Maltese Health Issues
Common health problems in Malteses including luxating patella, dental disease, collapsed trachea. Prevention, symptoms to watch for, and treatment options.
Common Health Problems
Malteses are predisposed to several health conditions including luxating patella, dental disease, collapsed trachea. Understanding these risks allows you to screen early, prevent where possible, and catch problems before they become emergencies.
Plan for 4-7 lbs of animal, a 12-15 yrs lifespan, and a distinct combination of health considerations and temperament that matters more than a species-level view would suggest. Prospective Maltese owners should know that this small toy breed demands an informed approach to nutrition, exercise, and preventive health management.
Health Predisposition Summary: Malteses show higher-than-average incidence of luxating patella, dental disease, collapsed trachea based on breed health database data. Individual risk depends on lineage, environment, and care. Work with your vet to determine which screenings are appropriate at each life stage.
Genetic Screening
Prospective Maltese owners should know that this small toy breed demands an informed approach to nutrition, exercise, and preventive health management. Malteses with moderate energy levels strike a good balance between activity and relaxation.
- Size: small (4-7 lbs)
- Energy Level: Moderate
- Shedding: Minimal
- Common Health Issues: Luxating Patella, Dental Disease, Collapsed Trachea
- Lifespan: 12-15 yrs
Prevention Strategies
Knowledge of breed-specific characteristics directly translates to better day-to-day care. Malteses bring a small build, a minimal shedding pattern, and breed-specific health risk around luxating patella and dental disease — each of those shifts routine care in a different direction.
Staying proactive with vet visits — based on your pet's age and breed risks — is the most affordable way to manage breed-specific conditions. Given the breed's health tendencies, proactive screening is important for this breed.
When to See the Vet
- Provide 30–60 minutes of daily exercise appropriate to their energy level
- Feed a high-quality diet formulated for small breed dogs (400–800 calories/day)
- Maintain an occasional grooming routine
- Schedule breed-appropriate health screenings for luxating patella
- Pet insurance enrolled early typically offers the best value, covering breed-related conditions before they develop
Health Testing
Bring these numbers to the vet as a starting point; the personalisation that actually matters comes from matching them to the individual animal.
Lifespan Optimization
Prevention and early detection are worth far more than reactive treatment. Watch for early signs of luxating patella, maintain regular veterinary visits, and keep your dog at a healthy weight — excess weight worsens most of the conditions Malteses are prone to.
Veterinary Care Schedule for Malteses
Regular veterinary visits allow early detection of breed-associated conditions, when treatment is most effective. The recommended schedule for your Maltese. Adjust the schedule based on your vet's advice.
| Life Stage | Visit Frequency | Key Screenings |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (0-1 year) | Every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then at 6 and 12 months | Vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuter (consult AVMA guidelines on optimal timing) consultation |
| Adult (1-7 years) | Annually | Physical exam, dental check, heartworm test, vaccination boosters |
| Senior (7+ years) | Every 6 months | Blood work, urinalysis, Luxating Patella screening, Dental Disease screening, Collapsed Trachea screening |
Malteses should receive breed-specific screening for luxating patella starting at 3-5 years of age or earlier if symptoms appear. Proactive testing tends to pay for itself in avoided complications.
Cost of Maltese Ownership
- Annual food costs: $250–$500 for high-quality dog food
- Veterinary care: $300–$700 annually for routine visits, plus potential emergency costs
- Grooming: $30–50 per professional session (occasional home grooming recommended)
- Pet insurance: $25–40/month for comprehensive coverage
- Supplies and toys: $200–$500 annually for bedding, toys, leashes, and other essentials
More Maltese Guides
Additional Maltese resources.
- Maltese Diet & Nutrition Guide
- Maltese Pet Insurance Cost
- How to Train a Maltese
- Maltese Grooming Guide
- Maltese Temperament & Personality
- Maltese Exercise Needs
- Maltese Cost of Ownership
- Adopt a Maltese
What are the most important considerations for maltese?
Maltese Health Issuess are predisposed to certain health conditions. Regular veterinary checkups, breed-appropriate screening tests, and early detection are the most effective ways to manage these risks.
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