In spite of being one of the
smaller dogs and considered a toy breed, the Maltese
is a generally healthy animal that may live as long
as 15 years or more. There are a few things that
owners can do to help this energetic little pet live
a healthier life. Therefore, you always want to buy
this and any breed from a top-quality breeder. We
recommend visiting at least three breeders and
asking plenty of questions about the general health
of the parents, as well as the breed. Buying a
healthy young puppy from a reputable breeder who has
clean, safe living conditions for his dogs is
essential to give any pet a strong start.
The Maltese can be subject to a few health problems,
including an eye disease called retinal atrophy that
leads to limited vision in low light. In severe
cases, this condition may eventually lead to loss of
vision in one or both eyes. This is something that
you should be aware of as you look for a Maltese
puppy and it would be best to ask the breeder and
veterinarian about the condition. In addition, the
Maltese as a breed does not do well in damp
environments, so it would be ideal to make sure that
the home and surroundings are not overly wet or damp
to avoid any respiratory problems or other health
conditions that may result from dampness.
Your Maltese should do very
well in an apartment or small house, since this is a
very active breed indoors. An occasional walk and
some outside play should be sufficient for this
breed. The Maltese should never be tied outdoors
since they can be sensitive to weather extremes and
may even sunburn on the small amount of exposed skin
on the back. Some owners and veterinarians report a
problem called luxating patella, in which the
kneecap moves out of its normal location. This
condition may be from a hereditary defect or from
some bump or accident. Considered a common condition
among small and miniature breeds, you would likely
notice some limping and/or pain around the age of
four to six months.
Some reports have been made of a “liver shunt” in
smaller dogs, in which the circulatory system does
not develop properly and the liver is affected
either internally or externally. This condition is
definitely one of which you want to be aware. As for
feeding your Maltese properly, ask your breeder and
veterinarian about possible problems with a
sensitive digestive system in this small dog.
However, it is best to try to feed high quality
food, possibly even fresh meats, and some vegetables
to avoid such problems, as dry skin and poor
condition of the coat. Just be sure to consult your
veterinarian about any diet for a new dog.
To maintain the excellent quality of the Maltese
coat, it may be necessary to include some higher
protein and fat ingredients. However, if your pet is
doing well on the diet you use currently there
should be no reason to switch. Remember that the
higher-priced foods are more likely to have the
nutrients a dog requires and those nutrients may be
in a more usable form for the dog’s digestive
system. One recommendation would be to feed your
Maltese puppy three times each day in smaller
amounts rather than once in a large amount. This can
be adjusted, as the dog grows older. Good quality
prepared treats are also fine in limited amounts.
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