5 Best Dog Food for Maltese Terriers
If you’ve been to the dog food section of a pet store, you know that the choices can overwhelm you. How do you know which dog food you should get for your Maltese with the many brands and breed specificities out there?
Well, before purchasing, you should complete your research for a thorough understanding of what your Maltese needs. Then, when it comes down to the specific food type, we’ve included a few options for the best food for Malteses here.
In a hurry? These are the 5 best Maltese Dog foods.
Things to Consider Before Buying Your Maltese’s Food
Before you run out to purchase the best food for your Maltese, you might want to consider its age, size, and food allergies first.
Age
Like all dogs, different aged Malteses require different food types. For instance, dogs above a certain age (senior dogs) need different nutrient levels than puppies because they are less active than their younger counterparts, and their metabolism slows down.
Fortunately, many dog brands advertise their age groups on the packaging. So, when you look for food for a Maltese puppy, you can easily spot which bags to purchase.
Size
Despite the Maltese’s small size, they consume quite a bit of food, although not as much as large breeds. Since Malteses have a lot of energy, they burn more calories throughout the day than other breeds because they have higher metabolisms. As such, they require replenishment from nutrient-rich food to keep their energy levels up.
Allergies
If you know your Maltese has specific food allergies, you will need to avoid those when choosing a food. For instance, if your Maltese reacts to corn products, you should check the ingredients listed on each food package to steer clear of the potential threat.
If you don’t know what kind of food allergies your Maltese has, you can always reach out to your veterinarian to see what blood tests are available so you can find out. Or, if you prefer, you can always stick to all-natural food products since they are less likely to contain allergens.
5 Best Food for Malteses
If you need some help narrowing your options down, look at these five best foods for Maltese dog options.
Wellness Natural Pet Food Complete Health for Small Breeds
- PROTEIN RICH SMALL BREED ADULT DRY DOG FOOD: Nutritionally dense crunchy kibble with ingredients such as turkey and brown rice for whole body health.
- ALL NATURAL: Created by nutritionists, veterinarians and animal lovers, our recipes provide an ideal balance of nature's finest ingredients, carefully selected to nourish and sustain your dog's...
- SUPPORTS DIGESTIVE HEALTH & HEALTHY BODY WEIGHT: Supported by antioxidants for strong immune systems, vitamins for healthy eyes and teeth, glucosamine for strong joints, omega fatty acids ensure...
- NO CORN, WHEAT, OR SOY: Adult small breed dry dog food doesn't contain poultry by-products, wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives.
- MADE IN USA: Using only the finest globally sourced ingredients, we prepare each of our diets in our own state of the art facility; recipes crafted with wholesome, non-GMO ingredients chosen for their...
With a name like Wellness Natural Pet Food, you expect high-quality, natural ingredients that benefit your Maltese’s health in every sense. Well, that’s what you can get with this brand. The small, dry food features natural ingredients, no preservatives. Plus, it offers many benefits, such as digestive and skin health and weight management.
Plus, the brand comes with different options for different ages. Not to mention, it’s curated explicitly for small breed dogs like Malteses.
Pros:
- No by-products, fillers, or artificial flavoring
- Antioxidant-rich formula
- Made in the USA
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons:
- Not grain-free
Nutro Natural Choice
- Contains one (1) 5 lb. bag of NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe for small breed dogs ages 1 year and older; real chicken is the ingredient
- Made with non-GMO ingredients; no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy
- High quality protein source is the ingredient in the delicious dry kibble
- Crunchy texture helps clean teeth to help control plaque buildup
- Formulated to support healthy immunity with essential antioxidants and healthy digestion with natural fiber
High-quality protein is the number one ingredient used in the Nutro Natural Choice dog food for small breed dogs, making it a premium choice to replenish your Maltese’s burned energy. It also features non-genetically modified ingredients and essential antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
This Nutro option also features crunchy dry kibble that helps clean your Maltese’s teeth as it chows down. Plus, it comes in various flavor options in case your Maltese is particularly picky.
Pros:
- Real meat is the first ingredient used
- A balanced level of vitamins and nutrients
- Antioxidant-rich
Cons:
- Only available for adult or senior dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Recipe
- REAL CHICKEN IS THE FIRST INGREDIENT: Blue Buffalo's Small Breed Dog Food features high quality deboned chicken as the primary ingredient, cranberries and vegetables for a protein rich diet that...
