The Maltipoo is a beautiful designer dog with plenty of spunk to keep families entertained all day long!
A cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Maltese, these dogs are very energetic. But, they also don’t mind lounging around with on the couch as you watch television!
No matter how active or lazy your Maltipoo is, providing a high-quality diet is a must.
These pups can vary in size and weight. However, even the largest of these dogs don’t make it to 20 pounds. As a result, the food they eat has a greater impact on their bodies and overall health.
You have to provide nutritional food that covers all of their bases while satisfying their appetite.
While it sounds easy, finding the right food is no walk in the park! The dog food market is filled with products of varying quality.
To make matters worse, you’re not going to find a specialty formula catered to this newer designer dog. So, you have to take matters into your own hands!
To make things easier for you, we’ve scoured the industry to find some of the very best foods to keep your Maltipoo happy and healthy.
7 of the Best Dog Foods for Maltipoos
1. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Formulated for small breeds, this recipe from Wellness Core has everything your Maltipoo needs to thrive. It’s a balanced dry food product that’s packed with nutrition.
As a result, your dog can take advantage of all the good stuff without having to consume a ton of food.
With 36 protein, this food is great for developing strong muscles. Most of the protein comes from deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal.
It also has a ton of botanical ingredients and antioxidants. Pair that with the omega fatty acids and you have a healthy meal for your pet.
On top of all that, the formula is enriched with probiotics for good digestive health.
2. Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Grain-free and full of nutrition, this formula is perfect for Maltipoos. It has a blend of chicken and turkey to provide protein. In total, about 27 percent of the recipe is pure protein.
It also has great ingredients like apples, sweet potatoes, and flaxseeds. The apples act as a source of antioxidants and vitamins. Meanwhile, the sweet potatoes are a complex carb that can supply energy all day long.
This food is also formulated for good digestion.
The probiotics keep your dog’s gut in good shape. Meanwhile, the lack of corn, wheat, and soy ensures that your pup is getting the very best.
3. Royal Canin Maltese Adult Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin is no stranger to creating some premium dog foods catered to specific breeds.
This particular recipe is formulated around the needs of Maltese dogs.
While not specifically for Maltipoos, the dietary requirements of the designer dog are very similar to its parent.
The food addresses some key issues that Maltese and Maltipoos encounter. This includes skin and coat health.
A healthy supply of omega fatty acid keeps the skin supple. It has both EPA and DHA as well as biotin. There’s also a unique inhibitor protein.
The protein helps to reduce stool odor while also improving digestive health.
4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog Food
Made for small breed adults, this recipe from Blue Buffalo has a lot of things to like. First, it’s high in protein.
About 26 percent of the recipe is protein from sources like deboned chicken and fish meal.
Secondly, this recipe has glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids to support joint health.
You’ll also find that the kibble is perfectly sized for your Maltipoo. It’s designed for smaller jaws and to help fight off tartar.
Finally, this food has Blue Buffalo’s signature LifeSource bits. These tiny morsels are packed with healthy vitamins and antioxidants to support your pup’s overall health.
5. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Breed Chicken Recipe
Have a Maltipoo with a sensitive stomach?
This Hill’s Science dog food is made for digestive health. It contains prebiotic fiber. Most of it comes from dried beet pulp, which also provides a nice boost of vitamins.
In total, the recipe has about 4 percent fiber.Protein makes up 21 percent. You’ll also find some great sources of antioxidants.
Ingredients like cranberries, apples, carrots, and green peas give your pooch some much-needed micronutrients to stay healthy.
Overall, the recipe has a relatively small ingredients list. There are no unnecessary fillers or any additives that could harm your dog’s digestive system.
Best for Puppies
6. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food
Here’s a recipe that can support your pup’s growing body until they are a year old.
It has a slew of puppy-specific ingredients that will promote proper development.
The first is a good calcium and phosphorus ratio. Those minerals will support your puppy’s skeletal system to ensure that they grow up big and strong.
There are also ingredients to support your pup’s mind. DHA from salmon meal will help support brain development.
The food is well-balanced for the needs of a growing puppy. You’ll find wholesome protein sources as well as a myriad of plant-based ingredients for vitamins and minerals.
7. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Farm Raised Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
With 29 percent protein, 1.2 percent calcium, and 1 percent phosphorus, this food from Nutro has everything your puppy needs to grow up healthy.
Nutro is known for creating premium foods with non-GMO ingredients, byproducts, or unnecessary additives. This formula holds true to that reputation!
You’ll only find beneficial ingredients that your pup’s body will take advantage of.
This includes wholesome chicken, fish oil for omega fatty acids, and sweet potatoes for energy. It even has a good amount of fiber to start your pup’s digestive journey on the right foot.
About the Maltipoo
Maltipoos are one of the more popular designer breeds out there. It may come as a surprise, but these pups are relatively new to the canine world.
They were first developed in the 1990s, so the lineage is still relatively fresh.
This breed is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. But that doesn’t make them any less sought-after!
One of the biggest reasons why these dogs are so popular is because they were originally bred to be hypoallergenic. If you’re familiar with the parent breeds, you’ll know that Poodles have interesting fur.
Unlike other dogs that shed tons of hair and dander, Poodles release very little allergens into the air.
Maltipoos take on that trait. They have a single layer of slightly curly hair. While there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, Maltipoos get pretty close.
They’re a great choice for allergy sufferers who want to enjoy the companionship of a dog without all of the sneezing fits!
In terms of size, Maltipoos don’t get very big. Their adult size ultimately depends on the size of the parent Poodle. Most Malteses are less than 9 pounds, but Poodles can weigh up to 70 pounds!
