Maltese grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Maltese: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
For a full coat, brush and comb every day, working in layers down to the skin with a pin brush and a fine metal comb, and bathe every one to two weeks with a conditioner to reduce tangles. Tie the topknot up so hair stays out of the eyes. A puppy clip trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks by a groomer drops the daily work to a few minutes, and it is what most pet owners choose.
Clean around the eyes daily with a damp cotton pad and dry the area well. Check the ears weekly, since hair can grow inside the canal, and trim nails every three to four weeks. Most important of all, brush the teeth every day from puppyhood: small jaws crowd the teeth together, and gum disease starts early in this breed.
Maltese grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | Daily |
| Bathing | Every 3 to 6 weeks |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
A single layer of long, straight, silky hair with no undercoat, which sheds very little but tangles quickly.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling