The breed is famous for its energy and spunk. People who have this dog know that they make great company. People mostly make a picture of Maltese in their mind that the breed possesses a long white fur when they hear about it.
As an owner of Maltese, you know how significant it is to maintain the health of a little dog, and the best way is to feed them with a healthy diet. But you might think about what exactly a balanced diet is for Maltese.
The white coat and bubbly personality are the distinct features of Maltese. The breed is a native to the Mediterranean island nation of Malta before 2000 years ago, making it an old breed. Historically, the dog has been known by many names, although it played a part of the loyal companion and lapdog.
The little dogs are playful and lively in nature, although they can become snappy and impatient around children. The breed shares a strong bond with its owners and is very loving.
In this article, we have gathered the best dog foods for Maltese that are nutritious, delicious, and economical.
Maltese Puppy Nutrition Needs
It is one of the smallest breeds of all ages and has unique nutritional requirements. In toy dogs, hypoglycemia is very common as the small bodies have difficulty in regulating blood sugar levels.
Due to this reason, it is important to select food that is being served to small and toy breeds. The food has balanced nutrients with inulin that helps to maintain and manage sugar levels and diabetes.
As the breed is not muscular, but they still require a lot of protein. The amount of protein help to maintain the mass of muscles. It also provides energy and makes sure your pup has important building blocks for the development of the body.
The MSD Veterinary Manual suggests that tiny breeds require a kibble that has a minimum protein ratio of 22%. The formula of a puppy is key and is more than the needs of a puppy.
It also suggested that min. 8% fat is required for healthy development and growth. It not only provides energy but also absorbs minerals and vitamins.
Fats are good for the immune system, and the ingredients like flaxseeds and other vitamins support luxurious coats and nourished skin.
It is recommended to give food 4-6 times a day to fulfill hypoglycemic needs. However, as soon as it reaches three months of age, this can be minimized to 3-4.
Adult Maltese Nutrient Needs
Approximately at 12 months, the dog turns to adult, and at this point, he should slowly be transferred to adult kibble. By this age, his fully matured body has learned to maintain his blood sugar levels. He must be given three meals a day, as suggested by your Vet.
The studies suggest that the ratio of fat and protein is lowered to 5% and 18%, respectively, which is the most prominent factor in transferring it to adult kibble. Adult nutrition overall is about a properly balanced diet.
The protein must be of high quality like real meat, meat, and fish meals provide not only protein but also a source of nutrients like DHA and glucosamine along with extra taste.
A large amount of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids must be needed to nourish his hair and skin, and it is more important if the dog shows Maltese, as his coat is his most famous feature.
Senior Maltese Nutrient Needs
As the Maltese grow, his nutrient requirements will change, and the senior is between the ages of 9-10 years. As the dog becomes less active, he will require less energy, so it is the main thing to look for a kibble that will give him with all the needs, but with minimum calories.
Maltese also requires less fat as a high-fat ratio makes the dog overweight. However, his weak digestive system couldn’t digest fat properly in his older years.
Still, it is important to feed the dog with high-quality lean protein, but it is more significant to make sure he gets a high level of chondroitin and glucosamine to support joints and bones. The greater sources are fish meals and meat.
It is also the main thing to ensure that they get vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to aid in aging immunity. In his old age, he became a picky eater and found pieces of kibble hard to crunch, so the addition of chicken broth in his bowl was helpful.
Special Dietary Considerations for Maltese
Though it is an ancient breed, generally, the Maltese is healthy and can live from 15-18 years. The Maltese breed is not exceptional as all dogs are susceptible to some health problems.
There are many inherited health conditions along with food allergies and sensitivities.
Below is the list of health issues to which the breed may be susceptible:
- Collapsed Trachea
- Allergies
- Glaucoma
- Hypoglycemia
- Reverse Sneezing
- White Dog Shaker Syndrome
Maximum health issues to which Maltese is susceptible are due to eye problems, allergies, or genetics.
Maltese Feeding Chart
The breed has a maximum growth of 7 pounds. This means the breed is likely to gain adult size before 1 year and sometimes before 6 months.
For the first 8-12 months, you should feed small breed puppy food to ensure all the nutritional requirements are met and follow the suggestions on the package according to his weight and age.
Switch your Maltese to a small-breed adult dog food. Follow the instructions mentioned feed the dog according to weight and age.
Feed the dog ½-1 cup per day and given three meals a day to puppies and adult dogs, although puppies require an additional meal while still growing.
The Best Dog Food for Maltese
Royal Canin Maltese Adult Dry Dog Food
The brand offers a recipe that is designed specifically for adult Maltese through the shape and ingredients of the kibble.
As the breed has a tapered muzzle, the kibble is shaped so that the dog can easily pick it up, and it also motivates slower eating.
Features
It has proteins that are digested easily, with a fiber ratio of 3.3% to minimize the amount of stool and odor.
Source of protein
The main protein source is pork meal with brewer’s rice, wheat gluten, and corn and chicken by-product.
Fish oil provides DHA and EPA, provides nourishment to maintain the coat silky and long, with a lovely shine.
The drawback of this formula is expensive; however, it gives specific ingredients to keep Maltese happy and healthy, as they are selective eaters.
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Formulated specifically for Maltese | Expensive |
| Digestible proteins | |
| Fish oil for silky and soft coat | |
| Customized kibble |
Blue Buffalo Life Dry Dog Food
It is the best food for Maltese in terms of money as it is made for small dog breeds and is very economical. The main ingredients are chicken meal, chicken, and brown rice.
