A smiling Maltese Dog walking down the road

Maltese dog sitting on a red and white blanket

Maltese Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Maltese dogs may be small, but they have big personalities. With elegant, silky white hair and a spirited nature, they&rsquo;ve been the lapdogs of the rich and fashionable for centuries.&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re looking for an intelligent and lively dog with a big heart, the Maltese breed could be the perfect fit.&nbsp;

Type

12 - 15 years

Lifespan

Small

Size

3 - 4 kg

Weight

20 - 25 cm

Height

Affectionate, fearless, gentle

Temperament

30 mins per day

Exercise

High maintenance

Grooming

<ul>
	<li>Vetstream ltd (online) Maltese. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/breeds-pages/maltese" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog maltese page">https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/breeds-pages/maltese&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li>Penman S, Thompson M &amp; Oxford M (online) Periodontal disease. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/periodontal-disease" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog periodontal-disease page">https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/periodontal-disease</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Harari J &amp; Arthurs G (online) Patella: lateral luxation. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/patella-lateral-luxation " target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog patella lateral luxation page">https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/diseases/patella-lateral-luxation&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li>Braund K &amp; Delauche A (online) Deafness: hereditary. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/deafness-hereditary " target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog deafness hereditary page">https://vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/deafness-hereditary&nbsp;</a></li>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd (online) Luxating patella. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/luxating-patella" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog luxating patella page">https://vetstream.com/clinical-reference/canis/owner-factsheets/luxating-patella</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Bruyette D &amp; Fleeman L (online) Hypoglycemia. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: <a href="https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/hypoglycemia" target="_blank" title="Link to Vetstream's dog hypoglycemia page">https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/hypoglycemia</a></li>
</ul>

Content provided from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vetstream.com/treat/canis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to vet experts Vetstream's website">Vetstream&#39;s Vetlexicon Canis</a>

Vetlexicon is the world&rsquo;s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world&rsquo;s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs only need a <a href="/all-things-pet/the-dog-exercise-guide" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog exercise">small amount of exercise</a>, most of which they get from running around inside. This makes the breed ideal for smaller homes or apartments.

Incredibly affectionate, loyal and loving, the Maltese breed makes the perfect addition to any family home. While Maltese dogs love curling up on their owner&rsquo;s lap and being pampered, they&rsquo;re also very playful and active.&nbsp;

Maltese <a href="/all-things-pet/best-dog-breeds-for-families-with-kids" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to the best breeds for family dogs">dogs are also a great fit for children</a>, with enough energy to keep up with the fun and games while also being gentle-natured enough to enjoy cuddling afterwards. However, Maltese dogs&rsquo; tiny bodies mean they can easily get hurt around smaller children, so supervision is essential.

Maltese dogs can become agitated when left alone for long periods of time. To deal with <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-deal-with-dog-separation-anxiety" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog separation anxiety">dog separation anxiety</a> with your new Maltese puppy, check out our guide.&nbsp;

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs only need a <a href="/all-things-pet/the-dog-exercise-guide" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Exercise Guide">small amount of exercise</a>, most of which they get from running around inside. This makes the breed ideal for smaller homes or apartments.

Maltese dogs are also a <a href="/all-things-pet/best-dog-breeds-for-families-with-kids" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to the best dog breeds for families">great fit for children</a>, with enough energy to keep up with the fun and games while also being gentle-natured enough to enjoy cuddling afterwards. However, Maltese dogs&rsquo; tiny bodies mean they can easily get hurt around smaller children, so supervision is essential.

Maltese dogs can become agitated when left alone for long periods of time. To deal with <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-deal-with-dog-separation-anxiety" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog separation anxiety">dog separation anxiety</a> with your new Maltese puppy, check out our guide.&nbsp;

Maltese puppies are lively and curious. They&rsquo;re quick on their feet and love to run around their home and garden. They&rsquo;re not afraid to use their voice and will need to be trained to <a href="/all-things-pet/how-to-stop-dog-barking-in-5-easy-steps" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to stopping unwanted barking">prevent unwanted barking</a>.

This <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Breed Guides">dog breed</a> are notoriously difficult to house train but once you have that mastered, the rest of their training will be easy.

As much as you may want to keep your puppy close and in your arms, it is best to allow them to walk on their own four feet. It&rsquo;s important that they get the exercise they need to keep them fit and healthy.&nbsp;

A Maltese puppy running with its tongue out

The temperament of a Maltese dog is largely influenced by how they&rsquo;re raised &ndash; so make sure they get the affection they need while knowing you&rsquo;re in charge. Loyal to the core, they quickly get protective over their owners or whoever they&rsquo;re pampered by.

Affectionate and kind, Maltese dogs love snuggling on your lap and having lots of cuddles. Their lively personality means they love <a href="/all-things-pet/games-to-play-with-your-dog" title="Link to Everypaw's article on games to play with your dog">playing games</a> with the whole family.&nbsp;

As with most small dogs, you&rsquo;ll need to carefully monitor the weight of your Maltese dog. Even just a few pounds can make all the difference to their health. Maltese dogs can be picky eaters, tending to eat small portions throughout the day rather than all in the same sitting.

To avoid this, try to stick to one brand of food they enjoy and don&rsquo;t feed them scraps from the table or straight from your hand &ndash; they&rsquo;ll soon accept this as the only way to eat.&nbsp;

The long, glossy white coat of Maltese dogs requires plenty of maintenance. To keep them looking at their best, they <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-grooming-101" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog grooming">need regular grooming</a>, especially if they&#39;re long haired. Brush their coat every day to avoid it becoming matted &ndash; and use a hairdryer to keep it looking silky.

As they&#39;re a pure white dog, keeping their coat clean can be a task, but a bath every 1 - 2 weeks or so should do the trick.

Intelligent, energetic and confident, a Maltese pup loves learning tricks and picks up training like second nature. They are eager to please so work best with positive reinforcements, and excel at <a href="/all-things-pet/crufts-worthy-dog-training-tips" title="Link to Everypaw's dog agility training tips">agility courses</a> and obedience training. Keep the treats and praises flowing and they&rsquo;ll be ready for Crufts in no time.

Maltese dogs don&rsquo;t require a great deal of exercise &ndash; around 30 minutes per day is usually enough. As well as <a href="/all-things-pet/guide-to-dog-walking" title="Link to Everypaw's dog walking guide">going for walks</a>, they also benefit from playing in the garden or indoors.

Link to get an Everypaw Dog Insurance quote

Once you&rsquo;ve picked out your little Maltese and are ready to bring them home, then it&rsquo;s time to start thinking about dog insurance. Those paws may be little, but you should still think about protecting them from bumps, bruises and any illnesses they may suffer from.

At Everypaw, we have <a href="/Home/dog-insurance.html">Lifetime Dog Insurance</a> with a range of cover to choose from. So, when it comes to your Maltese&rsquo;s insurance, you&rsquo;ll find something that&rsquo;s right for both of you. Plus there&#39;s the extra peace of mind with <a href="/petcall" title="Link to Everypaw's Petcall information page">Petcall</a>, our 24/7 vet helpline that are there to support with your Maltese&#39;s care and health.

Once you&rsquo;ve picked out your little Maltese and are ready to bring them home, then it&rsquo;s time to start thinking about dog insurance. Those paws may be little, but you should still think about protecting them from bumps, bruises and any illnesses they may suffer from.

At Everypaw, we have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/dog-insurance">Lifetime Dog Insurance</a>&nbsp;with a range of cover to choose from. So, when it comes to your Maltese&rsquo;s insurance, you&rsquo;ll find something that&rsquo;s right for both of you. Plus there&#39;s the extra peace of mind with <a href="/petcall" title="Link to Everypaw's Petcall information page">Petcall</a>, our 24/7 vet helpline that are there to support with your Maltese&#39;s care and health.

That’s All You Need to Know About Maltese Dogs

This small bundle of joy has all the great characteristics you could want in a dog. Their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious and their desire to cuddle will warm your heart. They may be high maintenance when it comes to grooming but this can be a relaxing bonding moment between you and your Maltese.

