Best dog foods for Maltese
Maltese dogs are small, loyal companions with specific nutritional needs.
High-quality proteins support their muscles, while moderate fat and calorie content help prevent obesity.
Since Maltese can have sensitive stomachs, foods with fewer ingredients and no fillers are ideal.
They’re often picky eaters, so food should be highly palatable, with added flavor from freeze-drying.
Joint-friendly ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin are essential for preventing joint issues.
Maltese are prone to dental problems, so dry food with teeth-cleaning properties is recommended.
Choosing the right food helps avoid allergies and tummy issues, and maintains a healthy weight and mood.
Here are the top five dog food brands for Maltese:
- Wellness Core
- Taste of the Wild
- Merrick
- Orijen
- Petcurean
The average price is $43.98 for 12-15 lb bags, ranging from $26.98 to $69.99. Puppies need more energy, while seniors and toy breeds require fewer calories.
Best Dog Foods for Maltese
- Best Overall: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food – $45.98 for a 12-lb bag- $3.83 per lb.
- Best Price-Effective: Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Dry Dog Food – $26.98 for a 13-lb bag- $2.07 per lb.
- Best for Maltese Puppy: Merrick Lil’ Plates Puppy Food, Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food – $44.98 for a 12-lb bag- $3.75 per lb.
- Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Petcurean Go! Sensitivity + Shine Salmon Dry Dog Food – $49.99 for a 12-lb bag- $4.17 per lb.
- Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food: Orijen Regional Red Dry Dog Food -$69.99 for a 13-lb bag- $5.38 per lb.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Wellness Core Grain-Free Formula by Wellpet LLC is perfect for Maltese dogs, offering premium nutrition with high-quality ingredients like deboned turkey, chicken meal, and peas.
This grain-free recipe is crafted for small breeds, featuring small kibble for easy digestion. With 36% protein for lean muscles, it also supports joint health with calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine.
Omega fatty acids and vitamin A promote a shiny coat and healthy vision. The 16% fat content and 412 Kcal/cup provide energy, while probiotics and antioxidants boost digestive and immune health.
A 12-lb bag costs $45.98, ideal for dogs with grain allergies.
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Formula by Diamond Pet Foods is ideal for Maltese dogs, offering real meat like venison and lamb meal for strong muscles.
With 18% fat and 422 Kcal/cup, it provides energy and flavor for picky eaters. Blueberries and raspberries offer antioxidants to protect against cancer, while omega-6 and 3 fatty acids promote a healthy coat and skin.
This grain-free recipe includes probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health and taurine for heart support. Crafted in the USA, it’s perfect for dogs with grain allergies. A 14-lb bag costs $36.99.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Puppy Food, Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food
Merrick Lil’ Plates by Merrick Pet Care is perfect for Maltese puppies, featuring deboned chicken as the top ingredient for strong muscles.
It includes probiotics and prebiotic fiber for digestive health, and its crunchy texture supports dental wellness.
The small kibble size ensures easy chewing, and the grain-free formula reduces the risk of allergies.
Flaxseed provides omegas for skin and coat health, while DHA aids cognitive development.
Chondroitin and glucosamine support joint health. Tailored feeding guidelines based on weight, with 2-lb dogs needing ¼ cup and 5-lb dogs requiring ½ cup. A 12-lb bag costs $44.98.
Orijen Regional Red Dry Dog Food
Orijen Regional Red Formula by Champion Petfoods is crafted for Maltese dogs, featuring 85% high-quality animal ingredients like beef, wild boar, and lamb to support muscle health.
With raw or fresh ingredients and a freeze-dried coating, it appeals to picky eaters. The 18% fat content adds flavor, and 463 Kcal/cup provides energy.
DHA supports brain health, while calcium, phosphorus, and glucosamine aid in bone and joint development.
Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies, feeding varies by activity level, with less active dogs needing ¼ to ⅔ cups per day. A 13-lb bag costs $69.99.
Petcurean Go! Sensitivity + Shine Salmon Dry Dog Food
Petcurean Sensitivity Formula by Philip’s Feed & Pet Supply is ideal for Maltese dogs with sensitivities and allergies, featuring limited ingredients like deboned salmon for omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
Dried chicory root offers fiber for digestive wellness, while antioxidants and beta-carotene improve immunity and eye health.
Free from artificial preservatives, this recipe supports thick bones and muscles with calcium and phosphorus.
Suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion, feeding guidelines vary by activity level. A gradual transition period of 10-14 days is recommended. A 12-lb bag costs $49.99.
Blue Buffalo Small Breed & Adult Dogs Food Indoor Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Formula by Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. is ideal for Maltese dogs, featuring small kibble for tartar removal and dental health.
With 26% protein, 15% fat, and 396 Kcal/cup, it supports muscle development and provides energy.
Fish meal and flaxseed supply omega-6 and 3 for skin and coat health, while L-carnitine helps manage weight. Antioxidants and chelated minerals boost immunity, and glucosamine supports cartilage health.
Suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs, feeding guidelines vary by weight, with dogs up to 5 lbs needing ¼ to ½ cups daily. A 15-lb bag costs $39.99.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Formula by WellPet LLC is perfect for Maltese dogs, featuring deboned turkey and chicken meal for strong muscles.
The small kibble size aids in easy digestion, and DHA supports cognitive health. Crafted in the USA, it includes prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health and taurine for heart wellness.
Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids ensure a shiny coat, while calcium and phosphorus support cartilage health.
Ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs, puppies weighing 7 lbs need 1½ cups at 6-11 weeks, gradually decreasing with age. A 12-lb bag costs $45.98. Suitable for pregnant and nursing dogs.
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Dry Dog Food
Nutro Natural Formula is ideal for Maltese dogs, featuring chicken, whole grain barley, and chicken meal for premium protein (28%) to fuel muscles.
With 16% fat and 390 Kcal/cup, it keeps your dog energetic. Free from wheat, corn, soy, and chicken by-products, it suits sensitive stomachs. DHA supports vision and brain health, while calcium promotes strong bones and joints.
Antioxidants boost immunity, and high-quality fiber aids digestion, reducing tummy upsets. Daily intake varies by age and weight, with 15-lb puppies needing 2⅔ cups at 1-3 months, decreasing gradually.
Transition to Nutro within 6 days. A 13-lb bag costs $26.98.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance L.I.D. Formula is designed for Maltese dogs, featuring real lamb as the primary ingredient for muscle support.
Brown rice provides fiber for healthy digestion, while taurine promotes heart health. This recipe supports strong bones, muscles, and joints with calcium and phosphorus.
Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids ensure healthy skin and coat, reducing shedding. Made in the USA with high-quality ingredients, it contains 370 calories per cup and has a 12% fat value for stamina.
Suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion and chicken intolerance, daily intake varies: up to 10 lbs requires 1 cup, while 10-20 lbs needs 1 to 1½ cups. A 12-lb bag costs $34.98.
What Should You Consider While Buying Dog Foods for Maltese?
Maltese dogs require high-quality ingredients in their food to enhance their quality of life. Proteins are essential for muscle development, and the best sources are real meats like turkey and chicken.
Always check labels to ensure real meat is the first ingredient, as a variety of meat sources increases nutritional value.
Picky eaters benefit from richly flavored foods, so moderate fat content is essential to maintain flavor without promoting obesity.
Additionally, Maltese are prone to dental issues, making teeth-friendly kibble crucial. Hard-textured kibble helps remove tartar and promotes chewing, which strengthens teeth and reduces plaque buildup.
Vitamin A and omega fatty acids are vital for skin and coat health. Moreover, some Maltese may experience joint problems, so it’s important to choose foods with joint-supporting supplements like chondroitin, glucosamine, calcium, and phosphorus to maintain their overall well-being and prevent weight-related issues.
What are the best dog foods for Maltese with different ingredients?
Ingredients provide essential nutrients for your dog’s overall growth.
The Best Dog Food with Pumpkin for Maltese
- Purina Beyond Salmon, Egg, & Pumpkin Formula Dry Food: Pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber and beta-carotene for digestive, coat, skin, and vision health. This superfood is packed with antioxidants for protection against free radicals that cause inflammation. Salmon is the number one ingredient for proteins and amino acids for lean muscles. Salmon is also skin-friendly.
The Best Dog Food with Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Diamond Naturals Senior Dry Food: Some Maltese are prone to joint problems and need chondroitin and glucosamine foods. This recipe is crafted with glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate for healthy joints. It has L-carnitine to break down excess fat and reduce the risk of obesity.
What are the best dog foods for Maltese with different health conditions?
A proper diet is essential for Maltese health and well-being.
The Best Dog Food for Maltese with Pancreatitis
- Solid Gold Low-Fat Low-Calorie Fit & Fabulous Dry Food: Keep your Maltese fit and fabulous with the Solid Gold Low-Fat Formula. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, and consuming fatty diets escalates the problem since it overworks the pancreas. The maximum fat value of 9.55 and low-calorie content of 330 Kcal/cup makes this formula the best selection for pancreatic Maltese.
The Best Dog Food for Maltese with Diabetes
- Royal Canin Glycobalance Veterinary Diet Dry Food: This recipe is specifically crafted to help with post-prandial blood glucose levels. It contains a moderate fat value for a healthy weight. A healthy weight reduces the risks of chronic diseases, including diabetes. Antioxidants and proteins boost immune and muscle well-being.
How many calories should I feed the Maltese dog?
Caloric needs vary by brand; Maltese puppies require 55 calories per pound, while adults need 45 calories daily to maintain an ideal weight. Use weight for accurate calculations.
| Stage | Daily calories | Approximate weight | Calculation | Number of calories per day |
| Puppy | 55 | 5 pounds | 55*5 | 275 calories |
| Adult | 45 | 20 pounds | 45*20 | 900 calories |
What are the common foods are Maltese dogs allergic to?
Maltese dogs are often picky eaters and can have food allergies, including sensitivities to:
- eggs
- milk
- corn
- wheat
- soy
- chicken protein
Symptoms include rashes, itching, and gastrointestinal distress. To prevent allergies, avoid allergens and consider antihistamines from a vet. Opt for skin-friendly recipes with omega fatty acids.
Is it harmful to overfeed your Maltese?
Overfeeding your Maltese can lead to obesity, increasing the risk of health issues like pancreatitis, diabetes, and heart problems.
Excess weight hampers mobility, making recovery from injuries more difficult and reducing exercise.
To avoid overfeeding, follow feeding guidelines, spread meals throughout the day, and refrain from giving table scraps.
