How long can a Maltese be left alone?

PDSA advises no more than 4 hours at a time for any dog, and toy breeds are described as loving attention. A Maltese used to company may bark, tremble or soil when left too long, so plan drop-in visits or an overnight sitter for a full day or a trip.

The Royal Kennel Club lists the Maltese coat as long and non-shedding, but it needs grooming every day. Non-shedding does not mean low care: brushing right down to the skin every day is what keeps the coat free of mats and lets you see the skin.

Can a Maltese handle Indian summers?

Yes, with care. It is not flat-faced, but PDSA lists long-haired dogs among those more at risk of heatstroke. Walk at dawn and after dark, test the ground with your palm, keep the dog in a cool room, and ask your groomer about a summer trim.

How should a sitter care for a Maltese coat in the monsoon?

Keep walks short between showers, then towel and blow-dry the coat fully on a cool setting, right down to the skin. Damp, matted hair is hard to dry and hides ticks and skin problems, so a quick daily brush and skin check matter more in the rains.

What heart problem do Maltese get?

UFAW says the Maltese is predisposed to patent ductus arteriosus, a heart defect usually found as a murmur at a puppy check. It is often curable if found early. Breathlessness, coughing or tiring quickly in any Maltese are reasons to call the vet.

Can a Maltese stay with a sitter who has other dogs?

It can if the other dogs are calm and not much bigger, and the sitter supervises play. Toy breeds can be hurt by rough play or a knock. Ask for a meet and greet with the sitter's own pets first, and check the home's pet limit.

How much exercise does a Maltese need?

The Royal Kennel Club gives up to 30 minutes a day. Two short harness walks in the cool hours plus gentle indoor play are enough, and the daily grooming session is also time a Maltese enjoys with its sitter.

Dog breed 17 min read

Maltese dog care in India: coat, heat and time alone

Updated October 2026By PetymFacts checked against official sources on 21 October 2026

Quick answer

A Maltese settles well with a gentle sitter who keeps it company, because it is a small, sweet-tempered companion dog. The sitter must brush the long coat every day, dry it fully after rain or a bath, walk it briefly in the cool hours, handle it carefully and call the vet for coughing, limping or tiring easily.

The Royal Kennel Club lists the Maltese as needing grooming every day but not shedding, with a lifespan of over 12 years. The breed's coat, not its exercise, takes most of a sitter's time.

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A white Maltese with a short clipped coat standing indoors with an orange toy, side view — Photo: 우종송, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Origin: The central Mediterranean (Italy holds the FCI standard)Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Adult weight: 3 to 4 kg (FCI standard; AKC gives under 7 pounds)Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Height: 20 to 25 cm (males 21 to 25 cm, females 20 to 23 cm)Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Lifespan: 12 to 15 yearsAmerican Kennel Club
Coat: Very long, dense, silky white coat that falls straight to the ground, with no undercoat. Grooming every day; the Royal Kennel Club lists it as not shedding.Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Energy: LowThe Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Indian heat: Copes with carePDSA
Flats: Suits a flatThe Royal Kennel Club (UK)

Maltese care snapshot

Maltese care snapshot for a sitter
What	The rule	Source
Size	Small, suited to a flat or apartment (Royal Kennel Club).	The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Exercise need	Up to 30 minutes a day (Royal Kennel Club).	The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Alone-time tolerance	Not rated by kennel clubs. Toy breeds are described as loving attention; PDSA advises no more than 4 hours alone for any dog.	PDSA
Heat tolerance	Described in words only: not a flat-faced breed, but PDSA lists long-haired dogs among those more at risk of heatstroke.	PDSA
Shedding and coat	Long coat that the Royal Kennel Club says does not shed, with grooming every day.	The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Sociability with other dogs	Described in words only: "sweet tempered and smart". Its small size means play with bigger dogs needs supervision.	The Royal Kennel Club (UK)

Where does the Maltese come from?

The Maltese is one of the oldest lapdogs in Europe. The FCI standard, held by Italy, says the name does not mean the breed comes from the island of Malta: it traces "Maltese" to a Semitic word for refuge or harbour, and says the breed's ancestors lived in the ports of the central Mediterranean, hunting the mice and rats in warehouses and ships' holds. A list of dogs from the time of Aristotle names little dogs called canes melitenses, and Roman matrons kept them as favourite companions.

