The Maltese breed has been around for centuries, but has only recently become a very popular pet for the average pet owner. The Maltese are famous for their small size, soft nature, and long, silky hair that covers their body from head to toe. Due to this luxurious fur coat, the Maltese may require extra care and there are some specific tips for caring for your Maltese that all owners should know about.
Caring for silky hair
Long, silky hair is the logical starting point to start caring for your Maltese. Keeping the coat brushed regularly, at least every two days, is essential to prevent problems such as matting from developing. Once the mats develop in the coat, they can be difficult to remove without pulling the hair. Try to untangle the mat by hand first, then loosen it with a comb. If all else fails, the only solution is to cut the mat. Regular coat maintenance will result in good coat condition and prevent mat problems.
Tips for handling the ears
An extremely important area where many Maltese have problems is their ears. The long, silky coat that the Maltese is known for also causes ear problems. The breed has the disadvantage of having floppy ears and a lot of hair on the ears. This can lead to numerous problems and infections. Excess hair in the ears causes a buildup of wax that can lead to irritation, and dogs further aggravate the situation by scratching their ears.
Most vets recommend checking the ears at least once a week to inspect for wax buildup or irritation. If there is a lot of hair in the ear, the best way to remove it is to carefully trim it with blunt-tipped scissors. In case of wax build-up, you should immediately use a dry swab to remove it. Any strong odor or inflammation in the ear should be treated by a veterinarian immediately. Grooming your Maltese regularly should help prevent ear problems.
Cut those toenails
You should clip your Maltese’s toenails every time you plan to groom it. The nails of this breed tend to grow quickly. Many Maltese are indoor pets and therefore have very little opportunity to wear their nails on hard surfaces outdoors. Not trimming their nails can cause your dogs to scratch themselves or lead to foot problems due to ingrown toenails.
Avoiding these problems is easy as long as the nails are trimmed roughly every two weeks. Using a good quality pair of dog nail clippers, cut it perpendicular to the nail right in front of the quick. In most dogs, the rapid is where the blood supply to the nail ceases and this can be seen as a color change in the nail. On dogs with black nails, be careful and trim only a little bit of the nail at a time until you start to see a little pink. Then it is time to stop.
Caring for your Maltese on a regular basis will help you avoid common health problems that often need to be addressed by a veterinarian. Be sure to pay close attention to the condition of your Maltese’s ears and nails. Grooming and bathing regularly will keep their coats bright and white. Take care of your Maltese, and your Maltese will return the favor by being a wonderful companion animal for many years.