Tools for home grooming

Maltese tend to have a silky fine hair so having a good quality slicker brush and a comb is a must. As is a regular brush routine. It's always good to teach your pup that a brush is not scary so using treats or toys while introducing a brush routine will go a long way. Especially if you'd like to keep their hair long!

Brushing tip: brush your pup in their down time, when they're calmer like in your lap whilst you're watching TV. And using treats will help them associate brushing with something positive.

Washing at home

I'm not a fan of washing your dog too often, a brush is far more helpful in removing debris and staying on top of mats. But I appreciate that mud on a white dog is hard to ignore. How often you bathe your dog really depends on you and how much bath time your pup can handle.

Professional grooming visits

This will depend on the length of the hair you'd like to keep on your dog. If kept long then a 4 week routine is a must: a bath and brush out every four weeks followed by a full groom in four weeks time. If they get too matted in between, speak to your dog groomer (add plug in - Dog Hub grooming in Raheny) about changing the schedule. 

Teeth

Get into a routine of checking your dogs teeth from when they're puppies. They're usually a bit sensitive if you're moving their gums around so gentle does it and of course a little reward. Keep an eye on any signs of build up brown or yellow in colour. If you notice anything that worries you, speak to your vet on how to best look after your dog's teeth.

Flea / Tick / Worm treatments

Most dogs live inside these days and with so many ways of keeping your pet free of any parasites, it takes a bit of research (and a chat to a professional) to find a solution that works best for you and your pet.

Vet visits

An annual health check by your vet is advised even if your dog appears healthy. They're professional vets for a reason and might spot something you missed.