The Maltipoo is a fun-loving and popular dog breed! Below you will find a comprehensive guide for choosing the best dog food for the Maltipoo breed.
We’ll also cover nutrition as well as food recommendations for Maltipoo puppies, adults, seniors, and Maltipoos with food sensitivities or allergies.
About the Maltipoo Breed
The Maltipoo (also known as the Moodle) is a cross between a poodle and a Maltese.
Often, the cross is with a Toy Poodle and Maltese rather than a Standard Poodle.
The Maltipoo is a toy dog and often weighs between 5 and 15 pounds, standing between 5 and 10 inches high at the shoulder.
Maltipoos typically live to around 15 years of age.
This fun-loving dog comes in a variety of colors, including brown, white, cream, black, peach, fawn, and grey.
Many Maltipoos are bi-colored and are a mix of white and another color. Additionally, their colors can change over time as they age.
These special dogs are a popular dog breed for a variety of reasons.
What’s nice is these are great dogs for novice owners and adapt well to apartment living.
They have friendly, outgoing personalities and are typically very intelligent, making them easy to train.
Additionally, they are great dogs for families and for people with allergies since they are considered hypoallergenic.
Best Dog Food for Maltipoo
1. Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Natural Dry Dog Food
Features
This brand features raw boosted kibble and freeze-dried raw chicken pieces mixed in.
This kibble is high in protein and well-balanced to meet your Maltipoo’s nutritional requirements.
Customer Sentiment
Many customers love to feed this product to their dogs.
The raw boosts and pieces are desirable and delicious for your furry friend.
The kibble is small in size and generally well-liked, even by picky eaters.
Pros
- Dogs really enjoy the raw bites mixed with raw boosted kibble
- Minimal processing and a simple, wholesome ingredient list
- Grain-free
- Contains probiotics and essential fatty acids
- Good for picky eaters
Cons
- Some customers report getting a small number of or no raw bites in their particular bag of food
2. Wellness Core, Grain Free – Protein Rich Dog Food
Features
This product is 100% natural and provides wholesome nutrition for your Maltipoo.
Wellness produces protein-rich kibble and boasts 80% more protein than traditional dog food brands.
Customer Sentiment
Wellness is loved by many customers, and there are a plenty of owners who swear by this brand.
Customers love the simple and nutritious ingredient list as well as the variety of options for dogs of all ages and sizes.
The grain-free small breed variety is a great option for your Maltipoo.
Pros
- Grain-free options are good for dogs with food sensitivities
- All natural with no by-products or artificial ingredients
- Manufactured in the United States
- Protein-rich
- Specifically formulated for small dogs
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other brands
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness, High Protein – Grain Free Dog Food
Features
Blue Buffalo products feature an ancestral diet that resembles what a dog or wolf would be eating in the wild.
The kibble is specially formulated with small dogs in mind.
Additionally, Blue Buffalo contains small kibble pieces and LifeSource Bits that boost the immune system and deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Customer Sentiment
Blue Buffalo is highly rated, has good quality, and is fair-priced.
Customers enjoy the variety of kibble and wet food options as well as the wholesome ingredient list.
Many Maltipoo owners report that this particular product helps with allergies and food sensitivities.
Pros
- Contains wholesome ingredients and no grains
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- No by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives
- Contains patented LifeSource Bits to support immune function and overall health
Cons
- Blue Buffalo did have a food recall in 2015, but current products on the market are safe
Best Maltipoo Puppy Food in the Market
1. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Maltipoo Puppy Food
Features
This particular Maltipoo puppy food is specifically designed for small dogs.
It contains wholesome, natural ingredients as well as added components to optimize growth and development.
Nutro aims to have clean ingredients, so this brand has no genetically modified organisms, artificial colors or flavors, or artificial preservatives.
Customer Sentiment
This brand is top-rated and works well for a large number of puppies.
Customers love the wholesome ingredients and specially designed formulas.
This brand has everything you need for a young Maltipoo.
Pros
- Made with farm-raised chicken and no genetically modified organisms
- Contains calcium to support bone growth
- Contains Omega-3 fatty acids to support proper growth and development
- Tailored specifically for small breed puppies
Cons
- A small number of customers report that this brand gave their puppy an upset stomach
2. Royal Canin, Small Puppy Dry Food
Features
This kibble is expertly formulated for small puppies under a year of age.
It is a great choice for your Maltipoo puppy since it will meet all their energy demands and support digestion, bone growth, and healthy development.
Also, the small kibble size and appetizing mix of ingredients make it a great choice.
Customer Sentiment
Royal Canin is a very reputable brand with high customer ratings.
Although this food is a little more expensive than other products, this kibble is designed to meet all the nutrition requirements for small-breed puppies.
Pros
- Small kibble size
- Specifically designed to meet the energy needs and nutrition requirements of small breed puppies
- Contains prebiotics and highly digestible proteins to support healthy digestion
Cons
- More expensive than other brands
- Some puppies do not like the taste
Best Dog Food for Senior Maltipoos
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Blue Buffalo sports a simple and natural ingredient list along with their patented LifeSource Bits.
This particular variety is great for senior Maltipoos, but Blue Buffalo has an extensive range of kibble and wet food options for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages.
Customer Sentiment
Overall, Blue Buffalo is highly rated. Consumers report that this kibble is easy to eat and digest for older small-breed dogs. This is an excellent quality kibble for a great price.
Pros
- Blue Buffalo comes in a variety of formulas for all stages of life
- Real meat is always the first ingredient
- Affordable
- Formulated to support joint health and the immune system
Cons
- Some customers reported that their bags came damaged when ordered online
- Some dogs are not fond of this particular brand
Best Dog Food for Maltipoo with Food Allergies
1. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin
Features
This product is specifically designed for small-breed dogs with sensitive stomachs. This dog food is made in the USA with high-quality ingredients.
The kibble is formulated to help dogs with both skin problems, digestive issues, and allergies. It also features a 100% money-back guarantee if the food does not work out for your dog.
Customer Sentiment
This product comes highly rated! Owners and small dogs alike seem to really enjoy this food.
Many customers report that this particular Hill’s formula helped their small breed dogs like Maltipoos, with skin issues, digestive upset, and allergies.
Pros
- Easy to digest
- Simple and wholesome ingredient list
- Nourishes the skin and coat
- Veterinarian Recommended
Cons
- More expensive than other brands
- On rare occasions, some dogs did not react well to this food
Maltipoo Diet and Nutrition Requirements
The Maltipoo has similar nutritional requirements as other toy dogs.
Dogs of all breeds require balanced and complete nutrition.
Although all pet foods are designed to meet these requirements, it is generally recommended that you feed your Maltipoo a brand specifically designed for small dogs.
Small dogs need more calories per pound than larger dog breeds.
This is because small dogs have higher metabolic rates than larger breeds.
Maltipoos, similar to other toy breeds, require a smaller kibble size.
Although they can eat larger kibble pieces, it is easier for them to chew and digest smaller pieces.
How to Properly Feed a Maltipoo
There are certain steps to take in order to properly feed your Maltipoo.
Always feed them the recommended amount for their weight and age.
Although it might be tempting, do not over-feed your Maltipoo, and limit the number and size of treats that you give them.
It is recommended that you feed your adult Maltipoo two small meals a day.
Puppies should have more frequent meals, up to five times a day. It is best not to free-feed your dog since this can lead to weight gain.
Additionally, feed your Maltipoo high-quality brands, and never abruptly change the type of food or this could lead to digestive upset.
Common Health Issues of the Maltipoo
The Maltipoo faces many of the same health concerns as the Poodle and Maltese.
Poodles are known for having sensitive stomachs, so it might be in your best interest to try grain-free or limited-ingredient food varieties.
What about teeth?
Additionally, many small dogs are at risk for developing dental problems due to their small mouth size.
Make sure you have regular dental checks by your vet.
You can also use tartar removing treats or brush your Maltipoo’s teeth.
High-quality kibble or dry dog food will also help remove tartar and plaque buildup from your dog’s teeth.
Avoid a fat Maltipoo!
Small dogs are also at risk for developing diabetes and obesity.
Diabetes can occur since small dogs have a harder time maintaining sugar levels.
Therefore, choose a food that does not have added sugar.
Obesity can occur if you over-feed your Maltipoo.
Small dogs put on weight quickly and easily, so make sure to feed your Maltipoo the recommended amount and ensure they get plenty of exercise.
Must-Have Ingredients for Maltipoos
It is important to ensure that your Maltipoo’s food meets the entirety of their nutritional requirements.
Because of this, there are certain must-have ingredients and others to avoid.
Below are some things to know about pet foods and the necessary ingredients for your Maltipoo.
Similar to human food, pet foods are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This means that pet food companies are legally required to list every ingredient on their food label, along with a guaranteed analysis of the components.
Additionally, there is a daily guideline for the amount of food to feed your pet based on weight.
Another thing to remember is that commercially produced pet foods are required to be nutritionally balanced for all life stages.
This ensures that the food meets all the requirements for protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
However, there are still some ingredients that are better than others.
In specific, look for high-quality protein sources. These can include meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood, and protein should be one of the first things on the label.
Other things to look for include fat, calcium, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids.
Health trends point to organic dog food and homemade dog food as great alternatives to traditional dog food.
Ingredients to Avoid
Unlike human food, pet food is usually produced under lower standards.
The majority of pet food is produced as feed-grade instead of human-grade.
However, there are plenty of high-quality brands on the market.
To determine high-quality pet food, there are certain ingredients to avoid for any dog breed, including the Maltipoo.
Byproducts
First, stay away from brands that list byproducts or rendered fat in their ingredients.
Byproducts can include either meat or grain meal byproducts and are not quality sources of protein or carbohydrates.
Rendered fat is usually added to enhance the flavor of kibble.
However, rendered fat can be a source of microbial contamination and toxins, especially if the pet food bag is not sealed correctly or the food is exposed to moisture.
Chemicals and Preservatives
Another component to avoid is dangerous chemicals and preservatives.
Specifically, Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), and Ethoxyquin might be harmful to your pet. BHT and BHA are chemicals added to fats and work as preservatives.
However, both of these compounds have been shown to have carcinogenic effects.
Ethoxyquin is another preservative chemical, and it is currently banned from being added to human food. However, it is still allowed in pet foods.
It is often used in conjunction with fish meal. Human safety data reports that Ethoxyquin can be harmful if swallowed or if there is skin contact.
In general, it is best to avoid food with artificial preservatives.
However, there are natural preservatives such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E that are a better alternative.
Avoid Artificial Colors and Dyes
Finally, make sure that the food for your Maltipoo avoids artificial colors and dyes.
In reality, your dog does not care about artificial coloring, and these ingredients are used for human appeal.
Artificial coloring components such as Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have been linked with food hypersensitivity, allergic reactions, behavior problems, and cancer in humans.
Additionally, caramel color has come into the spotlight recently as potentially harmful.
This is due to the fact that it contains the known animal carcinogen 4-methylimidazole (4-MIE).
Final Thoughts
Finding the best dog food for Maltipoos can be a trying process, especially if they are picky eaters or have digestive issues. In general, look for easy-to-read pet food labels with natural ingredients.
Many dogs with food sensitivities and allergies prefer foods that contain a single protein and single starch source.
If you ever need help finding the proper food for your Maltipoo, consult your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist.
