Q&A for How to Care for a Maltese Dog

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What problems do Maltese dogs have?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Maltese dogs can have different kinds of health problems, like luxating patellas, white dog shaker syndrome, portosystemic shunts, and low blood sugar. Learning what to watch for will help you know when veterinary attention is required.

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Question

Are Maltese dogs hard to take care of?

Lauren Novack
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Lauren Novack is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant at Behavior Vets NYC where she helps fearful, anxious, and aggressive pets and their owners. She has completed coursework for her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis at Hunter College. Lauren’s research explores the intersection between training practices and animal welfare. She currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Daily Paws and has appeared on Fox & Friends, Rachel Ray, and various news outlets with her dog Grayson.

Lauren Novack

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

Even though they're small, they still need enrichment and training just like a large dog. Make sure you put in some time to properly train and socialize them.

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Question

How should I trim his nails? I am so worried about hurting him! What should I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Have a groomer or vet tech show you where the quick (the living part of the nail) is and how much to trim away. As a rule, only trim away the tip, so that when the dog stands you can slide a piece of paper under the nail. If you are uncertain how much to cut, use a coarse nail file and buff away the sharp point.

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Question

So I have school that will last seven hours. Is it okay to leave him alone for that long?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Ideally, you shouldn't leave your Maltese for longer than four hours at a stretch. More than this on a regular basis could leave him needing the toilet and feeling bored. This can then lead to unwanted barking or destructive behavior.

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