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What’s the best dog food for Maltese Dogs?
Maltese are charming and playful dogs that require a high-quality and nutritious diet to support their overall health.
When choosing a dog food for your Maltese, look for one which contains real animal-based protein sources as the main ingredients. Chicken, beef, fish, or lamb are excellent protein options.
Maltese are a small toy breed, so select a dog food with kibble that is appropriate for their mouth size. This helps with chewing and digestion.
To avoid your Maltese gaining weight, it’s important to control their calorie intake. Opt for a dog food that is formulated to meet the energy needs of a moderately active dog, and be mindful of portion sizes.
Look for dog food that includes sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil or flaxseed. These fatty acids can promote healthy skin, a shiny coat, and support overall well-being.
Remember, if you have any specific concerns or questions about your Maltese diet, seek advice from your veterinarian.
Below, you can read our recommendations of the best dog food for Maltese Dogs.
You’ll also learn the answer to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about Maltese Dogs.
Best Dog Food for Maltese Dogs December 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Maltese Dogs for December 2024.
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Best Dry Dog Food For Maltese Dogs
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice comes in a small, crunchy kibble size which is easy for small Maltese mouths to chew.
It is one of 13 recipes included in our review of this dry product line and derives the bulk of its meat protein from cage-free chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 17.8% fat and 44.2% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
This food features balanced nutrients necessary for small breed dogs and is enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Small kibble ideal for Maltese dogs
- Chicken-based protein
- Natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice, grain sorghum Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Adult Maltese dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have only given my two boys Diamond food from puppy to adult. I have never had an issue with tummy upset or anything. They love the food. Both are happy and healthy. I will continue to feed them Diamond Naturals."
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Best Wet Dog Food For Maltese Dogs
Halo Small Breed Turkey and Duck
Halo Small Breed Turkey and Duck is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein to nourish small breeds like Maltese dogs with a high metabolism.
It is one of two wet recipes included in our review of the Halo product line and gets most of its meat protein from turkey and duck. Dry matter label analysis reveals the formula contains 50% protein, 22.7% fat and 19.3% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 45%.
This wet recipe comes in small cans for small appetites, it is also made without meat meals, grains, or artificial ingredients, so your Maltese dog can absorb and use the nutrients more efficiently.
Read our review of the full Halo Grain Free Dog Food (Canned) range here
Things we like
- High protein from turkey and duck
- No poultry by-product meals
- Grain-free
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, ground dried peas, duck, carrots, dried egg whites Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Maltese Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love this product and the fact it comes in small cans perfect for my dog Tomi. He loves it."
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Best Fresh Dog Food For Maltese Dogs
JustFoodForDogs Balanced Remedy
JustFoodForDogs Balanced Remedy is one of nine recipes included in our review of this frozen fresh product line.
This food derives the majority of its meat protein from turkey and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 16.7% protein, 13.3% fat and 62% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 80%.
JustFoodForDogs Balanced Remedy is formulated to support your dog’s digestive health, with just a single protein source, single starch source, and low-fat levels. It is hand-prepared in open kitchens using ground turkey breast, long-grain white rice, sushi rice, sunflower oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and Icelandic premium fish oil. Made without fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial coloring, we highly recommend this food your Maltese dog.
Read our review of the full Just Food for Dogs (Frozen Fresh) range here
Things we like
- Single source of protein
- No fillers, preservatives, growth hormones, BHA, BHT or artificial colors
- Fresh, human-grade ingredients
Main Ingredients Turkey breast, long-grain white rice (enriched), sushi rice, sunflower oil, coconut oil Texture Wet Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 16.7% AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at JustFoodForDogs.com"Thank God for this recipe. This is the only food my girl Gia will not walk away from, her stools are firm and solid with no diarrhea and it’s slowly healed her gut. I truly believe this diet was my last resort and I’m so happy I made the transition. I would highly recommend this recipe."
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Best Dog Food For Maltese Puppies
The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Gourmet Grains Chicken & Duck
This Gourmet Grain recipe from The Honest Kitchen is made from ingredients you’d recognize, such as free-range chicken, cage-free duck, organic oats and quinoa — all dehydrated to retain nutrients and taste.
