What are the Best Dog Foods for Maltese dogs?
The Maltese is a dog with a distinctive, elegant appearance. A breed that is gentle, amiable, and affectionate, the Maltese is also surprisingly bold in nature and has a sturdy build. Finding the right diet to support the health of a Maltese is the top priority of every owner. Whether you share your home with a puppy, a mature adult, or a senior, our list of top-quality diets will help you select the right food to fuel your Maltese’s health and lifestyle.
AKC Classification: Toy group
Exercise Required: 30 minutes/day
Ideal Weight
Healthy Male Weight: Up to 7 lbs
Healthy Female Weight: 4-6 lbs
Breed Summary
The sophisticated Maltese is a breed that enjoys an active lifestyle with its beloved family. The defining hallmark of this breed is its luxurious white coat that reaches to the floor. Though in the past, the Maltese was available in several different colors; today, this dog breed comes in only one hue: white, which increases its risk of deafness.
The Maltese has a distinctive way of moving that gives the illusion of the dog floating. A single coated breed with no undercoat, the Maltese sheds only very minimally, making it an excellent choice for families with allergies.
Despite the breed’s regal, almost haughty air, Maltese are highly energetic dogs that require daily exercise to remain physically and mentally satisfied. They are an intelligent breed, but are also known to resist training efforts, meaning a little creativity or some highly motivating training treats may be required to teach this spirited breed new tricks.
A dog breed developed as a family companion; the Maltese is a dog that thrives under the attentions of its family members. When separated from those it loves most, the breed can be prone to separation anxiety, which often results in nuisance barking and destructive behavior, if not addressed.
Maltese are not always fans of children, sometimes becoming protective of their owners. For this reason, establishing firm boundaries within the home is very important. Most breeders recommend that Maltese be placed in homes with older children for best results.
Fun fact: The Maltese is believed to be one of the oldest toy breed dogs. The breed has featured in ancient artwork and literature that traces back to Greece, Rome, and Egypt. In Greece, tombs were built to house the remains of deceased Maltese. It was believed by many cultures that this bold and attractive breed was blessed with the ability to cure illness in people.
Physical Traits
Active, sturdy, compact, elegant, athletic
Personality Traits
Spirited, bold, adventurous, affectionate, friendly
Health Considerations for Maltese
There are many factors to consider when selecting the right food for a Maltese. All dog breeds can be genetically predisposed to some health issues. In the Maltese, the most commonly seen problems include patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, progressive retinal atrophy, White Dog Shaker Syndrome, and portosystemic liver shunt. There are many factors to consider when selecting the right food for a Maltese. All dog breeds can be genetically predisposed to some health issues. In the Maltese, the most commonly seen problems include patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, progressive retinal atrophy, White Dog Shaker Syndrome, and portosystemic liver shunt.
Joint Support (e.g. Patellar Luxation)
Patellar Luxation is a condition in which the kneecap of a dog slips in and out of position. Luxation is rated on a scale from one to four with one being the least likely to cause long term health effects or pain. Maintaining a healthy body weight and discouraging your Maltese to jump can play a vital role in helping to reduce inflammation and pain that can be associated with patellar luxation. To provide support for Maltese with patellar luxation, we prefer food and/or supplements with the following ingredients.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a health ailment that results in low blood sugar. Maltese suffering with this condition may exhibit signs of weakness, brain fog, an unsteadiness on their feet, and in rare cases, seizures. Hypoglycemia is typically controlled by feeding smaller meals more frequently throughout the day to maintain optimal blood sugar levels. We also look for complex carbohydrates; avoiding simple carbs/sugars that will lead to a quick spike in blood sugar followed by a major drop.
Eye Issues & Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a genetic health problem that affects the eyes through the gradual degeneration of the retina. Over time, this can lead to complete blindness. A diet that supports optimal eye function can be a great help to Maltese fighting this disease.
White Dog Shaker Syndrome
White Dog Shaker Syndrome is an ailment that is typically seen only in dogs with white coats. Symptoms of the disease include shaking, lack of body coordination, and rapid eye movements. The condition most often appears in dogs between the ages of six months and three years. Nutrition doesn't necessarily solve this problem, but it is worth creating awareness here and encouraging genetic testing for this syndroome.
Foods We Recommend: Maltese Puppies
When do Maltese dogs grow out of the puppy stage?
12 months old
It's best to select a puppy food designed to meet the needs of small breed dogs like the Maltese. As a minimum requirement, experts recommend selecting a diet that contains a minimum of 22.5% protein with a meat as the primary ingredient in the food. The fat content should be a minimum of 8.5% with slightly more also acceptable.
Of critical importance is the ratio of calcium to phosphorous, as this ensures a healthy rate of bone growth. The foods we recommend for Maltese puppies include:
Puppy Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Be Natural Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Pro Plan Puppy Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Fresh, Personalized Ingredient Meal Plan
+ Custom, human-grade diet
+ More expensive than kibble
Foods We Recommend: Maltese Adults
When do Maltese dogs become adults?
12-18 months old
Once a Maltese has reached full maturity, it is important that the dog be transitioned to an appropriate adult food. It's a good idea to select a diet that takes a lean meat as its primary ingredient.
Foods containing probiotics and other nutraceuticals, such as glucosamine and chondroitin also offer benefits to support joint health in Maltese. Our recommendations are:
Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Brown Rice Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Picky No More Small Breed Persnickety Recipe
Grain-Free Organic Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food
Foods We Recommend: Maltese Seniors
When do Maltese dogs become seniors?
10-12 years old
The senior Maltese requires food that is highly digestible and moderate calories to support the needs of elderly dogs. This diet should contain lowered amounts of fat to accommodate the senior Maltese’s less active lifestyle.
Supplements to support heart health and joint function are also an excellent idea. Our favorite foods for senior Maltese include:
Lil' Plates Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food
Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Potato Recipe Senior Dry Dog Food
Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Senior Real Chicken, Sweet Potato & Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog Food