Can Maltipoos Eat Human Food? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Does your Maltipoo stare at you whenever you eat? Are you tempted to give them a bite of your food? Feeding your Maltipoo a bit of human food can feel like an act of love. However, not all human food is safe for dogs to eat. Learn what your Maltipoo can and can’t eat and when to consult a vet.

What Human Foods Can Maltipoos Eat?

This may vary greatly! What your Maltipoo can or can’t eat also depends on their age, general health, and any underlying health issues, such as food allergies. This means that while some dogs may be able to occasionally enjoy boiled egg, cooked and bone-free fish, turkey, chicken, beef, plain yogurt, cooked pumpkin, xylitol-free peanut butter, or blueberries, some dogs may develop a stomach upset tasting some of these foods. Meats should be fully cooked and free of bones and chunks of fats. Plain foods are best; avoid spices and sweeteners, and remember to always offer them to your dog in moderation.

Human foods are not a replacement for high-quality pet food. Your Maltipoo needs a balanced diet with the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for their life stage. Talk to a vet if you have any concerns about your Maltipoo’s diet or weight.

If you have a question about your dog's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for free? Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your dog.

Which Human Foods Can Be Toxic to Maltipoos?

There are several human foods that your Maltipoo shouldn’t eat.1 Some foods like dairy  aren’t toxic but can cause an upset stomach in some dogs that may be lactose intolerant or suffer from dairy food allergies. In case of food allergies, your Maltipoo may experience excessive itching and scratching. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs.

The foods you want to be most concerned about are the ones that can have serious consequences: alcohol, chocolate, avocado, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, coffee, any food containing xylitol, and yeast dough.

If your Maltipoo eats toxic food, quickly assess what they ate and the quantity. For example, some types of chocolate are more harmful than others. A vet will need to know if your Maltipoo ate a piece of baker’s chocolate or a milk chocolate bar. Then, call a vet or 24-hour animal clinic right away.

Is It Bad to Give Maltipoos Table Scraps?

Letting your Maltipoo lick your plate or eat your lunch leftovers isn’t the best idea. You and your dog have different dietary needs. Maltipoos that eat a lot of fat-heavy and empty calorie human food may be at risk of obesity and stomach upset, as well as pancreatitis, which research has linked to diabetes, and vice versa.

Another danger in giving your Maltipoo table scraps is the excess calories. A spayed or neutered 10-pound adult Maltipoo needs to eat around 349 calories each day.3 A few bites of human food can quickly add up and cause your dog to gain excess weight. Being obese has long-term health effects,  such as an increased risk for certain types of cancer, breathing issues, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, impacting their quality of life and reducing lifespan.

Overweight Maltipoos may have difficulty walking and getting enough exercise to stay healthy, further perpetuating poor health.

Final Thoughts

The best food you can give your Maltipoo is high-quality dog food formulated to meet all of their nutritional requirements based on AAFCO recommendations. Look for a formula that matches their life stage, health, and dietary needs. That being said, the occasional piece of safe human food in moderation may be okay for most dogs but generally isn’t something that is required. Avoid leftovers off your plate and go for single-ingredient plain foods like cooked meat and eggs, plain yogurt, or small xylitol-free treat of peanut butter, as long as your dog is not suffering with lactose intolerance or food allergies towards any of these ingredients.

Strictly avoid foods containing xylitol, as even small amounts of this artificial sweetener are very toxic to dogs. Consult with a vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist if you have any questions about what to feed your Maltipoo.

Featured Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels