The Ultimate Maltese Puppy Care Guide

Everything you need to raise a healthy, happy, and confident Maltese companion Welcoming a Maltese puppy into your home is like opening a new chapter in your own fairytale. These affectionate, intelligent, and charming little dogs deserve the best start in life — and with the right care, you’ll enjoy a lifelong bond full of joy, snuggles, and unforgettable moments. Here’s your ultimate guide to raising your Storybook Maltese puppy. Feeding Your Maltese Puppy. A tiny tummy needs high-quality nutrition!  Meals: We suggest free feeding, meaning having kibble available to your puppy at all times.  Food Type: Premium small-breed puppy kibble (no fillers, corn, or by-products) A sample bag of their food comes with them and can be obtained here: Health Extenstions Use code storybookmaltese for a discount.  Water: Always fresh and accessible  Treats: Use healthy, soft treats for training only (and in moderation) Tip: Stick to the brand we’ve started them on and transition gradually if switching. Much research and experience is behind our food choice and we highly recommend sticking with this food. Daily Routine & Sleep Consistency builds confidence.  Potty breaks: Every 1–2 hours during the day, plus after eating/playing take the puppy to his/her potty pad and praise when they go. Put the potty pad in an easy to find spot for the puppy. Once puppy is going on the pad, the pad can be moved by half a length daily to ultimately end up where you want it to be. If you want the puppy to go outside, gradually move the pad towards the door. PRO TIP: Add a bell to the door know and ring it each time the puppy goes outside. Soon the puppy will begin to associate the bell with going outside and rind the bell when they need to go out.  Nap schedule: Expect frequent naps — puppies need 16–20 hours of sleep per day. DO WATCH for sugar crash. A sleeping puppy should readily arouse to his/her name. Watch for lethargy, wobbly gait, or any behavior that looks like drunkenous. Check the puppies gums. They should be bright pink. Any other color: gray, white, blue, pale means give them some nutrical right away.  Playtime: Gentle games, no roughhousing. Be very careful about tug games. A puppy can hurt his neck even by his own tugging.  Bedtime: Have apen in a quiet area with a soft blanket, or bed, food, and water, and a bedtime routine. Socialization & Early Training Your puppy’s socialization window is short — use it wisely! Introduce sights, sounds, surfaces, and safe new people. Reward calm, confident behavior. Begin basic commands like sit, come, and stay. There are many great apps that walk you through training each command. Keep sessions short (5–10 min) and end on a positive note. Your puppy should look forward to training, not dread it. Grooming From the Start Even if you’re not keeping a full show coat, early grooming helps puppies learn to love it.  Brushing: Daily to prevent matting (especially face and legs). We recommend using a face comb and using the wide end to comb all the way to the skin daily. Be very gentle. Reward with a treat.  Bathing: Every 2–3 weeks with Maltese-safe shampoo and ALWAYS tear free baby shampoo around the face.  Ears & Eyes: Gently clean with a soft cloth. We use Eye Wash in a fine mist bottle to spray the eyes and gently comb out and gunk.  ‘Tear stains: Keep eyes clean and fur dry to minimize staining  Nails: Trim every 1–2 weeks. Careful not to cut the quick. The puppy’s nails can be filed instead.  Teeth: Begin brushing with a puppy-safe toothbrush and toothpaste. At first, just have the puppy get used to having you put the toothbrush in his mouth. Offer a reward. Increase the time daily until you are able to brush in small amounts of time ever increasing until the puppy is used to having their teeth brushed. Health & Vet Visits Plan ahead to keep your puppy thriving:  First vet visit within 48–72 hours of arrival  Follow the vaccine/deworming schedule (a total of three 5-way shots and NO LEPTO) Safeguard is the preferred wormer. If you use Revolution or Sentinel, extra worming is not needed as it takes care of this for you.  Start flea/tick/heartworm preventatives as advised (NO NEXGARD of HEARTGARD! Revolution or Sentinel are safer alternatives.  Discuss spay/neuter timing. Laser is much easier to recover from is it’s an option. Prior to 6 months is optimal especially for males to avoid hormones which cause marking.  Watch for signs of low blood sugar (tired, wobbly, cold gums) — administer Nutrical if needed Safe Toys & Supplies  Choose gear made for tiny dogs:  Toys: Soft, chew-safe, and sized for small mouths  Harness never a collar: Lightweight and adjustable  Bedding: Cozy, washable, and appropriately sized  Playpen: For safety when you’re not watching  Stairs/ramps: To protect tiny joints from jumping injuries Emotional Bonding & Support  Your puppy needs more than just food and training — they need your love:  Cuddle often  Talk to them in a gentle voice  Create a sense of routine and safety  Never yell, hit, or punish  Reach out to us if you’re ever unsure — we’re here for life ✨ From Our Home to Yours At Storybook Maltese, we raise every puppy with hands-on love, early learning, and health-focused care. We’re proud to give you the best start possible — but the real magic begins in your arms. Want personalized tips for your puppy? Reach out here or visit our Nursery to find your perfect match.