Certain grooming tips apply to a variety of dog breeds, but most dogs have certain specific issues requiring more attention than others.  The Maltese is a small, spirited breed first developed in Italy. They make great pets for mature and senior pet owners, people with allergies, and city-dwellers as they are happily active within a house, and actually prefer enclosed spaces.   However, part of being a good dog owner is making sure that your dog is well groomed, and Maltese dogs require a little bit of extra care in that department.  Proper grooming is not only important for aesthetic reasons; a well groomed clean coat is an important aspect of your dog’s health and quality of life.

Coat Care & Mats

Maltese dogs need to be combed or brushed regularly—daily if possible—to avoid matting.  The reason Maltese dogs are considered hypoallergenic is because they have no undercoat.  Instead, they have a single top coat of soft, silky hair that sheds very little with regular brushing.  In the case of a matted coat, try to work out tangles with your fingers before combing to avoid breakage.  Many Maltese dog owners will also keep their dogs coat clipped in a “puppy cut” which requires less grooming.

Bath Time

Regular bathing is one of the essential grooming tips for Maltese dogs.  You'll want to make sure your dog is combed and mat-free first, and place a cotton ball in each ear to soak up excess water and prevent infection.  Use a quality dog shampoo and conditioner and take extra care around the eye area.  Good, thorough rinsing is also important, as any residue could irritate the Maltese's sensitive skin.

Grooming tips for Maltese dogs also designate that he is dried and kept warm after bath time. You can use a towel and your body heat during warmer months, but during the winter you may want to dry him in a room with a space heater or even use a blow dryer.  If you choose the latter, be very careful the temperature is set to warm or medium heat, not hot, and don't let the blow dryer get too close to his coat.  He may be frightened by the noise at first, but many dogs become accustomed to this with time.

Teeth, Toes, Eyes, and Ears

Taking proper care of teeth, toenails, eyes, and ears also fall under important grooming tips for Maltese dogs.  Your Maltese should ideally have his teeth brushed every day, although many owners brush less frequently.  Tooth brushing is best introduced during the puppy stages and becomes progressively more important with age, as older dogs are more likely to have plaque build-up.

The best time to trim toenails is after a bath when the nails are softened.  If you're dealing with a puppy, toenails should be trimmed every week, but older dogs require less frequent trimming. You'll also want to trim the hair in between his toenails every two weeks. Many new dog owners think that toenail trimming is purely an aesthetic issue, but neglected nails can actually lead to footing and movement problems.

As for the eyes, a common characteristic of Maltese dogs is “tear staining” like tear tracks under the eyes.  Tear stain can be removed with a fine toothed comb moistened with warm water gently drawn through the hair where the stains are.  To avoid build up of sticky residue, it’s best to groom this area every two to three days and many veterinarians recommend serving distilled water and avoiding dyes in treats and food to reduce staining.

Lastly, when it comes to grooming tips for Maltese dogs, ear care is of utmost importance.  Because the Maltese is a drop-eared breed with excessively hairy ears, these dogs are prone to ear issues.  In addition to protecting your Maltese's ears during bathing, it's also important that you remove excess hair from the ear canal and clean out excess wax.  Especially dirty or waxy ears can be signs of ear mites, which may warrant a trip to the veterinarian.  To avoid infection or damage to the ear, only clean your Maltese's ears when they are dirty or excessively waxy.  Use cotton balls rather than Q-tips and take care to be gentle.

If you follow these grooming tips for Maltese dogs, your pup will be happy, health and clean. Remember, grooming isn't just about making your Maltese look presentable; regular grooming helps you to detect health problems and prevent future issues, such as gum disease, ear infections and coat problems.  It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your pet!