The ultimate guide to what Maltese can (and can't) eat (2023)

The Maltese is a small dog breed that is perhaps the cutest breed in the toy group. These dogs are light (3 to 7 pounds), affectionate, and easygoing, making them perfect family pets or fur babies.

Maltese are usually fed like any other dog. They can eat dry food, wet food, homemade food and a variety of treats.

However, with all fur babies, figuring out what to feed them, what's healthy and what's not, what's okay and what's not, and more can be a hassle.

But don't worry, I've got you covered, here's the ultimate guide to what Maltese can and can't eat.

What can Maltese eat?

There are different foods that the little cuties can eat, and I divide them into four categories:

• Organic or natural food (homemade food)
• dry food
• tonic
• canned food

#1 Organic or natural foods (homemade foods)

According to some experts, homemade food is better for Maltese dogs because it contains no additives and is less likely to harbor harmful bacteria or infections because it is homemade.

These are homemade dishes that you can prepare for your Maltese:

• Raw chicken neck mixed with raw bones
• cottage cheese
• rice
• spaghetti
• cooked beef or chicken
• chopped vegetables

Raw chicken neck mixed with raw bones

This is easy to prepare; prepare the desired amount of raw chicken necks and raw bones for small dogs and grind them together.

Make sure there's more meat in the neck than in the bone, and then go ahead and serve your chick.

cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is a mildly flavored cheese curd product. It is an excellent addition to the Maltese diet as it is rich in many nutrients, including protein, B vitamins and minerals such as calcium, selenium and phosphorus.

It's great for building muscle and losing weight which is great for a Maltese who could easily develop hypoglycemia if he doesn't eat properly, or diabetes and obesity if he overeats.

To prepare:Mix cottage cheese with a vitamin supplement and some shredded carrots and pass it on to your furry baby.

Remember that you should not feed your Maltese cheese more than 10% of its daily dairy intake to avoid diarrhea.

rice

There is some controversy about rice because a group of experts believe that white rice is pure starch without any nutritional value or value, so brown rice is better. Another group found brown rice difficult to digest.

In this case, it is best to strike a balance. Use enriched white rice; this way you get the best of both worlds: easily digestible and nutritious.

To prepare:Use low-sodium chicken stock or canned stock (be sure to skim) as some or all of your cooking liquid. To prepare, cook the rice until tender before serving.

spaghetti

Pasta will meet your Maltese's starch needs as it is primarily starchy. It prevents him from developing the hypoglycemia he is prone to.

To prepare:Boil the pasta (make sure it is not overcooked) and then cut it into small pieces. It should be small enough for your fur baby to chew on without choking. To spice it up, add some meat and veggies while it's hot and serve it to your partner at room temperature.

cooked beef or chicken

Make sure it is lean meat or chicken breast and that it is organic and free of antibiotics, preservatives, etc.

To prepare:Cook meat thoroughly by roasting or stewing. Cool the gravy and remove the congealed fat. (Note: Fat is good for Maltese, but not all fats, vegetable fats and amino acids are healthier for Maltese) Now go ahead and cut the meat into smaller pieces and serve. Alternatively, you can use ground beef to make it a lot easier.

chopped vegetables

Choosing a variety of vegetables makes up to 30% of the Maltese diet. Vegetables your Maltese can eat include squash, green beans, sweet potatoes and more.

Avoid other vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, beetroot, spinach and kale, as dogs have short digestive tracts that they cannot digest.

To prepare:Stew or steam vegetables in a little water until tender and mash or chop finely.

#2 dry food

Using dry food is an easy way to keep your Maltese full from time to time, and it is also readily available. Just ask your vet for a brand recommendation, or request one from the breeder you gave birth to.

Just be sure to buy specific brands and steer clear of generic brands as they can be harmful to your dog's health.

What you need to know about dry dog ​​food

Dogs prefer wet dog food to dry food. However, wet food is usually not the best choice for them as it can cause stomach upset, while dry food is better for dental health.

To spice things up a bit and give your puppy a boost, you can add some wet food, preferably the same brand as dry food, or add a little low-sodium beef broth to your dog's food.

Grain-filled and grain-free dog food

Grain-free dog food was the food of choice until recently, when 524 cases of serious heart disease in dogs were reported in the United States. These dogs eat a grain-free diet consisting primarily of potatoes, lentils, peas, and other legume seeds.

Avoid dog foods that contain these ingredients

• filler:These are worthless ingredients added to cheap dog food to make it look better than it is. They contain very few calories and are not absorbed by the body. It won't do your dog any good to pull it out the same way it pulls it in. Some fillers to watch out for are cottonseed hulls, citrus pulp, and wheat flour.
• Generic Meat Sources:If the meat in the dog food is not identified or named, it may be an attempt to cover up traffic accidents, dead zoo animals, poultry, or sick livestock that died on the way to the facility.
• unspecified by-products: They are often masked as bland ingredients, such as chicken by-products. These items are usually feet, claws, beaks, brains, spleen, etc. and are not fit for human consumption, nor for your dog.
• artificial additives: Since most allergies stem from additives, it is very important to stay away from foods that contain additives. Most commonly, they cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, skin deterioration, and allergic reactions such as rashes or thinning of the coat.

Buy dog ​​food with these properties

• Real food ingredients, no fillers:Look for a quality blend that contains only real food and no empty calories.
• No additions:Look for brands without chemical content.
• Actual meat source:Make sure you clearly state the origin of the meat. Acceptable meat sources include lamb, turkey, rabbit, chicken or pork.
• fish oil:Dog foods containing fish oil are great as they enrich the Maltese's skin and coat.
• fruit and vegetables:Dog food with fruits and vegetables provides a balanced diet and should be cherished.

#3 Supplements

Not all dogs need supplements, so it is imperative to talk to your vet about whether your Maltese is deficient in vitamins and needs supplements.

However, if your Maltese is under 6 years old, is in the proper weight range, and has no degenerative health issues, he probably doesn't need any supplements.

Let's list some of the most common supplements Maltese can take. However, this is not a complete list, so it will not be detailed. It is therefore recommended that you seek advice from a vet before giving your Maltese any supplements.

These are common supplements you can give your Maltese:

• Omega-3 facials
• probiotics
• calming supplements
• Daily vitamin and mineral supplement
• high-calorie dietary supplements

#4 canned foods

Look for reputable brands of canned goods packed with the nutrients Maltese need. Canned food can be a staple food for dogs.

However, it is recommended that your dog, especially puppies, not eat dry dog ​​food between meals or at midnight to avoid starvation and possible hypoglycemia.

Canned food suggestions include Nutro Ultra-Small Breed Recipe and Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed Recipe.

Likewise, if you want to buy canned food for your Maltese, check the ingredients list to make sure ingredients such as fillers, artificial additives, chicken by-products, and other common meat sources are not included.

The ideal canned food should contain high protein, fish oil and some healthy fruit.

Things to consider when choosing a Maltese diet

Maltese can be picky eaters

The Maltese is very different from many large dog breeds and even some other toy breeds. They can eat anything that smells like it once lived.

For whatever reason, Maltese will not hesitate to refuse any food they find unappealing or distasteful.

Maltese are prone to obesity

The Maltese is a small dog, weighing between 4 and 7 pounds. Due to their extremely small size, they can quickly become overweight.

Therefore, it is recommended to closely monitor their caloric intake and weight to manage the risk of obesity.

Maltese have fragile teeth

Maltese seem to have sensitive teeth as research has shown that they often suffer from dental problems. So when you choose dog food for him, you have to take his teeth into account.

For healthy Maltese teeth, it is recommended to feed dry kibble, because this keeps your puppy's teeth cleaner than wet food.

Therefore, if tooth decay and gum disease are part of your concerns in Malta it is often advisable and less expensive to steer clear of wet foods.

In addition, some high-quality kibbles have unique teeth-cleaning properties. It's a win-win because your pup can eat and have his teeth brushed at the same time.

Maltese can suffer from joint problems

Some Maltese develop joint problems such as canine arthritis, possibly due in part to their susceptibility to obesity.

Therefore, it is wise to choose foods rich in chondroitin and glucosamine, which can help prevent such problems and help repair any damage.

What should Maltese not eat?

There is a famous saying when it comes to feeding dogs: "If you don't eat it, don't feed it to your dog". Sounds like good advice, right?

Well, not exactly, because there are many things that are good for you, actually helpful, but dangerous and deadly for your dog.

Here's what you should never feed your Maltese:

• medicine
• gist
• onion and garlic
• coffee, tea and cola
• chocolate
• alcoholic beverages
• raw eggs
• leftover or spoiled food or waste
• Walnut
• Sugar-free gum and candies (xylitol)

#1 drug

All prescription and over the counter medications such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, cold remedies, antidepressants, cancer drugs and vitamins are very harmful and can be fatal to your dog. Do not give your dog any medications other than those prescribed by your vet.

# 2 Gist

The yeast used to make and rise bread should be kept out of the reach and sight of your Maltese.

If your dog eats yeast, it can cause stomach swelling, gas in the digestive tract, pain, possible stomach rupture and other potentially life-threatening complications.

#3 Onion and garlic

Both contain a chemical that can damage a dog's red blood cells and, in extreme cases, cause anemia. A small onion can end your dog's life.

Given how dangerous this can be, be as careful as possible when disposing of leftovers containing onions while also keeping onions out of a dog's reach and sight.

Keep in mind that onion and garlic powders found in most pet foods are safe and below toxic levels.

#4 Coffee, tea and coke

Coffee, tea and colas containing caffeine and methylamines can be toxic to your dog. Consuming any of these can cause rapid heartbeat, hyperactivity, tremors, and in extreme cases, death.

#5 chocolate

Chocolate is so dangerous that it can kill your dog in 24 hours. This is one of the most toxic things you can feed your Maltese.

Dark chocolate is indeed healthier for humans, but it turns out that the opposite is true for dogs: the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is.

The methylamines in chocolate can cause increased urination, vomiting, fast and irregular heartbeat, muscle tremors and seizures.

#6 Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol can be deadly to dogs, and even a small drop can get your dog into trouble. Therefore, best dog care practices will force you to keep your Maltese away from alcohol, yes, all types of alcohol.

#7 Raw eggs

While not necessarily poisonous, they can cause, contribute to, or cause food poisoning. Many vets do not approve of feeding raw eggs to dogs. However, hard-boiled scrambled and hard-boiled eggs can be a delicacy for your Maltese.

#8 Leftovers or spoiled food or garbage

These should be placed in the bin where they belong and kept away from your Maltese. Spoiled food is poisonous and can cause damage to internal organs, vomiting and diarrhea.

Be sure to pick up any leftovers from the family meal or after feeding the dog. Failure to do so will put your Maltese at risk of eating spoiled food, which could be detrimental to his health.

Your Maltese may also pick up a half-chewed bone and choke on it. To avoid these potential problems, take out the trash regularly and keep garbage cans out of Maltese's reach.

#9 WalnutSecond

With black walnuts, the problem is not the nut itself. Toxic mold often forms on the shells or bark of walnut trees. The fungus is a potent neurotoxin that can cause tremors and seizures.

Black walnuts are so poisonous that they are also toxic to horses and cause colic and laminitis.

#10 Sugar-free gum or candy (Xylitol)

Unlike the options you may think treats are harmless to your fur baby, they containXylitol, which can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop rapidly, which is definitely not a good thing.

final thoughts

Determining the best food and nutrition plan for your Maltese can be quite challenging, but the joys of owning a vibrant and healthy Maltese pet are priceless.

As mentioned repeatedly in this article, you should consult your veterinarian before deciding on a new formula. You can also consult a veterinary nutritionist to plan your Maltese's diet to meet all of the Maltese's nutritional needs.