Maltese Grooming Guide
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Complete Maltese grooming guide. minimal shedding management, bathing schedule, nail care, and professional grooming costs.
Grooming Schedule
Malteses have minimal shedding and require occasional brushing. While Malteses shed very little, regular grooming is still important for skin health and early detection of lumps or skin issues.
Between the 4-7 lbs adult size and 12-15 yrs lifespan, the Maltese has enough breed-specific care considerations that early familiarity with them pays off throughout ownership. Living with a Maltese means adapting to a moderate-energy companion that thrives on structure, appropriate exercise, and attentive health monitoring.
Health Awareness: Malteses carry known breed-associated risks including luxating patella, dental disease, collapsed trachea. A screening schedule tuned to those specific risks — which your vet can outline — is one of the highest-leverage moves you make as an owner, because most of these conditions are easier to treat earlier than later.
Brushing & Coat Care
Living with a Maltese means adapting to a moderate-energy companion that thrives on structure, appropriate exercise, and attentive health monitoring. Malteses with moderate energy levels strike a good balance between activity and relaxation.
- Size: small (4-7 lbs)
- Energy Level: Moderate
- Shedding: Minimal
- Lifespan: 12-15 yrs
Bathing
Care that accounts for breed predispositions leads to earlier detection and better prevention. For Malteses, the inputs that matter most are a small frame, a minimal shedding coat, and breed-level risk for luxating patella and dental disease.
Nail Care
- Maintain an occasional grooming routine
Ear & Dental Care
Comfort with this domain is what distinguishes deliberate care from day-to-day guesswork. Small tweaks based on how your pet actually reacts usually beat rigid adherence to a template.
Professional Grooming Costs
The difference between a manageable issue and a costly one is often just timing. Watch for early signs of luxating patella, maintain regular veterinary visits, and keep your dog at a healthy weight — excess weight worsens most of the conditions Malteses are prone to.
Veterinary Care Schedule for Malteses
Keeping up with preventive veterinary care is one of the most important things you can do for your Maltese. Use this as a starting point — your vet may adjust based on individual health.
| Life Stage | Visit Frequency | Key Screenings |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (0-1 year) | Every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 6 and 12 months | Vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuter (consult AVMA guidelines on optimal timing) consultation |
| Adult (1-7 years) | Annually | Physical exam, dental check, heartworm test, vaccination boosters |
| Senior (7+ years) | Every 6 months | Blood work, urinalysis, Luxating Patella screening, Dental Disease screening, Collapsed Trachea screening |
Malteses should receive breed-specific screening for luxating patella starting at 3-5 years of age or earlier if symptoms appear. The earlier you know, the more you can do about it.
Cost of Maltese Ownership
More Maltese Guides
Continue learning about Maltese care with these comprehensive breed-specific guides.
- Maltese Diet & Nutrition Guide
- Maltese Pet Insurance Cost
- How to Train a Maltese
- Maltese Health Issues
- Maltese Temperament & Personality
- Maltese Exercise Needs
- Maltese Cost of Ownership
- Adopt a Maltese