Maltese Dog Grooming: Complete Beginner-Friendly Care Guide

Maltese dog grooming is a regular care routine that keeps your Maltese clean, comfortable, mat-free, and healthy. Because Maltese dogs have a long, single coat made of hair instead of typical shedding fur, they need more frequent brushing, bathing, face cleaning, and professional grooming than many new owners expect.

A Maltese may be small and low-shedding, but this does not make the breed low-maintenance. Loose hair often stays trapped inside the coat instead of falling out around the house. If the coat is not brushed often, tangles can quickly become tight mats that pull on the skin, trap moisture, and cause discomfort.

Good Maltese grooming is not only about appearance. It also supports skin health, coat condition, tear stain control, nail comfort, ear hygiene, and calmer handling during grooming or vet visits. A simple routine at home can prevent many common Maltese grooming problems before they become painful or expensive to fix.

Quick answer: Most Maltese dogs need brushing several times per week, bathing every 2 to 4 weeks, face and eye cleaning daily, nail trims every 3 to 4 weeks, and professional grooming about every 4 to 8 weeks depending on coat length.

In short, proper Maltese dog grooming helps:

• Keep the coat soft, clean, and mat-free
• Protect sensitive skin from irritation and infection
• Control tear stains, odor, and dirt buildup
• Improve comfort, movement, and daily handling
• Build better grooming behavior over time

Understanding how the Maltese coat works is the first step. Once you know how often your dog needs brushing, bathing, trimming, and face care, grooming becomes a manageable routine instead of a constant struggle.

Understanding the Maltese Coat and Grooming Frequency

To groom a Maltese properly, you need to understand the breed’s coat. The Maltese has a single coat made of hair, not fur. This hair grows continuously and does not shed in heavy seasonal cycles like many double-coated dogs.

Because the hair keeps growing, loose and dead hair can remain inside the coat. When brushing is skipped, this trapped hair mixes with dirt, moisture, and movement friction. That is why mats often form behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar, on the chest, and near the tail area.

Many owners ask, “Does a Maltese shed?” The answer is yes, but very lightly. Maltese dogs are considered low-shedding, but they still need consistent grooming because the loose hair usually has to be removed by brushing instead of falling out naturally.

How often do Maltese need to be groomed?

Most Maltese dogs need basic grooming at home several times per week and a professional grooming appointment every 4 to 8 weeks. The exact schedule depends on coat length, age, skin sensitivity, lifestyle, and whether your Maltese wears a short pet trim or a longer coat.

A short pet trim is easier to maintain, while a long Maltese coat needs daily brushing and more frequent professional care. Use the table below as a practical starting point.

Maltese Grooming Frequency by Coat Length

Coat Style	Brushing Frequency	Bathing Frequency	Professional Grooming
Short pet trim	2–3 times per week	Every 3–4 weeks	Every 6–8 weeks
Medium length coat	Every other day	Every 2–3 weeks	Every 4–6 weeks
Long coat	Daily	Every 1–2 weeks	Every 3–4 weeks

This schedule is a general guide. Some Maltese dogs need more frequent grooming if they have sensitive skin, tear staining, allergies, long facial hair, or an active outdoor lifestyle.

Maltese grooming routine by age

Age also changes how you should approach Maltese grooming. Puppies need gentle training, adults need consistency, and seniors may need shorter sessions with extra comfort.

Life Stage	Grooming Focus	Best Routine
Maltese puppy	Building comfort with brushing, bathing, face handling, and nail trims	Short gentle sessions several times per week
Adult Maltese	Preventing mats, tear stains, odor, and coat buildup	Consistent weekly routine with professional grooming every 4–8 weeks
Senior Maltese	Reducing stress, protecting thin skin, and supporting joint comfort	Shorter sessions, soft handling, and careful skin checks

If you also want to understand how your Maltese’s age affects care needs, check the Maltese Dog Age Calculator to compare your dog’s age with their human-age stage.

Indoor vs outdoor lifestyle

Most Maltese dogs live indoors, which helps keep the coat cleaner. However, indoor dogs still collect dust, food residue, tear stains, and moisture around the face, paws, and underside. Maltese dogs that spend more time outside may need more frequent brushing and bathing, especially after walks, wet weather, or playtime.

Once you understand Maltese dog grooming frequency, the next step is learning how to groom a Maltese at home safely using the right tools and order.

