingredients:
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
Protein Content:
27% min.
Fat Content:
16% min.
Calories:
400 kcal/cup
We think that the best dog food for a Belgian Malinois puppy is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Food. Not only does the food have smaller kibbles that are easier for your Belgian Malinois puppy to eat and digest, but it is also specially formulated with ingredients that are key for a puppy’s physical and cognitive development. For example, the DHA and ARA fatty acids help support healthy brain and vision development. Additional omega fatty acids support a healthy coat and skin.
Other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in ingredients such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and blueberries help support a healthy immune system as your puppy grows into an adult dog. Plus, being made with real chicken instead of chicken by-products ensures that your puppy is getting a high-quality meat-based protein. The downside to this food is that it is pricey for puppy food and that it contains barley, a grain that some dogs may be sensitive to.
Pros
Smaller kibble
Supports cognitive development
Made with high-quality protein ingredients
Cons
Pricey
Some dogs may be sensitive to barley
5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Water buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes
Protein Content:
32% min.
Fat Content:
18% min.
Calories:
422 kcal/cup
The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food is another great option for your dog. This food is very high in protein and contains meats that aren’t typically found in other dog foods, including bison and venison, that provide a unique flavor your dog is sure to love. The protein ingredients help promote healthy bones and joints in addition to keeping your dog’s muscles lean. It’s also grain-free, which is great if your dog has any grain allergies.
In addition to proteins, this food is chock full of fruit and vegetable ingredients that provide vitamins and minerals needed to keep the rest of your dog’s body healthy. Probiotics and prebiotics help aid in healthy digestion and omega fatty acids help maintain a healthy heart and immune system. Although this dog food is a little on the expensive side, it is very high-quality and provides an excellent diet for your dog. Plus, you can purchase different-sized bags based on what suits your budget.
It’s worth noting that grain allergies aren’t the most common food allergy in dogs, and grains are actually beneficial for dogs in most cases. Grain-free diets may be linked to heart problems in dogs, although studies to prove this are still ongoing. Talk to your vet about whether a grain-free diet is necessary for your Belgian Malinois.
Pros
Grain-free
Unique ingredients
High in meat-based proteins
Supports your dog’s heart, immune system, and digestion
Cons
Pricey
Grain free diets may not work for every dog
6. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health Deboned Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, barley, peas
Protein Content:
26% min.
Fat Content:
12% min.
Calories:
340 kcal/cup
The Belgian Malinois is considered a large-breed dog. That’s why we recommend Wellness Large Breed Complete Health dog food as one of the best foods for your Belgian Malinois. This particular formula is made with deboned chicken and brown rice as two of the main ingredients, so your dog is sure to love the flavor. Deboned chicken provides a good source of lean meat protein to keep your dog’s muscles healthy and in good condition.
It’s also incredibly low in fat and calories, so it’s a good choice for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight or if you want to prevent your dog from gaining weight. It also doesn’t contain any filler ingredients, meat by-products, or artificial preservatives. Plus, the added fruit and vegetable ingredients provide an excellent source of fatty acids and probiotics. The downside is that it is pricey, but that’s to be expected with high-quality dog food. It also contains grains such as barley and oats, which may not be good for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Made with real chicken
Free of fillers and artificial preservatives
Cons
Pricey
May not be good for dogs with sensitive stomachs
7. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Adult Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, pea fiber
Protein Content:
20% min.
Fat Content:
9% min.
Calories:
324 kcal/cup
We like Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight dog food for a Belgian Malinois because being overweight or obese is a big problem with large breed dogs. This dog food has less than 10% fat and is low in calories as well to ensure that your dog doesn’t gain an unhealthy amount of weight into adulthood. Plus, this particular food is the adult dog version of the puppy product on this list (number 4), so your Belgian Malinois can continue with a similar diet as he transitions from a puppy to an adult.
Another thing we like about this dog food is that it is made with real chicken, not chicken by-products, for a high-quality and flavorful protein ingredient that your dog is sure to love. This food is great for keeping your dog’s muscles lean as well as promoting strong bones and teeth due to calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that are found in various ingredients. The downside is that it is a bit lower in protein than other dog foods.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Made with real chicken
Helps your dog maintain a healthy weight
Cons
Contains less protein than other foods
8. Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice Formula All Life Stages Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice
Protein Content:
26% min.
Fat Content:
16% min.
Calories:
421 kcal/cup
Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice Formula All Life Stages Dog Food is good for dogs of any age or size, but we like it for Belgian Malinois dogs because it has a high protein content which is ideal for keeping your dog’s muscles lean. It is a bit higher in fat than other dog foods, so it may not be the best choice if your dog is overweight. But for dogs that are a healthy weight, the fat content can provide the right amount of energy your dog needs as well.
This dog food is also rich in prebiotics and probiotics, both of which support healthy digestion, and antioxidants that support a healthy immune system. It’s a great choice for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, plus it is more affordable than other high-quality dog foods. However, chicken is the only protein ingredient, which is one of the most common protein allergies in dogs.
Pros
Affordable
High in protein
Good for dogs of all ages
Cons
Chicken is a common protein allergy in dogs
9. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken Recipe
Main Ingredients:
Chicken, chicken meal, yellow rice, cracked pearled barley, brown rice
Protein Content:
20% min.
Fat Content:
13% min.
