How to Groom a Maltese?
How to Groom a Maltese?
Maltese is one of the happy and active toy breeds in the dog world. The dense fur of Maltese can be tricky to groom if it is neglected for a long time. If you’re a Maltese parent, be prepared to follow a regular grooming session for your furry friend.
I get it! Not everyone has the time to book and follow professional grooming appointments. Due to the playing nature of Maltese, the fur can catch a lot of outdoor dirt easily. Maltese breed belongs to Malta region, a Mediterranean country. The name ‘Maltese’ signifies the origin of this dog breed.
In case you’re wondering how you can groom a Maltese at home, you’re not alone. The frequent grooming needs of Maltese compel dog owners to keep track of grooming at home. Keep reading below on how you can give your Maltese, a refreshing grooming experience.
Grooming Tools for Maltese Grooming
No matter what dog breed you own at home, effective grooming always demands the right tools. With Maltese, investing in a dog grooming kit is the best option. The kit contains all the necessary equipment mentioned below.
- Dog Hair Clippers
- De-mating Combs & Attachments
- Straight & Curved Shearing Scissors
- Nail Trimmer & Grinder
- Maltese Specific Dog Shampoo & Conditioner
- Canine Ear & Eye Cleaning Solutions
- Eye & Facial Wipes
- Dog Bathtub
- Drying Towel & Hair Dryer
- Dog Specific Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Brushing & De-mating a Maltese
The coat of Maltese is lengthy as well as dense and requires frequent brushing every other day. Brushing is the first step in grooming a Maltese which helps remove tangles and knots. You can use a good quality metal comb first to straighten out the hair and to know possible knots and mats locations.
In case your Maltese has mats, it is time to use a de-mating comb to remove the tangles. You can mostly see these tangles and knots behind the ears, thighs, and abdomen of a Maltese. If the mats are hard to remove with the comb, use a blunt end scissor to remove them by avoiding the skin to prevent accidental nicks.
Use a medium pin brush to remove the excessive dead hair from the coat of Maltese. Brush the whole body of your dog from head to tail. Make sure to take special care around the head as pin-brushes can accidentally cause injury to the nose and eyes if you have a hyperactive dog.
Focus on the Teeth & Oral Health of Maltese
I know Maltese are a fan of tasty treats which contain a lot of sugars and preservatives. Over time, these threats can result in plaque formation on the teeth that need to be checked. If you find your dog’s teeth stained with plaque, give him a gentle tooth brushing using a canine toothpaste.
You can do that by choosing a small-sized brush with soft and thin bristles. Use a small amount of toothpaste and brush the teeth of your Maltese from the front to the back. Don’t go hard in this process to prevent injury to the gums from the toothbrush.
Hair & Nail Trimming of Maltese
Sometimes, the hair of Maltese can grow considerably in length and go out of proportion. You can even the hair of a Maltese using a good quality hair clipper. Look for the areas where the hair needs trimming especially below the abdomen, behind legs, ears, and on the paws.
If your dog is uncomfortable with the sound of clippers, you can use shearing scissors to trim the hair gently. The hair below the paws of Maltese needs trimming for the dog to walk properly without slipping. The face of Maltese needs special attention and you need to cut the long hair around the eyes and nose carefully.
The nails of your Maltese can outgrow the recommended length and cause problems. Use a canine nail trimmer to cut the nails by avoiding cutting the nails quickly. Make sure to use a filer or grind the nails of a Maltese after you use the nail trimmer.
How to Give Bath to a Maltese Dog?
A relaxing and warning bath is required to keep your Maltese coat fresh and in good shape. After the brushing and trimming, insert small cotton balls in the eats of your Maltese and prepare him for a bath.
Place the Maltese in the bathtub and use a shower at medium speed to dampen the whole body completely. Use a canine-specific shampoo that is non-irritant and gentle on the fur of your dog. Apply the shampoo in a small amount throughout the body and rub it with your hands or a rubber bristle brush.
If you’re giving a medicated shampoo bath, it is important to leave the shampoo in the coat for a few minutes. Gently rinse the coat with lukewarm water and use your hands to rub and remove the shampoo from the fur of the Maltese.
After ensuring there is no residual shampoo left, use a clean towel to dry the body of your furry friend. Air dry for a small amount of time and then use a blow dryer at low to medium heat to dry the coat completely. Manipulating the coat while drying helps in easy and quick drying in the case of Maltese.
Clean Ears & Eyes of Maltese
Ear cleaning is a necessary part of the Maltese grooming process and must be done carefully. Nowadays, plucking the hair from ears is discouraged and it inflicts pain and swelling in dogs. Use a canine ear cleaner, put a few drops inside, and wipe it off to clean the ear wax and debris in Maltese.
Additionally, the white fur of Maltese dogs around the eyes can easily get stained from tears and eye discharges. Use a good quality eye cleaning solution or wipes to clean the eyelid and around the eye area.
Importance of Spritzing in Maltese
The long fur of Maltese needs protection from a variety of environmental pollutants and sun exposure. Spritzing is spraying a leave-in conditioner spray to provide protection, fragrance, and good health to the fur. You can spray the conditioner gently on the coat and brush it down for a more even application.