How to Groom a Maltese at Home

This section explains how to groom a Maltese at home using a simple routine. You do not need many tools, but you do need the right order: brush first, check for mats, bathe carefully, dry fully, and then maintain the face, ears, nails, teeth, and skin.

Start with the right Maltese grooming tools

Using the correct tools makes grooming easier and more comfortable for your dog. The table below shows the basic tools most Maltese owners need and the mistakes to avoid.

Essential Grooming Tools for a Maltese

Tool	What it is used for	How often to use	Common mistakes to avoid
Slicker brush	Loosens tangles and removes trapped loose hair	Several times per week or daily	Brushing too hard or scraping the skin
Pin brush	Gentle brushing for medium or long coats	Daily for longer coats	Only brushing the top layer of hair
Metal comb	Checks for hidden mats near the skin	After brushing	Skipping the chest, armpits, ears, and collar area
Dog shampoo	Cleans the coat and skin safely	Every 2–4 weeks	Using human shampoo or harsh soap
Dog conditioner	Keeps the hair soft and helps reduce tangles	After shampoo	Skipping conditioner on longer coats
Towel or low-heat dryer	Dries the coat after bathing	Every bath	Leaving the coat damp or using high heat

Always brush your Maltese before bathing. Water tightens existing mats, making them harder and more painful to remove.

Brushing and mat prevention

Brushing is the most important part of Maltese grooming. It prevents tangles, removes trapped loose hair, spreads natural oils, and helps you spot skin problems early.

• Brush slowly and gently
• Start at the ends of the hair and work upward
• Pay extra attention behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar, and on the chest
• Use a metal comb after brushing to check for hidden mats near the skin
• Stop if your Maltese becomes stressed and continue later with a shorter session

If you find a small mat, try to loosen it gently with your fingers or a comb. If the mat is tight, close to the skin, or painful, do not pull it. A professional groomer is safer because mats can hide irritated or damaged skin underneath.

Bathing a Maltese the right way

Most Maltese dogs should be bathed every 2 to 4 weeks. Weekly baths are usually not needed unless your dog has a vet-recommended skin routine, gets dirty often, or has coat issues that require more frequent washing.

Maltese Bathing Guidelines

Grooming Task	How Often	Important Notes
Bathing	Every 2–4 weeks	Brush first and use lukewarm water
Shampoo	Every bath	Use dog shampoo only
Conditioner	Every bath	Helps keep Maltese hair soft and easier to brush
Drying	Every bath	Dry fully to prevent mats, odor, and skin irritation

When bathing your Maltese:

• Use lukewarm water, not hot water
• Brush and comb the coat before the bath
• Massage dog shampoo gently through the coat without rubbing mats tighter
• Rinse thoroughly so no shampoo or conditioner stays on the skin
• Dry the coat fully with a towel or low-heat dryer

A damp Maltese coat can quickly lead to tangles, odor, matting, and skin irritation. Drying is especially important around the ears, chest, belly, paws, and areas where the hair is thicker.

Keeping a simple Maltese grooming routine at home helps your dog stay clean, comfortable, and mat-free. Even a few minutes of brushing, face cleaning, and coat checks each day can prevent bigger grooming problems later.

Maltese Eye, Ear, Nail, Dental, and Skin Care

Maltese dog grooming is not only about brushing and bathing. A complete routine also includes eye care, tear stain cleaning, ear checks, nail trimming, dental care, paw care, and skin checks. These small tasks help prevent pain, odor, infection, and discomfort.

The table below shows how often each grooming area needs care and when your Maltese may need help from a groomer or veterinarian.

Maltese Hygiene Care Quick Guide

Care Area	How Often	What to Watch For	When to Get Help
Eyes and face	Daily	Tear stains, wet fur, redness, odor	Thick discharge, sore skin, swelling, bad smell
Ears	Every 1–2 weeks	Bad smell, dark wax, head shaking, scratching	Pain, redness, strong odor, discharge
Nails and paws	Every 3–4 weeks	Clicking nails, cracked nails, hair between paw pads	Bleeding, limping, painful or overgrown nails
Teeth	Several times per week	Bad breath, yellow buildup, red gums	Swollen gums, loose teeth, trouble eating
Skin and coat	During every grooming session	Itching, flakes, redness, lumps, hot spots	Sores, hair loss, severe itching, infected skin

Maltese tear stain and face cleaning

Maltese dogs commonly develop tear stains because their white facial hair easily holds moisture, debris, and tear residue. Tear staining is most noticeable under the eyes and around the muzzle.

