Maltese & Maltese Puppies: The Complete Care Guide

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world, prized for centuries as a companion dog. With their flowing white coat, gentle temperament, and affectionate nature, Maltese dogs have a way of wrapping themselves around your heart. But behind that adorable exterior is a dog with specific care needs — particularly when it comes to grooming, training, and health.

This guide is written for anyone researching the Maltese breed, whether you're considering bringing home a Maltese puppy or you already share your life with one. We'll cover everything from breed temperament and puppy care to grooming, training, health, and how to avoid the pitfalls of buying from a bad breeder. If you're looking for a broader overview of the breed itself, our Maltese dog breed guide is a great companion read.

Maltese Breed Overview & Temperament

The Maltese is a small, elegant toy breed that typically weighs between 4 and 7 pounds and stands 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder. They are known for their single coat of long, silky white hair — there is no undercoat, which means they shed very little compared to most breeds. This makes them a popular choice for people looking for hypoallergenic dog breeds, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Despite their delicate appearance, Maltese are surprisingly sturdy and energetic little dogs. They love to play, go for short walks, and follow their humans from room to room. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them quite trainable — but they also have a stubborn streak and can be sensitive to harsh corrections.

Temperament at a Glance

• Affectionate and loyal: Maltese form deep bonds with their owners and often become velcro dogs, wanting to be near you at all times.
• Gentle and playful: They are excellent companions for older children and gentle adults, though they may be too fragile for very young children.
• Alert and vocal: Maltese make good watchdogs because they alert you to visitors or unusual noises — but this also means they can become excessive barkers if not trained.
• Adaptable to apartments: Their small size and moderate exercise needs make them well-suited to apartment living, as long as they get daily walks and playtime.
• Sensitive to stress: They are prone to separation anxiety and can be sensitive to loud noises and chaotic environments.

Maltese Puppy Care

Bringing home a Maltese puppy is exciting, but it's also a big responsibility. Maltese puppies are tiny, fragile, and highly impressionable. The first few months set the foundation for their entire life, so it's worth getting the details right.

Preparing Your Home for a Maltese Puppy

Before your puppy arrives, you'll need a few essentials. A small crate or puppy pen is essential for safe confinement and potty training. Choose a crate that's just big enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. You'll also want shallow food and water bowls, a soft bed, and plenty of safe chew toys. Our complete puppy supplies checklist covers everything you need.

Puppy-proofing is especially important with a tiny breed. Get down on the floor and look for hazards from your puppy's perspective: electrical cords, small objects that could be swallowed, toxic plants, and gaps under furniture where a puppy could get stuck. Our guide to puppy-proofing your home has a room-by-room checklist.

Feeding Your Maltese Puppy

Maltese puppies have small stomachs and high energy needs. Feed them a high-quality puppy food specifically formulated for toy breeds, and divide their daily ration into 3-4 small meals. Free-feeding is not recommended for Maltese because they can be picky eaters and are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they go too long without eating.

Keep treats tiny — a pea-sized piece of chicken or a small training treat is plenty. Overfeeding treats is a common cause of weight gain and picky eating later in life. For more detailed guidance, see our article on the best feeding schedule for puppies.

Potty Training and Crate Training

Maltese puppies are small, so their bladder control is limited. Expect to take them out every 1-2 hours during the day, and possibly once or twice at night for the first few weeks. Consistency is key: take your puppy to the same spot each time, reward immediately after they go, and never punish accidents. Our fast and easy potty training guide walks you through the process step by step.

Crate training is another essential skill. A crate gives your puppy a safe den and makes house training and travel much easier. Feed your puppy in the crate, toss treats inside, and never use the crate as punishment. Our guide to step-by-step crate training will help you avoid common mistakes.

Grooming & Coat Care

The Maltese's flowing white coat is their crowning glory — and their biggest grooming challenge. Unlike many breeds, Maltese have hair rather than fur, which means they don't shed much but do require daily maintenance to prevent tangles and mats.

Brushing and Combing

Daily brushing is non-negotiable if you want to keep your Maltese's coat in good condition. Use a slicker brush to remove loose hair and prevent tangles, followed by a metal comb to check for knots close to the skin. Pay special attention to the ears, armpits, and hindquarters — these are the areas most prone to matting.

If you prefer a shorter, more manageable coat, many Maltese owners choose a "puppy cut" — a trim that keeps the hair short all over. This is a practical choice for busy owners and is also more comfortable for the dog in hot weather. Our guide to complete dog grooming covers tools and techniques for all coat types.

Bathing and Ear Care

Bathe your Maltese every 1-2 weeks using a gentle dog shampoo. Maltese skin can be sensitive, so avoid harsh or perfumed shampoos. Our article on choosing the best dog shampoo can help you pick a suitable formula.

Maltese ears are floppy and can trap moisture, making them prone to infections. Clean the ears weekly with a dog-specific ear cleaner and check for redness, odor, or discharge. Our guide to cleaning dog ears correctly shows you how to do this safely.

Nail Trimming and Dental Care

Trim your Maltese's nails every 2-4 weeks. Because they are small and often walk on soft surfaces, their nails can grow quickly and cause discomfort if not maintained. Use sharp nail clippers and have styptic powder on hand. See our guide to safe nail trimming for step-by-step instructions.

Dental disease is common in small breeds like the Maltese. Brush your dog's teeth daily if possible, using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Our article on dog dental care at home explains how to make brushing a positive experience.

Training & Socialization

Maltese are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be stubborn and sensitive. Positive reinforcement training — rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, or play — is by far the most effective approach. Harsh corrections will damage your bond and can make your Maltese fearful or reactive.

Essential Commands for Maltese

Start with the basics: sit, stay, come, leave it, and loose-leash walking. Keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes) and fun, and always end on a positive note. Maltese can get bored quickly, so vary the rewards and incorporate play into your training sessions. Our guide to teaching the sit command is a good starting point.

Recall is especially important for small dogs, who can easily slip through gates or get spooked by loud noises. Practice recall in a safe, enclosed area and make coming to you the best thing in the world. Our article on teaching the come command covers how to build a reliable recall.

Socialization from an Early Age

The critical socialization period for puppies is between 3 and 14 weeks of age. During this window, expose your Maltese puppy to as many positive new experiences as possible: different people, sounds, surfaces, and gentle handling. This helps prevent fear and anxiety later in life. Our guide to the critical puppy socialization period explains how to do this safely before vaccinations are complete.

Health & Common Issues

Maltese are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12-15 years. However, like all breeds, they are prone to certain genetic and acquired health conditions. Being aware of these issues helps you recognize problems early and work with your vet to manage them.

Common Health Concerns in Maltese

• Dental disease: Small breeds are especially prone to tartar buildup and periodontal disease. Regular brushing and professional cleanings are essential.
• Patellar luxation: A condition where the kneecap slips out of place. It can cause lameness and may require surgery in severe cases.
• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar, especially common in puppies and very small adults. Feed small, frequent meals and watch for signs of weakness or trembling.
• White shaker syndrome: A neurological condition causing tremors, more common in small white dogs. It's treatable with medication.
• Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt): A congenital condition where blood bypasses the liver. Puppies with this condition may be small, lethargic, or have neurological signs.
• Tracheal collapse: A weakening of the windpipe that causes a honking cough. Using a harness instead of a collar can reduce strain on the trachea.

Regular veterinary checkups are your best defense against these conditions. Healthy adult Maltese should see the vet annually, while senior dogs (7+ years) benefit from twice-yearly visits with bloodwork. Our guide to dog vaccination schedules outlines the core vaccines your Maltese needs.

Preventive Care

Year-round parasite prevention is essential for Maltese, even if they spend most of their time indoors. Fleas and ticks can be brought inside on clothing or other pets, and heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. Our article on effective parasite prevention covers the options available.

Because Maltese are prone to dental disease, professional dental cleanings may be recommended every 1-2 years, depending on your dog's individual needs. Our guide to dog dental cleaning explains what to expect.

Nutrition & Feeding

Maltese are small dogs with relatively high metabolisms, but they can easily become overweight if overfed. Obesity puts extra strain on their small joints and can exacerbate conditions like patellar luxation and tracheal collapse.

Choosing the Right Food

Look for a high-quality dog food that meets AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition. For toy breeds, a small kibble size is easier to chew. Foods formulated for small breeds often have higher calorie density and smaller pieces, which is ideal for Maltese. Our guide to choosing the best dry dog food can help you evaluate labels.

Some Maltese are picky eaters and may benefit from a mix of dry and wet food, or a food topper to entice them. Our article on dog food toppers has safe, healthy options.

Feeding Guidelines

• Adult Maltese: Feed 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals. Adjust based on your dog's activity level and body condition.
• Puppies: Feed 3-4 small meals daily until 6 months of age, then transition to 2-3 meals daily.
• Seniors: Older Maltese may need fewer calories and more easily digestible food. Consider a senior-specific formula.

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. Use small pieces of lean meat, cheese, or commercial training treats. Our guide to choosing the best dog treats has more ideas.

Finding a Reputable Maltese Breeder

If you've decided to bring a Maltese puppy into your life, finding a responsible breeder is one of the most important decisions you'll make. A good breeder prioritizes health, temperament, and responsible placement — not just profit.

What to Look For in a Breeder

A reputable Maltese breeder will:

• Screen breeding dogs for genetic conditions like patellar luxation, liver shunts, and eye problems.
• Allow you to visit the breeding facility and meet the puppy's parents (at least the mother).
• Provide health records, vaccination history, and a written contract.
• Ask you as many questions as you ask them — they care where their puppies go.
• Keep puppies until they are at least 8-10 weeks old, ideally longer.
• Belong to breed clubs or organizations that promote ethical breeding practices.

Our guide to how to find a reputable dog breeder goes into detail about what to look for and what questions to ask. The puppy visit checklist is also a handy tool when you go to meet a litter.

Red Flags to Avoid

Walk away from any breeder who:

• Won't let you see the mother dog or the conditions the puppies are raised in.
• Sells puppies that are younger than 8 weeks old.
• Has multiple litters on the premises at all times — a sign of a puppy mill.
• Doesn't provide health testing or guarantees.
• Pressures you to buy on the spot or only accepts cash.

Our article on red flags of a bad breeder will help you avoid heartbreak and costly health problems down the line. If you're also considering a mixed breed, our guide to Maltipoo puppies covers what to look for in a Maltese-Poodle cross.

Finally, remember that a good breeder will also be a resource for you throughout your dog's life. They should be available to answer questions and take the dog back if you can no longer care for it — a true mark of ethical breeding.

Frequently Asked Questions