A Guide to How to Care For Your Maltese Puppy

Maltese puppies are small and delicate, so extra care must be taken to ensure that they are kept safe, happy and healthy as they mature.

Hopefully, your Maltese puppy was obtained from a reputable breeder, and not from a classified ad or pet store. Often called “Teacup Maltese” these puppies can have a ton of health problems that go hand in hand with being so small. Dogs were not meant to be the size of potato chips, and teacup puppies are a good example of this. They more often than not have brain problems, feeding problems and other physical and mental issues the prevent them from thriving, and often result in heartache and great  financial expense. If you come across a Maltese breeder offering exclusively Teacups, run – don’t walk – away.

The first thing to consider with your Maltese puppy is how often to feed her. Small puppies need regular feedings to regulate their blood sugar as they grow. You should feed your pup at least three times a day, each feeding consisting of a tablespoon of premium puppy food intended for small breeds. As your puppy grows and matures, you can introduce puppy kibble in small amounts to the soft diet. Eventually you will want to feed a combination of both types of food. Fresh water should always be available to your puppy, but take care to ensure that the water dish is not large enough to pose a drowning hazard to your tiny puppy.

With it’s fluffy white coat, and questionable eating and bathroom prowess, chances are you are going to need to bathe and wipe down your Maltese puppy on a regular basis until she grows up and learns the ropes. Unscented baby wipes do a wonderful job.

While your puppy is small, she will have a fluffy coat that is fairly easy to maintain. It’s important to give her a gentle brushing with a slicker brush every day to get her used to the regimen. Once your puppy matures, her coat will need lots of brushing and care.

Toys should be provided to your puppy for play, as well as for something to chew on other than your fingers (ouch!). Puppies love to play, and they need to chew to relieve teething pain, similar to human babies. Ask your veterinarian what they recommend in the way of puppy teething toys.

Sleeping arrangements should be considered carefully when it comes to your Maltese puppy. While it may be enticing to let your puppy sleep with you in your bed, this can be a recipe for disaster. Not only is it likely you’ll wake up amidst little puddles of pee and perhaps poop, your puppy could fall or jump from your bed,  injuring his delicate bones and joints in the process. Another horrible possibility is that you can accidentally suffocate your tiny Maltese puppy during your sleep. Play it safe and have your puppy sleep in a cozy crate beside your bed.  Crate training is highly recommended by dog trainers, and can help keep your puppy safe while you sleep.

Ensure that your Maltese puppy has a safe and secure environment both indoors and outdoors. Think like a puppy, and imagine yourself romping around your home as a tiny pooch. What would you encounter? Anything that might pose a hazard such as electrical cords, things the puppy might eat or chew up, poisons, plants and other items need to be removed from the puppy’s vicinity.

Outdoors, your tiny Maltese pup is a “sitting duck” for animals that prey on small critters. Just ask Jessica Simpson, who lost her beloved Maltipoo in just such an incident. Never let your Maltese puppy outdoors alone, and always keep a very close eye on your puppy when outdoors with you. Hawks, coyotes, wild pigs and other such creatures can pose great danger.

As you can see, caring for a small Maltese puppy can be a big job! That being said, it’s well worth the effort with such a charming, affectionate and devoted companion.