Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Maltese dogs are affectionate, curious, and fearful companions. As one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, this toy breed is relatively easy to care for. They’re people-pleasers at heart, but they are spunky little dogs that aren’t afraid of a challenge.
It can be difficult to find the right dog food for small and toy breeds. While you want to find nutritious, high-quality dog food, you also need to find a food that your Maltese finds palatable. It needs to be easily digested and flavorful. Since these dogs have a few health problems that they are prone to developing, it’s also important to find a dog food that works for your dog, not against them.
To help you do this, we developed reviews on the best dog foods for Maltese. Read on to find foods for your tiny companion that are delicious, nutritious, and budget-friendly.
A Quick Glimpse at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Ollie Fresh Chicken Dog Food Subscription
Can be frozen
Pre-portioned customizable meals
Easy to adjust subscription
Click Here to Save 50%!
Best Value
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dog Food
Grain-free
High-protein
Good for food sensitivities
Check Price
ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Freeze-dried raw
All-natural ingredients
First five ingredients are proteins
Check Price
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult
Easy to digest
Whole ingredients
Balanced nutrient ratios
Check Price
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Dog Food
High good quality-protein
Grain-free for sensitive stomach
Tastes good
Check Price
The 9 Best Dog Foods for Maltese
1. Ollie Fresh Chicken Dog Food Subscription — Best Overall
Click Here to Save 50% with Ollie
Brand: Ollie
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver
Primary protein source: Chicken
Food Form: Fresh food
Special Diet: No corn, wheat, or soy
Ollie is a fantastic option for your Maltese dog as they provide a personalized meal plan catered specifically to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Before signing up for this subscription-only service, the Ollie website will prompt you to fill out a short questionnaire about your dog’s size, age, and activity level to better provide you with the right nutrition plan for your pup’s needs. The customizable nature of their meal plans is the main reason we believe Ollie provides the best overall dog food for Maltese dogs.
Ollie has three main meal types to choose from—fresh, baked, and mixed. The mixed plan will allow you to combine both fresh and baked recipes.
Ollie’s fresh plan features a soft and palatable texture in pre-portioned packs to ensure you’re feeding your Maltese just enough and not too much. Their fresh meals include beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey recipes and include ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Each recipe features a high-quality protein as the first ingredient to ensure your small breed dog is getting the right protein amount it needs to thrive. We especially like the chicken recipe for Maltese dogs.
Their baked plan is easy to store and less expensive than an all-fresh diet. Their baked food recipes are available in beef or chicken flavors and feature healthy ingredients such as oats, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas.
Ollie’s fresh food packs can be stored in the freezer to preserve their longevity. They will last up to six months unopened in the freezer and need just 24 hours to thaw before serving.
Pros
Can be frozen
Customizable meal plans
Pre-portioned meals
Easy to adjust subscription
Cons
Not available a la carte
Can be pricey
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a great choice for Maltese dogs with allergies or food sensitivities. It’s also the best dog food for Maltese for the money. It’s made with chicken, peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots mixed to create the perfect protein, fat, and carbohydrates ratio. It’s rich in antioxidants to support immune function and protein to support muscle mass.
Can be frozen
Customizable meal plans
Pre-portioned meals
Easy to adjust subscription
- Can be frozen
- Customizable meal plans
- Pre-portioned meals
- Easy to adjust subscription
Not available a la carte
Can be pricey
- Not available a la carte
- Can be pricey
Brand: Blue Buffalo
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, peas, tapioca starch
Primary protein source: Chicken
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: High-protein, grain-free, no corn, wheat, or soy
Check Price on Chewy
While this food is designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs, it doesn’t work for all dogs. Some dogs still have difficulty digesting the food; in this case, you may need food with more limited ingredients.
