Maltese: The Elegant Cuddle Dog

Maltese nutrition presents owners with a particular challenge: the Maltese may be small, but his demands on his food are not. Weighing often just three to four kilograms, this elegant companion dog needs food that delivers plenty of nutrients in a very small volume, is gentle on his sensitive stomach and, at the same time, keeps an eye on his teeth and his silky white coat. In this guide, we show you what really matters when feeding your Maltese, from the correct portion size through dental care to the topic of tear staining.

The Maltese in profile: a dainty companion dog with a delicate stomach

The Maltese is one of the oldest companion dog breeds in Europe and is known today above all as an affectionate, calm family dog. With his snow-white, long coat and small size, he appears fragile, but in everyday life he is a lively, alert companion who seeks closeness with his people. It is precisely this combination of tiny stature and alert character that makes feeding him demanding.

A Maltese's stomach is very small, in keeping with his body size. This means he can only take in a small amount of food per meal, yet still needs sufficient energy, protein, fat and minerals for his metabolism. The solution lies in the nutrient density of the food, not the quantity. A high-quality, concentrated food reliably provides your Maltese with everything he needs, even in small portions.

On top of this: small breeds such as the Maltese have a higher energy requirement relative to their body weight than large dogs. Their metabolism runs faster, and their heat regulation is more sensitive. A lean, poorly digestible food is often not enough here, while portions that are too large quickly overburden the small stomach.

The weight itself also deserves particular attention in such a small dog. Even a few hundred grams too many make a proportionally much bigger difference in a Maltese than in a large dog, placing noticeably greater strain on joints, heart and circulation. Regular weighing and keeping an eye on your dog's waistline help you to counteract this early, before excess weight affects mobility and quality of life.

The right food for the Maltese

When choosing food for the Maltese, it is worth looking at three points: nutrient density, portion size and tolerability. Grain-free food is a good choice for many Maltese, because their sensitive digestive system often responds better to easily digestible, high-quality ingredients than to grain-based recipes with lots of fillers. A single-protein food that relies on just one type of meat also helps to identify intolerances and keep the diet straightforward.

When it comes to feeding amounts, the rule for the Maltese is: several small meals a day are better than one or two large portions. Two to three meals, adjusted to your dog's age, activity level and weight, ease the strain on the stomach and keep blood sugar levels more stable. Especially in very small dogs, an empty stomach for many hours can lead to low blood sugar and restlessness, which is why regular, small meals make more sense than a rigid two-meal schedule.

A look at our dry food shows single-protein recipes that are easy to portion and keep your dog full for a long time. If you would also like to offer your Maltese extra moisture and variety, you will find suitable alternatives or supplements to dry feeding in our wet food. Both varieties are available single-protein and grain-free, so you can find exactly the food your dog tolerates.

Poultry such as chicken, turkey or duck is particularly well tolerated by many Maltese, as it is easily digestible and rarely triggers intolerances. Our poultry products are therefore well suited as a starting point or as a safe base if your Maltese reacts sensitively. If you are unsure which food best suits your dog, our food finder will help you make a suitable choice in just a few steps.

When switching food, also make sure to do so gradually. Mix the new food in slowly over seven to ten days, in increasing proportions with the usual food, rather than switching completely from one day to the next. The sensitive Maltese stomach in particular tends to react to abrupt changes with soft stools or loss of appetite, whereas a gentle transition generally avoids these problems.

Dental health in small breeds

Hardly any breed is as prone to dental problems as the Maltese. His small jaw leaves little room for his teeth, meaning they stand more closely together and tartar and plaque can form more quickly. Dental care is therefore part of Maltese nutrition from the very start, not just once the vet spots tartar at a check-up.

Besides regular checks and, where necessary, professional dental cleaning, chewing itself plays an important role in healthy Maltese teeth. Chewing mechanically removes plaque from the tooth surface while also stimulating saliva flow, which in turn supports the environment in the mouth. It is important that the chews match the size of the dog: pieces that are too large or too hard can quickly overwhelm such a small jaw or even damage teeth.

For daily Maltese dental care, thin, soft chews that can be worked well with small teeth without straining the jaw are therefore ideal. Air-dried, single-protein chews with no additives are a natural and gentle choice here. They challenge chewing behaviour without straining the sensitive stomach and can be easily worked into everyday life, for example as a little activity in between.

A fixed rhythm is also a good idea: if your Maltese gets a suitable chew several times a week, dental care becomes a habit rather than something you have to fight for every time. Regular tooth brushing with dog-friendly toothpaste also helps to prevent tartar. Chewing does not fully replace mechanical cleaning, but it supports it noticeably and makes everyday life more pleasant for both dog and owner.

Tear staining and nutrition: the connection

The brilliant white coat is one of the Maltese's hallmarks, which is exactly why tear stains around the eyes stand out so quickly. Maltese tear staining has several possible causes, ranging from anatomical features of the tear ducts to external irritants. Diet is not the sole cause, but it can certainly play a part.

Food with lots of additives, artificial colourings and preservatives, or low-quality fillers, can trigger reactions in sensitive dogs that show up, among other things, as increased tearing. A single-protein, grain-free food with no unnecessary additives reduces these possible triggers and is therefore a sensible foundation if you notice increased tear stains in your Maltese.

