Maltese Grooming Guide

A Maltese wears a single, long, silky white coat with no undercoat.

A Maltese wears a single, long, silky white coat with no undercoat. It grows continuously, sheds minimally, and tangles readily — fine, soft hair plus no undercoat means mats form as flat, tight tangles rather than fluffy ones. The white color is both the glory and the burden: tear staining, beard staining from food and water, and paw staining from licking all show vividly. A show-length Maltese coat is a daily devotion; the puppy cut is what most pet Maltese wear, and it keeps the dog just as beautiful with a fraction of the work.

Daily brushing for long coats with a pin brush or small slicker, working gently in sections down to the skin — Maltese skin is thin and sensitive, so no scratching with the brush. Every other day suffices for puppy cuts. Always use a detangling spray; brushing a dry, fine white coat causes breakage that shows as frizz. The topknot isn't optional for longer coats — it keeps hair out of the eyes, reducing tearing and the staining that follows. Finish with a steel comb: on white silk, the comb reveals every tangle your brush missed.

Every one to two weeks

Every one to two weeks — white coats simply show dirt faster, and a clean Maltese coat resists tangling far better than a dirty one. Use a gentle whitening or brightening shampoo made for dogs; never use human bluing products. Shampoo twice on a white coat — the first wash rarely gets it truly clean — and always condition to keep the silk slippery. Rinse until the water is completely clear; residue dulls white coats to gray. Blow-dry on warm while brushing; air-drying leaves a wavy, tangle-prone finish and a chilled little dog.

Professional grooming every four to six weeks.

Professional grooming every four to six weeks. The puppy cut — short, even, with a rounded face — is the practical classic and keeps a Maltese looking like a plush toy. Owners who love the long look can keep the body longer with a tidy outline, but be honest about daily brushing. Between grooms, keep the sanitary area, paw pads, and the corners of the eyes trimmed; hair in the eyes causes watering that feeds tear staining. The face is the money shot on a Maltese — a rounded, open expression is what your groomer should deliver.

Nails every three to four weeks — small nails that still affect the gait when overgrown.

Nails every three to four weeks — small nails that still affect the gait when overgrown. Ears: floppy and hairy, so check weekly for odor or buildup and clean with a vet-approved solution; ask your vet or groomer about managing ear-canal hair rather than pulling it yourself. Tear stains are the breed's signature grooming challenge: wipe under the eyes daily with a damp cloth, keep the area dry, and keep facial hair trimmed short around the eyes. If staining is severe or the skin is irritated, ask your vet about tear duct issues — don't just bleach the symptom. Teeth: small crowded mouths mean dental disease is common. Brush as often as possible and ask your vet about professional cleanings.

Standing appointment every four to six weeks

Standing appointment every four to six weeks — the white coat forgives nothing, and regular professional care is what keeps a Maltese actually white instead of dingy. If tear staining suddenly worsens, see your vet before assuming it's cosmetic; blocked tear ducts and eye irritation are medical issues that grooming can't fix. Maltese puppies should start gentle grooming visits around 12 weeks — early positive experiences with face-handling make a lifetime of topknots and trims easy.