Pros
Grain-free
High-protein
Good for food sensitivities
Budget-friendly
Cons
Pea-derived protein in the formula
Not tolerated by all dogs
ORIJEN offers one of the best senior foods on the market for small breeds like the Maltese. This variety is our premium choice, as it’s almost double the price of most other dog foods. It is high-quality, high-protein food, however. If you’re looking for a grain-free food to support your Maltese’s health, support joint, and immune function, and keep them active into their golden years, look no further.
Grain-free
High-protein
Good for food sensitivities
Budget-friendly
- Grain-free
- High-protein
- Good for food sensitivities
- Budget-friendly
Pea-derived protein in the formula
Not tolerated by all dogs
- Pea-derived protein in the formula
- Not tolerated by all dogs
Brand: ORIJEN
Life stage: Adult/Senior
First five ingredients: Chicken, turkey, Atlantic flounder, whole Atlantic mackerel, turkey giblets
Primary protein source: Turkey and chicken
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Grain-free, high-protein, weight control, gluten-free, natural, raw, no corn, wheat, or soy
This food contains no fillers or artificial ingredients. The first five ingredients are all proteins, while the rest of the list contains whole fruits and vegetables. It is dry food, but it’s freeze-dried raw food, so all the nutrition of whole ingredients is preserved.
The primary protein in ORIJEN senior food is chicken. Unfortunately, this food doesn’t come in any non-poultry varieties. If your dog has sensitivities to chicken or turkey, this food won’t work for you. It also gives off a fairly strong fish smell, so it’s best kept in a sealed, air-proof container once the bag is opened.
Pros
All-natural ingredients
Freeze-dried raw
First five ingredients are proteins
Cons
Only comes in poultry recipes
Strong smell
Expensive
To stay healthy, Maltese dogs require a balanced ratio of macronutrients, fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed is formulated specifically for the needs of small breed dogs, including Maltese, which makes it a good option for Maltese dogs.
All-natural ingredients
Freeze-dried raw
First five ingredients are proteins
- All-natural ingredients
- Freeze-dried raw
- First five ingredients are proteins
Only comes in poultry recipes
Strong smell
Expensive
- Only comes in poultry recipes
- Strong smell
- Expensive
Brand: Blue Buffalo
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
Primary protein source: Chicken
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: No corn, wheat, or soy, with grain
The small, easy-to-chew kibble is protein-rich and enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and a blend of antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system while promoting muscle development. You won’t find any by-products or fillers in this food, only whole ingredients. Since it is wheat, corn, and soy-free, it’s a great choice for dogs that have sensitive digestive systems.
Pros
Whole ingredients
No byproducts
Easy to digest
Cons
Not grain-free
If your Maltese has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, check out this grain-free food from Wellness CORE. It has a complete nutritional profile, contains high-quality ingredients, and has no grains of any kind. The high-protein levels provide dense energy for your small dog, and it tastes good!
Whole ingredients
No byproducts
Easy to digest
- Whole ingredients
- No byproducts
- Easy to digest
Not grain-free
- Not grain-free
Brand: Wellness CORE
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, peas
Primary protein source: Turkey and chicken
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, no corn, wheat, or soy, high-protein
While this food is formulated for dogs with allergies, it still contains chicken as one of the top ingredients. Since chicken is the most common offending protein for dogs with digestive sensitivities, it won’t work for all dogs.
Pros
Grain-free for sensitive stomach
High protein
Tastes good
Cons
Chicken is the primary protein source
If your adult Maltese has a weight problem, this is the food for you. Instead of depriving your little one with less-than-desirable diet food, give them a food specially formulated to help small breed dogs lose weight. This kibble from Wellness offers tasty food that is low in calories but still offers complete nutrition. Added probiotics and fiber help with digestion, and there are no fillers or byproducts.
Grain-free for sensitive stomach
High protein
Tastes good
- Grain-free for sensitive stomach
- High protein
- Tastes good
Chicken is the primary protein source
- Chicken is the primary protein source
Brand: Wellness
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, oatmeal, rice, barley
Primary protein source: Turkey and brown rice
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Weight control, no corn, wheat, or soy, with grain
Wellness dry dog food has larger chunks of kibble than you would expect out of a small breed food. In most cases, this just helps your dog chew and eat slower, therefore consuming less at a time. If you have a senior Maltese with dental problems, though, this food might be too difficult for them to chew.
