10 Best Food For Maltese Puppies in 2026

Royal Canin designs this kibble specifically for puppies with an expected adult weight of 8 pounds or less, which matches the needs of many tiny breeds. That targeted formulation means the kibble size, calorie density, and nutrient profile are built around the fast growth and high energy needs of a small puppy. The crunchy texture encourages chewing, and the prebiotics plus antioxidants work on two fronts: keeping the digestive tract steady and the immune system supported during those vulnerable early months. For anyone raising a puppy under 8 pounds adult weight who wants a food matched to their dog’s exact size and stage, this is a direct fit.

The trade-off here is portion control versus bag size. At 3 pounds, this bag is noticeably smaller than the 4- or 5-pound bags from competitors like Purina Pro Plan Small Breed or Victor Hi-Pro Plus. If you have a single Maltese puppy, that bag will last a reasonable stretch, but owners with multiple small dogs or those who prefer buying in bulk will find themselves reordering more often. Compared to the Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach option, this Royal Canin formula doesn’t target sensitive skin or digestion specifically, it focuses on general growth and immune support. For a Maltese with known food sensitivities, the Purina might be worth a look, but for a straightforward, breed-specific starter food, this one does exactly what it says.

Real salmon is the number one ingredient in this puppy food, providing a high-protein start with fish oil that delivers DHA and EPA for heart, brain, and vision development. The rice base is easy to digest, and the prebiotic fiber nourishes specific intestinal bacteria to support digestive health. Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A help maintain healthy skin and a lustrous coat. This formula is built for puppies whose digestive systems need a gentler touch, without sacrificing the nutrition a small breed needs during growth.

The bag is only 4 pounds, so you will be reordering more often than with a larger bag like the 12.5-pound Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites. That might be worth considering if you prefer fewer trips to the store. And while salmon is a great protein source for many puppies, some may do better with a chicken or turkey base such as the Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy, so pay attention to how your pup handles it. For a sensitive stomach formula that covers digestion, skin, and brain development in one bag, this is a well-thought-out option.

The trade-off is that this formula contains grains, so if your puppy has a confirmed grain sensitivity, you’d want to look at the grain-free Wellness CORE Small Breed Puppy instead. Compared to Royal Canin X-Small Puppy, which is also a small kibble, Wellness provides a different ingredient profile without artificial colors or preservatives. It is a natural choice for owners who want to avoid artificial additives.

Real beef is the very first ingredient, which means your Maltese puppy gets a high-quality protein source to support lean muscle growth right from the start. That matters because small breeds pack a lot of energy into a tiny frame, and they need efficient nutrition without fillers. This formula also includes DHA for brain and vision development, plus prebiotics and probiotics to help establish a healthy gut during those delicate early months. It’s a straightforward, protein-forward recipe that skips corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors, so you’re not feeding your puppy anything unnecessary.

This food includes gluten-free ancient grains, so it’s not grain-free, but that’s fine for most puppies without digestive sensitivities. The first ingredient is real beef, which provides high-quality protein for lean muscle growth. For a puppy with a sensitive stomach, the Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach formula uses salmon and rice, which some owners find gentler.

Chicken meal is the first ingredient, supplying essential amino acids for healthy muscle growth in growing puppies. The formula also includes prebiotics and probiotics to foster a healthy digestive system, plus brown rice, oatmeal, and barley for easily digestible carbohydrates that provide sustained energy. This combination supports both gut function and overall well-being for small and medium breed puppies.

The 4-pound bag is smaller than the 6-pound Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Food Chicken & Rice option. Because it’s chicken-based, it won’t work for a puppy with a known poultry sensitivity; you’d need to look at the salmon-based Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach instead. For most puppies, the probiotic support here offers a straightforward way to support digestive health.

DHA from omega-rich fish oil supports brain and vision development in growing puppies, and real chicken is the first ingredient for high protein that active small breeds need. The guaranteed live probiotics add digestive and immune support, which can be helpful for puppies with sensitive stomachs. This is a straightforward recipe built around the nutritional needs of a developing small-breed puppy.

For puppies without poultry sensitivities, this formula delivers targeted DHA from fish oil for brain and vision development plus guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health. Real chicken is the first ingredient, and the high protein content meets the needs of highly active small dogs. If your puppy has shown signs of poultry sensitivity or you prefer a grain-free approach, you will need to look elsewhere.

Chicken is the very first ingredient in this formula, so your Maltese puppy gets a protein-packed start that supports steady growth and energy for those zoomie sessions. The inclusion of DHA targets brain development during those critical early months, while the antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits add an extra layer of immune support. This combination makes it a strong fit for small-breed puppies whose owners want a protein-forward recipe without the filler ingredients like corn, wheat, or soy.

Chicken is the #1 ingredient in this Blue Buffalo puppy food, which means your small breed pup gets real meat first for high-protein growth. The 4-pound bag is convenient for first-time buyers wanting to test the recipe, though you’ll reorder sooner than with a larger bag like Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Food’s 6-pound option. DHA supports cognitive development, and the antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits help back up the immune system during those early months.

With 53% high-quality protein ingredients, this kibble provides a protein-rich foundation for a growing puppy’s muscle development. The guaranteed DHA supports brain development, while probiotics aid digestive health, both helpful for small breeds with sensitive systems. Calcium and phosphorus are included for healthy bone and muscle growth. This grain-free recipe contains no corn, wheat, or soy, making it a good option for owners who want to avoid those ingredients.

The 53% protein from turkey and salmon supports lean muscle and healthy bone growth in small-breed puppies, so active little dogs get the fuel they need without fillers. The 4 lb bag is compact enough for small kitchens or travel, but you will need to reorder more often than with a 6 lb bag from Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Food. Because the kibble is made in a facility that also processes grains, owners of puppies with grain allergies should check with their vet before switching.

The kibble is shaped for miniature jaws and picky appetites, which means tiny mouths can grip and chew it easily. The formula includes clinically proven antioxidants (vitamins E and C) to support immune development during puppyhood, plus DHA for brain development. For owners keeping a small indoor puppy, the prebiotic and fiber blend helps reduce stool odor and volume, a practical benefit for smaller living spaces.

This bag is just 2.5 pounds, so you’re buying more frequently than with the 4-pound bags from Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Puppy Food or Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy Dry Food. That matters if your puppy goes through food quickly or if you prefer buying in bulk. Also, this formula is for indoor small breeds with an expected adult weight of 9-22 pounds, which fits most small puppies. But if your puppy is on the extra-small end, the Royal Canin X-Small Puppy formula targets that lower weight range more precisely.

A 12.5-pound bag of small-bite kibble from the #1 Veterinarian Recommended brand gives you a formula that vets recommend most often. The DHA from fish oil supports brain and eye development, while balanced minerals help growing bones and teeth. For owners who want a vet-recommended option without second-guessing ingredients, this is a straightforward choice.

This is a chicken and brown rice recipe, so if grain sensitivity or a novel protein is a concern, you would need to look elsewhere. For example, the salmon-based Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach formula is an alternative. But for most puppies with normal digestion, the antioxidant immune support and small kibble size make this an easy daily feed. Just be ready to store a larger bag than the 3-pound options from Royal Canin or Wellness.