Best dog food for a Maltipoo
A Maltipoo is a Maltese and Poodle cross, and like most toy and small crossbreeds, what matters most for their food isn't the breed name — it's their size, age and activity level. A small-breed complete food at the right life stage, in a kibble size they can comfortably manage, covers what most Maltipoos need.
Feeding a Maltipoo
A toy breed
An adult Maltipoo typically weighs 2.5–9 kg, so a healthy Maltipoo 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 Maltipoo weigh?
Adult 2.5–9 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.5–1.6 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 0.7–2.7 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 1.5–5.3 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 2.5–9 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 Maltipoo
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Maltipoo'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
Why size matters more than the breed here
Maltipoos are small dogs, typically toy to small in size depending on which Poodle size was used in the cross, and small breeds have a faster metabolism relative to their size than large dogs. That generally means a more calorie-dense food in smaller portions, which is exactly what small-breed recipes are formulated for.
Kibble size is a practical detail that gets overlooked. A small dog with a small mouth manages a smaller biscuit far more easily than one sized for a much bigger breed, and it makes mealtimes less of a battle for a food that's otherwise perfectly suitable.
Puppy, adult or senior
As a small crossbreed, a Maltipoo usually reaches adult size faster than a large dog does, which means the switch from puppy to adult food tends to happen earlier too — check the guidance on the food you're using rather than assuming. Small breeds also often live longer than large ones, and many stay active well into their senior years, so the move to a senior formula is about your individual dog's condition rather than a fixed age.
If your Maltipoo has particularly fine or long fur, that's a coat and grooming consideration rather than a food one, and it doesn't on its own point to a special diet.
Common sensitivities to know about
Small breeds, including Poodle crosses, can be prone to dental crowding because of their smaller jaws, so a kibble with some dental benefit, or a dental chew alongside meals, is worth considering. Some Maltipoos also have sensitive stomachs, in which case a limited-ingredient or sensitive recipe may suit better than a food with a long ingredient list.
If your dog is regularly sick, has ongoing loose stools, or seems uncomfortable after eating, that's worth a conversation with your vet rather than working through diets by trial and error alone.
Common questions
- Should I feed my Maltipoo wet or dry food?
- Either can work as a complete diet, and many owners use a mix of both. Dry food is generally better for dental wear and is easier to portion for a small dog, while wet food can help with dogs who are fussy eaters or need extra hydration.
- How much should I feed a Maltipoo?
- Follow the feeding guide on the specific food you're using, based on your dog's current weight and activity level, and adjust gradually if they're gaining or losing condition. Your vet can also check their body condition at a check-up and advise if portions need changing.
- Do Maltipoos need grain free food?
- Not unless they have a diagnosed sensitivity to a particular grain. There's nothing about being a Maltipoo specifically that makes grain free necessary — it comes down to how your individual dog does on a given food.
- At what age is a Maltipoo considered a senior?
- It varies by individual dog rather than a fixed age, though small breeds often move into their senior years later than large dogs do. Your vet is best placed to advise when to consider a senior diet based on your dog's health and condition.
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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.