Finding the best dog food for your Maltese dog is vitally important for their overall health. The breed requires a complete and balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Smaller dogs like the Maltese will burn through a lot more calories than their larger counterparts. To meet the nutritional needs of your Maltese, you will want to find a small breed specific dog food brand.
By weight, the National Research Council of the National Academies recommends an average daily caloric intake of 404 calories for an active adult Maltese weighing 10 pounds. Additionally, you will want to find a real meat source that’s balanced by healthy fats, antioxidant-rich fruits and wholesome vegetables.
So what’s the best dog food for a Maltese? Our team of dog food nutritionists researched and analyzed over 400 brands of small dog food for the very best based off the nutritional needs of a Maltese. Here are the best dog food brands for a Maltese for 2022.
To qualify each dog food brand must meet the following requirements:
- Real Meat or Fish is #1 Ingredient
- Small Breed Specific Formula
- Protein and Fat Levels Balance
- No Corn, Wheat or Soy
- No Artificial Flavors, Colors or Preservatives
- Exceeds AAFCO Standards
5Nutro® Wholesome Essentials Small Breed Adult Farm Raised Chicken Dry Dog Food

Nitro Wholesome Small Breed Dry Dog Food is loaded with a protein-rich formula that perfectly fits a Maltese’s diet. Per guaranteed analysis, this 5 star small breed dry dog food formula is complete, balanced and includes plenty of essential nutrients.
The natural fiber included offers healthy digestion and essential antioxidant immunity your Maltese needs. In addition to healthy fibers, optimal levels of omega-6 fatty acid and zinc are included to help promote healthy skin and shiny coat.
The palatable flavor and unique kibble shape makes Nutro not only flavorful but easily digestible. Additionally, the formula is made to reduce plaque and tarter buildup which is common in the Maltese breed.
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oatmeal, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Soybean Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Inositol, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, Marigold Extract, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium Yeast, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Decaffeinated Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
Caloric Content: 3,665 kcal/kg, 382 kcal/cup
Guaranteed Analysis | |
---|---|
CRUDE PROTEIN | 25.0% min |
CRUDE FAT | 16.0% min |
CRUDE FIBER | 5.0% max |
MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
LINOLEIC ACID | 3.5% min |
ZINC | 250 mg/kg min |
VITAMIN E | 400 IU/kg min |
NIACIN | 250 mg/kg min |
ASCORBIC ACID | 50 mg/kg min |
BIOTIN | 2.5 mg/kg min |
TAURINE | 0.2% min |