Maltese is one of the smallest breeds of dogs and is known for its friendly nature and faithfulness. This dog is very beautiful as it has a long and silky white coat fur which can even reach the floor if you take care of it properly. It is a lively, playful, and fearless dog which will always want to be with you because of its companionship nature.
Maltese dogs don’t need exercise as they are continuously in motion. They are very intelligent and respond readily to any order or task from their owner. Maltese tends to be a long-lived and healthy breed if you keep a check on its diet and care for it properly.
The Maltese breed weighs between 4 and 7 pounds, but the European breed seems to be slightly heavier and can weigh up to 10 pounds. It is 7 to 12 inches tall if you measure the height from its shoulder.
The senior dogs of this breed need fewer calories as compared to the young ones and growing puppies. As their metabolism is fast and they need to be fueled on a constant basis, you’ll have to feed them with energetic and nutritional foods so that they can perform their daily activities happily and healthily.
A young Maltese who is very active and is always running and active will need around 436 calories per day. If your dog is not that active and lying around most of the time, it won’t need that many calories.
This also depends on the metabolism rate of the dog as every dog’s body is different and you have to follow the hunger cues and nutritional needs of your dog accordingly. The average lifespan of this breed is around 15 to 18 years and thus, it is considered as one of the longest-living dog breeds on earth.
Quick overview: Table with our TOP 5 food products for Maltese
| Product (Check Amazon Price) | Brand | Size | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult Dog Food (15 lb) | Fromm | N/A | |
| Blue Buffalo Small Breed Chicken & Rice Dog Food, 15 lb. bag | Blue Buffalo | 15 lb | |
| Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food, Turkey & Oatmeal, 12-Pound Bag | Wellness Natural Pet Food | 12-Pound Bag | |
| Wells Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food – 14 lb. Bag | Wells Pet Food | 14-Pound | |
| NUTRO Toy Breed Adult Dog Chicken, Whole Brown Rice and Oatmeal Dog Food, 4 lbs. | Nutro | 4 lbs. |
Things to consider before feeding your Maltese
If you want your Maltese dog to live a long and healthy life, you’ll have to feed it a balanced diet that is packed with highly nutritious ingredients. A good diet is essential for keeping Maltese healthy and active.
Like all dogs, Maltese need a larger amount of proteins in their diet. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), puppies need at least 22% of protein, and adult dogs need at least 18% proteins for a healthy life. Most of the high-quality dog foods contain more percentages of protein than the recommended amount.
Fats are also required by dogs and they should constitute at least 8% of the total compounds in a diet. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are necessary for maintaining healthy skin, fur, brain, and heart.
Maltese can also have some health issues that are caused by the foods they consume. The breed can contract diseases such as juvenile hypoglycemia, microvascular dysplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, tear staining, dental problems, and luxating patella. Hence, it is important that you feed your Maltese the best and healthiest diet to ensure it doesn’t catch any of these diseases.
Best dog food for Maltese: Reviews of the TOP 5 products
It might be surprising, but it is a fact that small breed dogs burn more calories than larger ones. The dog food for small breed dogs like Maltese comes in smaller kibble forms as the larger ones are harder for them to chew. Following are our top picks for the dog food for Maltese:
1. Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Fromm Gold has been in the dog food industry for a long time and is known for manufacturing high-quality dog food. This Fromm Gold dog food is grain free and is packed with protein to meet the requirements of your Maltese. It contains 29% proteins with the first three ingredients being chicken meal, chicken, and duck. Whole egg also adds to the protein sources of this dog food.
There is a combination of complex carbohydrates in the ingredients like celery, brown rice, oatmeal, carrots, and lettuce included in the food. The fat levels are also good, that is, 18% of the total nutritious ingredients. Your Maltese dog will be getting all the necessary proteins and fats from this dry dog food in adequate quantities.
Pros:
- It improves the dog’s coat and maintains healthy skin.
- It is helpful for gaining weight.
- It improves the digestive system and is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- It is packed with proteins and other quality ingredients.
Cons:
- Some dogs may not like its taste.
- It falls in the category of pricey dog foods.
2. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Chicken and Rice
Blue Buffalo Small Breed Chicken and Rice formula was designed especially for small breed dogs such as Maltese. The ingredients in this dog food ensure the health and well-being of a dog. It contains whole grain, real meat, fruit, garden veggies, and LifeSource bits that are packed with nutritious ingredients.
The food contains a balance of all the nutrients that are enhanced by the Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich compounds. It features flavorsome and protein-rich deboned chicken that is required by the dog’s body for bone and muscle development. It also includes the essential carbohydrates that meet the need of small breed dogs.
Pros:
- The high-quality protein helps build strong bones and muscles.
- The whole grains provide energy and strength to the dog’s body.
- It is free of corn, wheat, or soy and doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives.
- Vitamins and minerals are provided to improve the metabolism and absorption of essential nutrients from the food.
- The fruits and garden vegetables maintain the skin and fur of the dog.
- It is delicious and easy to digest.
Cons:
- It is a bit expensive.
3. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds
Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds is one of the best dry dog foods you’ll ever find. It is very flavorsome and has deboned turkey, salmon meal, and chicken meal as the first three ingredients and whole grains to boost the dog’s energy level.
This dog food has the exact amount of calories that a small breed dog needs according to its weight and height. It consists of 28% proteins, which are sufficient to meet the protein requirements of a dog in a day. It is filler free and has no artificial and harmful ingredients. The kibble size makes it easier for the dog to chew it and there is no chance of the dog choking on it.
