Maltese are small, white-coated dogs with a specific health profile that differs substantially from other toy breeds. Their all-white coat makes skin and eye issues highly visible — tear staining and skin discoloration from allergic inflammation are immediately apparent. Their allergy rates, digestive sensitivity, and dental vulnerability combine to require a more targeted supplementation approach than general small breed products address.

The Maltese health profile

Skin allergies (atopic dermatitis): Maltese are one of the more allergy-prone toy breeds. Symptoms include paw licking (with the characteristic rust staining visible in their white fur), facial rubbing, and periocular inflammation driving tear staining. Environmental allergies are the most common driver.

Tear staining: The distinctive rust-brown staining below Maltese eyes — "tear staining" — has multiple causes, but allergic eye inflammation and resulting epiphora (excessive tearing) is one of the most common. Omega-3 fatty acids at therapeutic doses improve tear film quality and reduce allergic ocular inflammation. Keeping periocular fur trimmed and dry reduces microbial colonization of the wet fur that deepens staining.

Digestive sensitivity: Maltese frequently present with loose stool, food intolerance reactions, and variable digestive quality. Like other allergy-prone breeds, gut dysbiosis and atopy are linked — addressing gut health with probiotics and digestive enzymes often produces improvements in both digestion and skin condition simultaneously.

Patellar luxation: A common structural issue in small breeds, including Maltese. Grade 1–2 luxations are often managed conservatively; anti-inflammatory supplementation reduces the inflammatory component of patellar luxation sequelae.

Dental disease: Maltese are prone to early dental disease from small mouths with crowded teeth. While supplements don't directly address dental disease, overall inflammatory status (which supplements modulate) affects periodontal inflammation.

The Maltese supplement protocol

• Allergy + immune support (quercetin 100–150mg + bromelain 50–75mg + omega-3 500–700mg) — highest priority for most Maltese; addresses skin, eye inflammation, and tear staining root cause
• Digestive Care (probiotics 1–2B CFU + digestive enzymes + prebiotic) — for the common digestive sensitivity; typically produces visible improvement in 1–2 weeks
• Skin & Coat (omega-3 + biotin + zinc) — supports coat quality in a breed where coat health is highly visible; also supports tear film quality for tear staining reduction

Dosing for a toy breed

Maltese typically weigh 4–8 lbs. Supplement doses must be proportional — an 8-lb Maltese on a product designed for a 30-lb dog is significantly overdosed; on a product with a single dose for all dogs, it's receiving an adult large-dog dose in a small frame. Weight-based dosing from a supplement with transparent dose labeling is essential for toy breeds.

MAYA's Allergy supplement and Skin & Coat are the core protocol for most Maltese. Related: allergy supplement guide · skin supplement guide · probiotics for dogs · coat health guide.