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 2024.
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
Nutro® 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 |
Taste of the Wild® Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
If you are looking for a grain-free recipe that’s easy on your Maltese’s stomach, Taste the Wild Appalachian Valley is an excellent option. The recipe is mixed with rich proteins including venison, lamb duck and ocean fish to help promote lean nutrition.
Additional mixes of peas, garbanzo beans and lentils add necessary complex carbohydrates to the formulas as well. Balanced with antioxidant rich fruits and completed with chelated minerals and essential vitamins, Taste of the Wild is a perfect option for a Maltese.
Ingredients: Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Lentils, Pea Protein, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Duck Meal, Pea Flour, Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Ocean Fish Meal, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried BiFidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, RiboflAvin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.
Caloric Content: 3,719 kcal/kg, 370 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 32.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 18.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 4.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| ZINC | 150 mg/kg min |
| TAURINE | 0.12% min |
| SELENIUM | 0.35 mg/kg min |
| VITAMIN E | 150 IU/kg min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 2.8% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.3% min |
| TOTAL MICROORGANISMS | Not Less Than 80,000,000 CFU/lb min |
Natural Balance® Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken, Chicken Meal & Duck Meal Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance Original Ultra Health is a budget-friendly small breed dry dog food brand that’s made with premium ingredients. Created by dog food expert nutritionists, the gluten-free formula is made with chicken, chicken meal, Peas, potatoes and chicken fat.
In addition to rich proteins and healthy fats, antioxidant rich cranberries, blueberries and spinach are also found in this 5 star small breed dry dog food brand. To help with hip and joint health, Natural Balance includes zinc and manganese as well.
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Pea Protein, Carrots, Duck Meal, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oat Hulls, Flaxseed, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Vitamins(Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), L-Tryptophan, Dried Kelp, Dried Spinach, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Cranberries, Blueberries, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
Caloric Content: 3750 kcal/kg, 410 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 23.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 13.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 3.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| CALCIUM | 1.2% min |
| PHOSPHORUS | 1.0% min |
| VITAMIN E | 100 IU/kg min |
| ASCORBIC ACID | 200 mg/kg min |
| TAURINE | 0.05% min |
| DHA & EPA | 0.25% min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 2.5% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.4% min |
Halo® Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe All Life Stages Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe is a holistic dry dog food brand that is rich in protein and fiber. The formula is made with fresh cage-free chicken as the #1 ingredient.
Further down the recipe chicken liver, dried egg, peas and oatmeal is also included in the 5 star dry dog food. Halo is highly digestible and extremely palatable for the pickiest Maltese.
Made in the USA, Halo is proud to exclude meat meals, antibiotics and hormones as well as any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives from its recipes.
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Dried Peas, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley, Pea Protein, Soy Protein Concentrate, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), flaxseed, Pea fiber, Natural flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Carrots, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Dried Golden Algae, Inulin, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Methionine Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), L-Carnitine.
Caloric Content: 3,760 kcal/kg, 413 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 27.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 17.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 5.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 10.0% max |
| VITAMIN E | 250 IU/kg min |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS | 3.75% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS | 0.90% min |
Castor & Pollux® Organix Grain-Free Organic Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food
If you have a picky Maltese you may want to consider a more flavorful recipe like Castor & Pollux Organix. This grain-free recipe is made up of over 95% organic ingredients.
Organic Free-Range Chicken is the #1 ingredient followed by a mix of powerful superfoods including Chicken Meal, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Chickpeas, Organic Peas, Organic Tapioca, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sunflower Seed Meal, Organic Chicken Fat.
Prebiotics and probiotics are introduced to help support healthy digestion in your Maltese. In addition to digestive health, Castor & Pollux adds powerful antioxidant rich including; flaxseed, blueberries and coconut oil for additional health benefits as well.
Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Meal, Organic Sweet Potatoes, Organic Chickpeas, Organic Peas, Organic Tapioca, Organic Pea Protein, Organic Sunflower Seed Meal, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Organic Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Organic Chicken Liver, Organic Blueberries, Organic Alfalfa Meal, Organic Sunflower Oil, Salt, Salmon Oil, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Potassium Chloride, Inulin (from chicory root), Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Organic Rosemary Extract.
Caloric Content: 3,679 kcal/kg, 368 kcal/cup
| Guaranteed Analysis | |
|---|---|
| CRUDE PROTEIN | 26.0% min |
| CRUDE FAT | 15.0% min |
| CRUDE FIBER | 5.0% max |
| MOISTURE | 11.0% max |
| OMEGA-6 FATTY ACID | 3.0% min |
| OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID | 0.30% min |
| GLUCOSAMINE | 800 mg/kg min |
| CHONDROITIN SULFATE | 800 mg/kg min |
| BACILLIUS COAGULANTS | 90,000,000 CFU/LB |