Breed guide
Maltese
Tiny white companion. Gentle, adaptable. Coat and dental care are the daily commitment. Watch for hypoglycemia.
AKC Rank
#38
Size
toy (4-7 lbs)
Life Expectancy
12-15 yrs
Activity
low
Feeding a Maltese
Tiny breed. ~200-350 kcal/day. Dental care and portion control are essential.
Key nutrients
- •dental support
- •omega-3
- •biotin
Portion notes: 2-3 small meals daily. Never skip (hypoglycemia risk).
Fresh food picks for Malteses
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for toy dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Maltese actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,190-$5,010
Ongoing years run $1,610-$3,680 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$550-$900
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$180-$280
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$660-$1,400
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$180
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$474-$829/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for toy dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Health concerns to watch
White silky coat needs daily brushing to prevent matting.
Dental disease is near-universal — daily care from puppyhood.
Hypoglycemia risk; never skip meals.
Gear for Malteses
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Malteses
Harness
for Malteses
Bed
for Malteses
Collar
for Malteses
Leash
for Malteses
Slow feeder bowl
for Malteses
Chew toy
for Malteses
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Malteses
Matched to Maltese temperament (gentle, playful, charming).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Malteses
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Common symptoms in Malteses
What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.
Maltese questions, answered
How long do Malteses live?▾
How big do Malteses get?▾
How much exercise does a Maltese need?▾
What health problems do Malteses commonly have?▾
Are Malteses hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Maltese?▾
Are Malteses good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Maltese
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.