Pros:
- The omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help maintain the skin texture and beautiful coat.
- It is very delicious and the food pieces are the size of a dime so that it is easier for the dog to chew or swallow.
- Chondroitin sulfate improves the joint health, and the vitamins A and C boost the immunity system.
- The protein sources strengthen the muscles and bones and maximize the nutrient absorption.
- It is available in many variants; there are many different flavors and formulas.
- No harmful or artificial ingredients used.
Cons:
- Price is too much.
- It is not grain free.
4. Wells Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food
Earthborn is famous for creating high-quality and delicious dog foods, and pet owners trust this brand for their adorable animals. This is because Earthborn follows a natural procedure of creating foods which are free of additives and preservatives and can be harmful to your dog.
Also, the size of this dog food is small enough to be easily chewed by the small breed dogs without having trouble in chewing and damaging the teeth. This dog food contains lean protein, minerals, and complex carbohydrates to maintain a healthy weight and height.
Most such products are full of fat and can make your dog obese, but this dog food is not one of them. It contains proteins from chicken meal and fish meal and carbohydrates from digestible sources such as brown rice, barley, and oatmeal.
Pros:
- It is ideal for small breed dogs that need to eat frequently. This dog food won’t make them obese as they don’t have unnecessary fat content.
- It contains probiotics that ease in the digestion process and is perfect for dogs that have a sensitive stomach.
- It consists of a balanced diet and a complete blend of all the nutrients that a small breed dog needs for the day.
- It is prepared naturally under a high-quality manufacturing process.
Cons:
- It contains a small amount of canola oil, tomato pomace, peas, and flaxseed that can be problematic if your dog is prone to allergies.
- It has a moderate amount of meat.
5. Nutro Toy Breed Adult Chicken, Brown Rice and Oatmeal
This food is manufactured by Nutro and is designed to provide complete nutrition to your small breed dog. It contains farm-bred chicken which is packed with health benefits and is supplemented with a perfect blend of other ingredients.
To ease the digestion process, it also contains whole brown rice and whole grain oatmeal that provides fiber and carbohydrates to the dog’s body. The kibbles have a small and unique shape and the dogs love to chew it.
The unique shape scrapes all the tartar and plaque from the dog’s teeth and helps maintain the health and cleanliness of the teeth.
Pros:
- As chicken is the first ingredient, it is very digestible.
- The antioxidants and vitamins help improve the immunity system, while the omega-6 fatty acids improve the coat and skin health.
- It is created to support the high energy needs of small breeds of dogs.
- Pet loves to eat this food as it is tasty and easy to chew.
Cons:
- It is a bit on the saltier side.
- It is not grain free.
Best food for Maltese puppy
As your Maltese puppy is in a growing age, it needs a balanced diet that is nutritious and provides adequate energy too. It should contain all human-grade and natural ingredients to avoid any allergies. The best food for Maltese puppy should include quality proteins and fats and no cheap fillers. It shouldn’t have any additives, chemicals, or preservatives and should be specially created for puppies. The best foods for Maltese puppies are Blue Buffalo Puppy Food and Orijen Puppy Food.
These foods are high in protein content and their first three ingredients are always protein based such as chicken meal, fish meal, duck, turkey meal, and eggs. These puppy foods also contain omega-3 and -6 fatty acids which improve the skin and fur of Maltese puppies.
The carbohydrate-based ingredients such as wheat, oatmeal, and barley provide energy to perform various functions and the proteins and fats help build the muscles and joints. In general we could recommend these type of foods for all small breed dogs like shihtzu, yorkie or pomeranian.
Best dog food for Maltese tear stains
Tear stains are very prominent on Maltese because it is usually white. Tear stains are caused because of an infection that increases the pH of dogs’ tears, and this causes a stain on their face near the eyes.
Tear stains indicate poor diet and improper care of the dog, so if you want to prevent tear staining in your Maltese dog, you’ll have to take care of the food and water it consumes. For this purpose, you’ll have to find the best dog food for Maltese tear stains.
The food you give to your Maltese should be natural and free from preservatives, additives, and food colorings. If you are not sure of what to feed your dog, try the Wellness Core Natural Dry Grain-Free for Small Breeds, which is an ideal dog food for resolving the tear staining issue. It has no by-products and is free from corn, wheat, soy, grains, preservatives, and any type of additives. It also contains probiotics and antioxidants to maintain a healthy skin and coat. If you’re on a budget, you can try the Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free for Small Breeds.
Best dog foods for Maltese with allergies
About 20% of all Maltese dogs suffer from allergies at some point in their lives. Allergies can be caused by various factors including environmental ones, through contact with other dogs, and by food. Some Maltese dogs are allergic to whole foods, and many of them suffer allergies to additives and preservatives.
Some of the symptoms of allergies in dogs include itching, rashes or irritated skin, ENT issues, wheezing, thinning hair, and breathing issues. If you want your Maltese dog to remain free from allergies, you should buy high-quality dog food that is free of artificial ingredients. The best dog food for Maltese with allergies is the Wells Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food.
Best dry dog foods for Maltese
When it comes to convenience and budget, there can be nothing better than dry dog food. Hence, if you don’t have a lot of money to spare but still want to get the best food for your Maltese, you should get dry dog food.
The best thing about dry dog food is that you can leave it out for your Maltese for hours on end and it won’t go bad. Therefore, you can fill the bowl with enough to last your dog the entire day instead of filling it up every time you have to feed your pet.
When it comes to the best dry dog food, you should definitely consider getting Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food as mentioned before. It contains all of the nutrients your Maltese will need to keep it active and healthy.
