Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Finding a treat your Maltese can actually chew without hurting their tiny jaws or upsetting their stomach is tougher than it should be. You want something soft, healthy, and small enough that it doesn’t double as their entire daily meal.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
After digging through the options, these four picks stand out for being soft, low-calorie, and the right size for a Maltese — making them the top dog treats for maltese available right now if you prioritize easy chewing and healthy ingredients.
Quick Picks
- Healthybud Mini Salmon Dog Training Treats — Best Overall
- Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Dog Treats, Salmon — Trainer Approved
- Pet Botanics 20 oz. Pouch Training Rewards, Bacon — Best Value
- Gootoe Soft Dog Treats, Chicken Jerky Strips — Senior Friendly
How To Choose The Best Dog Treats for Maltese
Maltese dogs have small mouths and are prone to dental issues, which means a hard or crunchy treat can be a real problem. The texture is the first thing you need to check.
Pick soft and small
A treat that is too large or too hard is a choking hazard or just gets ignored. Look for treats described as “soft,” “chewy,” or “easy-to-break.” Mini sizes are ideal — you want something your Maltese can gum down in one or two bites without struggling.
Watch the calories per treat
Small dogs have tiny daily calorie budgets. A treat that is 10 or 15 calories could blow a quarter of their food intake. You want treats in the 1-3 calorie range per piece so you can reward freely during training without turning your dog into a round little cloud.
Check the ingredient list for sensitivity
Maltese are prone to food allergies and sensitive stomachs. Limited-ingredient treats with a single protein source and no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors are usually safer. Grain-free options can help, but not every dog needs grain-free — focus on what agrees with your dog.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Calories / Treat | Treats Per Bag | Texture | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthybud Mini Salmon | Ultra-low calorie rewards | 1 kcal | 500+ | Soft Nugget | Amazon |
| Cloud Star Tricky Trainers | Trainer-recommended daily use | 3 kcal | 360 | Soft & Chewy | Amazon |
| Pet Botanics Training Rewards | Best value in large quantity | 3 kcal | 500 | Soft & Chewy | Amazon |
| Gootoe Chicken Jerky Strips | Senior dogs with few teeth | — | 1 lb bag | Soft Strip | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Healthybud Mini Salmon Dog Training Treats
The calorie-savvy treat that packs brain-boosting superfoods into a tiny nugget.
If you want to reward your Maltese a dozen times during a training session without adding a single ounce of fluff, this is the one. Each tiny nugget is just 1 calorie — that is the lowest count on this list, and you get over 500 pieces per bag. Buyers report their dogs “LOVE these treats” and keep coming back for more even during nail trims and teeth brushing, which are usually the hardest tasks.
The texture is soft, which matters a lot for a small breed with a delicate mouth. The ingredients go further than most treats: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Salmon Oil are in the mix, all aimed at supporting brain health. Compared to the Pet Botanics bag below, this one gives you a similar number of treats but at a third of the weight (6.5 oz vs 20 oz), so the pieces are genuinely mini — perfect for a Maltese that doesn’t need a mouthful.
The bag contains over 500 treats, so it lasts. The brand is human-grade and grain-free, with no artificial additives, which is reassuring if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
What stands out
- Only 1 calorie per treat lets you reward freely
- Brain-health superfoods (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Salmon Oil)
- Soft, tiny nuggets are easy for small mouths
- Over 500 pieces per bag
The trade-off
- Lightweight bag (6.5 oz) feels small for the price
- Some dogs may prefer a crunchier texture
Best for calorie counters: If you train often and want guilt-free rewards that also support your dog’s brain health, grab the Healthybud bag and never worry about overfeeding.
Look elsewhere if: Your Maltese needs a larger, more substantial treat to feel satisfied — these are tiny pieces.
2. Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Dog Treats, Salmon
The go-to pick among professional trainers for a reason: it works every time.
Cloud Star’s Tricky Trainers are a staple for a reason. Professional trainers use and recommend these, and hundreds of dog owners back that up. Each tiny piece is 3 calories and the salmon flavor is highly palatable — meaning your Maltese will likely go wild for it. One reviewer noted the “small, soft texture allows halving with few crumbs,” which is a nice bonus if you want to stretch the bag even further.
The texture stays soft without drying out or crumbling, and a few owners mention they can even squish the treat around a pill to hide it. There is no wheat, corn, or artificial colors in the mix, and the salmon flavor is a natural source of omega fatty acids that can help your dog’s coat shine.
One trade-off: some dogs do lose interest over time if they eat the same flavor every day. The ingredients include cane sugar and glycerin, which a few buyers flagged as less-than-ideal. But for a medium-value training treat that keeps your Maltese’s attention during sessions, this is a solid choice.
