As a veterinary nutritionist, the question I hear most often from Maltese owners is simply, how much should I actually be putting in the bowl. It is a fair question, because the feeding guides printed on dog food bags are written for an enormous range of body sizes, and a 5-pound Maltese sits at the very bottom of that scale. Overfeeding by even a tablespoon a day adds up quickly on a dog this small.
The right amount changes as your dog moves from puppyhood to adulthood to the senior years, and it shifts with activity, spay or neuter status, and the calorie density of the food you choose. Below I will give you practical starting points by age, then show you how to read your own dog’s body to fine-tune the portion. The goal is always the same, a lean, energetic Maltese with a visible waist.
What You Will Need
Before you settle on a portion, gather a few basics so you can feed accurately and consistently. Eyeballing food is the most common reason small dogs gain weight.
- A quality complete and balanced dog food appropriate for your dog’s life stage.
- A proper measuring cup or, ideally, a kitchen scale for precise grams.
- Your dog’s current accurate weight from a recent vet visit.
- The calorie count per cup, listed on the bag or available from the maker.
- A simple log to track weight and portion changes over time.
- Fresh water available at all times.
Step by Step: How to Feed a Maltese the Right Amount
Use these steps as a feeding chart and method combined. Treat the amounts as starting points, then adjust based on your individual dog’s body condition.
Newborn to 8 Weeks
Puppies nurse or take a puppy milk replacer, then transition to softened puppy food around four weeks. This stage is managed by the breeder, and weaning should be gradual.
8 Weeks to 6 Months
Feed a quality puppy formula three to four times a day in small portions. Frequent meals prevent hypoglycemia. Follow the bag’s puppy guide for your dog’s projected adult weight, usually small amounts at each sitting.
6 to 12 Months
Move to three meals a day, then two as your dog matures. Begin transitioning toward an adult formula near the end of this window, mixing old and new food over a week.
Adult, 1 to 8 Years
Feed roughly a quarter to half a cup of adult food daily, split into two meals, scaled to weight and activity. A 4-pound dog needs less than a 7-pound dog. Adjust to keep the waist visible.
Senior, 8 Years and Older
Older Maltese are often less active and may need slightly fewer calories to avoid weight gain. Keep meals twice daily and ask your vet whether a senior formula suits your dog’s teeth and health.
Calorie density varies widely between foods, so a half cup of one brand is not the same as a half cup of another. Always start with your specific food’s feeding guide for your dog’s weight, then use body condition to fine-tune up or down.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Small dogs are easy to overfeed because the portions are so tiny that a little extra looks harmless. These are the slip-ups I see most often.
Free-feeding by leaving a full bowl out all day makes weight control nearly impossible and hides appetite changes that can signal illness. Overdoing treats is the other big one, since a few biscuits can equal a meal’s worth of calories for a 5-pound dog. Avoid rich table scraps entirely, and never use a regular human measuring cup loosely packed and rounded over, which can double the intended portion.
Tips for Success
A few simple habits make feeding a Maltese far easier and keep your dog at a healthy weight for life.
Weigh or measure every meal the same way each time, and recheck the portion whenever your dog’s weight changes by half a pound or more. Feed on a consistent twice-daily schedule, use part of the daily food as training rewards instead of extra treats, and weigh your dog monthly at home so you catch trends early. A lean Maltese moves better, has healthier teeth, and tends to live longer.
When to Get Professional Help
Feeding charts are a starting point, not a prescription, and some situations call for your veterinarian’s input rather than a generic guide.
Contact your vet if your Maltese is losing or gaining weight despite steady portions, refuses food for more than a day, or shows weakness, trembling, or wobbliness that could indicate low blood sugar, which is an urgent concern in puppies. You should also seek tailored advice if your dog has a medical condition such as a liver shunt, dental disease, or pancreatitis, since these often require a specific therapeutic diet. A nutrition consultation is well worth it for any dog whose weight you simply cannot get right at home.
Safety note: Many common human foods, including grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, and anything sweetened with xylitol, are toxic to dogs, so keep them well out of reach and contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 if your Maltese eats something questionable.