11 Best Dog Food For Maltese: Our June 2023 Update

For such as small size, Maltese are a hardy breed and excellent watchdogs. They can be absolutely fearless and love all sorts of activities including agility.

Despite their long coat, they don’t shed very much, but you will need to add regular grooming to your list to keep the coat shiny and trimmed correctly.

They have very long lives like many toy brands and will need proper health and nutritional support to make the most of those very long years.

Let’s take a look at some of the things your Maltese will need to stay in top shape even in its senior years.

Find out what is the best dog food for Maltese here plus other essential information.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR MALTESE

Why Quality Food Matters for Your Maltese Dog

Their long lives mean they’ll need a proper start in puppy-hood and adulthood to keep their quality of living high. Just because a dog does liver for longer than average doesn’t mean it’s a good time.

Maltese' that have proper nutrition can stave off a lot of the issues prevalent in senior Maltese dogs.

They don’t need much food to maintain proper weight, so quality foods help the Maltese get all the appropriate protein and nutrients without adding a lot of extra calories.

Maltese are also prone to dental problems, so proper nutrition can build that healthy dental foundation to prevent issues later.

Best Dog Foods for Maltese

We’ve put together a list of our top picks for best Maltese food covering all life stages so you can support your furry companion’s health and well-being.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Maltese?

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
2. Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
3. Cesar Filet Mignon Flavor & Spring Vegetables
4. Merrick Lil' Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe (Small Breed)
6. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Small Breed Bites
7. Nulo Freestyle Duck & Chickpeas Recipe
8. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe
9. Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior
10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
11. Royal Canin Maltese

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1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food

Ollie provides a complete, “cooked” diet in easy to serve portion sizes. Ollie knows you want to feed your pup only the best.

They have created several dog food recipes, including beef, turkey, chicken and lamb, or you can splurge and try their variety pack! These recipes are made with restaurant-quality ingredients that are prepared carefully and cooked fresh on a weekly basis.

These meals are not only great for your pup, they are also ultra-convenient for you! They show up directly at your front door, are kept cool for freshness, and are vacuum sealed to make it easy for you to provide quality meals to your fluffy bestie.

First Five Ingredients (Turkey Recipe):

• Turkey breast
• Turkey liver
• Kale
• Carrots
• Lentils

About the Company

Ollie strives to provide pets with full spectrum, raw meals for health and proper digestion. You can customize your meal plan, and recipes and several tubs will arrive at your door. No fuss. They’re simple to serve and mimic an ancestral canine diet.

Pros:

• Whole, fresh ingredients
• Easy serving sizes
• Multiple recipe options
• Delivery
• Human-grade

Cons:

• Requires cold storage

2. Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice

Purina Pro’s formula is made with real chicken to provide dense nutrition and protein with a flavor your pup will drool over.

The incorporation of guaranteed live probiotics makes this recipe an excellent choice for dogs that have sensitive digestive systems – it provides nourishment for the good bacteria in your pup’s intestines, helping to ease the digestion process.

In addition, rice is incorporated to deliver carbs with easy to digest ingredients. There is also fish oil in this formula, so your pup is getting omega fatty acids to encourage joint health and mobility along with support for skin and coat health.

There are no fillers in this dry dog food, and it is even pea-free for pups allergic to this ingredient.

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Ground Rice
• Poultry By-Product Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine)
• Soybean Meal
• Beef Tallow

About the Company

Purina Dog Food has been an established and beloved dog food brand on the market for more than 80 years. Purina continues to provide top quality products for dogs, year in and year out.

Your dog will not be disappointed when they taste the great flavors infused in Purina’s formula and you will be over-the-moon with the fresh ingredients in the formula

Pros:

• Specially designed to help your adult dog thrive
• With live probiotics to support digestive health
• Made with high-quality protein
• Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
• 100% complete and balanced meal

Cons:

• Picky eaters don't like it
• Kibbles are a bit big

3. Cesar Filet Mignon Flavor & Spring Vegetables

Cesar Filet Mignon kibble is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

The Cesar Filet Mignon Flavor With Spring Vegetables puts taste and nutrition in one convenient bag.

Made with high-quality meat as the first ingredient plus a garnish of spring veggies, it’s just the type of high-protein meal that your pup deserves.

And with meaty, tender chunks throughout the crunchy kibble pieces, he’ll love the texture and variety, and you’ll love that he’s getting complete nutrition that’s packed with a whopping 26 nutrients for small dog needs.