- HIGH QUALITY NATURAL FOOD: BLUE's natural dry dog food is made with premium ingredients and contains no chicken or poultry by-products, corn, wheat or soy
- SUPPORTS HIGHER SMALL BREED ENERGY LEVELS: Contains essential proteins and carbs to support higher energy requirements of small breed dogs
- CONTAINS IMMUNITY-BOOSTING LIFESOURCE BITS: LifeSource Bits contain a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative...
- NOURISHMENT IN EVERY BAG: Contains one 15-lb. bag of BLUE Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Flavor
Blue Buffalo puts real meat first when making dog food, meaning your Maltese pup will get high-quality protein from a reputable source. In addition to the protein, Blue Buffalo’s small breed formula features nutrients that support bone and joint health, a beneficial additive since many small breeds suffer from joint and bone health conditions.
Holistic veterinarians handpicked the nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins into each Blue Buffalo bag and curated their choices depending on breed size. Not to mention, this brand comes in two flavors that your dog will love, chicken and lamb.
Pros:
- Two flavor choices
- Veterinarian-picked ingredients
- High-quality protein
Cons:
- Food has a tendency to be very rich, which is not suitable for sensitive digestive tracts
Hill’s Science Diet For Small Breed Dogs
- An adult dog food made with highly digestible ingredients that are easy on your small dog's stomach
- Nourishing omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Provides high quality protein to maintain lean muscle in small breed dogs
- Uses an antioxidant blend specifically for lifelong immune support in toy and miniature dogs
- Made with natural ingredients
Hill Sciene’s small breed dog food promotes digestion, bone and muscle development, and shiny, healthy coats. For small breeds, the Hill Science food comes in small kibble bits about a third the size of a dice cube, making it incredibly easy to eat and digest.
All small breed dog food ingredients come from the USA and do not feature unnatural additives like other brands. Plus, you can take comfort knowing that the food comes veterinarian recommended for its digestive and general wellness benefits. When purchasing, you can choose with the chicken or lamb and brown rice flavor.
Pros:
- Nutrient-rich
- Veterinarian recommended
- Kibble sized specifically for small breed dogs
- Promotes bone, hair and skin, and digestive health
Cons:
- Might not be suitable for picky eaters
Royal Canin Maltese Terrier Dry Dog Food
- FORMULATED FOR PUREBRED YORKSHIRE TERRIERS: Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Adult Dry Dog Food is complete and balanced nutrition specially formulated to meet the needs of purebred Yorkshire Terriers 10...
- COAT HEALTH: Provides omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and biotin to maintain a healthy coat
- HEALTHY AGING: Delivers targeted nutrients including vitamin C, EPA, and DHA to help support and maintain your toy breed’s vitality as they face the first signs of aging
- HIGHLY PALATABLE: Satisfies a picky eater and fussy appetites with an exceptional combination of aromas and flavors
- SPECIALIZED KIBBLE: Unique kibble shape delivers a unique shape, size, texture, and density to help to reduce tartar formation by encouraging Yorkies to chew
While other brands focus on the breed size when formulating a dog food recipe, this Royal Canin variation is designed explicitly for Yorkie Terriers (but we are recommending it for Maltese dogs – here is why!). The brand created the perfect size kibble for a Maltese mouth, teeth, and bite alongside ingredients and nutrients handpicked for Maltese’s growth and health explicitly.
The food has an intelligent balance of nutrients and features a detailed feeding schedule and sizing chart on the bag to take the guesswork out of it for you. Plus, it’s rich with hair-healthy vitamins to keep your Maltese coat smooth and silky.
Pros:
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin
- Made for Maltese Terriers specifically
- Incorporates wet and dry food
Cons:
- Does not always satisfy picky eaters even though the advertisement says otherwise
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a few more questions regarding your Maltese’s food, you might want to consider the answers to some frequently asked questions below.
How Often Should You Feed A Maltese?
Like most puppies, you should feed your Maltese pup between three and four times daily. Dogs always need more food during those initial months to get them growing and keep them nourished. As your Maltese gets older, you can transition to two meals per day with a snack here and again.
How Much Do You Feed a Maltese?
Generally, the average Maltese eats roughly half of a cup of food per day. That might sound like a minuscule amount but remember that Malteses are tiny dogs, only weighing between four and seven pounds. Remember that Maltese dogs live a long time – so expect senior dogs to have a smaller appetite.
One Last Thing
At the end of the day, you want to pick dog food that will keep your Maltese healthy, suits all of their age, size, and allergy requirements, and generally tastes good. But, it doesn’t hurt to use these five best Maltese foods as some guidance.
