Maltese Dog Food Chart – Feeding Guide by Age and Weight

I’ve started a series where I talk about every breed under the sun, and the first one had to be the Maltese, because my first ever dog was a Maltese. Makes sense, right?

He was technically our family dog, but I was the one who took care of him the most. And when I tell you that feeding a Maltese is not easy, I mean it. They’re picky, and they come with care demands you can’t just wing.

Their stomachs are sensitive, their teeth need attention, and one wrong food can mess up their whole week. So I’m covering everything when it comes to maltese dog food recommendations and if you’ve got one of these little fluffballs at home, this one’s for you 🙂

Maltese Dog Foods Chart

I always like to start with the chart, because it gives you a clear idea of what to do before we get into the details. This chart shows how to deal with them at every life stage, because yes they are moody at every stage. 

Life Stage	Meals Per Day	Main Food	General Focus
8–12 weeks	4	Puppy food	Growth & development
3–6 months	3–4	Puppy food	Growth & energy
6–12 months	3	Puppy food	Healthy development
1–7 years	2	Adult food	Maintenance
7+ years	2	Senior food	Healthy aging

Maltese Dog Food Calculator

This one is gonna make things much easier, just put in weight and age, and it gives you the Maltese dog food recommendation you need.

Maltese Dog Feeding Chart by Age and Weight

With a dog this tiny, a few grams here and there does make a big difference. Talking from firsthand experience you can’t eyeball his portions the way you might with a bigger dog. 

Overfeed him a little and the weight adds up pretty fast, underfeed him and he gets weak and lousy. That’s why age and weight matter even more with this breed.

Maltese are small their whole life, but their needs change a lot from puppy to senior. A growing puppy needs small, frequent meals to keep their energy up, and a senior needs smaller portions that are easy on the stomach.

This maltese dog feeding chart below breaks all of that down so you’re not guessing at every meal like I used to.

Age	Weight Range	Meals/Day	Feeding Approach
2–3 months	1.5–4 lb	4	Small puppy portions
4–6 months	3–6 lb	3	Measured puppy meals
7–12 months	4–8 lb	2–3	Gradually reduce frequency
1–7 years	4–9 lb	2	Adult maintenance food
7+ years	4–9+ lb	2	Senior-focused nutrition

Dog Foods List for Maltese Puppy

This is the part everyone actually wants. Maltese puppies are tiny, and their tummies are even tinier, so you can’t just grab any bag off the shelf. Here’s what I’d put on the list.

Food Type	Suitable For	Why It Can Help
Small-breed puppy kibble	Puppies	Easy to portion and chew
Complete puppy wet food	Puppies	Soft and appealing
Kibble + wet food	Puppies	Adds variety and moisture
Puppy food topper	Occasional use	Can encourage picky eaters
Vet-recommended puppy diet	Specific needs	Tailored nutrition

Dog Foods for Adult Maltese

Once your Maltese grows up, feeding gets a little easier, but only a little. They don’t need all the extra calories a puppy does anymore. The goal now is a good small-breed adult food, steady portions, and a routine you actually stick to. And yes, they’re still going to be moody about it.

Adult Food Type	Best For	Feeding Note
Small-breed dry food	Most adults	Easy portion control
Small-breed wet food	Dogs preferring soft food	Watch total calories
Dry + wet combination	Variety	Reduce portions accordingly
Weight-management food	Overweight dogs	Use with veterinary guidance
Sensitive-stomach formula	Dogs with dietary sensitivities	Introduce gradually

Maltese Dog Food for Seniors

Shocker but maltese might outlive you (not really). They have a very healthy lifespan and spend a good chunk of their life as seniors. Most are considered seniors around 7 to 10 years old, and that’s when feeding needs to change again.

Senior Need	Food Choice	What to Consider
Lower activity	Senior/maintenance formula	Watch calories
Dental sensitivity	Soft or moistened food	Easier chewing
Weight gain	Calorie-controlled formula	Portion carefully
Sensitive digestion	Digestive-support diet	Introduce slowly
Individual medical needs	Veterinary diet	Follow professional advice

Best Food for a Maltese dog

There's no single ‘’best’’ dog food for maltese dogs. I took care of mine the most out of everyone in the house, and if there’s one thing he taught me, it’s that a Maltese will refuse the “perfect” food on the shelf and then happily eat something random off the floor. What works for one will make another one’s stomach go crazy.

Best Dry Dog Food for Maltese

Dry food is what I’d build a Maltese’s diet on. It’s easy to measure and a good kibble covers most of what they need. But with a dog this small, the kibble itself matters a lot.

