A Maltese is a tiny, often gentle, and quite a fearless dog breed believed to have originated in south-central Europe.
It has no connection whatsoever with the island of Malta and is a tiny dog that has a silky, snow-white coat.
It weighs up to 3.6 kilograms. Maltese is not the most intelligent dog, ranking 59th out of 79 other breeds assessed for intelligence, and is kept mostly for companionship.
Maltese dogs make for cute companions. In this article, we discuss, among other things, how to groom a Maltese.
How to Groom a Maltese
To properly groom a Maltese dog, there are several steps to follow. These steps include the following;
- Carefully brush your Maltese daily using a pin brush to untangle her coat and keep it smooth and pretty.
Avoid pulling or tugging the hair while grooming, as this is likely to cause pain and discomfort, which can make the dog wary of grooming. - Use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe around the eyes of your adorable Maltese daily to clear stains as a result of the slightly reddish discharge common with the Maltese breed.
You must clean it daily to maintain the white nature of the Maltese face and keep it clean. - Use spritz water to remove tangles from the coat of your Maltese. Gently run through the coat with a comb to untangle the twisted hair.
- Also monitor the hair closely around the ears of your Maltese as it is quite delicate and susceptible to tangles.
You can untangle the hair with the help of a comb using warm water. You can always trim tangles that prove a little too difficult to untangle. - Always keep the fur around the Maltese butt properly trimmed to prevent the fur from trapping fecal matter.
It is important to always keep it trimmed, preferably 1 inch long. - Bathe your Maltese at least once in two months. Bathing dogs often can be detrimental to the dogs’ skin as bathing removes essential oils that help protect the dog’s coat.
Use only recommended shampoos for white dogs when bathing your Maltese, and apply a conditioner after you finish bathing the dog to help untangle the fur. - Use a soft towel or a blow dryer (anyone is okay) to dry your Maltese coat. Remember to set the dryer to a reasonable level to prevent injuries to your dog.
Drying your Maltese with the help of a soft towel or dryer after bathing helps prevent tangles. - Use a combination of a recommended ear cleaner and a cotton swab to regularly clean the ears of your Maltese.
Avoid putting anything into the ears of your Maltese to avoid causing any injuries to the ears.
The ears are delicate, and if you suspect anything wrong with the ears of your Maltese, a veterinarian is your best bet. - Cultivate the habit of taking your Maltese to a professional groomer to help pluck excessive hairs from your Maltese’s ears and help clean the feet by carefully trimming the furs around the toes and the nails. Nail trimming should be done once a month.
Healthy Diet for a Maltese
A balanced diet with lots of vitamins and a healthy dose of treats will help maintain healthy skin and coat for your Maltese.
It is always important to keep your dogs healthy by providing good nutrition and a healthy diet. Remember, a healthy dog is a happy dog.
Problems Associated with Owning a Maltese
The major problem with this breed in terms of health is the development of hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in sugar levels).
The Maltese breed is highly susceptible to this disease, and it is often caused by stress, lack of nutrients, et cetera.
It is more common in smaller Maltese and puppies, and the symptoms include fainting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremors, depression, seizures, et cetera.
If any of these symptoms are observed, immediate medical attention is needed.
Conclusion
Owning and caring for a Maltese can be an arduous task, but it is worth it.
The Maltese make for excellent companions, and they are quite beautiful to behold.
The article covered the health problems associated with the Maltese, a healthy diet for the Maltese, and most importantly, how to groom a Maltese.