First five ingredients: 

• Beef
• Chicken By-Product Meal
• Ground Yellow Corn
• Ground Wheat
• Brewers Rice

About the Company: 

Cesar dog food products are manufactured in the United States under the Mars Petcare division of Mars, Inc. The company (Mars) manufactures many products for human and pet use and consumption. The company's headquarters is in McLean, Virginia.

Pros:

• Made with real beef
• Gourmet recipe
• “H” shape kibbles that helps keep teeth and gums
• Re-sealable zipper
• Savory filet mignon flavor
• Crafted with 26 nutrients

Cons: 

• Finicky eaters may not like it
• Not ideal for dogs with allergies/sensitivities

4. Merrick Lil' Plates Real Beef & Sweet Potato

Merrick Lil' Plates is a protein-packed, small bite kibble designed for the mouths of small breeds. It uses whole beef for a complete protein source as the first ingredient plus whole fruits and vegetables for a comprehensive set of vitamins and minerals.

It’s grain free and contains no soy or corn fillers. Flaxseed provides a good source of fatty acids to support skin and coat health.

It’s gluten-free and offers a broad spectrum of digestive probiotics to help your Maltese digest the food thoroughly and cut down on any issues with sensitive tummies.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Beef
• Lamb Meal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Peas
• Potatoes

About The Company

Merrick is a small, US-based company that creates all its pet food recipes right in its organic kitchen. It strives to provide dogs with quality, nutrient dense food that can support a lifetime of health and well-being. It doesn’t use any fillers or artificial colors, and all meats are quality sources.

Pros:

• probiotics for sensitive tummies
• flaxseed for coat support and better digestion
• no fillers
• two protein sources
• small kibble size

Cons:

• taste may not appeal to picky dogs
• contains potatoes and peas

5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat

Blue Buffalo’s small bite kibble uses beef, bison, and lamb to provide a rich source of complete proteins.

Fruits and vegetables provide the bulk of vitamins and antioxidants. It’s formulated for small breed varieties and features a slightly higher protein and carbohydrate count in a small bite kibble to help smaller dogs maintain energy throughout the day.

If your Maltese has a sensitive tummy, this food may help. There are no fillers, no gluten, and it contains pumpkin to help settle digestive issues.

There are no artificial preservatives either. It’s intended to mimic the ancestral canine diet and provide a more accessible alternative to raw diets.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Beef
• Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine)
• Peas
• Pea Protein
• Tapioca Starch

About The Company

Blue Buffalo was started by one family’s search for the perfect food for their beloved Airedale Terrier, Blue. Now, the company provides quality nutrition to pets and creates recipes in their US-based test kitchens using locally sourced ingredients.

Pros:

• No preservatives
• No artificial colors
• Three protein sources
• Glucosamine and fatty acids
• Higher protein and carbs for small breeds

Cons:

• Only 4 or 10 lb. bags
• Uses peas

6. Natural Balance LID Salmon & Sweet Potato Small Breed Bites

This sweet potato and fish recipe by Natural Balance has only a few ingredients that deliver limited carbs and omit artificial additives and needless fillers.

The primary animal protein source in this formula is salmon and fiber and is delivered via sweet potatoes to support a well-functioning digestive system.

The omega fatty acids in this dry dog food are great for helping your pup maintain good skin health and they also promote a healthy, shiny coat.

This formula is an excellent choice if your dog suffers from common allergies or has a sensitive digestive system.

A diet with limited ingredients does not have to skimp on flavor or balanced nutrition and Natural Balance proves that with this product.

First Five Ingredients:

• Salmon
• Menhaden Fish Meal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tapioca Starch
• Potatoes

About The Company

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods is an American pet food manufacturer with its headquarters located in Burbank, Los Angeles, California. Established in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten, the company markets itself as “Food For a Lifetime” and promotes itself as having “the finest food you can buy for your pet.”

Pros:

• Limited-ingredient dry food for small dogs
• Features real salmon as the very first ingredient
• No common allergens
• Tasty, balanced nutrition for pups with sensitive tummies
• Recipe is made without grains
• Designed specifically for smaller jaws

Cons:

• This formula is not certified organic
• Recipe may contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)

Best Puppy Food for Maltese

Puppy food will likely change over the course of the puppy years but look for easily digestible things that will build long-term health.