What to look for

• Tiny kibble size. Maltese have small mouths and small teeth. 
• Small-breed formula. It’s packed with the calories and nutrients a fast metabolism needs.
• Real meat first. Chicken, lamb, turkey, or fish at the top of the ingredient list.
• Simple ingredients. The fewer fancy extras, the easier it usually is on a sensitive stomach.
• Omega fatty acids. Good for that long white coat.

Best Wet Dog Food for Maltese

Wet food is where a Maltese’s picky side gets sorted out. It’s softer, it smells stronger, and a lot of dogs who ignore their kibble will clean the bowl when there’s a spoonful of this on top.

It’s also easier on tiny teeth, which matters for a breed that’s already prone to dental problems. I’d still treat it as the upgrade, not the base, since it costs more and spoils faster.

Wet Food Type	Best For	Feeding Tip
Puppy wet food	Maltese puppies	Feed small portions
Adult small-breed food	Adult Maltese	Measure daily amount
Senior wet food	Older dogs	Consider softer texture
Complete wet food	Dogs eating wet-only	Check nutritional adequacy
Wet + dry combination	Variety lovers	Reduce kibble portion

How Much to Feed a Maltese Dog

This is the question I got asked the most about Maltese, and I would say less than you think. As a rough idea, most adult Maltese do well on about ¼ to ½ cup of dry food a day, split into two meals. 

Puppies eat smaller portions, but more often, three to four meals a day. Seniors usually need a little less than they did as adults. The exact amount depends on the weight, age, and activity level of your dog, and also on the food itself.

Maltese Life Stage	Meals Per Day	General Feeding Approach	Important Note
2–3 months	4	Small puppy portions	Frequent meals
4–6 months	3	Measured puppy meals	Monitor growth
7–12 months	2–3	Gradually reduce meals	Transition carefully
1–7 years	2	Measured adult portions	Watch body weight
7+ years	2	Senior-appropriate portions	Adjust for activity

What Human Food Can Maltese Eat?

Some, yes, and they’ll love it. Just remember that human food is a treat, not a meal. Keep all treats under about 10% of their daily calories, and cut everything into pea-sized pieces.

And remember that Maltese stomachs are sensitive, so try one new food at a time, give a tiny amount, and wait a day to see how they react. Give it at their own time and place.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Maltese Dog

A bite of something harmless to us can make a Maltese seriously sick, and their sensitive stomachs don’t help. The obvious ones are the usual suspects, like chocolate, grapes, onions, and anything sweetened with xylitol, but it doesn’t stop there. 

Rich, fatty, salty, or heavily seasoned food is also a bad idea, even if it’s not technically toxic. It can mess up their stomach for days, and in some cases lead to bigger problems. Cooked bones are another one people don’t think about, because they can splinter and hurt that tiny mouth. So when in doubt, don’t give it. 

Dry vs Canned vs Fresh Food: Which One Is Best for Maltese Dogs?

My maltese used to often refuse a perfectly good bowl of food. Each type has its own pros and cons, and honestly, what works depends on your dog and your budget. Dry food is the easy, affordable everyday option. 

Canned food is softer, smells stronger, and picky eaters tend to love it. Fresh food sounds like the dream, but it comes with a higher price tag and more work. 

Food Type	Main Advantage	Potential Downside	Best For
Dry	Convenient & easy to portion	Lower moisture	Most households
Canned	Soft & moisture-rich	More expensive/storage needs	Picky or dental-sensitive dogs
Fresh	Fresh ingredients & variety	Can cost more	Owners wanting fresh options
Dry + Canned	Variety & texture	Portions need adjustment	Dogs enjoying mixed feeding
Fresh + Dry	Flexible feeding	Requires calorie tracking	Owners wanting variety

FAQs

Should a mixed Maltese be fed more than a purebred Maltese?

Not necessarily. Portions depend on your dog’s weight, age, activity level, and the calories in their food, not on whether they’re purebred. A mix who’s bigger than a Maltese will need more, but that’s about size, not breed.

How many times a day should a Maltese eat?

Adult Maltese usually do best on two meals a day. Puppies need three to four small ones, since their tiny stomachs can’t hold much and they get weak if they go too long without food.

Can Maltese eat treats every day?

Yes, but keep them within about 10% of their daily calories. With a dog this small, that’s only a few tiny bites, so cut the treats small and take a little off their meals on heavy treat days.

Can Maltese eat only wet food?

Yes, as long as it’s complete and balanced and properly portioned. Just know it costs more and spoils faster, so a lot of owners (me included) prefer mixing it with dry.

How do I know if my Maltese is overweight?

You should be able to feel their ribs without pressing hard, and see a defined waist when you look from above. That coat hides everything, so use your hands, not just your eyes.