Best Dog Food for Maltipoo: Top Puppy, Adult & Senior 2023 Recommendations

Known for his fluffy coat and friendly personality, the Maltipoo is a clever and loving playmate for adults and children alike.

This breed is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle which means that he has a beautiful curly coat and an affectionate nature.

Because the Maltipoo is a mixed breed you can’t predict exactly how your dog will turn out, but that’s half the fun!

Every Maltipoo is a gift wrapped in a playful little package, just waiting to be opened. Read on to find out what is our best dog food for Maltipoo recommendations are!

Maltipoo Breed Overview:

• Pedigree: Maltese and Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle
• Size: up to 14 inches
• Weight: 5 to 15 pounds
• Energy Level: Low to Moderate
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

The Maltipoo is a mixed breed dog that usually stands no more than 14 inches tall and weighs somewhere between 5 and 15 pounds. It is important to remember, however, that this breed can be achieved by crossing a Maltese with either a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR MALTIPOO

It may also be technically possible to cross a Maltese with a Standard Poodle, but that is not the common practice. Because the Toy and Miniature Poodle are both similar in size, the Maltipoo’s size and weight range is fairly consistent, though there is always room for surprises.

The Best Dog Food for Maltipoo

Now that you know a little more about your Maltipoo and his unique nutritional requirements, you may be wondering how to choose the best dog food for this breed.

Below you will find ten reviews for recommended brands of dog food for Maltipoo adults as well as  recommendations for Maltipoo puppies & seniors:

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
2. Nature's Recipe Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Formula
4. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
5. Wellness CORE Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe
6. Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Recipe
7. Solid Gold Holistique Blendz
8. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish (Small Breed)
9. Merrick Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
10. Iams ProActive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken & Rice

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1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food

First five ingredients (Lamb recipe): Lamb, Lamb liver, Butternut squash, Kale, Chickpeas

Ollie is a pet food company that was founded in 2016 by Gabby Slome, Alex Douzet, and Randy Jimenez. This New York-based pet food company set out to turn the pet food industry on its head by offering fresh, custom meals for dogs similar to meal-prep services like Maple and Sprig for humans.

Ollie’s fresh food is made and hand-packed in the USA. They are partners with a veterinary nutritionist to formulate their nutritionally-balanced recipes in accordance with AAFCO standards. All of their food is cooked in small batches in their USDA-regulated kitchen.

They carefully source their ingredients from reputable farms in the U.S and Australia. Each partner must go through an extensive certification process to become a supplier. All of their food is made only with whole, human-grade ingredients.

2. Nature’s Recipe Small-Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Peas

With a name like Nature’s Recipe, you would expect this brand to use high-quality, natural ingredients in all of their recipes – you would be right to do so.

Nature’s Recipe has been producing all-natural pet foods for more than 30 years and they have always believed that pets deserve to live long, vibrant lives.

That’s why each of their formulas is packed with nutrition and natural flavor. This brand is also one of the more affordable brands of natural pet food.

Nature’s Recipe offers a variety of products for dogs in different life stages and of different breed sizes, like the Nature’s Recipe Chicken Recipe.

This formula grain-free and easy to digest which makes it a great choice for your Maltipoo. It features protein-rich chicken and turkey meal with potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes for carbohydrate energy.

It is full of healthy supplements like chelated minerals and essential vitamins to ensure nutritional balance for your canine companion.

3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, Chicken meal, Brown rice, Oatmeal, Barley

Specially formulated for the health and well-being of small breed dogs, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Recipe is made with real deboned chicken. You can be assured that your dog gets only high-quality protein with every serving of this chicken and brown rice recipe.

This Life Protection formula has a precise blend of carbohydrates and protein to help sustain the higher energy needs of small breed dogs. It has whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. No corn, wheat, or soy are used in this recipe.

LifeSource Bits has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.

This dry dog food has glucosamine to support joint health and mobility, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

This Blue Buffalo formula for small breed dogs has unique smaller sized kibbles that are designed to reduce tartar among smaller-jawed pups.

Like all Blue Buffalo recipes, this Life Protection formula has no chicken or poultry by-product meals; or artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, or preservatives.

According to reviews, this chicken and brown rice recipe is a hit among little dogs. They just went for it the first time they were served this dry food.

This recipe is quite flavorful from real deboned chicken and chicken meal as the most plentiful ingredients. Chicken fat also give the kibbles an extra boost of flavor.

Dog parents also love the perfectly-sized kibbles of this Blue Buffalo recipe. Even the tiny dogs who have had teeth removed find it easy to chew the small kibbles that are specifically designed for tiny jaws.

4. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food

First five ingredients: Turkey, Brown Rice, Carrots, Spinach, Eggs

Nom Nom gives pet owners the chance to feed their pets fresh food without switching to a messy raw food diet.

Tasty Turkey Fare is a healthy option, offering whole proteins through cooked turkey plus plenty of vitamins with whole fruits and veggies. The meals are made and arrive at your house ready to serve or freeze for later.

Nom Nom was founded by a veterinarian looking for a better way to get proper nutrition in the hands of pet owners. The company is a good balance between store-bought kibble and the confusing raw food diets.

Fully cooked meals using restaurant grade ingredients in a limited ingredient formula. It’s simple, arrives fully ready to serve, and keeps your Maltipoo happy and healthy.

5. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas

You know what you're getting when you buy CORE dog food. All of their canned and dry foods are developed with quality in mind. The brand is part of the Wellness line of formulas that include foods targeted for different ages and health characteristics.

Their small-breed Turkey and Chicken food is loaded with high quality protein and include glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, fatty acids for skin and coat health, and probiotics for increased immunity. Your Maltipoo is in good hands with Wellness.

6. NOW Fresh Grain-Free Small-Breed Adult

First 5 Ingredients: De-Boned Turkey, Whole Dried Egg, Peas, Pea Flour, Potatoes

The Petcurean pet food company now offers five different brands, one of which is the NOW Fresh line of natural, grain-free recipes. This line of products features 100% market-fresh meats and fish as well as fresh omega oils from canola and coconut.

There are recipes specially formulated for puppies, adults, and senior dogs, all of which are completely gluten- and grain-free.

Now Fresh recipes don’t contain common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy, plus they offer a number of recipes that are made without beef or chicken – this makes it a great brand for your Maltipoo.

This is just one example of a great recipe within this product line. This particular formula features turkey, salmon, and duck as the primary proteins with antioxidants for immunity and probiotics for healthy digestion.

It also comes in a small kibble shape for your Maltipoo’s small mouth, plus it offers benefits for fresh breath and oral health. What else could you ask for in a dog food?

7. Solid Gold Holistique Blendz with Oatmeal, Pearled Barley & Ocean Fish Meal

First 5 ingredients: Oatmeal, Pearled barley, Peas, Ocean fish meal, Dried eggs

This Complete Health formula from Solid Gold is specially formulated for to support the gut health of adult and mature dogs with lower activity levels. This recipe delivers controlled levels of phosphorous, calcium, and sodium.

With a healthy balance of protein from ocean fish meal, and antioxidants from functional superfoods, this dry dog food provides complete nutrition and overall immune system support.

Formulated for healthy digestion, Holistique Blendz is high in fiber from whole grains such as oatmeal and pearled barley. It also has 90 million living probiotics per pound. Omega fatty acids help support joint, skin and coat health.

It has received great reviews from owners of dogs with various issues such as IBS, vomiting, pancreatitis, etc. The pups have been thriving on this oatmeal, barley, and ocean fish meal recipe. They love this food and it does not upset their tummies.

Some have even used this Solid Gold formula as a substitute for prescription food, and they are quite pleased with their dogs’ overall health since switching to the brand.

The small kibbles have also been great for small senior dogs. They are easy to chew and digest even for pups who no longer have all of their teeth.

8. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Small Breed

First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Whitefish, Dried egg product, Chickpeas, Dried lentils

Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish is a dry dog food specially formulated for the nutritional needs of small dogs. It is made with whole salmon for high-quality protein that helps support muscle development.

This grain-free recipe has reduced calories and fat to support weight reduction. Fiber ic included to help dogs feel fuller for longer. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish also has L-carnitine to boost metabolism. The kibbles are also smaller to make it easier for little dogs to chew and digest.

This Healthy Weight formula from Halo is enriched with the brand’s unique DreamCoat® Skin and Coat Care derived from non-GMO plant sources and Vitamin E.

Like all formulas from Halo, no meat meals are used in this product. It contains no antibiotics, hormones, or any artificial enhancers. It has received food reviews from dog owners. The little dogs love the rich fish flavors of this grain-free recipe.

Even finicky pooches love this dry dog food. The small kibbles are easy for tiny pups to chew, even for those who have lost some of their teeth. This makes it perfect for little senior pups like older Maltipoos.

Some dog parents purchased this salmon and whitefish recipe specifically because of their dogs allergies. According to their comments, the dogs are doing well, and their skin conditions have significantly improved.

9. Merrick Chicken Recipe Puppy Food

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes

The Merrick pet food brand follows the tagline, “Whole health made right” which speaks to their commitment to wholesome, natural nutrition for pets.

This brand offers their customers a “five star promise” which includes a dedication to using local ingredients, real whole foods, company-owned manufacturing facilities, balanced nutrition, and health you can see.

This company also offers their “Merrick Guarantee” which promises 100% satisfaction, or your money back. Merrick offers a variety of different formulas for small-breed dogs like the Maltipoo, but they only have one grain-free puppy recipe – Merrick Grain Free Chicken Puppy Recipe.

This formula features deboned chicken and chicken meal, so you can rest assured that it will meet your Maltipoo puppy’s needs for protein.

It also contains easily digestible carbohydrates like potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes plus healthy fats like chicken fat and flaxseed oil.

This recipe is also supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion and chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption. Plus, it’s small kibble size is perfect for your Maltipoo puppy and he’ll love the natural flavor.

10. Iams ProActive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken & Rice

First 5 ingredients: Sufficient water for processing, Meat by-products, Chicken, Chicken by-products, Brewers rice

Iams ProActive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken & Rice is a wet dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of senior dogs 7 years and older.

It is a meaty paté in rich sauce made from tasty broth. The smooth paté is easy to chew and digest, even for seniors who have lost some of their teeth.

Enriched with vitamins and minerals, every serving of this Iams ProActive Health Senior formula provides complete and balanced nutrition. It has omega fatty acids to help support skin and coat health.

Reviews for this slow cooked chicken and rice recipe has been mostly positive. Many pet parents said that it was recommended to them by their vets.

Their senior dogs love the taste of this chicken and rice paté. This Iams wet food is highly digestible. Even those with sensitive stomachs are able to keep this wet food down without upsetting their tummies.

Though vets have recommended this recipe to senior dogs, some dog parents do not find the ingredients quite up to par.

The main ingredient is unnamed meat by-products. Unnamed meats are not the most ideal ingredients, especially for dogs who are sensitive to certain animal ingredients.

It is then followed by chicken and chicken by-products. By-products in general are considered lesser quality protein sources.

This food also has additives such as carrageenan. Some experts claim that this carrageenan could potentially contribute to certain conditions in dogs.

This recipe also has artificial colors. If you prefer an all-natural canned food for your senior pup, this may not be the one for you.

Dietary Considerations for Maltipoos

The Maltipoo is a cross between the Maltese and the Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle. Maltese dogs have an average height of 8 to 10 inches and usually weigh between 3 and 8 pounds. Toy Poodles are the smallest of the Poodle varieties, standing 10 inches tall or less and weighing somewhere between 7 and 10 pounds.

Miniature Poodles, the middle size, stand 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh 15 to 17 pounds. Though the Maltipoo could technically be bred from a Maltese and a Standard Poodle, that usually isn’t the case. So, the average size for the Maltipoo is somewhere under 14 inches tall and between 5 and 15 pounds.

As is true for all crossbreed dogs, however, it is difficult to make any accurate predictions. The only way to know how big your Maltipoo will get is to wait for him to grow up.

What many people love about the Maltipoo breed is its combination of intelligence and playfulness. These clever little dogs always have a trick up their sleeves and they are always ready to play.

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Though this breed loves to play, they are not overly energetic and they actually have low to moderate needs for exercise – a daily walk is usually enough to work off their excess energy. Even so, the Maltipoo is a small-breed dog which means that he has very fast metabolism and needs a fairly calorie-dense diet.

The best way to ensure that your Maltipoo’s calorie needs are met is to feed him a high-quality dog food formulated for small-breed dogs. These recipes tend to be higher in protein and fat to meet the high-energy needs of small dogs.

In addition to considering your Maltipoo’s high energy needs, you should also be aware of the potential for food allergies. The Poodle is known for having a sensitive stomach, so it is possible that your Maltipoo could inherit this trait as well.

Low-quality grains like corn and wheat are two of the most common food allergens, though your dog could become sensitive to soy, dairy, or even common proteins like chicken or beef. To reduce your dog’s risk for food allergies, consider feeding him a grain-free formula.

If he develops signs of food allergies anyway, it might be worth switching to a Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrate. Small-breed dogs like the Maltipoo may also have an increased risk for dental problems due to the small size of their mouths.

A high-quality dry food will help to keep your dog’s teeth clean of tartar and plaque, though you should try to brush his teeth regularly as well just to be safe.

As a small-breed dog, the Maltipoo has a fairly long lifespan but that isn’t a guarantee. In order to help your Maltipoo live a long and happy live you need to feed him a high-quality diet that provides for his unique nutritional needs.

At this point you have the background information you need to make a smart choice but, if you need a little help getting started, consider one of the top-rated dog food brands for Maltipoos reviewed above.