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Can a Maltipoo Eat Human Food? Vet-Reviewed Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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Vet approved

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca

BVSc GPCert (Ophthal) MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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The Maltipoo is a mix between a poodle and a Maltese, and these dogs make wonderful family pets. Feeding your Maltipoo a balanced diet is important if you want to ensure they are kept healthy, and this includes adding some supplemental foods into their diet if advised by a veterinarian.

Some of these foods can be found in your kitchen, which can leave you wondering whether it is safe to be fed to your dog. As a general answer, Maltipoos should be fed a complete and balanced diet that does not require any extra human foods to be given. That being said, certain human foods can be offered to your Maltipoo as an occasional treat, always in moderation, and only the safe ones for your pup. Read on below to find out what, if any, human foods are safe for Maltipoos.

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Is Human Food Safe for Maltipoos?

Some human foods are safe for dogs, but they should all be fed in moderation. Your Maltipoo’s staple diet should consist of balanced and healthy dog food as this will provide them with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Certain human foods like chicken eggs, cooked and unseasoned plain meats, dairy, and fish can be safely fed to your dog without any harm, but only occasionally.

It is not a good idea to allow your Maltipoo to live off human foods unless you are following a vet-approved raw or cooked dog homemade diet, as doing so may result in nutritional deficiencies. Foods that are high in salt, sugars, fats, or potentially toxic ingredients for dogs should be avoided.

Human food is not a safer alternative for your Maltipoo, because dog food is specially formulated with your dogs’ nutritional requirements in mind and has a specific nutritional value suitable for dogs.

These human foods are safe to feed your Maltipoo (in moderation):
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Carrots
  • Cooked broccoli
  • Cooked chicken eggs
  • Unsalted and xylitol-free peanut butter
  • Cooked pork
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Plain cooked turkey
  • White or brown rice
  • Plain cooked salmon
  • Blueberries
  • Plain green beans

Always consult with your dog’s veterinarian before feeding them human foods. If your dog has health conditions such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, and food sensitivities, it is important to avoid foods that can aggravate their condition.

beef stew on white background
Image By: MaraZe, Shutterstock

Is a Maltipoo Prone to Digestive Issues?

Maltipoos can suffer from digestive issues, such as gastroenteritis and pancreatitis, which makes it important to feed them foods that do not promote these conditions. They can also suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, and any triggering foods should be limited in their diet or avoided if you are feeding them human foods.

Can a Maltipoo Eat Eggs and Cheese?

You can give your Maltipoo eggs and cheese in moderation, but the eggs should be cooked as raw eggs increase the risk of your dog becoming infected by Salmonella bacteria.

Cheese is safe for dogs who are not lactose intolerant, and it can be fed in small amounts, especially the fatty ones. Some dogs that aren’t lactose intolerant may still have mild stomach upsets from eating large quantities of cheese, mainly because they are rich in fats. A good dairy alternative to cheese would be plain Greek yogurt. Again, moderation is key.

Can a Maltipoo Eat Vegetables?

Vegetables are a great addition to many dogs’ diets, and they are rich in vitamins and fiber that can benefit your dog’s health. There are many beneficial vegetables that you can feed to your dog as a treat, but most of them will need to be cooked beforehand. Make sure any vegetables you feed to your Maltipoo are plain and have no oils or spices added.

Certain vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, and carrots contain fiber and antioxidants that are great for your dog’s health, and fiber is important for your Maltipoos digestive health. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and sweet potatoes are also high in fiber.

Steaming the vegetables before feeding them to your Maltipoo can make them easier to digest, and easier for your dog to chew.

a Maltipoo puppy eats from a metal bowl
Image By: marketlan, Shutterstock

Can a Maltipoo Eat Table Scraps?

If you face the issue of having a pair of cute eyes staring at you while you are eating your meals, avoid the temptation of giving your Maltipoo table scraps. Table scraps can be unhealthy for dogs, and seasoned food cooked in different sauces can be harmful to your dog’s health. Any bones that are left over after a meal are also not a good idea for dogs. Cooked bones can splinter and are not easily digested, so they can damage their digestive tract and also become a choking and a foreign body hazard.

Since Maltipoos are also prone to weight gain, feeding them fatty table scraps will not benefit their health and can do more damage than good. Any human foods that you feed to your Maltipoo should be prepared separately with no spices, oils, or sauces added.

Human Foods to Avoid Feeding to Maltipoos

Even though some human foods can be safe and even beneficial for Maltipoos, certain human foods can be harmful, and even toxic if your dog ingests them.

  • Pitted cherries: The pits, leaves, and stems in cherries contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs.
  • Avocado: Avo contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that is harmful to dogs.
  • Chocolate: The ingredient theobromine in chocolate cannot be metabolized by dogs and it is toxic.
  • Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine, which is toxic to dogs.
  • Garlic: Garlic and other plants from the Allium genus (such as onions and leeks) are toxic to dogs in any form: powdered, cooked, or raw.
  • Raisins/Grapes: Raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs and can be fatal, even in the smallest amounts.
  • Xylitol: This is a deadly ingredient in chewing gum and many human foods, like peanut butter, as a sugar replacement that is dangerous and even life-threatening for dogs if ingested.
  • Bread dough: Raw bread dough is irresistible to dogs, but it can cause problems when the dough expands in your dog’s stomach following yeast fermentation. The process also forms ethanol, which gets absorbed into the bloodstream causing toxicity. 

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Final Thoughts

Certain human foods can be offered to your Maltipoo as a very occasional treat, and always in tiny amounts. Maltipoos can safely enjoy many human foods if they are prepared appropriately. Any human foods that you feed to your Maltipoo should be plain and have no spices, oils, or sauces added.

Always be cautious when introducing new foods into your dog’s diet, especially if they have existing health issues, and get approval and guidance from your Maltipoo’s veterinarian as to what foods can be offered to your pup.


Featured Image Credit: Okssi, Shutterstock

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