7. Nulo Freestyle Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Small Breed & Puppy

Nulo’s wet puppy food uses a rich duck recipe for protein sources plus chickpeas for energy throughout the day. It’s formulated for puppies and small breeds, so it’s easy to digest but provides steady, consistent strength despite your Maltese’s high metabolism.

It’s a low glycemic formula, so it gives your puppy a great start in the weight department. It supplements protein with sources from whole turkey, so your pup gets a complete protein source.

First Five Ingredients:

• Duck
• Duck Broth
• Turkey Liver
• Chickpeas
• Dicalcium Phosphate

About The Company

Nulo started ten years ago in the search for better, nutrient dense pet foods. The food is designed in the way diets are for athletes, to support performance and prevent energy crashes throughout the day. There are no artificial flavors or cheap fillers in any of Nulo’s products, and they’re proudly manufactured in the USA.

Pros:

• multiple protein sources
• easy to serve
• small portion size
• low glycemic formula
• energy management

Cons:

• some unclear ingredients
• one can size

8. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Recipe

Nutro’s puppy formula is a dry kibble designed to protect teeth while being comfortable to eat. It uses whole, deboned chicken for protein and has optimal levels of fatty acids to protect the skin and coat.

It uses no artificial flavors and contains no cheap fillers. It’s suitable for sensitive stomachs and supports the building blocks for lifelong health.

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Chicken Meal
• Whole Brown Rice
• Brewers Rice
• Pea Protein

About The Company

Nutro uses quality, whole ingredients without a lot of cheap fillers so that your dog gets a nutrient dense food that won’t add weight or affect digestion. The company is based in Tennessee and tests food to make sure it’s the highest quality available

Pros:

• Kibble for good teeth
• Suitable for sensitive tummies
• Whole chicken
• Good fatty acids
• Convenient packaging

Cons:

• Uses pea protein
• Not gluten free

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Best Foods for Senior Maltese

Seniors need extra joint and skin care as well as something that will maintain weight.

9. Merrick Lil' Plates Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior

Merrick’s Lil’ Plates is designed for small breed teeth and mouths. It uses real chicken and sweet potato for balanced protein and energy sources throughout the day. Real fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and antioxidants to maintain a healthy immune system.

Probiotics and prebiotics provide digestive system support, and essential fatty acids maintain the skin and coat. There are no artificial colors and no cheap fillers that can irritate allergies.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Chicken
• Chicken Meal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Peas
• Potatoes

About The Company

Merrick’s values help the company create quality foods that support your Maltese even into the senior years. It uses only premium ingredients for kibble, and many pet owners see improvements after switching from cheap dog foods.

Pros:

• Probiotics and prebiotics
• Small kibble
• Protein/carb balance
• Helps with weight
• No cheap fillers

Cons:

• Uses potatoes and peas
• Only 4 and 12 lb bags

10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior

The Life Protection formula is for small breed seniors who may need extra vitamin and antioxidant support. It uses Blue’s trademark LifeSource bits, freeze-dried blends of essential nutrients nestled in with the kibble.

The first ingredient is whole, deboned chicken for complete protein. Brown rice is a slow release carbohydrate that helps senior Maltese dogs maintain energy levels without adding in extra calories.

Glucosamine and chondroitin provide joint support and essential fatty acids keep the skin and coat supple.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Chicken
• Chicken Meal
• Brown Rice
• Barley
• Oatmeal

About The Company

Blue Buffalo uses only quality ingredients to support your senior small breed’s changing needs. It provides the building blocks of nutrition to help your senior even in the final stages of life.

Pros:

• Extra antioxidant support
• Whole chicken
• Llucosamine and chondroitin
• Brown rice for slow carbs
• 15 lb bag available

Cons:

• Your senior may not like LifeSource Bits
• May not satisfy picky eaters

Best for Tear Stains

Royal Canin Maltese

First 5 Ingredients:

• Brewers Rice
• Corn
• Chicken By-Product Meal
• Chicken Fat
• Wheat Gluten

Royal Canin’s Maltese food is created for the needs of the Maltese breed and other small dog breeds. Chicken by-product meal is the main animal protein source in this kibble, with fish oil for the fatty acids pack. 

If you have a Maltese pup, Royal Canin’s Maltese food is a great diet to lighten Maltese tear stains. We can all agree that this breed is a certified looker, so getting rid of those unsightly Maltese tear stains is obligatory.

