Moderate health risk small · 4-7 lbs · 14-yr lifespan

Maltese Vet Costs: What You'll Actually Pay

$420 to $1,050 per year at the vet. Over a 14-year lifespan, that's $6,800 to $16,000 total. 2-3 visits/year average.

Annual Vet Cost

$420-$1,050

Lifetime Vet Cost

$11,400

14-year avg

Insurance

$32-$65/mo

$384-$780/yr

Annual Vet Cost Breakdown

Where your Maltese vet budget actually goes.

Preventive care (vaccines, exams, prevention) $300

Breed-specific health risk reserve $380

Spay/neuter (one-time, amortized) $150-$350

Annual total range $420-$1,050

Maltese Health Issues: What to Watch For

Dental disease

90%+ of breed

Tiny jaw, crowded teeth. Most Maltese need annual dental cleanings and eventually extractions.

Treatment cost: $300-$900

Patellar luxation

15-20% of breed

Common in small dogs. Surgical repair needed in moderate-severe cases.

Treatment cost: $1,500-$4,000

Hypoglycemia

puppies mostly of breed

Low blood sugar, especially in puppies. Emergency vet trips when severe.

Treatment cost: $100-$800

Portosystemic shunt

3-5% of breed

Liver blood vessel abnormality. Surgery is curative but expensive. Signs appear by age 1.

Treatment cost: $3,000-$8,000

Recommended Procedures & Screenings

Procedure	Frequency	Cost
Dental cleaning + extractions	Annual	$380-$850
Bile acids test (liver)	Once as puppy	$80-$200
Wellness exam + vaccines	Annual	$130-$270

The Bottom Line on Maltese Vet Bills

Maltese are long-lived and affectionate but their tiny size creates real dental costs. Annual cleanings from age 2 are nearly mandatory. Liver shunts are rare but devastating — a one-time liver screen as a puppy is worth the $80-$200.

Compare With Other Breeds

Bulldog $700-$2,000/yr Bernese Mountain Dog $650-$1,800/yr French Bulldog $650-$1,800/yr Sphynx $580-$1,600/yr Persian $600-$1,600/yr Scottish Fold $550-$1,500/yr Great Dane $600-$1,500/yr Boxer $550-$1,400/yr Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $550-$1,400/yr Doberman Pinscher $520-$1,400/yr Great Pyrenees $530-$1,300/yr Rottweiler $500-$1,300/yr German Shepherd $500-$1,300/yr Maine Coon $450-$1,200/yr Golden Retriever $500-$1,200/yr Weimaraner $490-$1,200/yr Ragdoll $440-$1,150/yr Pembroke Welsh Corgi $450-$1,100/yr British Shorthair $420-$1,100/yr Bengal $430-$1,100/yr Siamese $400-$1,100/yr Miniature Schnauzer $430-$1,100/yr Labrador Retriever $480-$1,100/yr Abyssinian $400-$1,050/yr Dachshund $400-$1,000/yr Pomeranian $400-$1,000/yr Poodle (Standard) $450-$1,000/yr Cocker Spaniel $420-$1,000/yr Australian Shepherd $420-$1,000/yr Siberian Husky $420-$1,000/yr Vizsla $410-$980/yr Havanese $390-$950/yr Border Collie $420-$950/yr German Shorthaired Pointer $400-$900/yr Shih Tzu $380-$900/yr American Shorthair $350-$900/yr Yorkshire Terrier $380-$900/yr Shiba Inu $380-$880/yr Beagle $380-$850/yr

More Vet Cost Resources

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