Dog breeds / Small breeds

What a Maltese really costs

The Maltese's white floor-length coat is the main ongoing cost: it mats without daily combing, and most pet owners pay for a short clip every month or two. Health spending is front-loaded by congenital problems (liver shunts, PDA) that responsible breeders screen for, then shifts to dental care as the dog ages.

Size: Small, 4–7 lb
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Grooming: High
Insurance risk: Average
Puppy price: $2,100–$3,500
Food a day: About 220 calories

Where the money goes each year

A typical adult year for a Maltese with mainstream food, a groomer, no insurance, in an average-cost area. That's $420 less than the median breed.

Grooming$538
Illness and injury (average)$531
Dental cleanings$425
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$404
Checkups, vaccines and tests$330
Toys, beds and everyday supplies$180
Food$115
Treats and chews$23
License$20
Typical year$2,570

Most years land between $1,850 (budget food, home grooming, lower-cost area) and $3,530 (premium food, groomer, insurance, big city). Dogs over about 8 add about $180 a year for senior checkups.

The first year

Buying a puppy front-loads the bill: the price, gear, puppy shots and spay or neuter.

Bringing a puppy home

Breeder price$2,800
Crate, bed, leash, bowls and gear$400
Spay or neuter$490
Microchip$50
Puppy or basic obedience class$149
Upfront$3,890

Running costs in year one

Food$115
Treats and chews$23
Puppy vaccines and checkups$738
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$404
Grooming$538
License$20
Illness and injury (average)$531
Year-one running costs$2,370

First-year total: $6,260. Adopting instead brings it to about $2,860.

Health costs to plan for

No breed-specific premium data was found; the health profile (congenital liver and heart defects, GME, dental disease) points to roughly average small-dog claims.

Condition	How it affects Malteses	Typical treatment	Cost
Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) and microvascular dysplasia	The AKC recommends bile-acid testing Maltese puppies to rule out liver shunts, and Embrace lists the Maltese among predisposed breeds. Source	Workup and surgery for an extrahepatic shunt at a veterinary teaching hospital	$5,400–$7,600
Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME)	PetMD lists the Maltese among breeds predisposed to this inflammatory brain disease, and the AKC notes there is no screening test. Source	Pre-referral care, spinal tap and MRI/CT to diagnose, before ongoing immunosuppressive drugs	$1,700–$4,200
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)	The AKC names PDA as a heart defect Maltese breeders screen for, and Embrace lists the breed as predisposed. Source	Diagnosis and correction of a PDA when caught early	$2,500–$5,000
Patellar luxation	OFA lists 5.3% of 1,946 screened Maltese as abnormal. Source	Surgical correction by a board-certified surgeon, per knee	$1,500–$3,000
Dental disease	The AKC says Maltese are prone to dental disease with age and should have routine professional cleanings. Source	Professional cleaning under anesthesia ($350–$500 routine), rising to $1,500+ with extractions	$350–$1,500

The yearly estimate already includes an average allowance of $531 for illness and injury. A single surgery can cost several times that, which is the case for an emergency fund or insurance.

What drives the cost of a Maltese

Budget for a groomer every 4–8 weeks for a pet trim, plus whitening shampoo and conditioner between visits.
Tear staining is common; the AKC suggests a vet check if it is heavy, which can add an exam fee.
Ask for the litter's bile-acid test result before buying; a shunt repair costs about $5,400–$7,600 at a teaching hospital.
Expect regular dental cleanings from middle age; daily tooth brushing at home is the cheapest way to stretch the interval.
Avoid 'teacup' Maltese marketing; the standard is under 7 lb, so smaller claims add nothing but risk.

Breeder or rescue

Reputable breeder: $2,100–$3,500
Rescue or shelter: $150–$550
Lifetime, from a breeder: $40,300
Lifetime, adopted: $36,900

Good Dog's buyer's guide range is $2,100–$3,500 (median about $3,000). The AKC recommends bile-acid testing of Maltese puppies for liver shunts; ask whether it was done. North Central Maltese Rescue caps fees at $550 for young dogs, with seniors $150 or less.

Adopting vs buying: the full cost comparison

Similar-size breeds by yearly cost

Brussels Griffon$2,510 a year
Shetland Sheepdog$2,540 a year
Pomsky$2,550 a year
Havanese$2,570 a year
Yorkshire Terrier$2,570 a year
Coton de Tulear$2,590 a year
Compare all breeds

Common questions

How much does a Maltese puppy cost?

A Maltese puppy from a reputable US breeder typically costs $2,100–$3,500. Adopting one through a rescue usually costs $150–$550.

How much does a Maltese cost per year?

After the first year, a Maltese costs about $2,570 a year, or $214 a month, for food, vet care, preventives, grooming, supplies and average illness costs. Depending on food, grooming, insurance and where you live, a typical year ranges from about $1,850 to $3,530.

How much does a Maltese cost over its lifetime?

About $40,300 over a 14-year life when bought from a breeder, or $36,900 if adopted, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Prices are averages from the sources above and the cost baselines on our methodology page, in 2026 US dollars. Your vet, groomer and city will differ. Updated October 14, 2026.