Pros
Promotes weight lose
High fiber
Cons
Large kibble chunks
To keep little dogs satisfied, Merrick offers a high-protein, high-fat formula. We’re reviewing the Texas beef and sweet potato recipe here, but Lil’ Plates dry food comes in eight different flavor options. Merrick is the brand to look for if your Maltese needs a novel protein food due to a sensitivity or digestion issue.
Promotes weight lose
High fiber
- Promotes weight lose
- High fiber
Large kibble chunks
- Large kibble chunks
Brand: Merrick
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned beef, lamb meal, salmon meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes
Primary protein source: Beef and sweet potato
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Grain-free, no corn, wheat, or soy, gluten-free, sensitive digestion
Merrick is a food brand with large kibble that isn’t appropriate for dogs with dental issues; however, it does make the same nutritious recipes in wet food if that is a concern. It is also a more expensive brand of food than many other small-breed choices.
Pros
Many recipe choices
High protein
High fat
Also available as wet food
Cons
Large kibble
Expensive
Halo is well-known for having high-quality ingredients in its pet food, and this recipe for small-breed dogs is no exception. It’s made with wholesome, natural ingredients, with small kibble bites filled with dense nutrition. Although not in high quantities, there is grain in this food, and it’s enriched with vitamins and minerals to provide complete nutrition for your Maltese.
Many recipe choices
High protein
High fat
Also available as wet food
- Many recipe choices
- High protein
- High fat
- Also available as wet food
Large kibble
Expensive
- Large kibble
- Expensive
Brand: Halo
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, dried peas, oatmeal
Primary protein source: Chicken and chicken liver
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: With grain, non-GMO
This food isn’t a good choice for picky eaters, though, as many dogs don’t seem to like the flavor. It is also a strong-smelling food, so it’s probably not one that you want sitting in the open for too long.
Pros
Natural ingredients
Small kibble pieces
Complete nutrient profile
Cons
Not all dogs like it
Strong smell
- American Journey Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
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Brand: American Journey
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, chickpeas, sweet potatoes
Primary protein source: Salmon
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Grain-free, no corn, wheat, or soy, high-protein
To meet the high-energy brand of your Maltese, American Journey has made its grain-free, small breed dog food with salmon and chicken meal as the top two ingredients. The fish contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to give your dog a healthy coat and skin. The chicken meal contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to support joint health.
Natural ingredients
Small kibble pieces
Complete nutrient profile
- Natural ingredients
- Small kibble pieces
- Complete nutrient profile
Not all dogs like it
Strong smell
- Not all dogs like it
- Strong smell
Check Latest Price
Brand: American Journey
Life stage: Adult
First five ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, chickpeas, sweet potatoes
Primary protein source: Salmon
Food Form: Dry food
Special Diet: Grain-free, no corn, wheat, or soy, high-protein
American Journey’s kibble is bite-sized for small mouths, so it’s easy for little dogs to chew. This food is also high in fiber, so your dog won’t have to eat as much to feel full, which is great news for their waistline and your pocketbook.
This is one of very few small dog recipes with a novel protein. If your dog has sensitivities to poultry or beef, it’s a great food to try. It is a bit higher in calories than we’d like to see in small breed dog food, though. It’s also considered a high-fiber food, which isn’t always necessary. That said, the fibers are from natural ingredients.
Pros
Novel protein
Bite-sized kibble pieces
Cons
High calories
Novel protein
Bite-sized kibble pieces
- Novel protein
- Bite-sized kibble pieces
High calories
- High calories
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Your Maltese
With so many small-breed dog foods available, finding one that’s reliable for your Maltese can be a challenge. Hopefully, this list of reviews has helped you find one that fits your needs, but if you still can’t decide, here is a handy buyer’s guide to addressing common questions and concerns about buying food for Maltese dogs.
