Maltese Puppy Guide

Everything you need for a Maltese puppy's first year. Feeding schedule, training milestones, vaccination timeline, and health concerns for small breed puppies.

First Week Home

Bringing home a Maltese puppy is exciting but requires preparation. Small breed puppies mature faster but are more fragile. Handle your Maltese puppy gently and puppy-proof your home carefully.

At 4-7 lbs and 12-15 yrs of typical lifespan, the Maltese brings enough breed-specific nuance that informed owners consistently outperform unprepared ones. Whether you are researching the Maltese for the first time or deepening your knowledge as a current owner, the breed's toy lineage is the foundation for understanding their needs.

Feeding Schedule

Whether you are researching the Maltese for the first time or deepening your knowledge as a current owner, the breed's toy lineage is the foundation for understanding their needs. Malteses with moderate energy levels strike a good balance between activity and relaxation.

• Size: small (4-7 lbs)
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Shedding: Minimal
• Common Health Issues: Luxating Patella, Dental Disease, Collapsed Trachea
• Lifespan: 12-15 yrs

Vaccination Timeline

Knowledge of breed-specific characteristics directly translates to better day-to-day care. The care profile for Malteses is anchored by a small build, minimal coat shedding, and breed-associated risk for luxating patella and dental disease.

Any meaningful diet adjustment deserves a quick veterinary review first; interactions with existing medications and chronic-condition protocols are not always obvious from a web guide.

Socialization Window

• Provide 30–60 minutes of daily exercise appropriate to their energy level
• Feed a high-quality diet formulated for small breed dogs (400–800 calories/day)
• Maintain an occasional grooming routine
• Schedule breed-appropriate health screenings for luxating patella
• Consider pet insurance while your pet is young and healthy — premiums are lower and pre-existing conditions aren't an issue

House Training

Doing a good job on this part of Maltese Puppy Guide care is ultimately about judgement applied repeatedly over months, not about any single moment. Your pet will show you what works through appetite, energy, coat, and behavior, adjust based on that evidence.

First-Year Health Milestones

Early intervention consistently produces better outcomes and lower costs than reactive treatment for breed-associated conditions. 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. Your vet may modify this depending on your pet's history.

Malteses should receive breed-specific screening for luxating patella starting at 3-5 years of age or earlier if symptoms appear. Most breed-related conditions respond better to early intervention.

Cost of Maltese Ownership

• Annual food costs: $250–$500 for high-quality dog food
• Veterinary care: $300–$700 annually for routine visits, plus potential emergency costs
• Grooming: $30–50 per professional session (occasional home grooming recommended)
• Pet insurance: $25–40/month for comprehensive coverage
• Supplies and toys: $200–$500 annually for bedding, toys, leashes, and other essentials

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 Grooming Guide
• Maltese Health Issues
• Maltese Temperament & Personality
• Maltese Exercise Needs
• Maltese Cost of Ownership

What are the most important considerations for maltese?

Raising a young Maltese Puppy Guide requires attention to nutrition, socialization, vaccination schedules, and establishing good habits early.