This small bundle of joy has all the great characteristics you could want in a <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Breed Guides">dog breed</a>. Their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious and their desire to cuddle will warm your heart. They may be high maintenance when it comes to <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-grooming-101" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog grooming">grooming</a> but this can be a relaxing bonding moment between you and your Maltese.

Gingivitis is a painful gum disease that makes eating food difficult for your dog and gives them bad breath. It is caused by a build-up of plaque that leads to infection in the gums. A vet can remove the plaque, but to do so your dog will need to be under general anaesthetic. Some teeth will need removing if they are in bad condition.

Gingivitis can be prevented by <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-dental-care-tips" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to brushing your dog's teeth">brushing your dog&rsquo;s teeth</a> on a daily basis with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste &ndash; do not use human toothpaste as it is toxic to dogs.

A luxating patella is when the kneecap is unstable and jumps out of the groove that it is supposed to sit in. This will make it difficult for your dog to move and will cause them pain. You will notice that they will hop and avoid using the affected leg; they will also struggle to jump.

This condition is inherited, with some dogs being born with a too shallow groove or a ligament that is attached in the wrong place. Weight and exercise also play a part in this condition, with overweight and over-exercised dogs being more at risk.

To treat a luxating patella, it can be realigned with surgery and physiotherapy, with restricted exercise for 8 weeks. Overweight dogs will need to lose weight so will be given a diet plan to follow.

Deafness can be caused by <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-ear-infections-what-to-look-out-for" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog ear infections">ear infections</a>, growths or it can be inherited. It is common in white fur dogs &ndash; some are born with it and others lose their hearing as they get older.

Dogs suffering from hearing loss will not respond as much to noises, such as <a href="/all-things-pet/keeping-your-dog-safe-from-fireworks-on-bonfire-night" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to keeping your pets safe on bonfire night">fireworks</a>, the preparation of their food, or their owner calling them.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for <a href="/all-things-pet/living-with-a-deaf-dog" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog deafness">deafness</a>, but affected dogs can still live a long happy life. It is possible to train dogs with hand signals, but you will need to be careful letting them off lead. If they cannot see your hand signals, they won&rsquo;t respond to them, which can make recall difficult. 
&nbsp;

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar),&nbsp;mainly seen in puppies, is when there is a sudden drop in blood glucose levels. This can cause the dog to be lethargic, tremble, appear disorientated, or collapse. It can also cause seizures. These signs are most evident after exercise, shortly after waking up, and usually 2-6 hours after eating.

Treatment involves increasing glucose levels by giving food or injections. This must be done immediately to prevent further health problems. Your vet will be able to advise you on how to manage this condition through diet and exercise. &nbsp;

Common Maltese Health Problems by Vetstream

Maltese dogs are relatively healthy, but there are a few health conditions that you should keep an eye out for. Regular vet health checks will help to spot symptoms and treat them from an early stage. There are also some preventative measures you can take to prevent some of the conditions from happening.

A small breed of dog in the toy group, the Maltese is named after its supposed origins, on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Their white long silky fur and intelligence make them regulars at Crufts and other dog shows.&nbsp;

A Maltese tends to stop growing between 6-8 months of age, and should be fully grown by their first birthday. Some may take longer depending on their lineage.

Maltese dogs don&rsquo;t have an undercoat and shed little to nothing at all. However, their hair does need regular upkeep to keep it clean and healthy. They should also be bathed regularly.

No, but they are one of the breeds least likely to trigger allergies. The fact they rarely shed means that they produce less dander overall. Dander is the main trigger for allergy sufferers.

The average Maltese lives between 12-15 years &ndash; however, the oldest Maltese lived to the age of 20. As with any breed, with a healthy, happy lifestyle, your Maltese could live well into their teenage years.

Maltese dogs are known for their gentle, playful, and affectionate temperament. They are highly social, enjoy being around people, and thrive on attention and companionship. Maltese are intelligent and responsive, making them easy to train. Despite their small size, they have a lively and fearless personality, often displaying a charming and outgoing nature. Their friendly disposition makes them great companions for families and individuals.

