The Maltese breed makes an attractive pet dog because of its long, silky white hair from head to toe. But this often makes others wonder if Maltese actually shed.
So do Maltese shed? Yes, Maltese shed but they are categorized as a low-shedding breed. This makes them ideal pets for those who prefer lesser hairs around their homes and on their clothes. This breed has a single coat, without an undercoat, that helps markedly reduce the amount of hair that is shed.
Read through to learn more about the best grooming tips to help maintain the luscious locks of your fur baby. Let this article guide you on the whys and hows of Maltese shedding and what to do about it. Since Maltese are generally covered in hair, find out how much hair they actually shed from time to time. And how their shedding can be reduced.
Do Maltese Dogs Shed A Lot? Are Maltese Hypoallergenic?
Maltese are known for their appearance due to their long, white hair that covers their entire body. This feature makes them a popular toy dog breed among fur parents. Their hair is a focal point which their owners attentively keep tidy as much as possible.
But sometimes, in spite of the effort to keep it neat, this dog’s hair still ends up in random places. And it gets annoying when dog hairs stick to objects it should not. In short, Maltese dogs shed. But not as much as you would expect.
This breed belongs to the low-shedding dog group, together with Terriers, Bichon Frises, and Poodles. As mentioned earlier, this low-shedding group of dogs has a single coat. That means they do not have an undercoat.
Thus, when they shed, they shed only a little every time.
In essence, this makes Maltese dogs hypoallergenic.
They can be the breed of choice for dog lovers suffering from allergies to animal dander.
Now that we know that Maltese only shed little, you should be alert if you notice more shedding than usual. When a dog’s hair stops growing, or has completed a cycle of hair growth, they will lose it naturally by shedding.
But if you notice that your Maltese has shed more than usual, it is advisable to get your doggie checked.
It can mean there are causes that need to be identified as soon as possible to stop the continuous shedding. Contact your veterinarian and set an appointment for your pet.
Why Does My Maltese Shed Hair?
All dogs naturally shed hair every once in a while, but sometimes hair loss can also signal underlying medical conditions.
In general, there are several factors that affect the amount and frequency of hair shedding among dogs, Maltese included.
Stress
The first and most common reason for Maltese dogs to shed hair excessively is stress.
When Maltese seems to be shedding more than the usual amount of hair, they may be stressed out. There are many things that can stress your pooch such as meeting other people or pets, or moving into a new place.
Separation Anxiety
Other situations that can cause stress to Maltese include the loss of the usual companion and separation anxiety. The unfamiliarity of the people and surroundings bring discomfort and cause a change in behavior in your dog. This can lead to hair shedding.
Another reason for Maltese to shed is poor nutrition. All dog’s health in general reacts negatively when not supplied with proper nutrition. This may manifest as hair loss or as obvious signs as weakness and inactivity.
Nutrition
When Maltese lacks exercise or has a poor diet, they do not get the proper nutrients needed to keep their hair intact. Maltese, like other dogs, regularly need nutritious food that is grain-free and corn-free. When not given can result in deficiencies in certain vitamins or minerals, that can make hair loss severe.
Illnesses
Lastly, medical conditions, such as skin issues caused by parasites and skin allergies, can also cause Maltese to shed too much. Signs of skin irritation, like bumps, scabs, or a rash, in addition to hair loss should prompt you to visit a vet.
How To Take Care Of Maltese?
Because their body is covered in hair, it helps Maltese dogs to maintain body temperature. It also acts as a protective shield against various environmental elements, such as the sun, wind, and even the rain. Therefore, the hair of Maltese dogs is extremely important not just for aesthetic purposes but also for sustaining life.
As a pet owner, you should keep your Maltese hair in pristine condition as regularly as you can. You might be wondering what helps with the dog hair shedding. There are actually several things you can do for your furry friend that will surely work against hair loss.
Give Omega 3 Supplement
The PetHonesty Omega Salmon supplement is an example of Omega 3 you can give to your dog. Each snack is made of Alaskan Salmon, Kelp, and infused with Vitamin E and DHA.
This salmon flavored chewable contains more Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids than other salmon snacks in the market. This helps with shedding and improves the overall skin condition and coat shine.
Maintain Your Maltese On A Healthy Diet
If you are unsure of what to feed your pet to improve overall health, head on over to Pet Plate. The people behind Pet Plate will help you customize the diet plan appropriate for the needs of your dog. The meals they make and deliver are high-quality made from USDA meat, fruits and veggies formulated by their veterinary nutritionist.
Apply Proper Grooming Techniques
These are techniques you can also do at home. Check below for the detailed steps.
How Does Grooming A Maltese Reduce Shedding?
Although Maltese dogs are known to shed less than its double-coated breed counterparts, they are not entirely exempted from the shedding. They too have their fair share of instances wherein they shed more than the usual. In some cases, it can be too frequent that it causes concern for the owners.
Aside from the diet modification and giving of supplements, proper grooming techniques can make a big difference. It is simple but effective.
Basically, to reduce shedding is to keep up with the growth of your Maltese’s hair.
As simple as brushing your Maltese locks regularly can already help improve the hair condition. With regular combing of your pet’s coat, the dead hairs can be collected neatly. These hair strands that have been plucked out a long time ago can be removed before they even fall out.
Removing the dead hairs also prevents the formation of hair mats on your dog’s coat.
Matting is troublesome because it can cause mild to severe discomfort when unintentionally or accidentally pulled from a dog’s skin.
Matted hair can also contain a combination of dirt, such as stool materials, insects and other foreign objects. When these come in contact with your Maltese’s skin, it may cause irritation that can further worsen the shedding.
If your Maltese develops matted hair on their coats, it is important to be gentle when removing it.
With diligent fingers, work your way through with a detangler spray or conditioning oil. These simple hair care tips will reduce the overall appearance shedding.
How Do You Groom A Maltese At Home?
Grooming your Maltese at home includes not just bathing, but hairstyling as well. Since a Maltese’s hair can grow up to 12 inches long if left without cutting, grooming them can get pretty challenging.
Regular Bathing
It is advised to bathe your dog at not so frequent intervals to keep the natural oils on their coat. The bathing products you should also use on your furry friend should be suitable for pets.
Regular Trimming
Another thing you can do for your Maltese is to trim and style their hair to make it healthy and tangle-free.
We personally recommend the Pet Magasin Grooming Scissors for this task.
It comes with 2 pairs of stainless steel scissors. The longer pair has smooth blades for trimming body fur, and the smaller pair has micro-serrated blades for the face and paws.
Flea Shampoo
A flea shampoo is made specifically to repel fleas and prevent your dogs’ skin from becoming a conducive environment for the fleas to thrive in.
We strongly recommend the TropiClean Flea Shampoo as it has numerous benefits from flea relief to effective degreasing of dog’s hair. It contains naturally-derived ingredients that are sure to be safe when used as directed regularly. A bonus feature is the calming citrus aroma that leaves your pooch smelling fresh after use.
Regular Brushing
Regular brushing is a simple but effective way to remarkably prevent the formation of matted fur on your Maltese. A tangle and mat-free coat on your dog will help reduce unnecessary shedding in the long term.
The FURminator Dog Deshedding Tool is a good tool for your brushing needs. It is made from stainless steel and removes loose hair without damaging the coat or cutting the skin underneath. It is the deshedding tool of choice for dogs with long hair like a Maltese.
Hair Styling
One of the well-known favorite attributes of Maltese owners in their pets is their silky, white long hair. But with its beauty comes great responsibility of maintaining it. Giving your doggy a regular trim is not only for aesthetic purposes but it also keeps them healthy and active.
For this grooming task, we recommend the Pet Magasin Grooming Scissors. It comes with 2 pairs of stainless steel scissors. The longer pair has smooth blades for trimming body fur, and the smaller pair has micro-serrated blades for the face and paws. This tool will make both your dog’s and your life easy.
Related Questions
Are Maltese Smelly? No, Maltese dogs are not smelly. They have a manageable odor in general compared to other dogs because they do not have an undercoat. The undercoat in double-coated breeds can trap various odors that their bodies produce, as well as odors from the external environment. This combination contributes to the smell they give off.
Are Maltese Cuddly? Yes, Maltese dogs are cuddly but to an extent and they should not be trained to get used to it. Although they are known to be gentle-mannered and affectionate, they are also feisty and bold at the same time. They make for perfect watch dogs because they are eager and confident dog breeds.
How Do I Know If My Maltese Is Purebred? There are no physical attributes that may help you identify at a glance if your Maltese is a purebred. The only sure way to know is to check its purebred registration at an authorized institution. Also, if you are willing to, you can have a DNA test done to be completely sure.