Features
- Flaxseed and Menhaden fish meal provides fatty acids to keep the coat shiny and healthy.
- The kibble is tasty and small and is designed especially for the removal of tartar from the teeth.
- It is a mixture of 7 antioxidants that keep the dog full of life and healthy.
- The food is not suitable for dogs with few sensitivities as it is not grain-free.
However, it has plenty of carbohydrates and protein to meet the needs of your dog.
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Removes tartar | Not good for dogs with food sensitivities |
| Tasty | |
| Easy to eat | |
| Affordable |
Purina ONE SmartBlend Dry Dog Food
The brand offers a budget-friendly recipe designed mainly for puppies. It has whole-grain corn, real chicken, and oatmeal that give digestible protein for sensitive tummies.
The high concentration of fat is best for the provision of energy, and fish oil is a source of DHA for optimal eye and brain development.
Features
- Combination of Vit. A and E maintains strong immunity.
- Phosphorus and calcium strengthen the bones and joints.
- The pup will love the soft meaty morsels within the kibble as they provide texture and flavor
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| High level of fat and protein | Not breed specific |
| Affordable | |
| Antioxidants for strong immunity |
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The recipe is designed for small breeds, as it has a high ratio of meat protein to build lean muscle, and fat helps to provide the energy the whole day.
The recipe is best for good with food allergies and sensitive stomachs as it is grain-free.
The main ingredients are turkey meal, chicken meal, turkey, and potatoes. The great combination of flavors is loved by dogs.
Features
- Salmon oil has omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Chondroitin and glucosamine are best for the maintenance of joint and bone health
- It has probiotics for digestive health
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Tasty | A large number of potatoes |
| High in fiber | |
| Grain-free | |
| Easy to digest |
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The brand is famous for the provision of food as nature intended. The recipe is designed specifically for small breeds like the Maltese.
The recipe is grain-free, with lamb and version as the primary protein source and ingredient.
The addition of healthy legumes provides fiber and other nutrients like peas, garbanzo, and lentils.
Features
- The ocean fish meal and duck provide proteins and flavor
- The grain-free recipe is good for breeds that cannot bear grains.
However, dogs with food intolerance cannot digest it easily as it has many animal proteins.
- No artificial flavor, preservatives, or colors
- K9 probiotic strain for supporting digestive health
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Good for small breeds | It has many different meat proteins |
| Grain-free | |
| Include healthy legumes | |
| No preservatives |
Nutro Ultra Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
The dry dog food is designed for small breeds. It has lamb, chicken, and salmon as a source of proteins. This combination gives a tasty flavor that dogs like, but the salmon make the food smelly.
Fiber is almost 4% that comes from flaxseed, brown rice, beet pulp, and whole-grain oatmeal.
Features
- As it has rice, so it is not grain-free and is not good for dogs with food intolerance.
- It gives the right amount of fat, protein, and carbohydrates healthy
- Antioxidants support the immune system.
- Sunflower oil maintains health and coat shiny
- No artificial preservatives
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Tasty | Not suitable for dogs with food sensitivity |
| Three animal protein | Odorous |
| High in fiber | |
| Good source of carbohydrates and protein |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The brand offers another formula designed especially for small breeds to fulfill their nutritional demands. The recipe has three sources of animal proteins for enhanced flavor.
However, it has a drawback. It is not good for sensitive stomachs. It has a chicken meal, chicken, and turkey to provide a more digestible protein to the food. So the dog has a lot of energy for the whole day.
Features
- The recipe is good for a sensitive stomach.
- Peas, sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes give a lot of complex carbohydrates for more energy
- Antioxidant sources cranberries, blueberries, and carrots maintain the functionality of the immune system
- Keep the joints healthy and increase mobility
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Healthy immune system | Not good for dogs with food sensitivity |
| Grain-free | |
| Complex carbohydrates for energy |
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe
It is a high-quality, grain-free beef dog recipe that helps to provide the pup with impressive ingredients. It is designed for small breeds in all stages of life.
The food can be fed to adults, lactating females, or puppies.
It has lamb meal, deboned beef, peas, sweet potatoes, and potatoes
Features
- Gluten and grain-free
- Highest-protein ratio (38%) of any mainstream dog food
- High level of fatty acid as compared to other food
- Formulated in the USA with no Chinese-sourced ingredients
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Tasty | Expensive |
| Improve the skin and coat of the dog |
Buyer’s Guide
You must consider the following things before choosing the best food for dogs. It does not have to be a difficult method, and once you are sure of what to look for, you will feel accomplished in the choice you have made
Considerations
- Know the breed
Digestion
Obesity
Joint concerns
Picky eaters
Dental issues
- Ingredients in the food
Protein
Fat
Carbohydrates
- Ingredients to avoid
- Price
Conclusion
It is a full-time job for taking care of spunky and energetic Maltese, especially when you are not confident about the food formulation which one is the best. In this article, we have reviewed the 8 best formulas to provide and fulfill the nutritional needs of Maltese and maintain the health of the breed.
FAQ
What is the average weight of Maltese?
The average weight of males and females is 3-4 kg.
What is the life span of Maltese?
The breed has a life of 12-15 years, depending on the health of a dog.
What foods are good for Maltese dogs?
- Fish
- Chicken
- Carrots
- Apples
- Dairy products