Toy group · Breed guide
Maltese: weight, routine and daily dose
Small white dogs with luxurious coats are thought to have been pampered pets in Mediterranean countries for centuries, and these form the ancestry of the Maltese. The Royal Kennel Club notes the suggestion that Phoenician traders took such dogs to Malta, that a Knight of Malta wrote of the breed’s long silky hair in 1805, and that the Royal Library of Malta holds an 1833 portrait of a dog very like today’s Maltese.
The breed standard describes a smart, white-coated dog with a proud head carriage — lively, intelligent, alert and sweet-tempered — standing no more than 25 cm at the withers. The RKC suggests up to 30 minutes’ exercise a day and daily grooming, while the AKC calls the Maltese hardy and adaptable despite its aristocratic bearing. For a dog this small, the routine is about tiny, measured meals and gentle consistency.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 1.5–3.5 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 1 tablet/day
- One bottle lasts
- 120 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 12 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Size: Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred.” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Maltese need?
A typical adult Maltese weighs 1.5–3.5 kg, which sits entirely in the Up to 10 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 1 tablet/day.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days | Every 12 weeks |
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Maltese
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablet/day | 120 days | 240 days | 360 days | from £0.17 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Maltese owners
- With up to 30 minutes’ exercise a day suggested, a Maltese’s routine is built more around meals, grooming and company than long walks, so keep mealtimes fixed as the anchor of the day.
- A tiny mouth can make a whole tablet awkward; crushing it into a teaspoon of food is often easiest.
- On a dog of only a few kilograms, a few titbits are a big share of the day’s food; keep extras tiny.
- Long hair around the mouth can hold food, so a gentle wipe after meals fits naturally into daily grooming.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Maltese: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Maltese have a day?
Typical adult Malteses weigh 1.5–3.5 kg, which is the Up to 10 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 1 tablet/day. Always use your own dog’s current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Maltese?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 1 tablet/day one bottle lasts 120 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
Is it easy to give a tablet to a dog as small as a Maltese?
Often the simplest way is to crush the tablet and mix it into a teaspoon of food, offered before the rest of the meal. DIGEST+ can also be eaten directly if your dog is happy to take it that way. If your dog has any difficulty eating, speak to your vet.
How do I weigh a Maltese accurately?
Bathroom scales are rarely precise at this size; kitchen or baby scales, or your vet’s scales, give a truer figure. The AKC describes the Maltese as under 7 pounds, about 3 kg, with 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Ask your vet what a healthy weight looks like for your dog.
Can every Maltese have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Maltese is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Maltese Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Maltese – Breeds A to Z — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Maltese breed standard — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated