Maltese Grooming & Care (Coat, Tear Stains & Topknot)

The Maltese's long, flowing, pure-white coat is its crowning glory — and the part of ownership that needs the most hands-on care. Unlike many breeds, the Maltese has a single coat with no undercoat, made of fine, silky, hair-like fur that grows continuously rather than shedding seasonally. That means very little hair around the home, but a real daily commitment to brushing, eye care and grooming. Here is how to keep a Maltese looking and feeling its best.

Understanding the Maltese coat

A Maltese coat is closer to human hair than typical dog fur: fine, straight, silky and ever-growing. Because there is no dense undercoat, the breed sheds minimally, which is part of why it is often suggested for some allergy sufferers — though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The trade-off is that the long coat mats and tangles very easily if it is not brushed daily, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and on the belly. Mats are not just unsightly; left alone they pull on the skin and can cause sores, so prevention through regular brushing is essential.

Daily brushing

Plan on brushing every day, or at least every other day, to keep the coat tangle-free. Lightly mist the coat with a little water or a dog coat conditioner first — brushing a bone-dry coat can snap the hair — then work gently through it in sections, right down to the skin, using a suitable pin brush and a comb to check for hidden knots. If you find a mat, tease it apart with your fingers and the comb from the edges inwards rather than pulling or cutting. Our grooming brushes range has tools suited to a fine, silky coat.

Show coat or pet clip?

Many pet owners choose to keep their Maltese in a shorter "puppy" or pet clip rather than the full, floor-length show coat. A clip is far easier to maintain, more comfortable for an active dog, and means less daily brushing — though you will still need regular grooming. A full-length coat is beautiful but demanding, requiring daily care and often wrapping or tying to protect it. Most owners visit a professional groomer every four to eight weeks for bathing, trimming, nail clipping and tidying, whichever style they choose. Factor the ongoing cost of grooming into your budget; our cost guide covers this.

The topknot

Because the long hair on the head falls into the eyes, many Maltese wear a topknot — the hair above the eyes gathered up and tied with a soft band. This keeps hair out of the eyes (which is good for comfort and eye health), shows off the face, and is part of the breed's classic look. Use only soft, latex-free bands made for dogs, never elastic bands that pull, and never tie it so tight that it stretches the skin. If you prefer not to bother with a topknot, simply keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short.

Tear stains

Reddish-brown tear staining under the eyes is very common in Maltese, standing out against the white coat. It is caused by pigments in overflowing tears and is usually cosmetic. To manage it, gently wipe the area daily with cooled boiled water or a vet-approved eye wipe, keep the surrounding hair trimmed short, and make sure fresh drinking water is always available. Importantly, sudden, heavy, one-sided or uncomfortable tearing is not normal and should be checked by a vet, as it can indicate a blocked tear duct, infection, eye irritation or even ingrowing eyelashes. Never use human eye products or anything containing antibiotics without veterinary advice.

Bathing

Maltese benefit from regular bathing — often every few weeks — to keep that white coat clean and bright. Use a gentle dog shampoo, wet and lather thoroughly, rinse extremely well to avoid residue that can irritate skin, and dry carefully, brushing as you go to prevent the coat tangling as it dries. A whitening dog shampoo can help maintain the bright colour, but choose a mild one and avoid getting any product in the eyes.

Teeth, nails and ears

Grooming is about more than the coat:

• Teeth. Dental disease is very common in toy breeds, so brush daily with dog toothpaste and use vet checks and dental chews — see our dental care range.
• Nails. Trim every few weeks, taking only the clear tip and avoiding the pink quick.
• Ears. Check regularly for wax, redness or odour, and gently remove hair from the ear canal opening if your groomer advises, to allow airflow.

Walking kit and comfort

Use a well-fitted harness rather than a collar for walks, to protect the breed's delicate windpipe — browse our dog harnesses. Given their small size and single coat, many Maltese feel the cold and wet, so a dog coat is worth having for winter walks. Keep a collar on with up-to-date ID and microchip details, as the law requires.

Start grooming young, keep sessions short, calm and rewarding, and your Maltese will learn to enjoy the routine. For more on the breed, see our guides on whether Maltese make good family pets and lifespan and health.

*This is general guidance. For stubborn mats, persistent tear staining, or any eye, skin, dental or ear problem, see your vet or a professional groomer.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — Maltese breed and grooming information (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• PDSA — grooming, dental and eye care for dogs (pdsa.org.uk).
• Blue Cross — grooming your dog (bluecross.org.uk).
• RSPCA — dog care and welfare (rspca.org.uk).