Maltese Specific Information on Homecooking

[Ladysmom]

I thought this was very informative:

http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/09.html

[beckinwolf]

________ text from the Maltese page out of my book on Canine Nutrition ________


MALTESE
Weight Standards: m/f - under 7 lbs.
Height Standards: m/f - average 5 inches
Coat: a long straight top coat, fine textured in solid white
Common Ailments: slipped stifle, gum disease, respiratory


The Maltese developed on the islands of Malta. These islands are a small chain in the Mediterranean Sea between the coast of Sicily and the coast of Africa. The Maltese were a favorite of the Greeks. Often these dogs were a subject for Greek artists during the 5th century, and tombs were erected for deceased pet Maltese. The Maltese dogs of Malta look the same today as they appear in portraits painted during the time of the Apostle Paul. The soil of the island of Malta is comprised of limestone, and the only fresh water comes from wells drilled into the limestone. I mention this because this soil's mineral content is credited with giving the Maltese breed a unique set of requirements for the mineral complex. You will know if this breed is receiving the proper minerals in its diet if its coat remains white and the eye drainage does not stain its face coat. When this breed is receiving the wrong food sources of minerals its coat yellows, and the face coat has a red streaking under the eyes.


Native food supplies for this breed would have been goat, fish, poultry, and highly acidic fruits such as the orange, grape, fig, and avocado. The carbohydrates would have been supplied by grains of brown rice and barley.


For the Maltese I recommend foods containing salt water fish, poultry, and lamb blended with brown rice, avocado, and wheat. You should avoid feeding a Maltese any sulfate minerals; as well as soy, horse meat, beef, or beet pulp.


__________________________end of page from book__________________________



This is interesting, but I thought that grapes and avocadoes were toxic?

[Ladysmom]

Interesting....I didn't notice that!

[tamizami]

Yes, the grapes are bad, but avocado is okay as long as you don't give them the meat close to the pit, which is the toxic part. I just stay away from avocado. I also stay away from wheat and rice since they are allergens. But, I remember reading his information when Shiva first got ill and it definitely makes sense to me. Although the gentleman that wrote this is not a vet nor a nutritionist and I believe he has those disclaimers on his website. I definitely have taken his advice and am using a variety of fish and lamb as our rotating protein sources, with great results (external health indicators and bloodwork).

[Nikki's Mom]

I have the book, and I found it very interesting. I spoke with my holistic vet about the book, and she said that although its concept is interesting, she felt that dogs have been bred to live and thrive on dog food for so many years that their genetic history doesn't matter much anymore. I still believe that many Maltese do well on spring water, calcium carbonate, and fish.

I don't generally give Nikki avocados, but the flesh is fine for them, just stay away from the seed and the skin.

[Ladysmom]

QUOTE (tamizami @ Mar 20 2009, 07:22 PM)

Yes, the grapes are bad, but avocado is okay as long as you don't give them the meat close to the pit, which is the toxic part. I just stay away from avocado. I also stay away from wheat and rice since they are allergens. But, I remember reading his information when Shiva first got ill and it definitely makes sense to me. Although the gentleman that wrote this is not a vet nor a nutritionist and I believe he has those disclaimers on his website. I definitely have taken his advice and am using a variety of fish and lamb as our rotating protein sources, with great results (external health indicators and bloodwork).[/B]

I wondered about that because Breeder's Choice Avoderm is made with avocado.

I found the article interesting. My brother has been consulting a nutritionist in California to help him battle a very serious disease. The nutritionist focused on our family's heritage (Welsh, Scottish) in recommending foods. Instead of tons of fruits and vegetables, he's having him eat meat and potatoes as that was the staple of our ancestors.

Lady eats fish and poultry, but no lamb because of her liver damage. I stay away from wheat since she has allergies, but I don't know if she is actually allergic to wheat or not.

[Ladysmom]

QUOTE (Nikki's Mom @ Mar 20 2009, 07:30 PM)

I have the book, and I found it very interesting. I spoke with my holistic vet about the book, and she said that although its concept is interesting, she felt that dogs have been bred to live and thrive on dog food for so many years that their genetic history doesn't matter much anymore. I still believe that many Maltese do well on spring water, calcium carbonate, and fish.

I don't generally give Nikki avocados, but the flesh is fine for them, just stay away from the seed and the skin.[/B]

That makes sense. That's the main argument against feeding raw, that today's domesticated dogs are very far removed from their wolf ancestors.