A Maltese is characterised by its long, white, straight, silky coat and for being a happy, active and eager breed. Single coated, it has hair rather than fur and is low-shedding, yet still requires a good grooming routine and regular brushing in order to prevent its coat from matting.
If you own a Maltese, home grooming is necessary in order to prevent its coat from matting and tangling. Even if you prefer to leave the bathing and clipping to the professionals, Maltese need care and attention and a good grooming routine between appointments, in order to keep their stunning coats in perfect condition. So how do you groom a Maltese from home? Whether you want to maintain a good grooming routine for your Maltese instead of taking it to the groomers, or you simply want to be able to care for it in the best way possible between appointments, here at Groomers, we have lots of useful tips to help you groom and care for your four-legged friend.
From bathing through to ear and teeth care, we’ll help you choose the correct tools and teach the correct practices to keep your Maltese happy and healthy. Remember, if ever in doubt, always consult a professional groomer or vet for assistance (for ears and teeth), before trying out something new.
Maltese hair is prone to matting. Set time aside to brush and comb your dog at least every other day and if a mat does form, avoid tearing it out as this hair rarely ever grows back. Stubborn mats can be removed with careful clipping, but if you want to try and save the hair, soak the affected areas of the coat with conditioning lotion, then carefully pluck apart any mats and knots with your fingers.
Prevention is better than cure in this case, and regular grooming with a metal comb is a great way to prevent further mats from forming. Take the comb and work through the hair in layers from the belly upwards, working on one side of the body at a time. Once the body is combed through, groom the tail in the same way, working from the tip towards the body. Finally, sit your Maltese in front of you and groom their face and beard, taking care around the eyes.