Ultimate Maltese Puppy Diet Guide: Secrets to Raising a Healthy, Happy Companion!

The Maltese dog, celebrated as the “Ancient Dogge of Malta,” is a petite breed known for its gleaming white coat and playful personality. Revered throughout history as a luxurious companion, the Maltese embodies charm, adaptability, and an energetic spirit. Proper nutrition is crucial for a Maltese puppy's well-being and long-term health.

Transitioning to Adult Food

Around 10 to 12 months, Maltese puppies should transition from puppy-specific formulas to adult dog food. The dietary composition should include a balance of macro and micronutrients and essential vitamins. While Maltese dogs have hearty appetites, overindulgence can lead to obesity.Maltese dogs, belonging to the toy breed category, are intelligent, energetic, and possess a strong protective instinct. Some Maltese dogs participate in dog shows, requiring special attention to their physical appearance and health.

Feeding Schedule

Adhere to a twice-daily feeding schedule, providing meals in the morning and evening.

Addressing Health Issues Through Diet

Maltese dogs are prone to health problems, including food allergies, skin issues, and hip dysplasia. Consulting a veterinarian to identify and avoid allergens is essential for allergies. For skin problems, choose food high in fatty acids and omega-3s to promote healthy skin and coat.

American Natural Premium offers recipes using real, natural ingredients, eliminating artificial additives or fillers that can aggravate health problems.

Homemade vs. Commercial Dog Food

When considering dog food options, there are two main choices: homemade or commercial. While homemade dog food may seem healthier, dogs have different dietary needs than humans. Combining homemade and commercial dog food can provide a more varied diet, ensuring all necessary nutrients are received.

Benefits of American Natural Premium

When choosing the best dog food for Maltese dogs, American Natural Premium offers several benefits. Feeding a Maltese well means fueling their body, supporting their health, and promoting their overall well-being.

Understanding Canine Nutritional Needs

Most dogs, regardless of breed, have universal nutritional needs. Classified as facultative carnivores, meat is their biological staple, but they can survive on other food types, including plant matter. Modern dogs are biologically similar to wolves.

Dogs have minimal requirements for carbohydrates, especially refined ones, yet most commercial dry dog foods contain over 50% carbohydrates. Carbs like grains, legumes, and starchy fillers are cheap but not beneficial for dogs. Many dog owners are turning to grain-free dog food or fresh diets for better digestion, vitality, shinier coats, and healthier teeth.

Raw Dog Food: A Biologically Aligned Option

Raw dog food consists of whole foods served in their natural state without heat processing, delivering nutrients in their most digestible forms without synthetic additives or fillers. A species-appropriate diet, also known as a BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet, includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.

Ultra-processed commercial dog food is the opposite of raw. The high-heat manufacturing process depletes nutrients, denatures proteins, and creates inflammatory compounds. Added carbs, synthetic vitamins, and heated fats can contribute to chronic health issues.

As more dog owners recognize the benefits of fresh, natural feeding, the industry is evolving. ProDog offers trusted, high-quality raw food options. Introducing a few raw meals a week or adding a fresh food topper like raw meat, a cracked egg, or bone broth can provide meaningful nutritional benefits.

Portion Sizes for Raw Diets

There’s no universal answer for portion sizes; every dog has a unique metabolism, energy level, and health goal. The following advice is for dogs eating a complete, balanced raw diet made from natural, whole food ingredients, such as ProDog’s FEDIAF-compliant Complete Raw Dog Food meals.

Switching from commercial dog food to a fresh feeding approach can be a significant change. Raw feeding offers advantages in nutrient absorption and overall health. For safe growth, feed a raw puppy-specific formula. ProDog’s raw puppy food meals are formulated to FEDIAF nutritional standards and expertly portioned.

Puppy feeding guidelines differ from those for adult dogs and change as the puppy grows. What you feed your dog profoundly affects their current and future health. Food is more than just fuel; it's information. Holistic vets advocate for an integrative approach to dog health, including minimally processed, species-appropriate diets, functional supplements, gut health support, and environmental enrichment.

Read also: Science Diet for Small Paws

Tips for Transitioning to a Raw Diet

Here are some tips for transitioning your Maltese to a raw diet:

Maintain your dog’s hydration.
Consider an elimination diet by replacing common farmed meats like beef and chicken with novel proteins such as venison or goat raw dog food, both available in ProDog’s Exotics range.
Raw food arrives frozen, so ensure you have sufficient freezer space.

Most real foods can be safely used in moderation, but there are a few ingredients to avoid. If you’re feeding ProDog’s complete meals, no additional ingredients are needed.

Addressing Picky Eaters

If you have a picky eater, it might not be the food. Switching your Maltese from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make.

