As a veterinarian who has cared for many toy breeds over the years, I have a soft spot for the Maltese. These little dogs are affectionate, bright, and surprisingly sturdy for their size, but their small bodies do come with a predictable set of health concerns. Owners are often surprised to learn that the issues most likely to land a Maltese in my exam room are not exotic at all, they are dental disease, slipping kneecaps, and breathing changes that creep in slowly over time.
The good news is that almost all of these conditions are easier to manage when caught early. In this guide I want to walk you through the health problems I see most often in the breed, what the early signs look like at home, and the practical steps that genuinely help. None of this replaces a relationship with your own veterinarian, but it will help you know what to watch for and when to pick up the phone.
What Is a Maltese Health Profile?
The Maltese is a toy breed weighing roughly 4 to 7 pounds, with a long single coat, a delicate jaw, and the small-dog anatomy that drives most of its predictable problems. Because the breed is so compact, conditions that barely register in larger dogs, such as a small amount of dental tartar or a slightly loose kneecap, can have an outsized effect.
Knowing your Maltese is predisposed to certain conditions does not mean your dog will get them. It means you and your veterinarian can screen earlier, brush teeth daily, and catch changes while they are still simple to treat. Prevention is far cheaper and kinder than crisis care.
Most Maltese live long, comfortable lives. The conditions below are common enough to know about, but with routine care many dogs experience only mild versions or avoid them entirely.
Symptoms to Watch For
The signs of a developing problem in a Maltese are often subtle. Because these dogs are stoic and small, owners frequently miss the early clues. Watch for the following at home.
A single skipped step or one episode of bad breath is not an emergency, but persistent coughing, repeated collapse, seizures, or a puppy that becomes weak and cold needs same-day veterinary attention. Trust your instincts when something seems off.
What Causes It
Most Maltese health problems trace back to the breed’s anatomy and genetics rather than anything an owner did wrong. Understanding the root causes helps you target prevention where it actually matters.
Anatomy and Size
- Crowded teeth in a small jaw, driving dental disease
- Shallow knee grooves that allow the kneecap to slip
- A small windpipe prone to weakening over time
Genetics
- Congenital liver shunts present from birth in some lines
- Inherited tendency toward patellar luxation
- Tear duct shape that promotes overflow and staining
Lifestyle Factors
- Soft diets and skipped tooth brushing accelerating tartar
- Excess weight stressing tiny joints
- Neck pressure from collars worsening tracheal issues
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment depends entirely on the specific condition, but the path almost always starts with an accurate diagnosis. Here is how care typically unfolds for the common Maltese problems.
Get a Real Diagnosis
Your vet will examine the teeth, palpate the knees, listen to the airway, and may run bloodwork or imaging. Guessing wastes time and money, so start here.
Address Dental Disease
Professional cleaning under anesthesia, with extractions if needed, resolves pain and infection. Daily home brushing keeps it from returning.
Manage Joints and Airway
Mild patellar luxation often responds to weight control and joint support, while severe cases may need surgery. Tracheal collapse is managed with harnesses, weight loss, and medication.
Treat Liver Shunts
Some shunts are managed with diet and medication, while others need surgical correction. This requires a veterinarian experienced with the condition.
Follow Up and Recheck
Chronic conditions need ongoing monitoring. Keep scheduled rechecks so your vet can adjust the plan as your dog ages.
Prevention and Home Care
You cannot change your Maltese’s genetics, but daily habits have a real impact on how comfortably your dog ages. These are the steps I recommend to every Maltese owner.
- Brush your dog’s teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste.
- Keep your Maltese lean, since extra weight stresses joints and the airway.
- Use a harness instead of a collar to protect the windpipe.
- Wipe the face daily and keep hair trimmed away from the eyes.
- Feed puppies small, frequent meals to prevent low blood sugar.
- Schedule routine vet checkups, including dental assessments.
- Avoid letting your dog jump from high furniture onto hard floors.
- Choose a breeder who screens for genetic conditions when possible.
Most Maltese health problems are manageable and many are preventable with consistent home care. Daily tooth brushing, weight control, and a harness instead of a collar address the three most common issues at once. Partner with your vet for everything else.
Safety note: If your Maltese collapses, has a seizure, or a young puppy becomes weak, cold, or unresponsive, treat it as an emergency and contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic immediately.
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What you need to know
The Maltese is a tiny companion breed with several common issues tied to its size. Dental disease is widespread because of their small crowded mouths, so brushing and vet cleanings matter greatly. Luxating patella and a windpipe weakness called a collapsing trachea also appear, the latter showing as a honking cough, made worse by collars that press the throat.
Their fine white coat stains easily around the eyes, and blocked tear ducts can worsen this. Low blood sugar can affect very small puppies, so frequent feeding helps early on. Use a harness rather than a collar, keep up dental care, and wipe the face daily. A honking cough, skipping gait, or smelly breath are all worth a vet check rather than ignoring.