5 Maltese Dog Grooming Tips

If you don’t have money for a professional groomer, the following 5 Maltese dog grooming tips can easily be done at home. Keeping your dog clean and healthy requires regular fur, skin, teeth and nail care. Remember to keep a few special considerations associated with the Maltese breed in mind while grooming your dog

1. Reduce tear stains. Toy breeds like the Maltese are prone to tearing and developing reddish-brown stains on the fur below their eyes. Since Maltese dogs have white fur, these stains are more noticeable. To help minimize staining, keep the fur under your dog’s eyes as dry as possible. Wet a soft-bristled toothbrush or fine-tooth comb in warm water then gently clear debris at the corners of the eyes. Although staining is mainly a cosmetic problem rather than a health problem, you can ask your vet for advice if your Maltese tears excessively. 
2. Brush your dog’s fur daily. Since Maltese dogs have long, silky coats, their fur needs to be groomed and brushed every day to prevent mats and tangles. Lightly spray a mixture of coat conditioner and water on your dog while brushing her to reduce static and protect the hair from breakage. Use a steel-tooth comb or pin brush. Trim the fur around her eyes or tie it up in a topknot. Look for little, black specks, known as flea dirt, on her skin while you brush her. If your dog has mats, you’ll need to take her to a professional groomer. 
3. Bathe and dry your Maltese correctly. Always brush your Maltese before bathing and make sure to remove all dead fur and mats. Use shampoos made specifically for dogs with white fur and conditioners suited for long-haired dogs. Avoid getting water, shampoo or conditioner in her eyes and ears. Thoroughly rinse her to remove all traces of shampoo and conditioner since residue can irritate her skin. Put a towel around her to get rid of excess water. Use a hair dryer on a low or warm, not hot, setting to dry her fur. Run a brush through her fur while grooming with the hair dryer. 
4. Clip your Maltese’s nails. If your Maltese can tolerate having her paws handled, trim her nails about every two weeks. Long nails can get caught in her fur when she scratches and also affect how she walks and runs. The best time to clip is after shes had a bath since you can see the quick, or pinkish area of the nail. Use guillotine style clippers held at a slight angle and cut just below the quick. Apply a silver nitrate product to the nail if you do cut into the quick by accident. 
5. Brush your Maltese’s teeth regularly. Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste made for dogs. Human toothpaste can make your dog ill. First, you’ll need to get her used to this procedure. Let her taste the toothpaste then apply a small amount to your finger and rub it slowly on her gums. Start using the toothbrush when she’s used to you touching her teeth and gums. Brush the back teeth first then move towards the front. Angle the brush to get the bristles up under the gumline and use circular motions. Brush your dogs teeth at least once a week.