In addition to diet, regular grooming around the eyes is worthwhile to remove discolouration early and prevent irritation. If the tear stains persist despite adjusted feeding and grooming, you should discuss the issue with your vet to rule out other causes such as blocked tear ducts or allergies.

Suitable chews for very small dogs

When choosing Maltese chews, one thing matters above all: the right size. What is a small reward for a Labrador can already be an entire meal for a Maltese, or simply too big and too hard to chew safely. Small, soft chews are therefore the better choice for toy breeds such as the Maltese.

Chicken feet are a good example: they are naturally small, cartilaginous rather than hard, and can be worked well by a Maltese. At the same time, the natural cartilage components they contain support the joints, which is welcome especially in small, often very active dogs. Chicken hearts are another popular option, small in size, rich in protein and free of unnecessary additives, ideal as a short chewing session in between.

Lamb ears are also among the chews well suited to the Maltese: they are thin, relatively soft and can be eaten within a manageable time, without overloading the jaw. Thin chews in general, whether made from poultry or lamb, are usually better suited to Maltese than thick, hard chew bones, which are more intended for larger breeds.

Another advantage of small, natural chews: they provide additional nutrients on the side, without blowing the daily calorie count. Chicken hearts, for example, naturally contain taurine, which is important for heart function, while cartilage from chicken feet supports the joints. This turns every chew into more than just an activity, it becomes a small, worthwhile building block of daily Maltese nutrition. Still, keep an eye on the amount of snacks relative to the main meal, so that your small dog does not take in too many calories overall.

In our natural chews, you will find single-protein, air-dried varieties with no additives, tailored exactly to these needs. If you are also looking for small rewards for training, you will find what you need in our natural treats. So you do not have to guess which chew really suits your Maltese's size, our chew finder will help you find the right choice.

Fussy eaters and sensitive digestion

Many Maltese are considered fussy eaters. This can be a matter of character, but it is often also linked to sensitive digestion: if the stomach reacts to certain ingredients with discomfort, the dog quickly associates the food with an unpleasant feeling and avoids it in future. A vicious circle that can often be broken with the right feeding strategy.

A proven approach for digestive problems or suspected food intolerance is the elimination diet. Here, you feed exclusively a single, new protein source in combination with a carbohydrate source for a limited period, with no further treats or snacks. This allows you to gradually find out which ingredient your Maltese actually tolerates. Single-protein foods are ideal for this purpose, because you know exactly what they contain, with no hidden mixtures of several types of meat.

Stay consistent during such a test phase and give your dog enough time, usually several weeks, for his digestive system and eating behaviour to stabilise. In the case of persistent complaints, always discuss the approach with your vet to rule out serious causes.

With fussy eaters, it also helps to stick to fixed feeding times and to remove the food again after about twenty minutes, rather than leaving it out all day. This way, your Maltese learns that it is worth eating during the time offered, and the distraction of constantly available food disappears. Small, appetite-stimulating rituals, such as warming the food to room temperature, can also help to reawaken the appetite of a reluctant Maltese.

The Maltese puppy and the senior

In puppies, the nutrient requirement per kilogram of body weight is particularly high, as growth, bone development and the development of the immune system use up a lot of energy. At the same time, his stomach is even tinier than that of an adult Maltese. More frequent, small meals with nutrient-dense, easily digestible food are especially important here, so that the puppy is well provided for despite small portions.

In senior years, requirements change again. Older Maltese generally move less, their metabolism slows down, while dental problems or a more sensitive stomach can further limit the choice of suitable food. Soft or soaked food, adjusted portion sizes and continued regular, gentle chewing for dental care all help to maintain quality of life and wellbeing into old age.

In both stages of life, the same applies: observe your Maltese closely, keep an eye on his weight, coat, chewing behaviour and stools, and adjust the type of food and portions as needed. This way, you accompany your dog from puppyhood into old age with a diet that suits him.

Frequently asked questions about Maltese nutrition

How often should I feed my Maltese?

Two to three small meals a day make sense for most adult Maltese. Puppies need more frequent, smaller portions, adjusted to age and growth.

Why is grain-free food often recommended for the Maltese?

Many Maltese's sensitive stomachs often respond better to easily digestible, single-protein recipes than to food with a high proportion of grain and fillers, which can help prevent digestive upsets.

Can I influence tear staining in my Maltese through food?

A single-protein food with no unnecessary additives can reduce possible triggers. If the tear stains persist, it is also worth having them checked by a vet.

Which chews are best suited to my Maltese's small teeth?

Small, soft and thin chews such as chicken feet, chicken hearts or lamb ears are ideal, as they can be worked well with small teeth without overloading the jaw.

Character & who the Maltese suits

In short, the Maltese is best suited to: calm owners/older owners, lots of closeness, well-groomed coat.

• Size: small
• Energy level: calm
• With children: excellent with children
• Flat living: suitable for flats
• For beginners: suitable for beginners
• Coat care: high-maintenance coat care
• Trainability: eager to learn
• Watchfulness: not a pronounced watchdog

Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our breed finder "Which dog breed suits me?"