Perfect for Maltese puppies, The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Gourmet Grains Chicken & Duck includes bone broth and no potatoes, peas, lentils, corn, wheat and soy. Just add warm water and wait three minutes for a nutritious meal.
This food is just one of eight recipes included in our review of the The Honest Kitchen dehydrated product line. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32.8% protein, 17.5% fat and 41.7% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Grain Inclusive Dog Food (Dehydrated) range here
Things we like
- Dehydrated to retain nutrients
- 100% natural human-grade ingredients
- No artificial preservatives, by-products, fillers, GMO ingredients, corn, wheat or soy
Main Ingredients Dehydrated chicken, organic barley, organic oats, flaxseed, dehydrated eggs Texture Wet Type Grain-Inclusive Protein Percentage 32.8% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For All Maltese dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at thehonestkitchen.com"Our 2 pups remind us when it's feeding time. On the clock, and they are whining at us for their Honest Kitchen! They both have shiny and soft coats. The best part is the warm water added helps keep them hydrated!"
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Best Affordable Dog Food For Maltese Dogs
Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe
Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Canine Recipe is an affordable dry food, highly recommended for Maltese dogs
It is one of nine dry recipes included in our review of the Taste Of The Wild Grain-Free product line and derives the bulk of its meat protein from venison. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35.6% protein, 20% fat and 36.4% estimated carbs, producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Highly digestible venison and small kibble size make this recipe easy on your Maltese dog’s tummy and teeth. Probiotics and prebiotic fiber help support healthy digestion, while roasted venison along with lamb, egg, duck and ocean fish proteins provide recommended amino acid nutrition. Rich in protein and fat, this recipe provides the energy that active Maltese dogs need.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Dog Food range here
Things we like
- Packed with amino acids
- Small kibble size
- Probiotics and prebiotics for digestion
Main Ingredients Venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 35.6% AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Adult Maltese dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Its a good quality food at a great price....my little doggie loves it too!"
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Best Dog Food For Maltese Dogs With Allergies
Merrick Lil’Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
Merrick Lil’ Plates Real Texas Beef and Sweet Potato dry dog food caters for the big appetites and nutritional needs of small breeds like Maltese dogs.
We like the fact this grain-free recipe features real, whole pieces of freeze-dried raw beef, providing a high-quality protein source to supports muscle development without relying on fillers that might irritate allergies.
Sweet potatoes are included too. These are a gentle carbohydrate source, ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe is one of seven recipes included in our review of this dry product line. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 16.9% fat and 39.2% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Read our review of the full Merrick Lil’ Plates Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Real pieces of beef
- Small kibble pieces
- High levels of glucosamine and chondroitin
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, pork meal, salmon meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards Adult Maintenance Best For Adult Maltese dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog immediately loved this food, which is not very common for her. I look for limited ingredient dog food because she tends to have allergies and can be picky. Finding one she likes is important. But the big bonus is these nuggets don’t create the dust her last brand did!"
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Maltese Dogs
Maltese are a small toy breed of dog originating from Malta and well known for being a great companion dog. They are known for their friendly personalities and impressive coats. The American Kennel Club (AKC) consistently ranks Maltese within the top 38 most popular breeds in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are Maltese?
Maltese stand between 7-9 inches tall and weigh under 7 pounds.
What kind of fur does a Maltese have?
Maltese have a distinctive long, silky, white coat which touches the floor. It requires daily gentle brushing to prevent tangles and regular baths but Maltese are low shedding.
What temperament do Maltese have?
Maltese make great companions and show the following traits:
- Affectionate
- Playful
- Gentle
- Vocal
- Intelligent
- Happy with other dogs and pets
- Good with children
- Energetic
How much exercise do Maltese need?
Maltese are playful and energetic but a play in the garden or indoors will suffice if you can’t walk them everyday. They only need occasional exercise or a short daily walk.
Which health concerns do Maltese have?
Maltese are generally a very healthy breed overall but should be screened for:
- Dental disease
- Heart anomalies
- Congenital liver issues
- Patella luxation
Final word
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