Best Dog Food for Maltipoos : 15 Healthy Recipes Reviewed by Budget, Diet and Life Stage

Your loud and forever young Maltipoo is a unique breed that began its journey approximately fifteen years ago. Breeders were seeking a dog that was different from the Yorkie and Poodle, and they wanted a dog that would retain a lot of its childishness even as it aged.

A major misconception about Maltipoos is that they are hypoallergenic and have fewer health problems that the Maltese or Poodle. Breeding a dog for specific reasons never yields a guarantee of anything.

Your Maltipoo retains its puppy appearance throughout its entire life and only grows to about 14 inches tall. They are smart, affectionate, and easy to train (as some may say).

In regard to your pup’s health, it’s important to feed them specific Maltipoo food that caters to their direct needs. All dogs are prone to health problems, but this breed has particular issues that require attention.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:

What Is The Best Dog Food for a Maltipoo?

Understanding a Maltipoo’s Diet Requirements

Proper nutrition is critical to the health of your Maltipoo. Feeding your pup the best Maltipoo food possible is the best way to ensure they live a healthy and active life as they age. Animals need the correct balance of protein, carbs, fats, and vitamins to guarantee that they function correctly throughout the day.

Think about it this way – we pay so much attention to what we put in our bodies, but we often forget that our dogs need the same amount of attention and care. We cannot just expect our dogs to function at their best on low-quality food when we would not perform properly on that food either.

Depending on your Maltipoos age they also need the right food to cater to their needs. Puppies often need more protein and fat because they are more active, and they are still growing. If you feed your Maltipoo puppy a low-quality food, you can stunt their growth and hinder their development.

In the same way, if you feed a senior Maltipoo food that is too high in proteins and fats, it might cause weight gain because this breed is not highly active, to begin with.

Most importantly, although dog food companies may tell you that you can feed their food to any dog at any stage of life, that is not entirely true. Your Maltipoo needs food that provides them with the specific nutrients that they need.

Maltipoos often have small mouths, and this restricts the development of their teeth. As an example, you could never feed them some of the large kibbles you find on the market – you may need to look harder for a small breed kibble.

Special Dietary Considerations For Maltipoo

No dog breed is immune from health issues, and Maltipoos have their own specific issues that require attention. These concerns are what makes feeding your pup a high-quality Maltipoo food so important.

White Shaker Syndrome

This issue commonly affects white dogs and the Maltese is highly prone to the symptoms. White dogs are a sought-after color but breeding a white Maltipoo leaves them wide open for this difficult disorder. White shaker syndrome causes the dog to have tremors throughout their entire body with the worst shaking occurring when the pup is excited.

Collapsed Trachea

Toy dogs are most susceptible to this, and there is no proof behind why this issue occurs in small dogs, but experts believe it could be due to a genetic weakness. Your pups neck is held together by a set of cartilage rings, and over time these rings can collapse causing your Maltipoos throat to close up.

This disorder causes pain and discomfort in your pup, and it can also cause them to have difficulty swallowing. A collapsed trachea is highly preventable by using a harness collar instead of a neck one. A few quick jumps in the wrong direction when your Maltipoo has a neck collar on can cause a collapsed trachea.

Dental Issues

Maltipoos have small mouths, and as a result, they cannot chew some of the larger kibbles that are on the market. In addition to that, proper dental care is a necessity for your pup. Experts recommend brushing your dog’s teeth as often as you do your own to prevent excessive plaque buildup.

Allergies

One of the most popular features of the Maltipoo is the fact that they are usually hypoallergenic so people with allergies can own this breed. One thing to think about is that your dog has its allergies as well.

Feeding your pup the best Maltipoo food is so critical because they are highly allergic to synthetic preservatives, artificial flavoring, and even some grains. Food is the number one trigger of allergies in this breed.

Believe it or not, many Maltipoos are even allergic to plastic bowls and carpet fibers or excess dust. If your pup is scratching and biting a lot, there is a high chance that they may have food-related allergies.

Luxating Patella

This issue is also highly prevalent in small breed dogs like Pomeranians and Maltese. A luxating patella causes your pups kneecap to slide out of place so one moment they might seem perfectly fine and the next they are crying in pain.

The slippage causes swelling, and you might notice your pup is holding that leg up or limping while walking. Sometimes it might be difficult to notice any symptoms at all.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This eye disorder causes blindness due to the loss of receptors in the back of the eye. Luckily, the disease is detectable long before blindness begins to set in.

There is no treatment for this, and it takes a long time to set in, but the best way to slow down the progression of it is with regular eye exams and trips to the vet. PRA does not cause any pain, but it can cause cataracts with cause discomfort.