Calories:
394 kcal/cup
Dogs can suffer from allergies and intolerances just like humans. If your Belgian Malinois suffers from a sensitive stomach, digestive issues, or allergies, then we suggest giving Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin dog food a try. With chicken as the main protein ingredient, this food contains other ingredients that are easily digestible and contain prebiotics so that your dog doesn’t end up with an upset stomach as a result of his food.
Allergies can also affect a dog’s skin, but this food contains vitamin E and fatty acids that also support skin and coat health. It’s also veterinarian-recommended, so if your dog suffers from a sensitive stomach, ask your vet about this food. It may not be good for dogs that don’t have sensitive stomachs, as it is lower in protein than other dog foods. But it has a good fat content and low calories to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
Pros
Low in fat and calories
Veterinarian recommended
Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Cons
Lower in protein than other foods
May not be good for dogs without digestive issues
10. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Main Ingredients:
Beef, beef meal, soybean meal, whole corn, grain sorghum
Protein Content:
25% min.
Fat Content:
14% min.
Calories:
326 kcal/cup
We like this Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food for Belgian Malinois dogs because it is one of the few high-protein dog foods that is made with beef. Although beef isn’t often as lean as chicken, it’s not bad for dogs and can offer a unique flavor in case your dog doesn’t like chicken or fish. This dog food also doesn’t contain any filler ingredients and it is affordable and very low in calories.
One of the downsides to this food is that the kibbles are a bit larger than other dog foods, so it may be hard for puppies or senior dogs to eat and digest. It also contains corn, which may be harder to digest as well. But, it’s made without artificial flavors and preservatives, as well as containing ingredients that are full of omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for an all-around balanced diet.
Pros
Affordable
Beef provides a savory flavor
Contains no artificial flavors or preservatives
Cons
Contains corn
Larger kibbles may be harder to eat
11. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice Formula with Probiotics
Main Ingredients:
Chicken, rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal, soybean meal
Protein Content:
26% min.
Fat Content:
16% min.
Calories:
387 kcal/cup
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice Formula is a good budget-friendly choice for your Belgian Malinois. This food is high in protein and has real chicken as the main ingredient. However, it does contain some chicken by-products as well which aren’t the most high-quality source of protein. But what’s unique about this food is that it contains both hard kibble and shredded pieces to provide texture to your dog. This is designed to keep him interested in the food.
This dog food also contains a lot of probiotics to help keep your dog’s digestive system healthy, as well as vitamin A and fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin. It is a bit higher in fat than other foods, but it is lower in calories than other food as well. Another downside is that this food contains corn which can be hard for dogs to digest, but overall, the food provides a well-balanced diet.
Pros
Affordable
High protein
Contains both hard and shredded kibble
Cons
Contains corn
Contains chicken by-products
Higher in fat than other foods
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Dog Food for a Belgian Malinois
Hopefully, after seeing our recommendations for the best dog food for your Belgian Malinois, you’ve decided which one you want to try. But in case you still need a little more guidance, we’ve created this Buyer’s Guide complete with everything you need to know about choosing the best food for your dog.
Ingredients
One of the biggest things you’ll want to consider when choosing a dog food is the variety of ingredients. Proteins are essential for helping your Belgian Malinois maintain a healthy lifestyle, but proteins can come from two sources: meat and vegetables.
Meat proteins are better for your dog’s muscle health, and the best dog foods will always have some type of meat listed for at least the first three ingredients. You’ll want real meats as well, not meat by-products. Examples include chicken, fish, beef, lamb, etc. The actual type of meat you choose ultimately just depends on what your dog likes best, but at least you’ll know what to look for as far as ingredients are concerned.
Other ingredients you’ll want to look for are healthy fruits and vegetables that provide nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. These ingredients work to support other parts of your dog’s body besides just muscles, such as heart health, skin health, and digestive health.
Age and Health
Something else you’ll want to consider is the age and health of your dog. For example, puppy foods often contain different ingredients than adult dog foods because they are designed to aid in the proper development of your puppy as he grows into an adult. Puppy foods also usually contain smaller kibbles to make it easier for your puppy to chew.
Senior dogs may also have a hard time chewing and digesting food, so you may want to opt for a formula that is designed for senior dogs or has smaller or softer kibbles. Senior dogs are also more prone to weight gain, but dogs of any age can become overweight. If your dog’s weight is a concern, look for foods that are lower in fat and calories.
Finally, keep in mind any additional health conditions that your dog may have. Depending on those conditions, you may need a dog food that isn’t on this list or one that is veterinarian recommended. If this applies to you, be sure to ask your vet for recommendations.
Budget
Finally, you’ll need to take your budget into concern as well. High-quality dog food is best for any dog, but especially working dogs such as the Belgian Malinois. You can expect to pay a lot for high-quality dog food, but there are some options that are cheaper than others.
Make sure that whatever dog food you choose, you’re able to continue to afford it over time if your dog likes it. You can always buy a smaller bag to save money in that instant, but buying smaller bags may not save the most money over time. And remember, you don’t have to buy the most expensive dog food because it seems like the better option. It may not be the best option for your dog’s dietary needs.
Image Credit: Piqsels
Conclusion
We hope you found these dog food reviews and Buyer’s Guide helpful when deciding on the best food for your Belgian Malinois.
All in all, we think that the best overall dog food is The Farmer’s Dog while the best value dog food is the American Journey Active Life Formula Salmon, Brown Rice, and Vegetables Recipe.
Whatever food you choose, we hope your Belgian Malinois loves it and gets super excited for feeding time.
Featured Image Credit: BoJack, Shutterstock
