Maltese — cost & care
Gentle, Playful, Charming. Small toy dog.
A Maltese costs roughly $24,800 over its lifetime (12–15 years), or about $1,660/year: ~$175 food, ~$380 insurance, ~$450 routine vet, ~$400 grooming. Purchase price runs $500–$2,000.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
0.8cups of food / day (~5.9 lb/mo)
0.9cups of water / day
13.5 yraverage lifespan (12–15)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
Compare pet insurance
Get Maltese insurance quotes — average plan ~$380/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Maltese eats ~5.9 lb/month. Shop small-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $500–$2,000 |
| Food / year | $175 (0.8 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $380 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $450 |
| Grooming / year | $400 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $1,660 |
| Lifetime total | $24,800 |
Breed stats
| Size | Small |
| Avg weight | 7 lb |
| Height | 18–23 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs |
| Group | Toy |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Trainability | 3/5 |
| Good with families | 5/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 1/5 |
| Grooming need | 4/5 |
Common health conditions
Breed-specific hereditary conditions vary — ask a vet about recommended health screening for this breed.
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Maltese cost per year?
About $1,660 a year — roughly $175 food, $380 insurance, $450 vet and $400 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Maltese?
Around $24,800 across its 12–15-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Maltese eat?
About 0.8 cups of food a day (~5.9 lb per month).
How much water should a Maltese drink?
About 0.9 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Maltese hypoallergenic?
Yes — it is a low-shedding, allergy-friendlier breed.