Maltipoo Feeding Chart

The most important thing to think about when switching your Maltipoo to a premium food is that it’s always better to do it gradually. You don’t want to immediately take your pup off their current food because it can cause stomach issues as well as behavioral problems.

Experts recommend slowly introducing the new food mixed with the old food during the first four weeks. Each week, add more of the new food and reduce the quantity of the old food until your pup is ready to switch over entirely.

Here are general feeding guidelines for feeding your Maltipoo.

• 2 to 4 lb. Puppy 1/3 to 1/2 cups per day.
• 5 to 8 lb. Puppy 1/2 to 3/4 cups per day.
• 8 to 10 lb. Adult = 1/2 to 3/4 cups per day.
• 10 to 12 lb. Adult = 3/4 to 1 cup per day.
• 13 to 16 lb. Adult = 1 to 1 and 1/4 cups per day.

Best Dog Food for Maltipoo: Our 2023 Top Picks

By this point, you should understand how to feed your dog the best Maltipoo food and what ingredients you should be looking out for. In this section, we’re going to recommend some of the best foods based on ingredients and nutrition.

Rank	Dog Food	Price	Rating
#1	Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe	$4.49/lb	A+
#2	Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Recipe	$2.56/lb	A+
#3	NomNomNow Porkalicious Potluck	Varies	A+
#4	Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison and Brown Rice	$3.16/lb	A+
#5	Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin	$1.76/lb	A

Best Adult Dog Foods

Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe

Best Overall

This food uses deboned chicken as its first ingredient and provides a well-balanced diet of protein, carbs, fruits, and vegetables. It contains high amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin which are ideal for bone and joint health.

Further down the list, you’ll also find real berries which are an excellent source of antioxidants for promoting immune system health and overall well-being.

Merrick believes in creating handmade recipes that your dog will not only love but will benefit from. They put science into all of their formulas and for 25 years have been producing nothing but high-quality foods in small batches so they can monitor each step of the process.

Pros:

• Dogs love the taste
• Helps with digestive issues
• Small bits
• Great for small dogs

Cons:

• May make pups gassy
• Doesn’t come in large bags

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Recipe

Best Value

This canned food provides an excellent balance of protein and carbohydrates to give your pup the energy they need to take on the day. The food also has blueberries and cranberries loaded with antioxidants to help their immune system and urinary tract. Wet food like this is a great Maltipoo food because soft foods help with their small mouths and tooth issues.

The formula is also wheat and corn free, so it doesn’t contain any fillers and works great for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

The story of Blue Buffalo started with a pet owner and the love he shared for his own dog Blue. The family noticed their dog had a variety of health issues that was due to his diet so they decided to formulate a healthy dog food brand that would focus on whole ingredients and real meats instead of corn, soy, and other fillers. They also wanted to make sure the food was affordable to families of all incomes.

Pros:

• High-quality ingredients
• Great for picky eaters
• Helps prevent allergies
• Dogs love the flavor

Cons

• Shipping issues
• Too liquidy

NomNomNow Porkalicious Potluck

Best Super Premium

If you are looking to go the extra mile, you could go for an entirely human-grade, all natural dog food from NomNomNow. This specific brand contains nothing but pork, potatoes, and vegetables prepared raw, so it requires constant refrigeration before preparing. This specific blend has a lower amount of protein and fat which is an ideal Maltipoo food.

This company goes above and beyond, and as soon as you step foot on their website you fill out a form with all types of information about your pup, and they recommend the best Maltipoo food for your dog’s specific needs.

They cook all their foods in their own facilities so they have a close eye on their manufacturing process and they portion everything out ahead of time to take all the guesswork out of how much to serve your dog.

Pros:

• Raw food
• The best ingredients
• Well-balanced diet
• Human-grade formula

Cons:

• Price
• Requires refrigeration

Two More Top Rated Maltipoo Adult Foods

Solid Gold Wee Bit Bison and Brown Rice

This uniquely formulated small breed dog food provides your pup with a balanced diet or fresh bison protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. The food contains over 20 nutritious superfoods packed into small and easy to chew kibble for small breeds.

For 40 years this company has focused on developing foods that not only improve the quality of your pups life but foods that completely transform them into a lean and energetic family companion.

Pros:

• Holistic dog food
• Works for all life stages
• Packed full of healthy fiber
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Cons:

• Issues with palatability

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin

If your Maltipoo has a sensitive stomach, you might be looking for options that will help you solve these issues. H

ills combines a precise amount of ingredients to provide your pup with optimal nutrition without including anything that may aggravate your dog’s stomach.

The recipe is balanced and designed to exceed industry standards to help your pup live a life of happiness. The food contains omega-6 fatty acids for your dog’s skin and antioxidants with vitamin E for immune health.