During the transition, monitor your dog’s poo, energy levels, and appetite. Digest, a dog gut health supplement, can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.

The beauty of raw feeding is that it’s not just one meal, one way. With ProDog, you have options when it comes to what to feed your Maltese. All meals are expertly formulated to support your dog’s nutritional needs. Choose from complete puppy and smart chub ranges for complete, balanced, ready-to-serve meals.

Food affects everything from digestion to behavior, immunity to energy. What goes in their bowl has a ripple effect on every part of their health.

Raw feeding isn’t an all-or-nothing approach.

What to Feed and What to Avoid

Knowing what to feed your dog and what not to feed them is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. Not all dog food is equal in terms of taste, nutrition, and health benefits.

Avoid feeding your dog lots of tasty little extras, as this might encourage them to be pickier and widen their waistline.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

When choosing the perfect dog food, consider the following factors:

Puppy: Young, growing Maltese need lots of energy from their food, frequent meals, and designated puppy food with plenty of protein and nutrients.
Senior: Older Maltese need healthy fats to maintain brain function and flexible joints. Protein is also important for maintaining muscle mass, although certain conditions might require a low-protein diet.
Limited Ingredients: Feeding a limited ingredient diet can help reduce the chance of developing a skin allergy.
Keep The Appeal: Choose “home-cooked style” dog food that contains human-grade meats to keep your picky pooch interested. Rotate between a variety of recipes to keep things exciting at mealtime.
Low Carbohydrate: Keeping the carbohydrate level down will stabilize your dog’s blood sugar and could help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and obesity.

Safe and Unsafe Human Foods

If your dog tolerates a tiny amount of human food that’s safe for them without getting an upset stomach, you can try them with a little more next time. Lean meat, vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cucumber, and fruits like apples, blueberries, and cranberries, are safe for your dog in moderation.

Chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocados, onions, and garlic are toxic to dogs.

Foods to Avoid

Toxic Foods: Chocolate, chewing gum (containing Xylitol), grapes, onions, and garlic are toxic to dogs.
Fatty Foods: Fatty foods like fatty cuts of meat, cheese, or ice cream could cause irritation and inflammation to the pancreas gland, potentially leading to pancreatitis.
Dairy: All dogs are lactose intolerant to some extent, so it’s best to avoid milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
Excessive Treats: Because Maltese dogs are often very fussy, it’s not a good idea to get them used to having lots of treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Feed My Maltese? Rotate between a variety of recipes to keep things exciting for them.
Can Maltese Eat Fruit? Some fruits are safe for dogs to eat, including apples, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries (in moderation).
What Vegetables Can My Maltese Eat? Carrots are a great option. They’ll keep their teeth healthy and bulk up their stools.
What Foods Are Maltese Allergic To? Any dog breed can be allergic to almost anything.

Grain vs. Grain-Free Foods

For some time, grain-free food was considered the right choice for many dogs, as heavy grains were thought to trigger intolerance or allergies. However, concerns have been raised regarding grain-free dog food.

In the US, cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were discovered in dogs on grain-free diets with high levels of peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes (BEG diets).

The FDA released a summary of DCM cases, naming the top 16 brands associated with the reports.

While these cases should not be ignored, they represent a small number given the overall dog population. If a grain-free food is chosen, it should have traditional meats like chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, pork, or fish instead of exotic meats. If you wish to add in some grains, consider gluten-free or low gluten options such as rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.

Feeding Guidelines: How Often and How Much

Feeding a small toy breed like the Maltese is different than with larger dogs. Maltese puppies and dogs eat a small amount of food. Different foods vary in calories. Higher-quality dog foods and home-cooked food are calorie-dense, so serving sizes are often smaller. Cheaper foods may be packed with fillers, requiring larger servings to provide the same calories.

Growing puppies need about 55 calories per pound of body weight per day. This number can vary based on activity level, health, age, and individual metabolism. Dog foods list recommended feeding guidelines on the packaging, which are based on their particular formula, and both a dog's age and weight.

Recommended Dog Food Brands

Wellness Complete For Small Breeds: This all-natural food is made in the USA with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Halo Natural Chicken & Liver for Small Breeds: This holistic brand focuses on non-GMO vegetables and fruits, and meats that are cage-free, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and with no 'factory farming'.
Halo Grain-Free Game Bird Medley for Small Breeds: This grain-free recipe has a base of turkey, duck, and goose with chickpeas, egg, lentils, blueberries, cranberries, sweet potato, flaxseed, and carrots.
Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free for Small Breeds: This grain-free diet has four recipe bases that all have traditional meats: lamb, beef, chicken, or salmon.