To clean your Maltese’s face safely:

• Wipe the eye area daily with a soft, damp cloth or dog-safe eye wipe
• Use a separate clean area of the cloth for each eye
• Dry the hair after wiping so moisture does not sit on the skin
• Keep facial hair neat so it does not rub the eyes
• Avoid human wipes, harsh stain removers, peroxide, or strong scented products near the eyes

Daily face cleaning is one of the most important parts of Maltese grooming at home. It helps reduce tear stains, odor, crust buildup, and skin irritation around the eyes and muzzle.

If your Maltese has thick discharge, swelling, constant squinting, a bad smell, or sore skin under the eyes, this may be a health issue rather than a grooming problem. In that case, contact a veterinarian instead of trying to treat it with grooming products.

Ear care basics

Maltese ears can trap moisture and wax, especially after bathing or professional grooming. Regular ear checks help catch odor, redness, or irritation early.

• Check the ears weekly
• Clean only when needed or as advised by your groomer or vet
• Use a dog-safe ear cleaner only
• Never push cotton swabs deep into the ear canal
• Dry around the ears after bathing

If your Maltese shakes their head often, scratches the ears, reacts with pain, or has a strong ear odor, stop cleaning and ask a veterinarian for advice.

Nail trimming and paw care

Long nails can make walking uncomfortable and may change how your Maltese stands or moves. Most Maltese dogs need nail trims every 3 to 4 weeks, but some need them sooner if the nails grow quickly.

• Trim only small amounts at a time
• Watch for the quick inside the nail
• Stop if your dog becomes stressed or pulls away suddenly
• Check paw pads for trapped hair, dirt, redness, or irritation
• Ask a groomer for help if the nails are dark, thick, or overgrown

If you are unsure where to cut, professional nail trimming is safer than guessing. Cutting the quick can cause pain and bleeding.

Dental care for Maltese dogs

Dental care is an important part of Maltese grooming because small breeds are prone to plaque buildup, bad breath, gum irritation, and tooth problems. Brushing your Maltese’s teeth several times per week can help reduce buildup and support better oral health.

• Use dog toothpaste only
• Start slowly with short sessions
• Focus on the outside surfaces of the teeth
• Watch for bad breath, red gums, yellow buildup, or trouble chewing

Do not use human toothpaste, because it is not made for dogs. If your Maltese has swollen gums, loose teeth, or pain while eating, schedule a veterinary dental check.

Skin checks during grooming

Every grooming session is also a chance to check your Maltese’s skin. Because mats can hide irritation, skin checks are especially important behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar, on the belly, and near the tail.

Look for:

• Red or itchy spots
• Flaky or dry skin
• Lumps, bumps, or scabs
• Hot spots or sore areas
• Hair loss or thinning patches

Early signs are easier to manage than serious problems later. If the skin looks painful, infected, or suddenly worse, contact a veterinarian.

These small hygiene tasks make Maltese grooming more complete and help your dog stay healthier, cleaner, and more comfortable every day.

Professional Maltese Grooming, Safety Tips, and Common Mistakes

Some Maltese grooming tasks are safe to do at home, while others are better handled by a professional groomer. Knowing the difference protects your dog from skin cuts, clipper burns, painful mat pulling, and stressful grooming sessions.

The table below shows what you can usually do at home and when professional grooming is the better choice.

Home Grooming vs Professional Grooming for Maltese Dogs

Grooming Task	Safe at Home?	When a Groomer Is Better	Why It Matters
Brushing and combing	Yes	If the coat is heavily tangled	Prevents mats and keeps the coat manageable
Bathing and drying	Yes	If your Maltese has skin problems or heavy matting	Improper bathing can tighten mats or irritate skin
Nail trimming	Sometimes	If nails are dark, thick, overgrown, or your dog resists	Helps avoid cutting the quick
Face trimming	No for beginners	When hair is close to the eyes or muzzle	Scissors near the eyes can be risky
Haircuts and body trims	No for beginners	Usually best done professionally	Clippers and scissors can cut or burn sensitive skin
Mat removal	No	Always recommended for tight or skin-level mats	Mats can hide sores, moisture, and irritated skin

How often should a Maltese see a groomer?

Most Maltese dogs should see a professional groomer every 4 to 8 weeks. A Maltese in a short pet trim may do well every 6 to 8 weeks, while a Maltese with a longer coat may need grooming every 3 to 6 weeks.

