Maltese dogs are remarkably faithful pets and quickly win over their owners, despite greeting unfamiliar individuals as if they already know them.
Despite their somewhat posh appearance, these dogs have a surprisingly lively spirit, and even those who typically favor larger breeds adore them, thanks to their luscious locks.
In order to maintain their jovial and lively nature, it is essential to provide them with proper nourishment, training, exercise, and grooming. Specifically, selecting a nutritious diet will not only ensure their vitality in the present, but also guarantee their long-term well-being and contentment.
6 Best Foods for Maltese Dogs
While there are various food choices available to ensure your Maltese’s health and nourishment, the six mentioned options are undoubtedly superior. Review the following evaluations and choose the ideal one that caters to your specific pet and circumstances.
While some owners opt for grain-free formulas when feeding their dogs, others choose to skip this extra cost, as these types of foods usually come with a higher price tag compared to grain-based formulas.
We have put together three distinct options for each requirement: the initial three items include grains, whereas the final three exclude them, in order to assist in addressing diverse needs.
1. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Life Protection Formula
Affordable grain-inclusive small-breed kibble
The top ingredient in this product is meat, supplemented with several omega-rich components to promote healthy skin and muscles.
Blue Buffalo’s Small Breed Life Protection Formula is a premium product that comes with an impressive list of ingredients and is highly favored by most Maltese. Moreover, it is reasonably priced, which makes it a viable option for pet owners.
Characteristics:
- Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient
- Made with several omega-fatty-acid-rich ingredients to keep your pup’s skin and coat healthy
- Fortified with an array of vitamins, minerals and probiotics
- Unique, “small-bite” kibble is easy for small breeds to chew
- Made in the USA
2. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe
Grain-free recipe featuring meat as first 3 ingredients
Containing nourishing, low-fat protein and enhanced with probiotics to guarantee adequate digestion.
Wellness CORE products, such as their Small Breed Recipe, are essentially grain-free variations of the company’s Complete Health line.
The Small Breed Recipe has been designed specifically to cater for the increased energy requirements of small breeds by providing the appropriate amount of calories.
Characteristics:
- Deboned turkey – a nutritious, lean protein – is the first listed ingredient
- Contains no soy, wheat or corn
- Full of ingredients rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants
- Fortified with probiotics to help ensure proper digestion
- Made in the USA
3. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe
Quality small-breed kibble for all ages
Premium grain-free dog food with no Chinese-sourced ingredients.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Recipe is a high-quality dog food consisting of top-notch ingredients, free from grains and featuring beef protein. It is specifically designed for small breeds at different life stages, and can be given to adult dogs, lactating females, and tiny breed puppies. Additionally, it is an excellent dog food option for individuals who prefer chicken-free recipes.
Characteristics:
- Features one of the highest protein contents (38%) of any mainstream dog food
- Higher fatty acid content than most other dog foods
- Made in the USA with no Chinese-sourced ingredients
- Grain- and gluten-free
- Contains ingredients that are rich in chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health
4. NUTRO Ultra Small Breed Recipe
Nutritious, non-GMO dog food
Crafted using premium ingredients and a dozen different “superfoods” to ensure comprehensive and well-rounded nourishment.
NUTRO Ultra Small Breed Recipe is a suitable choice for most Maltese despite missing some of the extra features that other options offer. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy for not containing genetically modified organisms, which is a significant aspect for certain pet owners.
Characteristics:
- Contains 12 different “superfoods,” including kale, chia and coconut
- Chicken is the first listed ingredient
- Small kibble size is perfectly tailored for your pup’s little mouth
- Made without corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives
5. Blue Wilderness Small Breed Chicken Recipe
USA-made dog food with real meat as first 3 ingredients
Composed of authentic chicken and devoid of fake hues and preservatives.
The Blue Wilderness Small Breed Chicken recipe from Blue Buffalo is a top choice for pet owners who seek to provide their furry friends with optimal nourishment. What sets this formula apart is its lack of grains, as it relies on peas, tapioca starch, and potatoes for carbohydrates instead of wheat or corn.
This would make an excellent dog food choice for Yorkies as it is a high-quality formula intended for small breeds.
Characteristics:
- Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient
- Fortified with glucosamine to help protect your pup’s joints
- Small kibble is perfectly suited for small and toy breeds
- Formulated without any artificial flavors, artificial colors or artificial preservatives
- Made in the USA
6. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Healthy Weight
Designed to help small dogs maintain a healthy weight
This recipe contains lean meats and brown rice, which is designed to help small breeds maintain a healthy body weight.