Maltese Insurance, Care, and Health Advice | Everypaw

Maltese

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Zoomies to Senior Snoozes, We've Got Them Covered

The benefit values featured in the table may vary across the different levels of cover and will depend on the cover you choose. Please check your cover before purchasing. Be aware, for some breeds of dogs we do not provide our &pound;8k and &pound;10k Lifetime cover. 
 
All policies and features are subject to special conditions and exclusions of the insurers, please click the link to read about&nbsp;<a href="/Home/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions.html" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Insurance Exclusions page">our policy exclusions.</a> 
 
Excess is applicable to all vet fees claims. When your pet reaches a certain age, the excess payable may change. The excess will be your set excess plus a percentage of your claim amount.

Getting your furry friend covered shouldn&#39;t just come down to cost. There&#39;s a lot more to it than that, so take the time to do a pet insurance comparison. Think about their breed, the level of cover they might need, and what would be important to you. After all, insurance is there for both of you.

One of the best ways to do that is to compare cover levels. This will give you an idea of how much your pet insurance will cost, how much you can claim against vet bills, as well as the policy benefits. It&#39;s all about finding the Lifetime Pet Insurance that works best for you and your pet.

*Based on Everypaw claims data from February 2024 to March 2025

An older dog for pet insurance for older pets

As our furry companions age, they&#39;re more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses here and there. And we want you to be able to look after your pet well into retirement. That&#39;s why we don&#39;t have age limits on our policies. Our <a href="/Home/pet-insurance-for-older-pets.html">pet insurance for older pets</a> can help you do the most important thing &ndash; looking after your pet.

What about younger pets? We also offer <a href="/cat-insurance/kitten-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Kitten Insurance page">kitten</a> and <a href="/dog-insurance/puppy-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Puppy Insurance page">puppy insurance</a>, covered by our cat and dog insurance. No matter how old or young your purr-fect pet is, our pet insurance can give you all-important peace of mind.&nbsp;

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Whether you are looking for a playmate for your pet or if your house is more like a <a href="/dog-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance page">dog</a>, <a href="/cat-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Insurance page">cat</a> and <a href="/rabbit-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Rabbit Insurance page">rabbit</a> smallholding, you need multi-pet insurance that works for you. Everypaw&#39;s policies are just that and give you a discount on every pet too. No matter how many pets you have, from glorious <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides/golden-retriever-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Golden Retriever Dog Breed Guide page">Golden Retrievers</a> and majestic <a href="/cat-insurance/cat-breed-guides/maine-coon-cat-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Maine Coon Cat Breed Guide page">Maine Coons</a> to lovely <a href="/rabbit-insurance/rabbit-breed-guides/lionhead-rabbit-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Lionhead Rabbit Breed Guide page">Lionheads</a>, it&#39;s there for every single paw.

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How Does Pet Insurance Work: Getting a Quote

Our pet insurance quote form takes just 3 minutes to fill out. Here&#39;s how it works:

<ul>
	<li>Select which type of pet you&#39;re looking to insure and enter their age, breed and sex</li>
	<li>Enter basic personal details about yourself including your email and home addresses</li>
	<li>Select your vet fees limit</li>
	<li>We&#39;ll give you a pet insurance price! And we&#39;ll show you what the cost is for the year, plus what your monthly instalments will look like if you choose to pay that way</li>
</ul>

Will my pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Ever found the urge to discover what the best dog breeds to train are or maybe you want to get to the bottom of your pet&#39;s worm problem.&nbsp;<a href="/Home/all-things-pet.html" title="Link to Everypaw's All Things Pet blog">Everypaw&#39;s All Things Pet blog</a>&nbsp;has the content to keep you informed.

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Everypaw Pet Portal policy management icon

For that extra peace of mind when your pets get up to mischief, there&#39;s Everypaw. Our pet insurance is for cats, dogs and rabbits, and every policy comes with unlimited 24/7 access to vet nurses and vets. So, if you ever feel a bit &#39;for pet&#39;s sake&#39;, know Everypaw is here for you and your pet when you need us most!

Why Choose Everypaw for Pet Insurance in the UK?

<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/multi-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Multi-pet Insurance page">Insure multiple pets</a>&nbsp;for a multi-pet discount

99% of claims paid in 5 working days*

Unlimited 24/7 access to UK vet nurses and vets with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/petcall" title="Link to Everypaw's Petcall vet page">Petcall</a>

Manage your UK pet insurance policy online in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-portal-info" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Portal Information page">Pet Portal</a>

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Choosing the right pet health insurance isn&#39;t always easy. We know that. And we also know that a key part of deciding is knowing what&#39;s not covered. That way, at least there are no nasty surprises in terms of coughing up for bills that you thought were going to be taken care of by your policy.

So, here are a few of the main exclusions on our pet insurances:

<ul>
	<li>Treatment for any pre-existing conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment for poisoning or any accidental injury that occurs in the first 3 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment for any illness that occurs in the first 14 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment related to vaccine-preventable conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment related to breeding, pregnancy or birthing</li>
	<li>Treatment on baby teeth if your pet is over 16 weeks when your policy starts</li>
</ul>

*Switching to Everypaw Pet Insurance? If you can prove your previous insurance runs up to the policy start date, we can waive this for you.

Please see our <a href="/Home/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions.html" title="Link to Everypaw's Policy Exclusions page">exclusions page</a>&nbsp;for further details.

Fingers crossed, you never have to! We want to reassure you that claiming on your pet health insurance is as hassle-free as possible. That&rsquo;s why we have Vet Pawtal. A direct platform for vets so they can submit claims and leave you to care for your pet.

Vet Pawtal is the fastest and most efficient way to claim. There&rsquo;s no more paperwork for you, and we&rsquo;ll keep you updated every step of the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If your vet can&rsquo;t submit the claim, don&rsquo;t worry; you can still submit it in the <a href="https://petportal.everypaw.com/register#login" target="_blank" title="Link to the Everypaw Pet Portal">Everypaw Pet Portal</a>. It&rsquo;s straightforward; just log in and follow the instructions. Alternatively,&nbsp;you can <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/downloads-2020/everypaw-claim-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="Link to download an Everypaw claim form">download a claim form</a>, but this can take longer.

Please refer to the guidance in your policy documents for Third Party Liability claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, head to our <a href="/Home/claims.html">Pet Insurance Claims information page</a>.

We know pets are just as much a part of your family as any human. So, we know how important it is to you that they&#39;re protected. Choose Everypaw for pet insurance in the UK and give yourself that priceless peace of mind.

We know things can be tough right now, with many people facing money worries. If you have such concerns, please get in touch with us, as we may be able to offer some options to help, which could include reducing your cover or increasing your excess.

If you wish to find out more and your eligibility for any options, please call <a href="tel:03445431009" title="Call Everypaw Customer Services and Claims">0344 543 1009</a>.

Two levels of our Lifetime Pet Insurance cover have been rated 5 Stars by independent financial business, Defaqto, for 8 years in a row.

Deciding which pet insurance your furry bundle of fun needs can be tricky, especially if you&#39;re a new fur-parent. That&#39;s why here at Everypaw.com, we&#39;re trying to keep things simple, we&#39;re all about&nbsp;<a href="/Home/lifetime-pet-insurance.html" title="Link to Everypaw's Lifetime Pet Insurance page">Lifetime Pet Insurance</a>.

Our Lifetime cover is available for your cats, dogs and rabbits. And if you&#39;re looking to cover your cat or dog, there&#39;s a range of cover levels to choose from. Lifetime covers your pet up to a set vet fee limit, and the limits reset for every year of cover.

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Maltese Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Maltese Facts

Is a Maltese Right for Me?

What Are Maltese Puppies Like?

Life with a Maltese

Caring for Your Maltese

Dinner time

Grooming time

Training & exercise

Maltese Insurance

Common Maltese Health Problems by Vetstream

Gingivitis

Luxating patella

Deafness

Hypoglycaemia

Quick Maltese Q&A

What is a Maltese?

What is the average Maltese lifespan?

When does a Maltese stop growing?

Do Maltese dogs shed?

Are Maltese dogs hypoallergenic?

What is a Maltese’s temperament like?

That’s All You Need to Know About Maltese Dogs

References