Of course, this dog food is also abundant in essential vitamins and minerals to keep your tail-wagger healthy and strong.

3 Common Health Issues

The Maltese is a pretty hardy breed compared to some of its other toy breed companions, but that doesn’t mean you have nothing to watch out for. Here are a few things likely to occur in your Maltese’s health.

Dental Issues – Larger breeds of dogs have more space between teeth, so bacteria have nowhere to take refuge. Smaller breeds frequently have crowded mouths, and because they don’t have as much space between teeth, plaque buildup can cause major issues later. Dry kibble can help remove plaque in between teeth cleanings and keep that build up at bay.

Skin Issues – Dogs with a single layer coat are frequently subject to skin irritations. While you can’t do anything about your Maltese’s environmental triggers, you can feed it food without common fillers such as corn or soy.

These fillers help reduce the cost of the food but are frequent suspects in food allergies that manifest as skin irritations. Essential fatty acids help hydrate the skin and build a healthy coat. Foods that provide a spectrum of these fatty acids help soothe irritated skin over time and keep it supple even in older age.

Weight Issues – Maltese are picky, but they’re also a toy breed. Adding even a half a pound of excess weight can have detrimental effects on their bone structure and joints. Food must have dense nutrition because padding on empty calories causes weight gain and a reduction in activity.

It’s a vicious cycle. Maltese are prone to trouble with knee joints and hip dysplasia, two conditions worsened by excess weight. In addition to foods that support these joints, keeping a tight grip on weight ensures a much better quality of life, especially for your senior Maltese.

What to Look For in a Quality Dog Food for Maltese

Your Maltese needs around 200 calories per day to maintain weight. That’s it. The food that you choose should get calories only from quality ingredients without known fillers. Foods that are heavy in whole proteins can keep your Maltese stronger and healthier and slow, release carbohydrates help maintain energy.

Dry kibble is preferred because it can help scrape plaque from the teeth and remove bacteria in between your professional cleanings. If you choose a wet food, you may want to add dry kibble to it for dental hygiene purposes.

Foods with glucosamine and chondroitin can help your senior Maltese with joint issues, and calcium may help keep bones from becoming too fragile (and as a toy breed, your Maltese will need all the bone reinforcement it can get). Essential fatty acids can protect the skin and coat.

Ingredients to Avoid in Your Maltese’s Dog Food

Budget dog food companies often use a long list of fillers to help reduce the cost of dog foods. Fillers may help your Maltese feel full, but they can wreak havoc on its health and well-being.

Corn and soy are two common fillers that cause weight gain and provide empty calories that do nothing to support your dog’s immune system or musculoskeletal structure. Soy is a typical food allergen as well, which can cause itchy, inflamed skin and sore spots.

A tentative link has been revealed between diets high in potatoes and legumes and a congenital condition called canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The research is still preliminary, but you may want to use your best judgment on these ingredients. We recommend staying away from foods in which potatoes or legumes are listed in the first three ingredients.

A few very common brands to avoid because of fillers and food allergens are Beneful and Kibbles N Bits. These both use fillers and lower quality ingredients to help reduce the cost of the food. Another frequent offender is Ol Roy.

What you save in dog food each month may get spent on extra veterinarian trips, so take the long view and invest in your dog’s health and well-being.

Maltese Feeding Chart

The average adult Maltese needs just around 200 calories per day. This translates to about 50 calories per pound of body weight. If your Maltese is naturally on the larger side, your veterinarian may recommend something more. Be sure to get your vet’s advice for feeding your Maltese puppy or senior.

General recommendations are as follows:

• Puppies: Puppies change a lot throughout a few months, so suggestions will change rapidly as well. Work with your vet to establish good dietary health early on.
• Adults: An adult between two to four pounds will eat 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup per day. Larger adults will need 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup per day.
• Seniors: Generally, senior dogs will receive the same amount of food as they did while they were younger adults. If there’s a weight or other outstanding health issue, your vet may modify those serving sizes.

Final Thoughts

Satisfying your Maltese’s picky tastes may take some adjustment, but providing quality nutrition will help your Maltese build health and maintain weight.

Make sure your food has all the necessary pieces for your Maltese’s health and wellbeing, and you should enjoy your beloved companion for many years.

What’s your favorite Maltese hairstyle? Is yours trimmed closely or tied up? Let us know how you prefer to style your Maltese’s hair in the comments below.