What to Look For in Maltese Dog Food
Whole Food Ingredients
Any time you buy dog food, your number-one focus should be on wholesome, high-quality ingredients. This means meat should be the first ingredient, followed by healthy fats and carbohydrates, ideally ones that come from whole grains.
If your Maltese doesn’t have digestive issues or food sensitivities, you don’t need to buy grain-free food. Grains aren’t bad for dogs; it’s just that they can irritate some dogs’ digestive systems, much like in people.
If your Maltese does have digestive issues, food allergies, or skin issues, it’s usually best to stick to a limited-ingredient food.
Quality Proteins
Maltese thrive on high-protein diets, but the protein should come from real meat sources, like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish. It’s okay for dog food to contain meal ingredients, like chicken meal, but you should avoid meat by-products whenever possible.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats promote your dog’s skin and coat health. While indoor dogs don’t need as much fat as active dogs, any dog should get plenty of exercise. Small dogs, in particular, don’t eat that much food, so they need it to contain as much protein and fat for energy as possible.
Ingredients to Avoid
There are many dog food brands that offer high-quality ingredients and great-tasting food. Unfortunately, there are also many brands that don’t. It’s easy to find a cheap dog food full of fillers, artificial additives, and low-quality ingredients. To avoid buying the wrong one, you need to know what you’re looking for.
Things to avoid include:
Fillers: excessive carbohydrates in the formula derived from wheat, corn, rice, or starchy vegetables.
Artificial additives: Colors, flavors, and preservatives are often found in dog food. They can make food last longer, taste better, and look better, but these are common culprits for poor skin and coat health, digestive issues, and allergic reactions.
Animal byproducts: Meat byproducts are the “leftovers” from meat processing that aren’t considered safe for human consumption. While these aren’t unhealthy for your dog, the problem is that you don’t know what exactly you’re getting. There aren’t any standards for which byproducts can be put into dog food. It is better to choose products that name exactly what is in the food, for example: chicken liver and chicken heart.
Fillers: excessive carbohydrates in the formula derived from wheat, corn, rice, or starchy vegetables.
Artificial additives: Colors, flavors, and preservatives are often found in dog food. They can make food last longer, taste better, and look better, but these are common culprits for poor skin and coat health, digestive issues, and allergic reactions.
Animal byproducts: Meat byproducts are the “leftovers” from meat processing that aren’t considered safe for human consumption. While these aren’t unhealthy for your dog, the problem is that you don’t know what exactly you’re getting. There aren’t any standards for which byproducts can be put into dog food. It is better to choose products that name exactly what is in the food, for example: chicken liver and chicken heart.
- Fillers: excessive carbohydrates in the formula derived from wheat, corn, rice, or starchy vegetables.
- Artificial additives: Colors, flavors, and preservatives are often found in dog food. They can make food last longer, taste better, and look better, but these are common culprits for poor skin and coat health, digestive issues, and allergic reactions.
- Animal byproducts: Meat byproducts are the “leftovers” from meat processing that aren’t considered safe for human consumption. While these aren’t unhealthy for your dog, the problem is that you don’t know what exactly you’re getting. There aren’t any standards for which byproducts can be put into dog food. It is better to choose products that name exactly what is in the food, for example: chicken liver and chicken heart.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a good handle on what dog foods are best for your Maltese. To recap, our recommendation as the best overall dog food for Maltese is Ollie. It has a well-balanced nutritional profile, fresh, high-quality ingredients that are easy to digest, and tons of vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy. We also recommend Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Dog Food as the best value for the money. This is a budget-friendly food that doesn’t compromise on quality, nutrition, or flavor and is designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
See also:
- 8 Best Dog Food for Schnauzers – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Dog Foods for Australian Shepherds – Reviews & Top Picks
- 8 Best Dog Foods for American Bullies – Reviews & Top Picks
- 6 Best Dog Foods for Corgis -Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock
