Maltese Dos and Don'ts List (2024)

What to know:

With canines, plaque is created round-the-clock and without proper cleaning, it eats away at tooth enamel. In time, it hardens into tartar (which is difficult to remove) and makes its way under the gum line. This can all lead to tooth decay, bone loss in the jaw, loose teeth, tooth loss, and/or painful and sometimes even deadly infections. Toy breeds like the Maltese are especially prone to these issues.

What to do:

One of the best ways to keep the teeth free of plaque and in great shape is to brush them on a regular basis. If your Maltese is not used to this, start with short sessions and work your way up to a full minute or two.

Most Maltese do well with puppy-sized canine toothbrushes or small fingertip brushes (which are little doodads that slip over your finger). Be sure to use a canine toothpaste that is meant to be swallowed and is foam-free. A set like the Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit contains everything you need to get started.

There are also some dental sprays and water additives that can be effective to some degree, often when used in conjunction with brushing and/or dental chews. One to consider is Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Dental Spray.



During your Maltese’s yearly veterinary wellness checks, discuss their dental hygiene with the vet, including possible needs for x-rays and/or professional cleanings.

What to know:



Maltese, and other toy breeds, are prone to collapsed trachea. With this condition, tracheal rings that surround the windpipe are genetically weak and eventually collapse inward (to varying degrees), causing breathing restrictions (often characterized with a goose-like honking cough).



It is a very painful and serious condition with no full cure. There are some treatment options that include anti-inflammatory meds, cough suppressants, and sometimes risky surgery.



There is some thought that a dog collar (which causes tension and pressure when a leash is taut) could contribute to this condition.



What to do:

Although some serious genetic cases cannot be wholly avoided, one possible prevention method is to use a dog harness instead of a collar. In fact, switching to a harness is one of the very first treatment steps when collapsed trachea is first suspected or diagnosed.

A harness does not rest on the windpipe; rather, it displaces pressure across the much stronger shoulders, chest, and back.

For tiny dogs like the Maltese, a step-in harness is easiest (there’s nothing to fit over the head). And one like the Lil Pals Comfort Mesh Adjustable Harness has a ‘extra small’ size that fits dogs under 5 lbs. (the small is for dogs 5 to 7 lbs.) with a Velcro wrap closure that makes it easy to place on and take off.

What to know:

Dogs (no matter their age) may mouth lots of non-food and non-toy objects simply to answer the question of ‘What’s this?’. And doing so can lead to electrocution, choking, internal blockage, and other serious emergencies.

Items that small dogs have swallowed that had to be surgically removed include fishing hooks, sewing needles, mini headphones, rocks, gravel, pen caps, rings and more.

And in regard to electrical cords, electrical bite injury is the #1 type of electrical injury with household pets. It results in oral burns and sometimes damage to the heart and lungs and can be fatal.

What to do:

Outside, keep the yard as debris-free as possible and always supervise your Maltese. Be aware that the parts or the whole of countless plants are toxic to dogs (the seeds and nuts of the sago palm, black walnuts, the berries from English holly plants, and much more).

Inside, routinely go over the floors to keep them free of small objects. Store purses, gyms bags, and other belongings out of reach. Make sure small trash cans are inaccessible. Have locks on any lower cabinets that your Maltese could possibly get into.

To prevent electrocution, place all electrical wires and cords out of your Maltese’s reach. If that is not possible, use something like PetCords Dog and Cat Cord Protector to prevent injuries.

What to know:

It’s a myth that small dogs require little to no exercise. Regular moderate cardio exercise has heaps of benefits for dogs of all sizes: It is good for heart health, regulates the metabolism and helps with muscle maintenance. It also stimulates the appetite and promotes regular bowel movements. Just like with humans, it can lower the risk of many diseases. And, last but not least, purposeful exercise allows a dog to engage their canine senses and release pent-up energy (which could otherwise be directed toward excessive barking, chewing, etc.).



What to do:



Exercise your Maltese daily. Ideally, this will be at least two sessions with a minimum of 20 minutes each.



Walks are always a great option. Be sure that your little guy or gal is wearing a harness (See previous ‘Do’ #2) and walk at a pace that is brisk for your particular Maltese.

What to know:

Some of the most common topical allergens are artificial fragrances and coloring dyes in dog shampoos and similar products. And one of the top causes of dry skin and irritations are sulfates (a type of soaping agent).

In addition, many topical pet products contain ingredients linked to health issues including parabens (can disrupt hormone function), and phthalates (linked to liver and kidney damage, neurodevelopmental issues, and more).

What to do:



Choose all-natural products that have plant-based cleansers (like coconut) with a pH designed for a dog’s skin (between 6.5 and 7.5). There should be no synthetic additives and only natural fragrance (like rosemary or vanilla).



And because the Maltese breed can have very sensitive skin, it’s always helpful for there to be some moisturizing and/or restorative ingredients that promote good skin and coat health such as aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and/or shea butter.



An example of a great bathing product for Maltese is Earthbath Light Color Coat Brightener Shampoo which helps keep the coat looking beautiful by using natural optic brighteners.

#1 Don’t feed your Maltese food with additives or fillers.

What to know:



There are many ingredients commonly found in dog food that should be avoided. One grouping is synthetic coloring dyes (Yellow #5 and #6, Blue #2, Red #40); these are linked to issues ranging from allergies to aggression, and insomnia to brain tumors.



Another is chemical preservatives which is a top cause of allergies and are linked to many serious health issues. Other ingredients to avoid include fillers (like corn and its by-products), high levels of wheat, meat by-products, and generic meats and oils.



And it’s important to note that name recognition does not equal a good food; some of the most well-known brands have awful ratings. For example, as per DogFoodAdvisor, Cesar Classics recipe cups score a 2.5 (out of 5) for having pork by-products (slaughterhouse waste). And Purina Bella Natural Bites also scores a 2.5 for having corn, wheat, and corn gluten meal as its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ingredients.

What to do:



Opt for high quality, all-natural brands that have zero chemical preservatives and only wholesome food ingredients. Added bonuses are that its sized for toy breed dogs like the Maltese and there are extras such as omega-3 (via fish oil) and antioxidants (via fruits like blueberries).



One recommended brand is Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds . This is a top 5-star food that is 100% all-natural with a base of turkey and oatmeal (great for the tummy), along with carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and apples. It is preserved with a vitamin blend (shows as mixed tocopherols) and has salmon and salmon oil for extra omega-3. Note that aside from the adult formula, there is also puppy and senior recipes.

Other good brands include include Healthy Extension (Little Bits), Merricks, and WholeEarth Farms.

What to know:

When jumping down, a dog uses their body weight as natural downward momentum. As they land, they must use their front legs to abruptly ‘brake’. With toy breeds that are leaping down 2 or 3 times their own height, this quick yet significant strain on the bones that can cause a sprain or fracture.

When a dog jumps from a soft surface (sofa, chair, etc.) to a slick one (hardwood, tile, etc.), the quick force of slipping can stretch, tear, or rupture the ligaments in the ankles, causing twists and sprains.

And a concern for dogs that routinely jump down, is chronic increased wear and tear on the joints. As it is, 80% of dogs 8+ years are affected by some level of osteoarthritis (a disease of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, and eventual structural damage). With routine strain on the joints, osteoarthritis can develop earlier and with more severity.

What to do:

Do not let your Maltese jump down from furniture.



Admittedly, it can be difficult to ban a dog from sitting up on furniture with their humans (and let’s face it, those snuggles are nice), so one of the most effective methods to fix this is to train the dog to use a ramp or steps.



If you’d like to consider steps, one that is sized for both small dogs and cats is the PetSafe CozyUp Pet Stairs. It’s fairly compact, has rubber non-slip feet, and carpet on the treads for good traction.

And there we have it, the top dos and don'ts. Let's have a look at a summary:

Top Dos:

1. Do take great care of your Maltese’s teeth.
2. Do place a harness, not a collar, on your Maltese when they are on a leash.
3. Do puppy proof the house and yard, no matter your Maltese’s age.
4. Do be sure your Maltese has daily exercise.
5. Do use quality, all-natural bathing products on your Maltese.

Top Don'ts:

1. Don’t feed your Maltese food with additives or fillers.
2. Don’t let your Maltese drink unfiltered tap water.
3. Don’t skip veterinary wellness checks.
4. Don’t forget about the paws.
5. Don’t allow big jumps.

While there are certainly other care elements to keep in mind, following these 10 will greatly benefit your Maltese's health, comfort, and general well-being.

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