Maltese cost calculator
Maltese are one of the most popular toy breeds — small, gentle, and long-lived but dental and tracheal issues drive lifetime cost. Purchase: $1,000–$2,500. Annual: $2,050. Lifetime: $24,000–$36,000 over ~14 years.
The Maltese is a gentle playful charming dog. Ancient Mediterranean toy breed — present in art for at least 2000 years.
First-year cost (Maltese)
| Item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase / adoption | $1,000 | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| Spay/neuter | $80 | $320 | $700 |
| Puppy vaccine series + initial vet | $180 | $340 | $560 |
| Starter kit (crate, bed, leash, bowls) | $160 | $300 | $520 |
| Year-1 food | $180 | $300 | $420 |
| Year-1 prevention (heartworm, flea/tick) | $140 | $260 | $420 |
| Year-1 grooming | $75 | $180 | $420 |
Where these numbers come from: Purchase ranges from AKC / CFA breeder directories and adoption-fee averages. Annual food + grooming from AAHA pet care cost guidance scaled by breed size. Vet care + prevention from Banfield State of Pet Health + AAHA preventive care guidelines. Insurance from NAPHIA 2024 State of the Industry. Full bibliography: /sources/. Last reviewed: May 2026.
Maltese-specific cost drivers
- Dental disease extremely common — 80%+ of Maltese show signs by age 3
- Tracheal collapse may require surgery in severe cases
- Liver shunt screening recommended in puppies (bile acid test)
- Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks
Insurance fit
Maltese benefit significantly from insurance because tracheal collapse, dental issues, and liver shunt are expensive lifetime conditions.
Ways to manage cost
- Daily teeth brushing is non-negotiable — saves thousands in extractions
- Use a harness, never a collar (tracheal protection)
- Bile acid test at adoption to rule out liver shunt
- Keep coat short to reduce grooming cost and matting
Note: This is an editorial recommendation linking to our own analysis, not a paid placement. PetPlanWise has no current affiliate partnerships; future paid placements will be labeled "Sponsored" here. Policy.
Compare insurance for Malteses
Coverage can help offset the cost of breed-specific health concerns and emergency care.
FAQ
How much does a Maltese cost per year?
Malteses typically cost $2,050 per year in ongoing expenses including food, preventive care, grooming, and emergency fund contributions. Costs vary by location, breed quality, and individual health.
What is the lifetime cost of a Maltese?
Over a typical 14-year lifespan, including a $1,800 purchase price, a Maltese will cost roughly $24,000–$36,000. This assumes standard preventive care and no major emergencies.
Is a Maltese expensive to insure?
Pet insurance premiums vary, but Malteses often qualify for breed-specific rates. Early enrollment typically offers lower premiums and better coverage options.
A single average can’t show the rare, expensive years. The Pet Cost Simulator runs 10,000 lifetimes of a Maltese to reveal the full range — the typical cost, the unlucky year, and the catastrophic tail.
See the full cost range →Sources
- AKC breed standards
- OFA — orthopedic registry
- NAPHIA 2024 — insurance premium averages
- BLS CPI — veterinary services
Traits and temperament — Maltese
A quick read on what living with a Maltese is actually like. Numbers are typical breed-standard ranges from AKC (dogs) and CFA / TICA (cats); individual Malteses vary.
Temperament: Gentle playful charming. Good with kids (with supervision); Friendly with strangers.
What they are good at: companion lap-warming therapy apartment living.
Things Maltese owners ask about
- Ancient Mediterranean toy breed — present in art for at least 2000 years
- Long white coat is hair (not fur) — minimal shedding but daily brushing required
- Portosystemic liver shunt is documented in some lines — ask breeder for testing
- Among the most popular U.S. urban small dogs
Sources: AKC breed standards (dogs), CFA / TICA breed standards (cats), Stanley Coren "The Intelligence of Dogs" (trainability ranking), Banfield State of Pet Health (breed-typical conditions). Individual pets vary widely — these are typical, not guaranteed.