Pros:

• Helps with allergies
• Prevents scratching and biting
• Improves bowel movements

Cons:

• Frequent formula changes

Top Rated Maltipoo Puppy Foods

Rank	Puppy Food	Price	Rating
#1	Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Puppy Recipe	$3.99/lb	A+
#2	Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Puppy Turkey and Chicken Grill	$2.76/lb	A+
#3	Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Turkey, Oatmeal and Salmon Meal	$3.79/lb	A+

Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Puppy Recipe

If you want to feed your puppy something that is catered directly to their needs and provides them with a balanced diet of raw meat than you could try this recipe. The food uses cage-free chicken as its main source of protein, and it has a high protein content which is essential for puppies. The food also contains no grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, or by-product meals.

The company believes in making food simple and straightforward. Instead of overcomplicating their brand with expensive marketing and false claims they stick to the basics. Creating the best high-quality food where a majority of the nutrition comes from fresh sources.

Pros:

• Dogs love the flavor
• Reliably sourced ingredients
• Great for sensitive pups

Cons:

• Kibble may be too hard
• Finicky pups might not enjoy

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Puppy Turkey and Chicken Grill

Blue Wilderness is inspired by a dogs desire to have a primarily protein rich diet. Years ago dogs ate nothing but meat and over time have drifted away into a more carbohydrate based diet. This food wants to raise your puppy by giving them the protein and fat they need to grow strong and confident.

Pros:

• Grain-free
• Great price
• Love the flavor

Cons:

• Consistency could be better
• Shipping issues

Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Turkey, Oatmeal and Salmon Meal

This specially formulated small breed puppy food satisfies your little family members needs. The recipe is designed to support the unique health needs of smaller dogs through whole foods rich in nutrients.

The food contains salmon meal that is a source of the brain development agent DHA along with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Wellness also uses small kibble to help small breed puppies with little to no teeth chew and digest the food properly.

Pros:

• Real meats as the first ingredients
• Small kibble
• Veterinarian recommended

Cons:

• Formula changes
• Possible loose stools

Top Rated Maltipoo Senior Food

Rank	Senior Dog Food	Price	Rating
#1	Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken and Sweet Potato	$2.39/lb	A+
#2	Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free	$2.77/lb	A+
#3	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Formula Chicken and Brown Rice	$1.63/lb	A+

Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken and Sweet Potato

This food is specifically designed for dogs once they reach their golden years. The formula uses real chicken alongside sweet potatoes and other vegetables to give your dog the nutrition it needs to move on to the later stages of life.

Importantly added is L-carnitine which promotes healthy metabolism and helps your senior maintain a proper weight when they become less active.

Merrick believes in creating handmade recipes that your dog will not only love but will benefit from. They put science into all of their formulas and for 25 years have been producing nothing but high-quality foods in small batches so they can monitor each step of the process.

Pros:

• Flavor varieties
• Reputable company
• Great flavor
• Helps with joint pain

Cons:

• Concerns over large kibble size
• Low calorie

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free

If you’re looking for a Maltipoo food that you can guarantee your pup will eat you could choose this wet food using real beef, bison, lamb, and venison. The food is grain-free and pairs its proteins alongside real vegetables and fruit. This formula goes great alongside a dry kibble, and you could use the gravy to soften up kibble that is too big or hard for your Maltipoo to eat.

This company is owned by Diamond Pet Food, and they use state-of-the-art facilities all over the country to create the most high-quality dog food on the market. They do this by holding every step of the process to the highest nutritional standards. All of their foods combine premium cuts of meat with fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Pros:

• Helps with gas
• Love the flavor
• Helps with allergies

Cons:

• Picky eaters sometimes won’t eat it.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Formula Chicken and Brown Rice

Blue Buffalo created this formula with every dog in mind. Their ultimate goal is to craft food that they would all feed to their pups, and as a result, they have developed a formula that nourishes and treats your Maltipoo to a delicious meal every time. The food contains a wide assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

In addition to whole ingredients, Blue Buffalo also uses its LifeSource Bits for added nutrition, and these contain a precise blend of nutrients meant to improve and enhance your dog’s overall vitality. Real meat is always used as the first ingredient, and they also include glucosamine and chondroitin which is great for joint health as your dog ages.

Pros:

• Great for dogs with joint issues
• Helps pup maintain mobility
• Improves kidney health
• Great price

Cons:

• Dogs have a hard time eating the LifeSource Bits

Our FAQ and Maltipoo Feeding Guide

When it comes to feeding your Maltipoo you want to think carefully about the brand and the ingredients you are feeding them. There is so much hype out there about all of these fad diets like “grain-free” or “paleo” so it can be difficult to identify what you should feed your pup.

Beyond ingredients, you also want to consider the brand you’re purchasing when you buy the dog food. A lot of the time you’re not buying food, you’re buying a brand. Think about why people purchase a name brand like Lucky Charms instead of buying the cheaper generic cereal. Is it always because the brand name tastes better?

Probably not.

Most people choose brands because they are familiar with them and unfortunately, that familiarity can lead to complacency where you trust a certain company because you know them. Make sure you pay attention to the brands and the ingredients that make up their reputation.

Choosing the right Maltipoo food is not the only important thing to think about when it comes to dog food. You also want to pay attention to where and how you store it. Once you open the bag of food, it begins to lose its nutritional value so keeping it in an airtight container helps preserve the freshness.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Maltipoo food:

What ingredients should I look for in my Maltipoo Food?

The first thing you want to always look for is a meat-based protein as the first ingredient. Experts say a dog’s diet should consist of 30% protein, but in cheap foods, this usually comes from plants or filler like corn. Protein is an excellent source of energy in dogs, and it helps with cell regeneration.

The next thing you want to see is healthy fats. When it comes to fat, it’s important to understand the difference between essential and non-essential fats. Non-essential fats are ones that are not necessary for dogs’ food because they can produce the fats themselves. The essential fats are the ones that need inclusion in their foods because their body does not create them.

If your dog receives fat, but not the right kind of fat, it can result in low energy, growth issues, and coordination problems. Fat also plays a major role in skin and coat health because it helps produce a smooth and silky coat.

The last thing you want to look out for is oil. Having the right oils in your Maltipoo food gives your pup an immunity boost, helps with their coat and is great for the heart. The critical thing to consider is whether the oil is the right kind. A lot of the time we find industrial grade oils with no real origin in dog foods like vegetable or corn oil. These types of oils provide no nutritional value to dogs. Look for fish, sunflower, flaxseed, and coconut oil in your Maltipoo food.

How much food should I feed my Maltipoo?

The amount of food you feed your pup depends on factors like age, weight, and level of activity. You want their diet to be a direct reflection of how you want them to look so feed them accordingly. If your pup appears overweight, you should reduce the feedings and vice versa.

For Maltipoos it’s essential to choose a small-breed recipe that offers the nutrients and vitamins that this type of dog needs explicitly.

How do I know if a dog food has harmful ingredients?

A lot of pet parents worry about the type of food they are feeding their dog. Unfortunately, pet food companies have low standards and requirements in terms of how they manufacture their food so a lot of the most popular brands use ingredients that you would never feed your pup if you knew what they were.

Here are some of those ingredients:

BHA/BHT – If you find either of these in your dog’s food, you need to throw it away and move on. The ingredient is illegal in human food production in a lot of countries because the preservatives may cause hyperactivity and cancer in humans. There is no real proven study behind this, but research continues to go into it.

White Flour – The main problem with white flour is it has all of its nutritional value stripped away during the manufacturing process. It’s another filler and chances are your dog will feel immediate hunger after consuming food with a lot of white flour in it. Foods containing this is a primary ingredient are known to cause weight gain which puts pressure on the joints and bones.

By-Products – The jury is still out on whether or not by-products are actually harmful or if they are simply a low-quality ingredient that still provides nutritional value. A by-product is essentially the leftovers from the protein source after all the desired cuts are gone. This can include eyeballs, ears, snouts, hooves, bones, organs, and anything that gets left on the carcass.

Soy/Corn – Soy does contain a lot of amino acids, and some food manufacturers will back it up in saying it is a healthy plant protein source, but most pet experts will tell you to leave it out of your dog’s diet. Like we’ve said before, the primary sources of protein in your dog’s diet should always be real meats with vegetables coming in second.

What are some bad dog food brands?

Below is a list of some of the worst dog food brands and a brief explanation of why they are low-quality.

• Kal-Kan
• Gravy Train
• Purina Dog Chow
• Beneful
• Kibbles n’ Bits

These five dog foods contain the highest amounts of filler through the use of corn meal, soybean meal, wheat germ, and animal by-products. It’s scary when you see this list because some of these foods are the most popular ones on the market, so you wonder how they became so popular even though they are low-quality.

Marketing.

All of these foods contain added sugars, dyes, and artificial flavors that are known to cause food allergies in Maltipoos. Ideally, you want to stay as far away from these foods as possible.

Planning On Switching Your Maltipoo Food?

After reading this article, you should have a solid grasp on how important proper feeding of high-quality food is to your Maltipoo. Dog owners have it tough with all the slick marketing and false claims; it can be challenging to make the right choice.

The good news is, for every lousy brand there is a great one right behind it. If you plan on switching your Maltipoo to different food, we would recommend trying any of the foods included in the reviews.