The short answer
The Maltese's main health issues are the toy-breed ones. Dental disease is the biggest, so home brushing and periodic professional cleaning matter. Luxating patella and tracheal collapse are common, which is why you keep the dog lean and always walk it in a harness, never a collar. The breed has an above-average risk of portosystemic liver shunt, older dogs can develop heart disease, and tear staining on the white coat is common and usually cosmetic. The upside is a long life, commonly 12 to 15 years. Keep up dental care, keep the dog lean, use a harness, keep the coat clean, and stay on top of vet checks. This is general information, not veterinary advice; for your dog, always talk to your vet.
A note on this guide: this is general educational information for prospective and current Maltese owners, not veterinary advice. Every dog is an individual. For diagnosis, treatment or advice about your specific dog, always consult a registered veterinarian. Sources include the Australian Veterinary Association, the RSPCA Knowledgebase and Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH).
Dental disease: the number-one issue
If you learn one thing about Maltese health, make it dental care. Their mouths are tiny and their teeth crowded, so plaque and tartar build up easily, and dental disease is one of the most common health problems in the breed. Left unmanaged over a long life it causes pain, tooth loss and infection that can affect the whole body.
The good news is that it is largely preventable. Regular tooth brushing at home, vet-recommended dental products, and professional dental cleaning under anaesthetic when your vet advises will keep a Maltese's mouth healthy. Because Maltese live 12 to 15 years, budgeting for periodic dental work across that life is part of owning the breed responsibly, and it is one of the kindest things you can do for the dog.
Knees and the windpipe
Luxating patella. A slipping kneecap is common in toy breeds. You might see an occasional skip or hop in a back leg. Mild cases are usually managed with weight control and monitoring; more severe ones can need surgery. Keeping your Maltese lean and having any recurring limp checked by your vet are the key steps.
Tracheal collapse and the harness rule. Maltese can be prone to a weakening of the windpipe, and pressure from a collar on a small neck can make it worse. Always walk a Maltese in a well-fitted harness, never a collar, so any lead pressure spreads across the chest instead of the throat. A honking cough, especially with excitement, is a sign to see your vet. The harness habit protects the airway for life.
Liver shunts
The Maltese has an above-average risk of portosystemic liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that lets blood bypass the liver so toxins are not filtered properly. It often shows up in young dogs, with signs such as poor growth, dullness or disorientation (especially after meals), or vague, recurring illness.
It is diagnosed by a vet with blood tests and imaging, and depending on the type, many cases are managed with diet and medication or corrected with surgery. If you are adopting a young Maltese and notice these signs, see your vet promptly. A reputable rescue vet-checks its dogs and will share any known health history, so ask about it. This is another reason pet insurance taken out while the dog is young is worthwhile.
Tear staining, eyes and heart
Tear staining. The reddish-brown marks that can appear on the white fur below the eyes are caused by tears and moisture and show up clearly on a white coat. In most cases it is purely cosmetic, managed by keeping the face gently clean and dry. But heavy or sudden staining, or a red or sore eye, can point to blocked tear ducts, irritation or a dental problem, so have your vet check anything beyond the ordinary.
Heart. Mitral valve disease, a common small-breed heart condition, can appear in older Maltese, so your vet listening carefully at routine check-ups matters across a long life. Many dogs live comfortably with managed heart disease, and any treatment should always be vet-guided, never self-managed.
Browse adoptable Maltese in Sydney
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See Available Maltese →Climate, coat and budgeting
Maltese have a single coat with little insulating undercoat, so they can feel the cold, especially in a short clip, and may shiver on a chilly Sydney morning or in air conditioning. A light coat on cold days and a warm bed help. Keeping the coat clean and free of mats also protects the skin underneath from irritation and infection, which links coat care straight to health (see our Maltese grooming guide). Tick and parasite prevention is essential year-round in the Sydney region.
On budgeting, the recurring costs are grooming, dental care and routine vet visits, with the breed's knee, liver and heart risks adding potential expense. Pet insurance taken out while the dog is young, plus keeping up routine and dental care so problems are caught early, are the two best financial decisions. We cover the full cost of adopting and keeping a Maltese in our Maltese adoption guide. For general new-dog health planning, the RSPCA Knowledgebase and your own vet are the best starting points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What health problems are Maltese prone to?
As a toy breed, Maltese are prone to a familiar set of small-dog issues. Dental disease is the most common, because their tiny mouths crowd the teeth. They are also prone to luxating patella (a slipping kneecap), tracheal collapse (which is why a harness rather than a collar matters), and heart disease such as mitral valve disease in older dogs. The breed has an above-average risk of portosystemic liver shunt, a blood-vessel abnormality around the liver, and tiny puppies can get low blood sugar. Tear staining around the eyes is common and usually cosmetic. None of this should put you off; it is a reason to choose a good vet, keep up dental care, use a harness, and insure the dog while it is young.
Why is dental disease such a big deal in Maltese?
Because their mouths are tiny and their teeth crowded, Maltese trap plaque and tartar easily, and dental disease is one of the most common health problems in the breed. Left unmanaged over a long life it causes pain, tooth loss and infection that can affect other organs. The good news is that it is largely preventable. Regular tooth brushing at home, vet-recommended dental products, and professional dental cleaning under anaesthetic when your vet advises keep a Maltese's mouth healthy. Because Maltese live 12 to 15 years, budgeting for periodic dental work across that life is simply part of owning the breed responsibly, and it keeps the dog comfortable.
What is a liver shunt, and are Maltese prone to it?
A portosystemic liver shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that lets blood bypass the liver, so toxins are not filtered properly, and Maltese have an above-average risk of the condition. Signs can include poor growth, dullness or disorientation (especially after meals), and other vague illness, often appearing in young dogs. It is diagnosed with blood tests and imaging by a vet, and many cases can be managed medically or with surgery depending on the type. If you are adopting a young Maltese and notice these signs, see your vet, who can investigate. A reputable rescue vet-checks its dogs and will share any known health history with you.
What is tear staining and should I worry about it?
Tear staining is the reddish-brown discolouration that can appear on the white fur below a Maltese's eyes, caused by tears and moisture, and on a white coat it shows up clearly. In most cases it is purely cosmetic and managed by gently keeping the face clean and dry and wiping the area regularly. Sometimes, though, excessive tearing points to an underlying issue like blocked tear ducts, an eye irritation, or a dental problem, so if the staining is heavy, sudden, or the eye looks red or sore, have your vet check it. For most Maltese, a simple daily face-cleaning routine keeps the staining under control.
Why should I use a harness instead of a collar on a Maltese?
Because Maltese, like other toy breeds, can be prone to tracheal collapse, a weakening of the windpipe, and pressure from a collar on a small neck can aggravate it. A well-fitted harness spreads any lead pressure across the chest instead of the throat, which is much safer for the delicate trachea, and it gives you gentler control of a small dog. A honking cough, especially with excitement or exertion, is a sign to see your vet. Using a harness for every walk is a simple, cheap habit that protects your Maltese's airway, and most Sydney vets and trainers recommend it as standard for the breed.
Do Maltese have knee and heart problems?
They can. Luxating patella, a slipping kneecap common in toy breeds, is seen in Maltese; you might notice an occasional skip or hop in a back leg. Mild cases are usually managed with weight control and monitoring, while more severe ones can need surgery, so keeping your dog lean and having any recurring limp checked matters. On the heart, mitral valve disease is a common small-breed condition that can appear in older Maltese, so your vet listening at routine check-ups is important across a long life. Many dogs live comfortably with managed knee or heart conditions; any treatment should always be guided by your vet.
Do Maltese feel the cold in the Sydney climate?
Somewhat, yes. Maltese are small and have a single coat with little insulating undercoat, so they can feel the cold, particularly if kept in a short clip, and they may shiver on a chilly Sydney morning or in an air-conditioned room. A light coat or jumper on cold days and a warm bed away from draughts keep them comfortable. In summer they still need shade and water like any dog. Whatever the season, tick and parasite prevention is essential year-round in the Sydney region, so keep prevention current and check your dog after bush or coastal walks. Keeping the coat clean and free of mats also protects the skin underneath.
How long do Maltese live, and how do I keep one healthy?
Maltese commonly live 12 to 15 years, sometimes longer, a typically long small-breed lifespan. The keys to a long, comfortable life are straightforward: keep up dental care, because dental disease is the breed's biggest issue; keep the dog lean to protect the knees and heart; use a harness to protect the trachea; keep the coat clean and mat-free to protect the skin; and stay on top of routine vet checks so problems like heart murmurs, dental disease and eye issues are caught early. Tick and parasite prevention is essential year-round in Sydney. Give a Maltese that care and you give it the best chance at its full, gentle life.
Keep reading
Adoptable Maltese in Sydney
Live listings of Maltese and Maltese crosses across Sydney and NSW rescues.
Maltese Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt, what it costs, and why so many (often seniors) end up in rescue.
Maltese Grooming & Coat Care
Brushing, matting, the practical short clip, tear staining and what the white coat really needs.
All Sydney Adoption Guides
Browse every breed and how-to guide for adopting a rescue dog in Sydney.