Maltese Puppy Checklist

Before They Arrive

What to Have Ready Before Your Maltese Puppy Comes Home

Maltese puppies are tiny (usually 2–4 lbs at 8 weeks), bold, and surprisingly energetic for their size. They're not fragile in personality — they approach new environments with curiosity and confidence. But they are physically fragile in ways that require specific setup: their tiny bodies, vulnerable to hypoglycemia and injury from falls, need an environment set up with their size in mind from day one.

There are three things specific to Maltese puppies that most general checklists miss: the hypoglycemia first-aid supply (Karo syrup — have it before the puppy arrives), the daily grooming tools that need to become a habit from week one, and the teeth brushing routine that, if started at 8 weeks, will save hundreds of dollars in dental bills over the dog's lifetime. This checklist covers all of it.

The Full List

Supplies Checklist

Containment & Sleep

• XS or small crate — the smallest standard crate size works for a Maltese through adulthood; include a washable liner pad
• Low-sided bed or padded crate mat — Maltese puppies have tiny legs; a bed with very low or no sides is easier to get in and out of safely
• X-pen or baby gate — to confine the puppy to a safe, easy-to-supervise area during housetraining; a Maltese can fit through gaps that stop larger puppies, so check clearances
• Dog steps or ramp (if you plan furniture access) — jumping from couch or bed height is a genuine patellar injury risk for a dog this size; steps are the responsible choice

Feeding

• Very small stainless bowls — appropriately sized for a tiny dog; standard bowls are awkward for a 3-pound puppy to eat from comfortably
• Small-breed puppy food — ask the breeder what they've been feeding and continue it; transition slowly over 7–10 days
• Feeding schedule reminder — Maltese puppies need 3–4 small meals spread evenly through the day; the schedule matters for both housetraining and hypoglycemia prevention; set phone reminders if you need to

Collar, Leash & ID

• Breakaway or very lightweight collar — 6–8 inches for a Maltese puppy; some owners prefer a harness from the start to avoid trachea pressure on a tiny dog
• Lightweight 4-foot leash — a standard 6-foot leash is unwieldy for a dog this size; a 4-foot gives better control and keeps you from stepping on the lead
• ID tag — engraved with your phone number; have it before the puppy arrives; tiny dogs can get underfoot and through small gaps unexpectedly

Grooming — Start Day One

• Pin brush (no ball tips) — the correct tool for the silky Maltese coat; use from week one to build handling tolerance before the adult coat arrives
• Fine metal greyhound comb — follow every pin brush session with this to catch tangles the brush missed
• Detangling leave-in spray — mist lightly before every brushing session; never brush a completely dry Maltese coat
• Whitening puppy shampoo — formulated for white coats; the coat shows dirt and staining within days
• Eye wipe pads or damp cloth — for daily face wiping; start this habit immediately; it prevents tear staining from establishing on the white coat around the eyes
• Finger toothbrush + dog toothpaste — start daily teeth brushing from week one; Maltese dental disease is the breed's most common health issue and daily brushing is the best preventative available
• Small nail clippers — Maltese nails are fine and grow quickly; handle paws from day one

Toys

• Small Kong (puppy size) — stuffed with a tiny amount of food and frozen; essential for crate settling
• Small soft plush toy — Maltese carry toys; expect destruction but keep a rotation
• Lightweight rope toy (small) — for gentle tug play; check that the dog can actually grip it comfortably

Health & Safety

• Karo syrup (light corn syrup) — for hypoglycemia first aid; rub on gums at first sign of weakness, disorientation, or tremors in the puppy; then go immediately to a vet
• Vet appointment booked — within the first 3 days; bring all breeder health records; ask for patella evaluation at the first visit
• Pet insurance applied for — before the first vet visit
• Enzyme cleaner — for housetraining accidents; essential for a breed that takes 5–7 months to reliably housetrain
• Puppy-proofed small spaces — Maltese are small enough to squeeze under doors, into furniture gaps, and into spaces larger dogs can't reach; check floor level thoroughly

First Week

The First Week Plan and Common Mistakes

Day 1–2: Warmth and Quiet

Maltese puppies look bold but they're very small and can become cold or stressed quickly. Keep the environment warm (above 70°F/21°C for a very young puppy), keep the household calm on day one, and limit early visitors. Feed on schedule — 3–4 small meals at consistent times. The crate with a warm blanket and a toy from the litter provides comfort for the first night; crying is normal for 3–5 nights before the puppy settles.

Day 3: First Vet Visit

Bring all health records from the breeder. Ask the vet to evaluate the kneecaps (patella grade) — Maltese patella issues can be identified early. Discuss the liver shunt risk and what symptoms to watch for in the first few months (poor growth relative to littermates, post-meal confusion, seizures). Confirm the vaccine schedule and establish a flea/tick/heartworm prevention plan appropriate for a dog this tiny.

Week 1: Three Daily Habits That Matter Most

• Face wiping: once in the morning, once in the evening — this is the simplest prevention for tear staining, and the habit needs to start immediately before the pattern establishes
• Teeth introduction: let the puppy lick dog toothpaste off your finger, then gently touch gums; actual brushing can build over days; the goal by end of week one is tolerance of dental handling
• Brushing sessions: 5–10 minutes daily with the pin brush; the puppy coat needs almost no grooming, but the habit of accepting brushing is what you're building

The Mistake That Sets Up Years of Problems

Allowing the puppy to jump on and off furniture from day one without steps. A Maltese jumping repeatedly from couch height is applying impact loads to knee joints that are predisposed to patellar luxation. It doesn't cause immediate visible injury, but it accumulates. Get the steps before the puppy arrives, train the puppy to use them from the first week, and make it a household rule. This is the highest-impact physical prevention you can do for Maltese joint health — more than any supplement or special diet.