12 Best Dog Foods for Maltipoos 2023 (Premium & Budget)

Last Updated on April 25, 2023

While the hybrid offspring of the Poodle and Maltese don’t have special dietary requirements, it also doesn’t mean that you should feed them the first kibble you come across.

Having a well-balanced diet will ensure your dog has a long and fulfilling life.

Whether you have a new pup or you’re simply searching for the best dog food for Maltipoos, we’ll help you in your search for the right diet.

Top 5 Picks for Best Dog Food for Maltipoo

The Best Dog Food Brands for Maltipoos by Stage

Maltipoos are small dogs with an adorable, teddy bear-like face that has captured many hearts. Like many small breeds, they have specific caloric requirements depending on their life stage. 

Best Puppy Foods for Maltipoos 

The best puppy food is designed for healthy growth. Besides high-quality amino acids from an animal protein source, you also want to look for items fortified with omega fatty acids for cognitive development.

1. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley
Type: Dry

Created with chicken as the first ingredient and free from any low-quality ingredients, which often causes allergies.

Incorporated with DHA and fatty acids that can help with brain and eye development – exactly what you want for your growing puppy. 

Pros:

• Suitable for all breeds up to a year old
• Free from chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, and soy 
• Offers bone and joints support
• Contains essential antioxidants for a healthy immune system
• Rich with DHA and Omega-3 for cognitive development
• Lovingly made in the USA

Cons:

• Kibbles might be a tad big for tiny Maltipoo mouths

CHECK PRICE HERE

2. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Fat
Type: Dry

Royal Canin has a reputation for catering specifically to various dog breeds.

The shapes and sizes of their kibble are created with the dog’s needs in mind, effectively cleaning tartar and preventing plaque buildup.

The formula also features highly digestible protein and a nutritious profile.

Pros:

• Specially formulated for toy and small breed dogs, with appropriately kibble sizes
• Gentle on your pup’s digestive system

Cons:

• Brewers rice as the first ingredient, followed by chicken by-product meal which isn’t the highest quality ingredients
• Considered pricey for the less than stellar ingredients

CHECK PRICE HERE

3. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Turkey, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal
Type: Dry

Aside from meeting their caloric and nutritional needs, they have also ensured that the kibble size is the right shape and size for your small breed puppy.

Filled with the necessary nutrients for your crossbreed’s healthy development. They also have a Wellness Core kibble for grain-sensitive pups.

Pros:

• Does not contain any meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
• Fortified with the necessary nutrients for a healthy puppy

Cons:

• Owners have complained that the kibbles are too hard for their small breed dogs

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Dog Food for Maltipoo Adults

Adult Maltipoo dogs can still benefit from Omega oils, especially if they have skin problems. Essential nutrients such as antioxidants and vitamins will continue to keep your pet’s immunity strong. 

4. Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison & Brown Rice Recipe with Pearled Barley Small Breed Dry Dog Food (all life stages)

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Bison, Ocean Fish Meal, Peas
Type: Dry

Solid Gold believes that the little guys deserve just as much as the bigger dogs. Whether it’s nutrition or flavor, you’ll find it in this recipe.

Created with novel protein to ward off allergies and containing twenty over superfoods to fuel your small dog and keep him healthy. 

Pros:

• With added probiotics and prebiotics for your pooch’s digestive system
• Omega oils naturally sourced from salmon
• Small bites kibbles which are perfect for smaller breeds
• Formulated with non-GMO grains
• Suitable for all life stages

Cons:

• Owners have raised their concern about the peas used in this recipe

CHECK PRICE HERE

5. Purina Bella Natural Bites with Real Chicken & Beef & Accents of Sweet Potatoes & Spinach Small Breed Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Wheat
Type: Dry

While they claim to be made from real chicken and beef, the ingredients prove otherwise. However, this highly rated dog food will improve your dog’s coat and overall health.

Sweet potato is a healthy and sustainable source of energy for your small doggies without being overly caloric-dense.

Pros:

• Small kibbles and tender bits that are palatable and encourages proper chewing
• Specially formulated for small breeds and meets their dietary requirements

Cons:

• Chicken by-product meal as its first ingredient
• Some dogs are averse to the kibble and only eats the sweet potato bits

CHECK PRICE HERE

6. FirstMate Small Bites Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Australian Lamb Meal Formula Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Lamb Meal, Burbank Potato, Norkotah Potato
Type: Dry

A limited-ingredient formula for sensitive dogs. Formulated with just one type of protein, with potatoes as the sole carbohydrate source.

This recipe contains multiple berries for healthy antioxidants and a stronger immune system. Perfect for dogs that are sensitive to poultry, beef, grains, or gluten. 

Pros:

• A gluten-free, pea-free, and grainless formula that eliminates any potential problems to either ingredient
• Crafted with GMO-free Australian lamb
• Rich in antioxidants
• Promotes healthy skin

Cons:

• Dime-sized kibble might be slightly large for smaller dogs

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Dog Food for Maltipoo Seniors

Many Maltipoos often maintain their bounce well into their golden years and if that’s the case, you can continue feeding them their adult food.

