The Maltese is a small, long-lived companion breed with a beautiful white coat. Like other toy breeds, their main health expenses revolve around dental care and orthopaedic issues, but overall they are a relatively affordable breed to keep healthy.

Expected Annual Vet Costs

  • Routine preventative care: £100–£200
  • Total annual vet costs including illness/injury: £250–£500
  • Pet insurance: £12–£25/month
  • Professional grooming: £30–£50 every 6–8 weeks (additional to vet costs)
  • Typical lifespan: 12–15 years

Common Health Issues

Dental disease is the most significant ongoing cost. Like all toy breeds, Maltese have small jaws with overcrowded teeth prone to periodontal disease. Many need professional dental cleaning (£300–£700 under anaesthetic) every 1–2 years, and extractions are common.

Luxating patella affects Maltese at higher rates than average. Grade 1–2 cases can be managed conservatively with rest and weight management. Surgery for Grade 3–4 cases costs £1,000–£2,500 per knee.

Tear staining and eye irritation are extremely common due to shallow eye sockets. While mostly cosmetic, blocked tear ducts can lead to eye infections costing £50–£150 per episode to treat.

Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) is a congenital condition seen more commonly in Maltese than many breeds. It requires either lifelong medical management (£50–£100 per month) or corrective surgery (£3,000–£6,000).

White dog shaker syndrome (idiopathic steroid-responsive tremor syndrome) causes tremors in small white-coated breeds. Treatment with corticosteroids costs £10–£30 per month and most dogs respond well.

Insurance Recommendations

Lifetime cover with at least £4,000 per condition is adequate. Low premiums of £12–£25 per month make insurance excellent value.

How to Save on Vet Costs

  • Daily tooth brushing: Essential for toy breeds — can prevent hundreds of pounds in dental bills annually
  • Written prescriptions: Save 40–70% on any ongoing medications via online pharmacies
  • Compare vet prices: Use VetCost to compare consultation fees (national average £62 per CMA data)
  • Weight management: Extra weight on a small frame accelerates joint problems
  • Regular eye cleaning: Daily wiping around the eyes prevents tear staining and infection

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: CMA provisional decision (October 2025), Maltese Club, VetCost data.