Why it’s a winner
- Professional trainers recommend it
- Soft texture that doesn’t crumble or leave greasy hands
- Salmon flavor is highly motivating for picky eaters
- 360 treats per bag for long training sessions
Consider this
- 3 calories per treat adds up faster than the 1-calorie option
- Some dogs may get bored of the same flavor
Top training companion: If you need a reliable, soft, low-calorie treat that trainers trust and dogs love, the Cloud Star bag is a safe bet for daily sessions.
Not the best pick if: You prefer a treat with zero sugar or glycerin in the ingredients list.
3. Pet Botanics 20 oz. Pouch Training Rewards, Bacon
The budget-friendly giant that stuffs 500 treats into one big 20-ounce pouch.
If you go through treats fast, this is the bag that stretches your dollar the furthest. At 3 calories each and 500 pieces per bag, you get 39% more treats than the Cloud Star bag (360 pieces) for a similar price. Owners mention the “large 20oz bag lasts a month” and that the treats are “firm yet soft” — firm enough to break cleanly but soft enough for a Maltese to chew without pain.
The bacon flavor comes from real bacon plus pork liver, and the formula includes added botanicals. It contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and the bag is made in the USA. One buyer mentioned that the treats have a “strong, unpleasant smell,” so consider that if you are sensitive to odors. The texture is a bit more substantial than the Cloud Star treat, which some dogs prefer and others don’t.
Unlike the Gootoe strips that are single-ingredient, this one has a longer ingredient list, so it may not be ideal for dogs with extreme food sensitivities. But if your Maltese tolerates multi-ingredient treats and you want the best bang for your buck, this bag delivers.
Why it’s a great deal
- 500 treats per bag is the highest count here
- 20 oz pouch lasts a month even with daily training
- Small, soft treats work for all dog sizes
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Keep in mind
- Strong smell may be off-putting to some owners
- 3 calories per treat adds up faster than the 1-calorie option
- Longer ingredient list not ideal for extreme sensitivities
Best for heavy training: If you reward your Maltese dozens of times a day and want the bag to last, the Pet Botanics pouch is the most economical pick on this list.
skip it if: Strong smells bother you or your dog needs a limited-ingredient treat.
4. Gootoe Soft Dog Treats, Chicken Jerky Strips
The pure chicken strip that one Maltese owner described as “the perfect treat for my 14 yr old Maltese.”
This is the treat you reach for when your Maltese is a senior dog with dental problems. The chicken breast strips are soft and easy to break into any size you want — one reviewer with a 14-year-old Maltese said she “has 1/3 of her teeth left” and these strips are “soft and thin, so perfect.” The first ingredient is real chicken, and there are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, making it a clean, single-ingredient snack.
The texture is different from the nugget-style treats above: these are strips, not bits, so you will need to tear them into smaller pieces. At 1 lb per bag, there is no calorie count listed per piece, so you have to eyeball portions. Unlike the Healthybud option which counts every calorie for you, this one is a more rustic treat that relies on your judgment.
Some buyers have noted that the strip size varies between batches — sometimes they are long strips, other times they come broken into short pieces. The dogs do not seem to care, but it is something to know if you prefer uniform pieces.
What makes it special
- Single ingredient: real chicken, nothing else
- Soft, thin strips that senior dogs with few teeth can eat
- Low-fat, high-protein for a healthy snack
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Consider this
- No calorie count per treat means you need to portion manually
- Strip size can vary between batches
Senior dog essential: If your Maltese is older, has dental issues, or is a picky eater who loves chicken, these strips are a gentle, clean, and irresistible reward.
Not ideal if: You want a pre-portioned, calorie-counted treat for training sessions — this one is more of a manual snack.
Understanding the Specs
Calories per Treat
This is the single most important number for a small dog. A Maltese needs about 200-300 calories per day depending on size and activity. If a treat is 5 or 10 calories, just a handful wipes out a big chunk of their daily food. You want treats in the 1-3 calorie range so you can reward without thinking.
Texture and Size
Soft texture is non-negotiable for a Maltese. Their jaws are small and they are prone to dental disease. A hard treat can crack a tooth or be a choking hazard. Look for “soft,” “chewy,” or “easy-to-break” on the bag. Treats that crumble into pieces when you squeeze them are ideal for senior dogs.
FAQ
How many treats can I give my Maltese per day?
Are grain-free treats necessary for Maltese dogs?
How do I know if a treat is small enough for my Maltese?
Can I use these treats for puppy training?
What ingredients should I avoid in dog treats for a Maltese?
How long do these soft treats stay fresh after opening?
Are chicken treats safe for a Maltese with allergies?
Can I use these treats in a snuffle mat or puzzle toy?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most Maltese owners, the dog treats for maltese winner is the Healthybud Mini Salmon Treats because they balance 1-calorie guilt-free rewards with brain-healthy superfoods in a soft, tiny nugget. If you want a trainer-backed bag with a motivating salmon flavor, grab the Cloud Star Tricky Trainers. And for a senior dog with dental issues, the Gootoe Chicken Jerky Strips are the gentlest, cleanest option.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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