However, if they slow down a little, reduce their carb or fat intake and lower the calories.

Older Maltipoos should also be given a diet that’s gentle on their aging digestive system. 

7. ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Atlantic flounder
Type: Dry

A wonderful diet that features a whopping 38% of high-quality protein. Perfect for all dog breeds, it’s a palatable choice with its freeze-dried liver coated kibbles.

No worries about feeding your dog anything less than the best because ORIJEN is serious about delivering high-quality pet food.

Pros:

• High protein content from several sources of real meat
• Promotes healthy skin and coat
• Fortified with chondroitin and glucosamine to keep your aging pooch’s joints well-oiled and strong

Cons:

• Pricey

CHECK PRICE HERE

8. Iams ProActive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken & Rice Canned Dog Food

Our rating: 4.5
Top ingredients: Sufficient Water for Processing, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Chicken By-Products
Type: Dry

While the ingredients might not scream high-quality dog food, it’s a highly recommended dog food for seniors.

The pate consistency is gentle on the jaws of older dogs, plus it’s highly palatable, which will entice even the pickiest of eaters.

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Reviews have mentioned an improvement in coat health
• Even dogs with no teeth can eat this with ease

Cons:

• The gelatinous pate-like texture requires some breaking down, otherwise, it would stay in the same can shape

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Dog Food for Maltipoos with Health Issues

Some dogs need the added support of certain ingredients to help with underlying health problems.

Offering your dog high-quality dog food from young will increase their chances of growing up fit and healthy.

Choosing a dog food for Maltipoos with health problems

Patellar luxation is a frequently seen problem in small breeds which causes immense but bearable pain. To combat this, you want food that’s fortified with glucosamine for joint health. 

White shaker syndrome is a Maltese hereditary issue. According to some, eliminating eggs from their diet can help stop the tremors, but it’s most often treated with steroids. 

Eggs and poultry can also cause allergic reactions. Other common food allergies your dog can have may be triggered by beef, grains, dairy, poultry, or poultry products. 

Best for Weight Management

While Maltipoos don’t often get obese, it’s not unheard of, especially when their owner spoils when with treats! If your buddy needs to go on a diet, you can try the following: 

9. Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Formula Dry Dog Food

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Whole Grain Corn
Type: Dry

Purina Pro Plan is focused on helping your dog shed those extra pounds without depriving him of any nutrients or flavor.

Crafted with chicken protein with the added benefits of live probiotics, it should be gentle on your pooch’s stomach. 

Pros:

• Contains live probiotics and natural prebiotic fiber for digestive and immune health
• Optimum protein-to-fat ratio for healthy and sustainable weight loss 

Cons:

• Dog owners have complained of the kibble being “crumbly” and like “sawdust”

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best for Sensitive Stomach and Skin

Dogs with sensitivities will most likely lick and scratch themselves excessively. Sometimes, you might also notice runny stools.

The first thing you want to do is try a gentle recipe, but you might need to go on a limited-ingredient diet if that doesn’t work.

10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food 

Our rating: 5
Top ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal
Type: Dry

With a rich profile of prebiotic fiber for your pooch’s digestive health, Hill’s Science has also taken into consideration the other nutrients that your pooch might need.

Fortified with taurine, various minerals and vitamins, and even biotin, there’s nothing more your dog could want. 

Pros:

• Supports your dog’s digestive health
• Specially formulated for smaller breeds
• Formulated with highly digestible ingredients and high-quality protein

Cons:

• Owners have complained that the kibbles are so small that their pups are swallowing the kibbles instead of chewing

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Dog Food for Maltipoos Buying Guide 

There are many different brands of dog food, all of which will try to market themselves as the best for your pet.

But the truth is, whether you go for grain-free dog food, or a grain-inclusive recipe, or big name brands like Merrick and Blue Buffalo, the best dog food is the one that suits your dog.

Not every dog is going to do amazing on the same diet. Some will react well to venison, while others might need Omega-6 in their diet.

You‘ll most likely need to try a few different brands before finding one that sticks.

Try to find one that’s made from highly nutritious natural ingredients and includes multi-beneficial antioxidants such as flaxseed. 

Smaller kibble is not a must, but if your dog is having trouble chowing down, it might be a good idea to switch. Appropriately sized kibbles will go a long way in helping you keep your dog’s teeth clean.

Maltipoo nutritional requirement: What to look for in a good Maltipoo food

Maltipoos might look like little teddy bears, but they require the same ratio of protein, fat, and carbs as any other dog breed. 

Protein should make up the largest percentage, with at least 22% for growing puppies at 18% for adults, which is the bare minimum for your dog’s energy needs.

You also want to choose natural ingredients over chemical additives. Artificial colors and artificial flavors are not something you want to see in your dog food as they are known allergens. 

Veggies are a great addition to your dog’s diet. While they don’t strictly need vegetables to survive, it definitely offers them a wider array of food options.

It provides vitamin E, which can help sustain your dog’s muscle tone and metabolism.

Ingredients to avoid when feeding your Maltipoo 

Much like when shopping for human food, you want to avoid artificial flavoring, preservatives, sweeteners, or coloring as it has been associated with cancer.

Aside from that, meat by-product meals are also discouraged as it’s believed that they’re low-quality ingredients meant to buff up a formula’s protein content.

More often than not, by-product meals include diseased meats and parts of animals that aren’t normally consumed, such as beaks.

Is grain-free diet options preferable for Maltipoos?

Dog food featuring grain-free recipes has saturated the market, but if your dog isn’t sensitive to grains specifically, there’s no reason to abstain from it.

Should you give your Maltipoo dry kibbles, wet food, raw diet, or homemade?

When it comes to small breed dogs, dry kibbles are the best choice simply because smaller breeds tend to have dental problems.

Kibble can help keep their teeth clean. If you have a very picky eater, you can top their food with some wet food. 

Fruits and vegetables your Maltipoo can and cannot eat

Dogs need a balance of carbs, fiber, and other goodies that they can’t all get from protein. That’s where fruits and vegetables come into play. Here’s a list of what your Maltipoo can and cannot enjoy: 

A homemade recipe you can try for your Maltipoo

Since it can be slightly harder to ensure that every homemade meal is balanced to meet your pooch’s dietary needs or activity level, sprinkle some kibbles or mix wet dog food prior to feeding.

Here’s a simple homemade recipe by Maltipoo owner Shelby: 

Ingredients: 

• 3 lbs (1.3 kg) carrots
• 1 large sweet potato
• 12 oz (1.5 cups) of green beans
•  1 zucchini
• 3 medium heads of broccoli
• 4 lbs (1.8 kg) protein
• ¾ teaspoon turmeric
• Kale/Spinach
• 7 tablespoons of calcium powder
• ½ cup of rice (brown or white)

Directions: 

1. Chop up carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, zucchini, and green beans
2. In a medium-sized pot, boil carrots and sweet potatoes, simmering on medium heat until soft
3. In a large pot, cook meat over medium heat until medium well
4. Add turmeric, kale/spinach, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans into the large pot of meat
5. Mash carrots and sweet potatoes, mix into the large pot
6. Add calcium and rice, and wait for the rice to cook
7. Once everything is done, allow to cool and serve
8. The extra food can be bagged and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 6 months

Maltipoo Feeding Chart

Your small dog has small caloric requirements. As a rule of thumb, it should look something like this: 

• 400 calories for dogs below a year old
• 200 calories for dogs between a year to eight years old
• 150 calories for dogs above eight years old

Judging by weight alone, your pooch will need somewhere between 25 to 30 calories per pound (0.45 kg) per day to sustain them.

Small dogs should be fed 2 to 3 small meals a day to maintain their blood sugar levels.

Puppies can feed freely in the first few months to ensure that they are getting enough to grow. This can also prevent hypoglycemia, which is a fatal condition. 

Once your puppy reaches 3 months old, you should give them a more consistent schedule as this can also help regulate how often they need to go potty and make housebreaking much easier.

Transition: How to switch from puppy to adult dog food?

Switching from one food to another, whether from a different brand, life stage, or simply a different flavor should all be done slowly.

An abrupt change may cause an upset stomach in your tiny pooch, and you don’t want that. Small dogs can suffer from dehydration rather easily.

Instead, swap out tiny portions of their existing food for their new food and do this over several days. You can take it as slow as you want, but it should never be done in less than seven days. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Maltipoos picky eaters?

Small breed dogs have a reputation for being picky eaters, but in fact, it’s because they need very little.

Since their stomachs are so small, they can easily fill up on treats or table scraps, which is what makes them turn their noses up at their kibble.

Try to save treats for special occasions instead of dropping a few here and there. You may also use their kibble as treats so you can be sure they are getting a well-balanced diet. 

If you notice your Maltipoo losing weight, it’s worth a visit to the vet to ensure there’s nothing physically wrong with them.

Can Maltipoo eat human food?

It’s never advisable for any dog to eat human food. Our dishes are often seasoned with salt and herbs such as onions and garlic, all of which may cause health problems in your Maltipoo.

You also want to prevent your dog from begging, which is what they’ll start doing if you keep giving them delicious morsels off your plate. 

Do Maltipoos need supplements? 

Dogs on a well-balanced diet do not require any supplements whatsoever. Only dogs that need additional support require any form of supplementation.

Best Dog Treats for Maltipoos

Since small dogs usually have problems with keeping their teeth clean, dental chews are one of the best treats that you can give your dogs. 

• Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats
• True Acre Foods All-Natural Dental Chew Sticks
• DentaLife Daily Oral Care Small/Medium Dental Dog Treats

What Makes Dog Food Good for Maltipoos?

At the end of the day, the best dog food for Maltipoos is one that will cater to their needs. An older dog would need something for its joints and heart. Omega oils are also a beneficial additive.

The best dog food doesn’t need to be made from the best ingredients. Let us know in the comments what dog food worked for your dog!

Further reading: Best Dog Food for other popular dog breeds

• Best Dog Food for Boston Terrier
• Best Dog Food for Border Collie
• Best Dog Food for Maltese

Reference

• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20food%20allergens,the%20antigens%20and%20symptoms%20occur.