The Maltese has long been an iconic companion dog. How to take care of a Maltese puppy, though? Not to worry--that's what this page is for! Consider this your one-stop Maltese guide for tips, care, maintenance, and much more. Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Maltese: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and other subjects are all covered here.
For all things Maltese dog care, read on!
Though these dogs are lively and energetic, they're very small--so Maltese exercise needs aren't very extensive. Breed members will fulfill a lot of their daily activity requirements just running around being their friendly selves, but they'll still benefit from a short walk or two, and perhaps a brief period of play, each day.
Specifically how much exercise does a Maltese need daily? In short, not much. The typical adult Maltese will only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise on a daily basis. And you can start exercising Maltese puppies at 3-4 months old by taking them on very short (2- to 3-minute) walks, then you can increase the distance some as the pups grow.
A few precautions to observe: first, don't exercise your Maltese puppy too hard (not too much running, jumping, or stairs) before the age of eight months, as the pup's bones and joints are still developing. It's also good to leash your Maltese when in public. These dogs are extremely friendly, and will quickly run off in search of new playmates unless controlled by a leash. Maltese will also need companionship during exercise. They suffer separation anxiety if left alone, and will be more likely to perform exercises if accompanied by one of their people! And finally: These dogs get cold easily, so it's best not to take them outside in chilly weather.
Safeguards aside, it's good to exercise your Maltese every day. If bored or restless, these dogs will be unhappy--so consistent daily activity will be good for both dogs and owners alike. A few Maltese exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's good to give your Maltese access to balls or toys that allow the dog to burn excess energy. You can also establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs don't need much care. Maltese shedding is minimal, and drooling isn't an issue.
Maltese have long, straight, silky white coats that don't have an undercoat. To the question "Does a Maltese dog shed a lot?" the short answer is no. Maltese dogs shed very lightly--but since the hair is long and white, the shed shows up more easily than that of shorter- and darker-haired dogs. Owners won't have to clean up much hair, but they will have to brush and bathe their Maltese often to keep those luxurious white coats looking good.
A Maltese also drools minimally, if at all. If your Maltese is drooling excessively, it might be because of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.
Like every breed, the Maltese diet will need to include animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. This means the best Maltese dog food is premium dry kibble, as it contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.
Even so, there are a couple of reasons that "traditional" Maltese food may not be appetizing to your furry white friend: these dogs have pretty delicate digestive systems, which makes them picky eaters--and like other small breeds, they're highly prone to dental problems. This means that even if you feed them high-quality dry food (like Royal Canin), Maltese dogs may not eat it--either because it upsets their stomach, or their bad teeth have trouble chewing it (or both). If this occurs, owners can experiment with different food for their Maltese by trying different flavors and textures; eventually they'll find their Maltese favorite food. (It's also good to brush a Maltese's teeth 3-4 times per week to keep them clean and healthy.)
And specifically how much should a Maltese eat? And how often? Typical adult Maltese food portions are very small: only ½ cup of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Maltese puppy food portions aren't much different: about 0.4 cups per day, divided into three meals per day (not two) until five months old.
For more info on proper Maltese eating habits from puppyhood through maturity, see this feeding chart:
*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.
Try if possible to stick to the above-listed Maltese diet plan. Though the portions are small, they're ample--and these dogs can become overweight it they constantly overeat. A fat Maltese dog will have numerous health problems and a shortened lifespan. You can help control your dog's weight by establishing consistent feeding schedules (and not feeding a Maltese treats after dinner!), by not feeding table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time. It's better to put the bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up a few minutes later.
If you're worried your Maltese is overweight, give the dog this test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Decrease the dog's food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.
Though opinions differ over what's the best dog food for a Maltese, the most sensible and popular choice is premium dry food, specifically the kind formulated for extra small/toy breeds. This high-quality food contains ingredients that will sustain the dog's health in the long term. And since these dogs are picky eaters--and they often have dental issues--owners can experiment by adding fresh fruits and vegetables, broth, or water to the dry food to make it more palatable.
The best Maltese dog food brands include Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Hill's Science Diet.
The Maltese is definitely an indoor breed. These dogs suffer separation anxiety if left alone, so they need to be inside with their people as much as possible. And for the Maltese, apartment life is perfect, because they don't need much space or outdoor exercise.
For an owner of a Maltese, weather is an important factor. Because of their thin, single-layered coats, breed members get chilly easily--so they shouldn't spend much time outside in cold temperatures. Owners should also invest in some Maltese jackets for winter! And people living in cold, snowy regions will do better with a different breed.
Read the grooming requirements for Maltese including coat care and other maintenance.
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