A professional groomer can safely trim the coat, clean up the face, remove mats, trim nails, tidy the paws, and help keep the coat easier to maintain between appointments.

For older dogs, grooming needs may change with mobility, skin sensitivity, and comfort level. You can use the Maltese Dog Age Calculator to understand your dog’s life stage and adjust grooming sessions to match their age.

Seasonal Maltese grooming safety

Many owners think shaving a Maltese very short in summer will automatically keep them cooler. A neat short trim can be practical, but shaving too close may expose sensitive skin to sunburn, irritation, and dryness.

• In summer, keep the coat clean, brushed, and free from mats
• Use a manageable pet trim instead of shaving down to the skin
• Protect your Maltese from direct heat and hot walking surfaces
• In winter, use conditioner and regular brushing to reduce static and tangles
• Dry the coat fully after wet weather or baths

The goal is not to remove as much coat as possible. The goal is to keep your Maltese comfortable, clean, and protected in each season.

Common Maltese grooming mistakes to avoid

Most Maltese grooming problems happen because small tasks are skipped for too long. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Skipping brushing between baths
• Bathing without brushing and combing first
• Using human shampoo, soap, or harsh tear stain products
• Leaving the coat damp after bathing
• Only brushing the top layer while mats form near the skin
• Pulling mats instead of loosening them gently
• Trying to cut mats close to the skin with scissors
• Waiting too long between professional grooming appointments
• Ignoring bad ear smell, skin redness, or painful handling

Small grooming mistakes can turn into painful mats, irritated skin, odor, and stressful grooming sessions if they happen repeatedly.

When to see a vet instead of a groomer

A groomer can help with coat care, trimming, mat removal, bathing, nails, and routine maintenance. A veterinarian is the better choice when the problem may involve pain, infection, allergies, injury, or illness.

Contact a veterinarian if you notice:

• Red, sore, swollen, or infected skin
• Bad ear smell, ear pain, or dark discharge
• Heavy hair loss or bald patches
• Severe itching or constant licking
• Open sores, bleeding, or hot spots
• Thick eye discharge or swollen eyes
• Sudden fear, pain, or behavior changes during grooming

These signs may point to a medical issue, not a normal grooming problem. Do not try to cover them with grooming products or remove painful mats by force.

Proper Maltese grooming is about routine, patience, safety, and prevention. When grooming is done consistently, your Maltese can stay cleaner, more comfortable, easier to handle, and healthier over time.

Maltese Dog Grooming FAQs

How often do Maltese need to be groomed?

Most Maltese dogs need brushing several times per week and professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks. A Maltese with a long coat may need daily brushing and more frequent grooming, while a short pet trim is easier to maintain.

How often should I bathe my Maltese?

Most Maltese dogs should be bathed every 2 to 4 weeks. Bathing too often can dry the skin, while waiting too long can lead to odor, dirt buildup, tear staining, and tangles. Always brush before bathing and dry the coat fully afterward.

Can I groom a Maltese at home?

Yes, you can handle basic Maltese grooming at home, including brushing, bathing, face cleaning, ear checks, nail care, dental care, and skin checks. Haircuts, face trimming, and tight mat removal are safer with a professional groomer, especially for beginners.

Why does my Maltese get tear stains?

Maltese dogs often get tear stains because their white facial hair holds moisture and tear residue under the eyes. Daily face cleaning, drying the area after wiping, and keeping facial hair neat can help reduce staining. Thick discharge, swelling, odor, or sore skin should be checked by a veterinarian.

Do Maltese dogs shed?

Maltese dogs shed very little compared with many breeds, but they are not maintenance-free. Loose hair often stays trapped inside the coat, which is why regular brushing is needed to prevent tangles and mats.

What is the best grooming style for a Maltese?

For most owners, a short pet trim or puppy cut is the easiest Maltese grooming style to maintain. Longer coats can look beautiful, but they need daily brushing, more careful bathing, and more frequent professional grooming.

What happens if a Maltese is not groomed regularly?

If a Maltese is not groomed regularly, the coat can develop mats, odor, skin irritation, tear stain buildup, dirty paws, long nails, and painful tangles. Severe mats can pull on the skin and may need professional removal.

Should a Maltese be shaved in summer?

A Maltese can have a shorter summer trim, but shaving too close to the skin is usually not recommended. Very short shaving can expose sensitive skin to sunburn, dryness, and irritation. A manageable pet trim is usually safer than shaving down to the skin.