The Royal Kennel Club gives the Malta side of the story: such dogs were probably taken to Malta by Phoenician traders, a Knight of Malta wrote of the long, silky-haired breed in 1805, and the Royal Library of Malta holds an 1833 portrait of a dog very like today's Maltese. AKC adds that the breed was shown at New York's first Westminster show in 1877 as the Maltese Lion Dog, and AKC recognised it in 1888.

Whatever its exact birthplace, the Maltese has been bred for centuries for one job, as a companion. Renaissance painters, the FCI notes, show it in the salons of the period at the side of the ladies of the day.

How did the Maltese come to India?

The sources we checked do not document how or when the Maltese came to India, and we found no account from the Kennel Club of India or an Indian breed club, so we do not give a date. It is not among the nine breeds named in Ahmedabad's 2026 pet registration figures, which were led by the Labrador, German Shepherd and Shih Tzu.

In Indian weather the coat is the thing to manage. The FCI standard says the Maltese has no undercoat, but PDSA lists long-haired dogs among those most at risk of heatstroke and advises walks in the early morning and evening. The Royal Kennel Club rates the breed's exercise need at up to 30 minutes a day, which fits easily into the cool hours of a summer day in a flat.

What care does a Maltese need?

The three things that shape a good day for this breed.

Exercise
Up to 30 minutes a day, says the Royal Kennel Club. AKC says Maltese are full of energy but need only daily walks or play at home to stay fit; they also take well to obedience and agility. In summer keep walks to early morning and after sunset. The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Grooming
AKC says the long white coat needs gentle brushing and combing down to the skin every day to stop mats, with regular baths and conditioning. Trim the fast-growing nails, check the ears weekly, and brush the teeth as often as the coat. Ask the vet about heavy tear staining rather than treating it at home. American Kennel Club
Training
AKC describes the Maltese as very intelligent but able to be stubborn, and says it responds well to positive, reward-based training. Be consistent: centuries as a companion have taught it how to get its own way. PDSA

How much should a Maltese eat?

Daily calories for a healthy, neutered adult Maltese, worked out from its weight with the formula vets use (70 x weight in kg to the power 0.75, then AAHA's factor for a neutered adult). Divide by the kcal per kg on your food's pack for grams a day, and adjust by body shape.

	Resting need (kcal a day)	Neutered adult (kcal a day)
3 kg AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association)	160	220 to 260
3.5 kg	180	250 to 290
4 kg	200	280 to 320

Feed a complete and balanced dog food made for the dog's life stage (puppy, adult or senior), as WSAVA and AKC advise; a home-cooked diet is only adequate when it is complete and balanced, which WSAVA says means a recipe formulated by a veterinarian specialised in nutrition and regular vet checks. AKC notes that some Maltese gain weight easily, so watch the treats, which WSAVA says should stay under about 10% of the day's calories. The energy table on this page gives the daily calories; ask your vet to check the amount against your dog's body condition. ASPCA lists onions and garlic (in most dal, sabzi and gravy), grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol in sugar-free sweets and gum, salty snacks and milk among the foods to avoid, and warns that cooked bones can injure or block the gut. AKC says clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Meals a day: puppy, from weaning to about 6 months, 3 to 4 a day; 6 to 12 months, Fewer as it grows, down to 2 a day; adult, 2 a day. Puppies, kittens, working, pregnant and older animals need different amounts: ask your vet, or use Petym's food calculator.

Which illnesses is the Maltese prone to, and how are they treated?

The conditions veterinary studies and breed surveys most often report in the Maltese. Knowing the early signs means a vet sees it sooner.

