Best puppy food for a Maltese
A Maltese puppy does best on a small or toy-breed puppy food, because a fully grown Maltese weighs only a few kilograms and has a small mouth, a fast metabolism, and a growth period that finishes sooner than a larger breed's. The right food accounts for all three rather than treating a toy breed puppy the same as a Labrador puppy at a smaller portion size.
Feeding a Maltese
A toy breed
An adult Maltese typically weighs 3–4kg, so a healthy Maltese eats a small amount — often under 100g of dry food a day compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A toy breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 12–15 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
How much should a Maltese weigh?
Adult 3–4kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.5–0.7 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.9–1.2 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.8–2.4 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 3–4 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a toy breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Maltese
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Maltese's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
What actually matters for a toy breed like the Maltese
Kibble size is one of the most practical differences — a standard puppy kibble can be genuinely difficult for a Maltese's small mouth and jaw to manage comfortably, which is why small and toy breed puppy foods are made with a noticeably smaller piece size. A Maltese puppy also has a faster metabolism relative to their size than a large breed puppy does, so a more energy-dense food in a smaller overall portion suits them better than a standard formula.
Growth rate is the other genuine difference. Small and toy breeds reach their adult size much sooner than large breeds — often within around nine to twelve months rather than the eighteen months or more a large breed can take — so a small-breed puppy food is formulated around that faster, shorter growth period rather than the slower, more controlled growth a large-breed puppy food is designed to manage.
What we stock for a puppy this size
Our puppy range includes small and medium breed options such as Eukanuba Puppy Small & Medium Breed Lamb and Iams for Vitality Puppy Small/Medium Breed Chicken, both built around the smaller kibble size and higher energy density a toy breed puppy needs. We carry a selection across several brands rather than one single recommendation, since individual dogs — and owners — have their own preferences.
Wet or pouched puppy food is also worth knowing about if your Maltese is a fussy eater or you want to add moisture to a dry diet, and several of our puppy-labelled options come in that format too.
A couple of things specific to the breed
Maltese are known for being prone to tear staining around the eyes, which is a coat and grooming issue rather than a food one for most dogs, but keeping the face area clean and dry is worth building into a daily routine from puppyhood. Small and toy breeds, the Maltese included, are also more prone to dental crowding as adults because a full set of adult teeth has less jaw space to fit into, which is a good reason to introduce toothbrushing early rather than waiting for a problem to show up.
If your Maltese puppy seems unusually small even for the breed, is not gaining weight steadily, or seems weak or lethargic, get them checked by your vet rather than assuming it is just their size — toy breed puppies can be more vulnerable to low blood sugar than larger puppies, particularly if a meal is missed.
Common questions
- When should a Maltese puppy switch to adult food?
- Small and toy breeds typically reach adult size sooner than larger breeds, often by around nine to twelve months, but check the specific guidance on the food you are feeding and ask your vet if you are unsure when to make the change for your individual puppy.
- Why does kibble size matter for a Maltese puppy?
- A Maltese has a small mouth and jaw, and a standard-sized puppy kibble made for a larger breed can be awkward or uncomfortable to eat. Small and toy breed puppy foods use a noticeably smaller kibble specifically to suit dogs this size.
- How many meals a day does a Maltese puppy need?
- Toy breed puppies are often fed more frequent, smaller meals than larger breed puppies, partly because they are more vulnerable to low blood sugar if a meal is missed. Follow the feeding guide on your specific food and speak to your vet if your puppy seems to be struggling between meals.
- Is wet or dry food better for a Maltese puppy?
- Both can work well, and some owners use a mix of the two. Wet or pouched food can be easier for a very small puppy to eat and adds moisture to the diet, while dry food is often more convenient and can support dental health as your puppy grows.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.