Those genetics combine to create a Maltipoo that weighs less than 20 pounds.
If bred from a toy poodle, they can be as small as 5 pounds when fully grown!
Related:How Big Will My Mixed breed Puppy Get?
How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Maltipoo
With all the dog food options out there, how do you choose the right one? Truth is, the market is filled with just as many bad dog foods as it is with good dog foods.
The trick is understanding your dog’s nutritionally needs and finding a product that meets them all. Here are the most important things to look for.
Premium Protein Sources
First and foremost, you should make sure that your dog is getting some high-quality protein in their diet.
Even if your pup is a lap dog, they need protein to develop and maintain their muscles.
The Association of American Feed Controls Association, or AAFCO for short, recommends that adult dogs get at least 18 percent protein. That’s the bare minimum.
We recommend getting around 25 percent or more!
For puppies, the minimum should be 22.5 percent to help them during the growth phase.
Stick to wholesome protein sources like whole chicken, beef, venison, fish, or anything else you can easily identify. Meals are fine, too. They’re nothing more than ground-up meat.
Just make sure that the animal it comes from is identified! Avoid any byproducts or mystery meats without an accurate label.
Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide your pooch with energy. There are two different types of carbs you’ll see in dog foods: cheap filler carbs and beneficial complex carbs.
The latter is the one you want.
Complex carbs like peas, sweet potatoes, and legumes absorb into your dog’s body slowly throughout the day for a lasting supply of energy.
This is in stark contrast to cheap fillers that cause an energy spike.
There are no AAFCO guidelines for carbohydrates. So, you’ll have to analyze the ingredients list and make sure that it doesn’t top protein.
Healthy Fats
According to the AAFCO, adult dogs need at least 5.5 percent fat. Puppies need 8.5 percent.
Contrary to popular belief, fat is not a bad thing for dogs. They need it for energy. Plus, it provides a ton of palatable flavor to the food.
The best kinds of fats are those that come from the protein source.
Healthy alternatives like flaxseed or salmon oil are good, too. These sources contain omega fatty acids, which can support cardiovascular health and keep the skin in good shape.
Digestive Aids
As we mentioned earlier, the Maltese side of your pup’s genetics could lead to some stomach problems.
Avoid cheap fillers and stick to foods that support the gastrointestinal system.
This means choosing foods with good sources of fiber. You can also get products with probiotics and prebiotics. They contain healthy sources of gut bacteria to keep your pup regular.
Beneficial Supplements
You can’t go wrong with healthy supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are good supplements to start with.
You can also find foods with antioxidants and other good stuff that will support their internal health.
If you’re raising a puppy, look for foods with calcium and phosphorus. Those supplements are essential for proper bone development and growth.
Vitamins, Nutrients, and Minerals
Nutrient-rich dog foods usually have a bevy of ingredients that will support your dog’s body from the inside out.
Healthy vegetables and fruits act as a source of vitamins and minerals.
The AAFCO does have guidelines for specific vitamins and minerals, so look for that seal of approval to know that the food has everything your dog needs.
Related: Adding Healthy Food Boosters to Regular Dog Food
Additive-Free Formulas
Finally, steer clear of foods that have any unnecessary additives. Your dog doesn’t need artificial colors, scents, or flavors.
If the formula is made with high-quality ingredients, all of those factors are taken care of!
It’s best to avoid artificial preservatives, too. There are natural alternatives that can do the same job without the chemicals!
Maltipoo Health Considerations
For the most part, Maltipoos are healthy dogs. If you get your pooch from a reputable breeder, they likely selected the healthiest parents to create a puppy with fewer genetic predispositions.
Even still, designer dogs like the Maltipoo can inherit genetic health issues from both parents.
Some of these health concerns are unavoidable. But, others can be treated or alleviated with a high-quality diet. Here are just a few.
Joint Problems
Many small breed dogs are susceptible to issues like Patellar Luxation.
Essentially, this condition is a misalignment of the knee caps. Other joint issues like arthritis and ligament tears are possible, too.
The best way to prevent those issues is to invest in food with joint supplements.
Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can lubricate the joints, keeping them in good condition.
Sensitive Stomach
Maltese dogs are quite sensitive to certain ingredients. Low-quality carbohydrates are some of the worst offenders. Unfortunately, many Maltipoos inherit these food sensitivities.
The good news is that you can easily avoid stomach problems by steering clear of unnecessary fillers.
Things like corn, wheat, and soy are all used as cheap fillers in low-quality foods. Avoid them and your dog shouldn’t have any issues with digestion.
Dental Issues
Many small dogs suffer from dental problems. The Maltipoo is no different.
Pups from sketchy breeders often come down with Tiny Mouth Syndrome, which is when the mouth is too small to accommodate proper dental development.
Even dogs from reputable breeders can suffer from periodontal disease and tooth decay.
In addition to daily brushing, you can avoid dental conditions by investing in food with small kibble that’s easy to chew.
The mechanical chewing action will help scrub plaque and tartar off, keeping those pearly whites looking fresh!
Eye Diseases
Finally, you have to be wary of ocular conditions like Retinal Atrophy. Again, this is an issue that typically plagues smaller breeds.
The same goes for conditions like glaucoma.
There’s no way to stop vision loss. But, you can delay the effects with vitamin-infused foods that contain beta carotene. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and DHA help, too.
Conclusion
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to dog food for your Maltipoo! These dogs are some of the most vivacious and lovable around. But, they can only be that way when they’re feeling good and staying healthy.
With the right food, your dog can reach their full potential and be the lovable companion you know and love.
Also Read: Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles
