Maltipoos are gorgeous little designer dogs that are crosses between a pure-bred Maltese and a Toy Poodle. They are well-behaved, loving, and eager to please their owners. As a pet parent, you probably already know that small breeds need a certain type of food to be healthy and happy.

It’s best to feed your tiny pooch dry kibble because of the dental issues they’re prone to developing. However, more than a few foods are available to feed your Maltipoo, so it can get confusing and a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to choose the best one.

You’ll need to consider everything from the age of your tiny furry friend to whether they have any allergies or not. That’s why we’re here to help and provide you with our top 9 reviews of the best dog foods on the market today for your Maltipoo. Let’s get started!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 9 Best Dog Foods for Maltipoos

1. Ollie Fresh Lamb Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall dog food for Maltipoos is the Ollie Fresh Lamb and Cranberries diet. The recipe is prepared from simple, whole-food ingredients like lamb, kale, rice, and cranberries and shipped directly to your home. It’s a great option for owners who like the idea of a homemade diet for their Maltipoos but worry that it won’t be nutritionally balanced.

Ollie’s meals are prepared with input from veterinarians and meet all minimum requirements for nutrition. The soft texture of the food is ideal for small mouths or Maltipoos suffering from dental disease. Picky eaters also enjoy the taste of Ollie, with many satisfied users testifying to this fact.

Because it does not contain chicken and other common allergens, this recipe may be suitable for Maltipoos with food sensitivities. However, Ollie tends to be more expensive than other commercial brands and doesn’t ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international addresses at this time.

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2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

The best dog food for Maltipoos for the money is Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food. This is an affordable blend that most dogs enjoy the taste of. This kibble is an excellent source of protein, containing 26% overall, and the first-listed ingredient is farm-raised chicken. The kibble also contains essential vitamins and minerals like cranberries, carrots, apples, and brown rice. Rachael Ray is a trusted food celebrity, so you know the brand can also be trusted.

For Maltipoos, this kibble may be a bit too large and stain the fur around their mouths.

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3. Blue Buffalo Freedom Dry Dog Food

Our premium choice of dog food for Maltipoos goes to Blue Buffalo Freedom Dry Dog Food. It contains 26% protein overall, with real chicken listed as the first ingredient. This food works great for Maltipoos with digestive issues, skin issues, or even food sensitivities. The kibble also supports enhanced energy, and the bite-sized nuggets are excellent for your dog’s small mouth and teeth. In addition, the blend contains LifeSource Bits, a combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help keep your pup healthy.

We have seen that some bags have very few of these bits included, and some pups pick around these bits or out and out refuse to eat them.

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4. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food

If your Maltipoo is just a puppy, you’ll want a food suitable for their age and size. Our recommendation for Maltipoo puppies is the Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food. This kibble contains 29% protein overall and is made especially with small-breed puppies in mind. The blend aids with a growing puppy’s digestion and has all the vitamins and minerals needed for your pup to grow into a healthy, happy, full-grown dog.

There have been reports of some of the ingredients being lower quality than other puppy foods, and we’ve had reports of some dogs being sensitive to the food and developing an upset stomach from it.

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5. Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Dry Dog Food

Another good dog food for Maltipoos is Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Dry Dog Food. It has a protein content of 26% and is certified as USDA Organic. The first ingredient listed is organic, free-range chicken, making it a great protein source for your Maltipoo. Designed with small breeds in mind, the small kibble is perfect for tiny mouths and teeth.

There has been an FDA alert put out about grain-free dog foods possibly causing heart disease that you might want to consider, though, and some owners reported their dogs becoming sick after eating this kibble. It’s also quite expensive but is a high-quality dog food that you should certainly consider for your furry friend.

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6. Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food

At number five on the list is Nature’s Recipe Small Breed Dry Dog Food. Made with chicken, sweet potato, and pumpkin, this is a kibble blend that most dogs love. It contains 24% protein overall and is specially made for pups with sensitive stomachs. In addition, the kibble blend is grain and gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for your canine. It’s easy to digest, and the small kibble is the perfect size for any Maltipoo pup.

This blend might not be suitable for dogs with food allergies as it contains pea protein, so consult your vet before giving your dog this kibble.

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7. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

At number seven on our list is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food. This brand is affordable for almost any budget and features small kibble, making eating easy for small-breed pets. Dogs enjoy the taste of this food, which is known to boost immunity with the added essential vitamins and nutrients. The blend contains 21% protein overall to satisfy the requirements for a healthy, happy puppy.

We did find that the formula had been changed recently to include green beans, broccoli, and corn, which has caused digestive problems for some pets. In addition, some owners reported their dogs having an upset stomach after eating this food.

• See also: 8 Best Dog Foods for Standard Poodles: Reviews & Top Picks

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8. Nature’s Logic Canine Dry Dog Food

At number nine on our list is Nature’s Logic Canine Dry Dog Food, which is packed with protein at 36% overall! The food is 100% natural and free from chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, and the included probiotics and digestive enzymes encourage good digestion. Also, the food and packaging are produced with 100% renewable electricity, making it great for your dog and the environment.

There have been reports of this kibble being both too hard to chew and too large for some small breeds. It’s possible that it could cause stomach issues for pups with food allergies, too, so if you’re unsure if this is the right food for your Maltipoo pup, it’s best to consult your vet before giving this kibble a try.

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9. Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog food

 

Last but not least on our list is the Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food. This turkey and chicken recipe contains 36% protein overall from turkey, chicken, and salmon and is made with all-natural ingredients. It also has a smaller kibble size for easy eating and is fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals for a complete, balanced meal for your young pup.

Some owners reported their dogs developing upset stomachs and having skin allergies after eating this food. If you aren’t sure whether your dog has sensitivity issues regarding his stomach or skin, contact your vet. Some issues with quality control have been reported for this product, too.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Your Maltipoo

As you know, small-breed dogs need special attention regarding their diets, and your little Maltipoo is no different than the rest. Now that you’ve seen our reviews of the best dog foods for your Maltipoo, you may be wondering how to choose which one is the best fit for your small pup. We’ll help by giving you a few of the things you should look for in each bag of kibble in our buyer’s guide below:

Energy Levels

If your Maltipoo is active and energetic, you will want dog food that can keep up with your pet. Most of the foods we recommend have quite a bit of protein, which is needed to keep up with your pet’s active life. It is best to avoid foods with fillers and meat by-products if possible—real meat is always your best bet as one of the top three ingredients.

Shape, Size, and Texture of the Kibble

While you wouldn’t think kibble’s texture, shape, and size would be that important, it is with Maltipoos since they are small breed dogs. Your pup needs a kibble size that works for their little mouths. It’s best to search for a kibble that’s crunchy in texture to help clean your Maltipoo’s teeth and to help avoid dental issues in the future.

Joint and Stomach Health

Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are essential to the continued health of your small-breed dog. Make sure that you look for kibble that contains all three of these essentials in abundance. If you find that your little one suffers from a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to search for a kibble with plenty of probiotics and prebiotics.

It’s also essential to take care of your pet’s joint health, so make sure the kibble includes glucosamine and chondroitin, too, if possible. If you’re unsure what the best choice of food is for your pet with a sensitive stomach, then it’s best to contact your vet for guidance.

Grains or Grain-Free?

It’s important to note that the FDA has issued an alert for grain-free dog food products. If you’re concerned about giving your pet grain-free food, try it briefly and talk to your vet to determine the best course of action for your dog.

These are just some of the things that you should search for when looking for the best kibble for your Maltipoo pal. Remember, small breed dogs have very specific diet requirements, especially if they have stomach sensitivities or food allergies, so be careful with your choices.

Final Thoughts

This concludes our guide and reviews on the best foods for Maltipoos. Our top choice overall is the Ollie Fresh Lamb & Cranberries, which offers amazing nutrition, convenience, and flavor that is perfect for any Maltipoo. Next, our best food for the money goes to Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food for its affordability and farm-raised chicken content. Finally, our third choice went to Blue Buffalo Freedom Dry Dog Food for its bite-sized kibble.

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Featured Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock