Common Maltese Health Problems Every Owner Should Know
General guidance — not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.
Maltese dogs are beloved for their silky white coats, bold personalities, and gentle companionship. Like all purebred dogs, Maltese have specific health vulnerabilities that owners should understand from the start. Knowing what to watch for allows you to catch problems early — when treatment is most effective and least costly.
Top Health Issues in Maltese Dogs
Dental Disease
Dental disease is the number one health concern in Maltese. As a toy breed, Maltese have small mouths where teeth are crowded closely together, creating ideal conditions for plaque and tartar buildup, gingivitis, and tooth root infections. Many Maltese show significant dental disease by age 3-4. Signs include bad breath, drooling, reluctance to eat hard kibble, and pawing at the mouth. Professional dental cleanings (under anesthesia) every 1-2 years are essential for most Maltese.
Luxating Patella
Patellar luxation — a kneecap that periodically slips out of its groove — is extremely common in small breeds including the Maltese. Affected dogs may intermittently skip on a back leg, hold it up momentarily, then walk normally again as the kneecap returns to position. Mild cases are managed with monitoring and weight control; severe cases may require surgery.
Portosystemic Liver Shunt (PSS)
A liver shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver, allowing toxins to accumulate in the bloodstream. It's more common in Maltese than many other breeds. Signs typically appear in young dogs: poor growth, confusion after eating, circling, seizures, and prolonged sedation following anesthesia. Diagnosis requires specific blood tests and imaging. Surgical correction is possible in many cases.
Hypoglycemia
Toy breed puppies — especially Maltese under 4 months old — are prone to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs include lethargy, weakness, disorientation, trembling, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. Small, frequent, high-protein meals help prevent episodes.
White Shaker Dog Syndrome
White Shaker Dog Syndrome (Idiopathic Steroid-Responsive Tremor Syndrome) occurs predominantly in small white dogs, including Maltese. Affected dogs develop sudden whole-body tremors, typically between 6 months and 3 years of age. The tremors worsen with excitement or stress. This condition responds well to corticosteroid treatment.
Eye and Tear Duct Issues
Maltese frequently develop epiphora — excessive tearing that stains the fur around the eyes a reddish-brown. While often cosmetic, severe epiphora may indicate blocked tear ducts, corneal ulcers, or eye infections. Regular gentle cleaning of the eye area prevents skin infections from the chronic moisture.
When to See a Vet
Contact your vet if your Maltese:
- Has persistent bad breath or is reluctant to eat
- Intermittently lifts a back leg or skips steps
- Shows trembling, confusion, or seizures
- Has poor appetite and seems small for their age (especially in puppies)
- Develops eye discharge, squinting, or cloudiness
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What to Do as a Maltese Owner
- Schedule dental cleanings proactively — don't wait for pain to become obvious.
- Feed small, frequent meals to young Maltese puppies to prevent hypoglycemia.
- Keep your Maltese at a healthy weight — extra weight accelerates joint problems and metabolic conditions.
- Choose a breeder who tests breeding stock for liver shunts and luxating patella.
- Bring your vet a full list of symptoms at every checkup — toy breeds are stoic and may hide discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common health problems in Maltese dogs? The top issue is dental disease (their crowded toy-breed mouths mean many show significant disease by age 3-4). Other common problems include luxating patella (a slipping kneecap), portosystemic liver shunt (PSS), hypoglycemia in young puppies, White Shaker Dog Syndrome, and eye/tear-duct issues like epiphora (tear staining).
Why is dental care so important for Maltese? As a toy breed, Maltese have small mouths with crowded teeth, creating ideal conditions for plaque, tartar, gingivitis, and tooth-root infections — many show significant dental disease by age 3-4. Signs include bad breath, drooling, reluctance to eat hard kibble, and pawing at the mouth. Professional cleanings under anesthesia every 1-2 years are essential for most Maltese.
What is a liver shunt (PSS) in Maltese? A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver, letting toxins build up in the bloodstream — it's more common in Maltese than many breeds. Signs usually appear in young dogs: poor growth, confusion after eating, circling, seizures, and prolonged sedation after anesthesia. Diagnosis needs specific blood tests and imaging, and surgical correction is possible in many cases.
Why do young Maltese puppies get hypoglycemia? Toy-breed puppies, especially Maltese under 4 months, are prone to dangerously low blood sugar because they have very little reserve. Signs include lethargy, weakness, disorientation, trembling, and in severe cases seizures or coma. Small, frequent, high-protein meals help prevent episodes.
When should I take my Maltese to the vet? Contact your vet for persistent bad breath or reluctance to eat, intermittently lifting a back leg or skipping steps, trembling, confusion, or seizures, a poor appetite with small-for-age growth (especially in puppies), or eye discharge, squinting, or cloudiness. Toy breeds are stoic, so bring a full symptom list to every checkup.
Still Not Sure if Your Pet Needs a Vet?
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