As a veterinarian who sees a lot of small designer crossbreeds in my exam room, the Maltipoo is one I have a real soft spot for. They are cheerful, people-loving little dogs, and most of the ones I treat are genuinely healthy. That said, because a Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle (usually a Toy or Miniature Poodle), they can inherit health tendencies from both parent breeds, and knowing what to watch for makes you a far more effective advocate for your dog.
I want to be honest rather than alarming here. None of these conditions are guaranteed, and many Maltipoos go their whole lives without serious trouble. The goal of this guide is simply to help you recognize early signs, understand what causes them, and know when a quick vet visit can save your dog discomfort down the line. Let me walk you through the issues I see most often.
What Are the Common Health Problems in Maltipoos?
A Maltipoo is a crossbreed, so its health profile blends the typical concerns of the Maltese and the Poodle. That means small-breed dental crowding, kneecaps that can slip out of place, inherited eye conditions, and ear infections related to their fluffy ears and hair growth. None of these are unique to Maltipoos, but the combination is worth understanding.
Maltipoos are not a recognized purebred, so there is no single breed standard for health testing. Reputable breeders screen the Maltese and Poodle parents for known genetic conditions like patella luxation and eye disease. If you are still choosing a puppy, ask to see health clearances on both parents.
The most reassuring thing I can tell owners is that the issues below are largely manageable. Early detection, a sensible diet, and consistent grooming address the majority of problems before they ever become emergencies.
Symptoms to Watch For
Small dogs are good at hiding discomfort, so subtle changes matter. Below are the signs that most often bring a Maltipoo into my clinic. Any one of these on its own is not a diagnosis, but it is a reason to take a closer look.
Sudden non-weight-bearing lameness, a painful or red eye, repeated vomiting, collapse, or trouble breathing are not “wait and see” situations. Contact your vet or an emergency clinic the same day.
What Causes These Problems
Most Maltipoo health issues trace back to a mix of genetics, small-breed anatomy, and care habits. Understanding the source helps you focus your prevention where it counts.
Inherited (genetic)
- Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Patellar and hip tendencies from parents
Small-breed anatomy
- Dental crowding in a small jaw
- Collapsing trachea
- Tear duct drainage problems
- Low blood sugar in tiny puppies
Care related
- Ear infections from trapped hair and moisture
- Skin issues from matting
- Weight gain from overfeeding
- Tartar buildup without brushing
The care-related column is the encouraging one, because those causes are almost entirely within your control. Good grooming and feeding habits remove a surprising amount of risk.
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment depends entirely on the specific problem, but here is the general path I follow with Maltipoo owners from the first sign of trouble through recovery.
Get an accurate diagnosis
Your vet examines your dog and may recommend dental imaging, an eye exam, or a knee assessment to confirm what is going on.
Address pain and infection first
Dental disease and ear infections are treated with cleaning, and sometimes antibiotics or pain relief prescribed by your vet.
Grade and monitor structural issues
A luxating patella is graded one to four. Mild cases are often monitored, while higher grades may need surgical correction.
Follow the home care plan
Give all medication as prescribed, limit jumping during recovery, and keep follow-up appointments so progress is tracked.
Adjust long term habits
Build in daily toothbrushing, weight control, and routine grooming so the same problem is less likely to return.
Recovery for most of these conditions is very good, especially when they are caught early. Even patella surgery, when needed, has a strong success rate in small dogs that follow proper rest and rehab.
Prevention and Home Care
Prevention is where you, as the owner, make the biggest difference. This is the checklist I give every new Maltipoo family.
- Brush your dog’s teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste.
- Keep your Maltipoo lean; you should be able to feel the ribs easily.
- Clean and dry the ears regularly, especially after baths.
- Brush the coat several times a week to prevent painful matting.
- Use a harness instead of a neck collar to protect the trachea.
- Wipe under the eyes to manage tear staining and check for redness.
- Stay current on vaccines, parasite prevention, and annual exams.
- Ask your breeder or vet about health clearances on the parent dogs.
Do these consistently and you will have addressed the large majority of what could go wrong. Most Maltipoos reward this kind of care with many healthy, happy years.
Safety note: This article is general education and does not replace an in-person veterinary exam, so always have your vet evaluate any new or worsening symptom in your Maltipoo.
Sources
What you need to know
The Maltipoo, a Maltese and Poodle cross, can inherit health issues from either parent. Dental disease and luxating patella are common, as is a collapsing trachea that causes a honking cough, so a harness suits them better than a collar. Their curly low shedding coat needs regular grooming, and mats trapped against the skin can cause irritation and ear problems.
Eye conditions and tear staining appear in many, and some develop allergies showing as itchy skin or paws. Because they are small, low blood sugar can affect young puppies, so feed little and often early on. Keep up grooming, brush the teeth, and check ears regularly. Any honking cough, persistent scratching, or skipping back leg deserves a vet check to catch problems while they are easy to manage.