The Importance of Nutrition for Pomeranians and Maltese Dogs

Proper nutrition is key to keeping Pomeranians and Maltese dogs lively and happy. Both breeds require a balanced diet that meets their unique needs. Pomeranians need food rich in proteins and vitamins to support their overall health and energy, while Maltese benefit from a diet that promotes healthy skin and strengthens their immune system.

The food of these dogs depends on factors such as size, weight, age, and activity. From the age of 45 days to 4 months, they need 4 meals per day, while from the age of 5 months, they need 3 meals per day, and upon reaching puberty, they need only two meals per day.

Types of Food for Pomeranians and Maltese Dogs

Wet Canned Food: Easy to swallow, but cannot be relied upon as a primary source of food due to its high water content and low nutrients.
Dried Food: Provides great benefits for dental health.
Meat: Cooked beef or chicken is an important source of phosphorus and calcium.
Chicken: Easy to digest and rich in calcium and protein.
Cheese and Dairy Products: Skim milk is a great snack, but whole milk should be avoided.
Vegetables: Peas, carrots, potatoes, and squash can be served as part of a balanced diet.
Fruits: Apples and bananas contain vitamins that boost immunity.
Eggs: An excellent source of calcium and essential vitamins.
Homemade Food: Provides a varied and nutritious diet, but requires special attention to ensure a balance of nutrients.

Nutritional Requirements

The preferred food for Pomeranians and Maltese dogs should contain:

High-quality protein sources such as chicken, lamb, beef, or turkey.
Nutrient-rich ingredients like flaxseed, turkey liver, and salmon oil to support healthy hair.
Avoid harmful ingredients such as preservatives, additives, by-products, and fillers.

Feeding Amounts

The amount of food that Pomeranians and Maltese dogs need varies depending on their age and weight. They are prone to gaining weight, so monitor their weight carefully. As a general rule:

3 lbs (1.4 kg) needs ¾ cup to 1 cup daily.
5 lbs (2.3 kg) needs 1 to 2 cups daily.
7 lbs (3 kg) needs 1 to 3 cups daily.
9 lbs (4 kg) needs 2 to 4 cups daily.

Feeding Frequency

Because of their small size and fast calorie burn, Pomeranians and Maltese need to eat frequently:

Pomeranian and Maltese puppies should be fed four times daily.
Pomeranians and Maltese dogs one year of age or older should be fed three meals a day.

Recommended Meals

Beef and Raw Vegetables Meal: Contains fresh beef and a variety of vegetables.
Cooked Chicken and Vegetables Meal: Contains cooked chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, fresh vegetables, and brown rice.

Additional Feeding Tips

Maltese should always be “free-fed” by leaving their kibble down and allowing for grazing throughout the day to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and ideal weight. Avoid snacks and feed nutritionally sound food to properly nourish their body.

Discount Codes

Superior Care has a “White dog” dog food to help combat tear stains (discount code belladolce5).
Health Extension Dog Food (discount code BELLADOLCEMALTE).

Supplements

Supplement any diet with a daily multi-vitamin and a daily joint supplement for large breed dogs with hip or joint issues.

Addressing Overweight Dogs

If your dog is overweight and you are feeding 2 meals per day, try free-feeding with Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws Light Dry Dog Food, which is low in fat.

Liver Health

Maltese tend to have small livers compared to their body size, which can create a false elevated liver enzyme for some dogs when tested. Avoid feeding a high-protein diet, which overworks the liver.

Keep your Maltese on a dog food that is 18-26% protein and feed additional carbohydrates in the diet (carrots, cooked rice, potatoes, etc). Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food is a dog food that has only 20% protein.

Key Dietary Components

The ideal diet for Maltese should include high-quality proteins, essential fats, easily digestible carbohydrates, and a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals. Freeze-dried food is the closest you can get to homemade/fresh and is ideal for dogs with allergies. Protein is vital in supporting the lean muscle mass of Maltese dogs. Look for dog food that lists real meat as the primary ingredient.

Fats, particularly Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, are essential in a Maltese’s diet. They provide energy, support brain function, and help maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Complex carbohydrates like brown rice, barley, and vegetables provide long-lasting energy and aid in maintaining a healthy digestive system.

A range of vitamins and minerals is essential for the overall health of Maltese dogs. Look for foods fortified with essential vitamins like A, D, E, and B-complex and minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Portion Control

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs can quickly become overweight. Controlling portion sizes and feeding them two to three balanced meals daily is essential to manage their weight.

Puppy Formulas

Maltese puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Puppy formulas rich in protein and fat, balanced for growth, are essential.

Wet vs. Dry Food

Choosing between wet and dry food depends on your Maltese’s preference and specific health needs. Dry food can help with dental health, while wet food is more hydrating and often palatable.

Treats

Choose healthy, low-calorie treats and snacks like carrots or apple slices.

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