See your vet first. This is general information from veterinary sources, not a diagnosis. Only a vet who has examined your pet can say what is wrong and prescribe treatment, and this page never gives a dose. Do not give your pet human medicine. If your pet seems very unwell, go to a 24-hour vet: find one in your city.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
See a vet soon
A blood vessel that should close at birth stays open, overloading the left side of the heart and, without treatment, often leading to heart failure. Science for Animal Welfare says Maltese have a markedly higher risk than the average dog, estimated at about nine times. UFAW Science for Animal Welfare (genetic welfare problems of companion animals)
Signs to watch for
- Often none at first: a vet hears a continuous "machinery" murmur at a puppy check
- Tiring easily and not wanting to exercise
- Coughing, fast or laboured breathing
- Weight loss or poor appetite
How a vet treats it
A vet listens to the heart and confirms PDA with a colour-flow Doppler heart scan, sometimes with an ECG and X-rays. The vessel can be closed by chest surgery to tie it off or by a less invasive catheter procedure that places a device to block it. Dogs already in heart failure need medicine to stabilise them first. Science for Animal Welfare says PDA is usually treatable and often curable when found and treated early.
Prevention
Have every puppy examined by a vet before you take it home; AKC says responsible breeders screen for PDA.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)
See a vet soon
The kneecap slips out of its groove when the knee bends. ACVS says it mainly affects small dogs, and AKC says responsible Maltese breeders screen for luxating patella. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Signs to watch for
- Suddenly carrying a back leg for a few steps, a "skip"
- Shaking or stretching the leg before using it again
- Limping that becomes more frequent over time
How a vet treats it
A vet diagnoses it by feeling an unstable kneecap, sometimes with X-rays or a CT scan. ACVS says cases without symptoms are usually monitored, especially in small dogs, and surgery to realign the kneecap is mostly considered from grade 2 upwards, followed by several weeks of rest.
Prevention
ACVS advises that dogs diagnosed with patellar luxation should not be bred.
Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt)
See a vet soon
An abnormal blood vessel lets blood from the gut bypass the liver, so toxins are not cleared. ACVS lists the Maltese among the breeds affected, and AKC recommends bile acid testing of Maltese puppies to rule out liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Signs to watch for
- Small size for its age
- Slow recovery after an anaesthetic
- Episodes of odd behaviour, often worse after meals
- Wobbling, seizures, head pressing or blindness
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, drinking and urinating more
How a vet treats it
A vet runs liver function tests (bile acids and ammonia) and imaging. ACVS says medical management uses a low-protein diet, antibiotics and lactulose, a laxative that reduces the toxins made in the gut, to stabilise the dog; for a single shunt the treatment of choice is surgery to narrow and gradually close the abnormal vessel.
Prevention
Ask the breeder whether the puppy has had a bile acid test, as AKC recommends for the breed.
Tracheal collapse
See a vet soon
The cartilage rings of the windpipe weaken and flatten, narrowing the airway. ACVS says small breed dogs are most commonly affected, usually in middle age or later, and that overweight dogs and dogs in homes with smokers may be more at risk. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Signs to watch for
- A harsh, dry cough that sounds like a goose honking
- Coughing when picked up or when the collar is pulled
- Difficulty breathing or tiring quickly
- Coughing or turning blue when excited, or fainting
How a vet treats it
A vet may use chest X-rays, a moving X-ray (fluoroscopy) or a camera down the airway (endoscopy). ACVS says a vet may prescribe medicines to reduce airway spasm and inflammation, sedation to break the coughing cycle and antibiotics for infection; this works for up to 70% of dogs and continues for life. Severe cases may need rings placed around the windpipe or a stent inside it.
Prevention
Walk the dog on a body harness rather than a neck collar, keep it slim and keep it away from smoke, as ACVS advises after treatment.
Dental disease
Ask at a routine check
Plaque hardens into tartar and infects the gums and the tissue holding the teeth. Merck lists toy breeds as a risk factor, and AKC says Maltese are prone to dental disease as they get older. Merck Veterinary Manual
Signs to watch for
- Bad breath
- Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Loose or missing teeth
How a vet treats it
A vet examines the mouth, probes the gums and takes dental X-rays. Merck says treatment includes professional dental cleaning and cleaning of the root surfaces and gum pockets.
Prevention
Daily brushing with a toothpaste made for dogs, which Merck says removes plaque, and routine dental checks with the vet, as AKC advises.

How does a Maltese cope when you are away?

Well, with company. A Maltese is a companion dog first, so a sitter who spends time with it matters more than long walks.

The Royal Kennel Club describes the Maltese as sweet tempered and smart, with historic links to Malta, and says toy breeds should have friendly personalities and love attention. That is the key to a Maltese while you travel: it is used to being near people, and a quiet house with nobody in it for a whole day is the hard part, not the walks.

PDSA advises that no dog should be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time, and suggests a pet sitter or dog walker for longer absences. Signs that a dog is struggling alone include barking, whining or howling, trembling, toileting indoors and seeming low or depressed. If your Maltese does any of these when you go out, tell the sitter so they can plan short, calm absences.

The other part of the job is the coat. The Royal Kennel Club gives the breed daily grooming. A sitter who does not keep up with brushing for a week can hand back a matted dog, and in the monsoon damp, tangled hair is hard to dry and hides skin problems.

How should a sitter groom a Maltese each day?

Ten to fifteen minutes in a cool room, in the same order each day.

Face and eyes
Wipe around the eyes with what the owner leaves. New squinting, redness or discharge goes to the vet; the Royal Kennel Club lists eye screening for the breed. The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Coat
Brush in sections right down to the skin, behind the ears, under the legs and along the belly, where mats start. The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
Skin
Part the hair and look for ticks, redness or damp patches, especially after the rains.
Rear
Keep the area under the tail clean and dry.
Paws
Dry between the toes after walks, and check pads for heat or grit after summer roads.

Which Maltese health problems should a sitter know?

For any of these the sitter calls the owner and the vet. Breathing difficulty or collapse means the nearest 24-hour vet.

If Tiring quickly on short walks, breathlessness, coughing or rapid breathing at rest
UFAW says Maltese are predisposed to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a heart defect that can lead to heart failure with these signs. Call the vet the same day. UFAW Science for Animal Welfare (genetic welfare problems of companion animals)
If Holding a back leg up for a few steps, then walking normally
That skip is the typical sign of patellar luxation, which vet surgeons say mainly affects small dogs. Tell the vet. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
If A dry, honking cough, especially when excited or pulling on a collar
Small breeds are most commonly affected by tracheal collapse. Use a harness, keep the dog calm and call the vet. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
If Squinting, a cloudy or red eye, or rubbing the face
Call the vet the same day. The Royal Kennel Club lists eye testing among the breed's health schemes. The Royal Kennel Club (UK)
If Panting hard, drooling or wobbling on a hot day
Possible heatstroke: shade, cool water over the body, a fan, then the vet. PDSA
If A fall, being stepped on or a rough knock from a bigger dog
Watch for limping, crying or lethargy, and call the vet even if the dog seems fine at first.

What should a sitter know about the Maltese heart defect?

Most Maltese with PDA are found as puppies, but a sitter should still know what heart trouble looks like.

UFAW describes patent ductus arteriosus as the most common congenital, hereditary heart abnormality of dogs, and says Maltese are predisposed. A blood vessel that should close after birth stays open, which overloads the left side of the heart. Most affected dogs can be found early by a vet listening with a stethoscope, often at a puppy's first vaccination or check-up, and UFAW says the condition is usually treatable and, in most cases, curable if it is found and treated early.

Dogs without heart failure often look normal to their owners. That is why the care sheet should say whether your Maltese has a known murmur or has had heart surgery, and what the vet has said to watch for. Lethargy, tiring on short walks, coughing, fast breathing at rest or weight loss are reasons for a sitter to call the vet the same day.

What does a sitter's summer day with a Maltese look like?

Short walks at the edges of the day, grooming and company in the middle.

6:00 to 6:45
A short harness walk after the palm test on the ground: if you cannot keep your palm there for 7 seconds, it is too hot. PDSA
7:30
Breakfast as the owner writes it, then a wipe of the face.
Late morning
Daily grooming in the coolest room.
Noon to 5:30
Indoors, with company. In heat-wave months (March to June in most of the plains) keep play gentle. India Meteorological Department
After sunset
A second short walk once the ground has cooled, then dinner.
Night
Doors and balcony checked, water topped up, and the daily photo update sent.

How does Maltese coat care change with the Indian seasons?

The white coat shows every season: dust in summer, mud in the monsoon, colour at Holi.

	Coat care	Walks	Watch for
Summer (March to June) India Meteorological Department	Brush daily; ask the owner whether a shorter trim is planned	Dawn and after dark only	Heavy panting, reluctance to walk
Monsoon (June to September)	Towel and blow-dry fully on cool after every wet walk	Short, between showers	Damp skin, smell, ticks under the coat
Holi	Keep the dog indoors; wash any colour off with plain water	Very early, before play starts	Licking colour off the coat, sore eyes
Winter in the north	Less bathing; dry fully if you do	Midday is pleasant	Shivering on cold floors at night

Petym's practical summary; heat-wave months follow IMD.

What should a sitter know about feeding a Maltese?

Small, measured meals at the owner's times, and a clean face afterwards.

Do

Measure each meal exactly; a few extra grams a day matter in a dog this small.
Keep the owner's meal times and number of meals; tell the owner if a meal is refused.
Wipe the face after eating so food does not dry into the coat.
Keep fresh water in a small, stable bowl in the rooms the dog uses.

Don’t

Do not share table food, and keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions and xylitol well out of reach. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Do not change the food during the stay.
Do not give milk or dairy treats unless the owner does; ASPCA lists milk and dairy among foods to avoid giving pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Do not give medicines or supplements that are not on the care sheet.

What should a Maltese's owner leave for the sitter?

Most of it is grooming kit and the details that keep a small dog safe.

The brush and comb you use, and a two-minute demonstration at the meet and greet.
Towels and a hair dryer the dog is used to, and a note on how often to bathe (or not).
The harness, and a note never to lead by the collar.
Any heart, knee or eye history and the vet's notes.
Food, amounts, meal times and the vaccination card.
The groomer's number and the date of the next trim.
The regular vet and the nearest 24-hour vet on the city's list.

Which Petym service suits a Maltese?

Company and continuity matter most, so care at home usually suits a Maltese.

Usually the right fit
Overnight pet sitting
A sitter living in your home keeps the dog company, keeps up daily grooming and follows your routine.
Drop-in visits
For a working day: company, a short walk, a meal and a brush.
Pet boarding
In a sitter's home with a pet limit and no large dogs, for an owner who prefers the dog to have someone with it all day.

Breeds with similar care needs to the Maltese

Going away soon? Tell us your dates.

A checked local sitter feeds, walks and keeps your pet company at home, follows your care sheet to the letter and sends a photo every day. Petym is opening city by city: send your dates and we will tell you when a sitter can take them.

Find a sitter for your Maltese How it works

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A photo every day
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Questions owners ask

How long can a Maltese be left alone?: PDSA advises no more than 4 hours at a time for any dog, and toy breeds are described as loving attention. A Maltese used to company may bark, tremble or soil when left too long, so plan drop-in visits or an overnight sitter for a full day or a trip.
Does a Maltese shed?: The Royal Kennel Club lists the Maltese coat as long and non-shedding, but it needs grooming every day. Non-shedding does not mean low care: brushing right down to the skin every day is what keeps the coat free of mats and lets you see the skin.
Can a Maltese handle Indian summers?: Yes, with care. It is not flat-faced, but PDSA lists long-haired dogs among those more at risk of heatstroke. Walk at dawn and after dark, test the ground with your palm, keep the dog in a cool room, and ask your groomer about a summer trim.
How should a sitter care for a Maltese coat in the monsoon?: Keep walks short between showers, then towel and blow-dry the coat fully on a cool setting, right down to the skin. Damp, matted hair is hard to dry and hides ticks and skin problems, so a quick daily brush and skin check matter more in the rains.
What heart problem do Maltese get?: UFAW says the Maltese is predisposed to patent ductus arteriosus, a heart defect usually found as a murmur at a puppy check. It is often curable if found early. Breathlessness, coughing or tiring quickly in any Maltese are reasons to call the vet.
Can a Maltese stay with a sitter who has other dogs?: It can if the other dogs are calm and not much bigger, and the sitter supervises play. Toy breeds can be hurt by rough play or a knock. Ask for a meet and greet with the sitter's own pets first, and check the home's pet limit.
How much exercise does a Maltese need?: The Royal Kennel Club gives up to 30 minutes a day. Two short harness walks in the cool hours plus gentle indoor play are enough, and the daily grooming session is also time a Maltese enjoys with its sitter.

Keep reading

Caring for a dog while you are away
How long can you leave a dog alone?
Monsoon care for dogs
Overnight pet sitting
Shih Tzu careAnother long-coated companion dog.
Poodle careA low-shedding coat that also needs daily work.

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Sources

Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources

Fédération Cynologique Internationale: FCI-Standard No 65: Maltese (opens in a new tab)checked 22 October 2026
American Kennel Club: Maltese dog breed information (opens in a new tab)checked 22 October 2026
The Royal Kennel Club (UK): Maltese | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
PDSA: Heatstroke in dogs (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
WSAVA: Frequently asked questions and myths (Global Nutrition Committee) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People foods to avoid feeding your pets (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026

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VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
Merck Veterinary Manual: Puppy care (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association): 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: energy requirement calculations (Box 1, PDF) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional requirements of small animals (full review November 2023, updated September 2024) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
UFAW Science for Animal Welfare (genetic welfare problems of companion animals): Maltese: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Patellar Luxation (Dislocating Kneecap) in Dogs | ACVS (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Portosystemic shunts (opens in a new tab)checked 22 October 2026
American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Tracheal Collapse (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
Merck Veterinary Manual: Periodontal disease in small animals (full review February 2024, updated April 2025) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
PDSA: Separation anxiety in dogs (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
India Meteorological Department: FAQ on heat wave (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
Telangana Today (IANS): Ahmedabad registers nearly 20,000 pet dogs; Labradors remain the city's most popular breed (5 Aug 2026) (opens in a new tab)News report · checked 21 October 2026