Feeding a Maltese: Best Dog Food Options

The Maltese, belonging to the Toy dog category, should ideally weigh 4 to 6 pounds on an average, as mentioned by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Hence they need a wholesome diet of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals on a regular basis to stay healthy, lest they may suffer from hypoglycemia like most other toy breeds that can prove fatal for them too in extreme cases.

Feeding requirements for Maltese

Maltese puppies require double the calories than their adult counterparts since they have a higher energy need than the latter in their growing phase. Frequent feeding, particularly in the initial three months of their life, is essential because of its tendency to suffer from hypoglycemia.

• 0 to 4 weeks (Nursing pups) – Mothers milk or formula milk in a 2-hour interval.
• 4 to 8 weeks – Can transition from formula to solids where equal parts of solid or dry food should be mixed with formula (the quantity of formula being reduced gradually over a 4-week span).
• 10-12 weeks to 9 months – 3 meals a day
• 10 months and above – 2 meals a day

Senior or older Maltese dogs need a diet low in protein as high amounts of it may increase the risk of kidney problems.

Top 8 Dog Foods for Maltese

Brand/Type/ Rating	How does it help	Nutrients it contains
1. Royal Canin Maltese 24 Canine Adult Dry Dog Food/Dry  Check Price	Lessens tartar formation Good for fussy eaters Helps to maintain their long, flowing, shiny coat Aids in lessening the volume and smelly odor of stools Easy to chew	Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 6 fatty acids Sodium polyphosphate
2. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe/Dry  Check Price	Meets the high energy requirements Maintains the overall immune system Helps in tartar removal Strengthens bones and muscles	Crude protein Crude fat Calcium Crude fiber Phosphorous Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 6 fatty acids
3. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Puppy Food/Dry Check Price	Boosts the immune system Helps in bone development Fosters a sound eye and skin health Promotes brain development	Antioxidants Vitamin A Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Vitamin E DHA (Docosahexaenoic) Taurine Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 6 fatty acids
4. Wells Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Natural Dog Food/Dry  Check Price	Maintains bones and muscles Manages its overall immune system Nourishes its skin and coat Aids in a better digestion	Protein Antioxidants Vitamins L-carnitine Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 6 fatty acids
5. Nutro Ultra Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog/ Dry  Check Price	Helps in keeping its body fit Maintains a shiny skin and coat	Crude protein Crude fiber Crude fat Calcium Zinc Phosphorous Vitamin E Moisture Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 6 fatty acids
6. Halo Spot’s Stew Natural Dry Dog Food, Adult Dog/Dry Check Price	Ensures a strong digestibility Maintains a healthy coat and skin	Antioxidants Vitamin E Thiamine mononitrate Niacin Supplement D-calcium pantothenate Riboflavin supplement Pyridoxine hydrochloride Vitamin D3 Supplement Potassium iodide Sodium selenite
7. Cesar Classics Poultry Flavored Adult Wet Dog Food Trays/Wet Check Price	Comes in varied flavors, being  an excellent choice for fussy eaters	Crude fat Crude protein Moisture Crude fiber Calcium Carbonate Potassium Chloride Sodium nitrite Vitamin A supplement Vitamin D3 supplement
8. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food/Dry  Check Price	Caters to their increased energy requirements Maintains hip and bone health Ensures a shiny coat and skin Useful for tear stains	Crude fiber Crude protein Crude fat Vitamin E Calcium Beta Carotene Phosphorous Omega 3 Fatty Acids Omega 6 Fatty Acids Moisture Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate

Maltese mixes like Mal-shi and Maltipoo can also be fed with the above dog foods as their parents, the Shi-Tzu and Poodle are also small dog breeds.

Best dry dog food if your Maltese is suffering from:

Allergies –Nutro Ultra and Wellness Earthborn Holistic are said to be on the list of good foods for Maltese if it is suffering from allergies.

Tear stains – Dog foods with probiotics and antioxidants are said to be highly effective for tear stains. Of the several brands, Wellness CORE Natural has been recommended by many, since it is devoid of artificial additives and preservatives as well as contains antioxidants and probiotics.

What human foods to feed them

Many dog owners often prefer giving their pets a natural diet, instead of canned food, though a combination of both would be helpful for its overall health. A Maltese’ diet should comprise of vegetables (35%-40%), meat (45%-50%), and starches like rice (10%-20%). Out of the several recipes you can prepare for your dog some of them include simple ones like:

• Vegetable soup prepared from freshly chopped vegetables (green beans, carrots, peas, squash, sweet potato).
• A combination of chicken and rice boiled and served as a mix.
• A tasty casserole made with meat and chopped vegetables (carrots, celery stalks, potato, sliced green beans)

You can also consider giving your pet a raw diet as prescribed by many vets, containing meat (65%-85%), organ meat (5%-10%), raw vegetables (20% -30%), cooked grains (about 10%), fruits and nuts (about 5%).

What to do if your Maltese won’t eat dog food at all

Your Maltese may be finicky and not be eating dog food at all. In such cases, start with homemade food and gradually mix it to his kibble. Habituate your pet to eat dry dog food since its puppy days so that it doesn’t get picky.