The Wellness Small Breed Healthy Weight recipe is a premium, nourishing type of dog food that caters to the specific dietary needs of small dog breeds such as your Maltese in maintaining an ideal body weight. What sets it apart from other weight management formulas is that it still offers a flavor that most dogs cannot resist.
Characteristics:
- Real turkey is the first listed ingredient
- Made with several antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, pumpkin and spinach
- Made in the USA
- Backed by the manufacturer’s “Wellness Guarantee”
- Small kibble size to suit your pet’s small mouth and teeth
A Quick Word About Breed-Specific Dog Foods
Manufacturers create recipes specifically targeting different dog breeds, Maltese included. Although these may catch the interest of caring owners, it’s essential to do further research before presuming that such diets are suitable for your furry friend.
Frequently, the recipes of these products are identical or almost identical, with only the labels and packaging being different. Moreover, marketing specific to a particular breed may not guarantee basic nutritional adequacy in the food.
A well-known brand that produces specialized formulas for particular breeds lacks complete protein content, and deliberately uses convoluted terminology to hide the fact that it relies on corn as a recipe base.
Conversely, using a formula specific to a particular breed is acceptable provided that the variations are logical for that breed and extend beyond simply the packaging.
BONUS: Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?
Due to the ever-changing news on recalls and facts on commercial dog foods, a growing number of dog owners are choosing to make their own dog food at home. Although dogs enjoy homemade meals, creating dog food at home is different from cooking a meal for yourself or your human family members, and it is crucial to abide by certain guidelines to ensure your dog’s well-being.
The popularity of homemade diets is on the rise due to the ability to manage ingredients and avoid any dog food recalls, which appeals to health-conscious individuals who strive to consume whole foods and want the same for their dogs. Some prefer homemade diets because they are believed to offer a healthier option compared to processed dog food.
Before transitioning to a homemade diet for your dog, it’s important to take into account certain factors, as it may not be suitable for everyone.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
- It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
- Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
- If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.
Proper Nutrition for Dogs
For dogs to flourish, it is important to meet their dietary requirements just as it is for humans. However, since dogs have different nutritional needs than humans, sharing your meal with them is not the appropriate solution. Providing your dog with an imbalanced or incomplete diet may result in a dearth of vitamins and nutrients.
To fulfill their energy needs, dogs require an adequate amount of calories that correspond to their life stage and physical activity levels. Your veterinarian is capable of assisting you in determining the necessary caloric intake for your dog on a daily basis.
To ensure a well-rounded meal, a homemade dog diet ought to contain the right balance of carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and fat, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
- At least 10% protein , such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
- Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta , and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
- About 2.5-4.5% fiber , which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
- At least 5.5% fat , usually in the form of vegetable oil
- Vitamin and mineral supplements (dog-specific; can be purchased from a reputable company like BalanceIT.com )
To begin cooking for your dog, it is important to consult with your veterinarian first. Your vet can provide you with recipes or recommend a veterinary nutritionist or a vet who specializes in canine nutrition.
What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food
It is crucial to closely observe your dog when transitioning to homemade dog food. Maintain communication with your vet about any changes that you observe, whether they are positive or negative. To achieve optimum outcomes, document your dog’s weight and physical state over an extended period. Monitor your dog’s weight every week and inform your vet immediately if you observe any unintended fluctuations. Be on the lookout for signs of vomiting or diarrhea, which may indicate sensitivity to a particular ingredient. Keep track of these and any other indications of illness that you notice and inform your veterinarian.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
To ensure your dog’s homemade diet is nutritionally adequate, it is critical to use a well-rounded recipe and adhere to it. After selecting a suitable recipe with the assistance of your veterinarian, it is time to begin.
- Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
- Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
- Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
- Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
- Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
- Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
- Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
- In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.
It’s common for pet owners to make large batches of food and store them in pre-portioned containers in the fridge or freezer. While this can be a cost-effective and time-saving choice, it’s advisable to initially make smaller portions to observe how well your dog adapts to the new diet.
It is vital to seek the guidance of your holistic veterinarian before altering your dog’s food. This will ensure that the modifications are suitable for your dog’s present health condition. Monitor your pet’s weight beforehand since it will serve as a reference to adjust their diet in case they gain or lose too much weight. The necessary amount of food intake for your dog will depend on several factors, such as age, level of physical activity, and overall health.
