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Best Brush for a Maltese: Grooming Essentials and Grooming Tips for Silky Hair
How We Found the Best Brush For Maltese
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Maltese are cuddly dogs with a snowy, flowing white coat. Sometimes, owners cut their Maltese’s hair short to make them look like little puppies. These sweet dogs were once royal dogs. They bond perfectly with their owner, and brushing is one of the best bonding activities. What’s the best brush for a Maltese? How should you groom your dog? And how often should you brush your Maltese? We have the answers.
The Maltese’s silky white coat is his most recognizable characteristic. But it’s also one of the downsides of owning a Maltese. These dogs need a lot of maintenance. They don’t have an undercoat, but if you decide to keep their coat long, you risk mats and knots. And you need to spend a lot more time brushing your pet Maltese.
With that in mind, our best pick for essential Maltese grooming tools is a combo brush by Oster. We love it how it leaves the coat lustrous and shiny. And you can use both sides to detangle and remove knots.
Our Reviews
Best Overall
1. Oster Combo Brush for Dogs
Oster is one of the best companies when it comes to dog brushes. They produce high-quality products. The price might be higher than regular brushes, but it’s well worth it. This brush weighs only 0.64 ounces, making it lightweight and easy to use.
Depending on your needs, use either side. Start with the pin brush to remove mats and knots, and then finish off with the bristle side to settle the coat.
It features an ergonomic handle with a grooved grip for extra comfort. Brushing your dog with Oster will leave his coat shiny and lustrous.
Why do we like it?
- Gentle round-tip pins
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Ergonomic handle with a grooved grip
Best Premium
2. Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush
Speaking of high-quality and professional-grade, you have to acknowledge Chris Christensen. This company is the tip of the iceberg in terms of quality—they make brushes for show dogs. This brush, for example, features ground and polished tips for the smoothest experience.
The pins are longer than in most brushes, allowing the brush to penetrate deeper into the coat without damaging the skin. And thanks to the high-quality stainless steel pins, it’s a gentle experience for your pet.
It features a solid beechwood body with an easy-grip handle. The brush is durable and comes with a firm cushion.
Why do we like it?
- Pins glide through the coat easily
- High-quality and professional-grade brush
- Longer pins
Best Budget
3. Hertzko Soft Pet Brush
One of the best features of this brush is the density of the pins. Just look at that density. And they are long as well. The brush helps you gently remove loose hair and reduce tangles. It works great for removing trapped dirt as well.
Soft and gentle plastic bristles feature rounded ends to ensure you won’t damage the skin or scratch your dog, and it’s suitable for the face and paw areas as well. If you are wondering how to groom a Maltese face, this brush will help you.
The brush also provides a gentle massage and improves blood circulation, leaving your dog’s coat looking silky-smooth and soft.
The brush is comfortable in the hand; durable and with anti-slip handle, you can use it without strain. And if you aren’t satisfied, the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Why do we like it?
- High pin density
- Provides a gentle massage
- Durable with anti-slip handle
4. Madan Brushes
Go through videos and forums with Maltese puppies, and you’ll see a lot of owners recommending Madan brushes. They’re great. Made with a patented design to prevent the pins from pulling out or pushing in, there are no more sunken pins.
The rubber base remains solidly attached to the brush. And the handle features special ABS plastic with silicone rubber, which prevents groomer fatigue.
There are three brush styles. The best one is the small one, which is extra-soft for your puppy. For dog grooming for beginners, the brush is amazing and absolutely easy to use. And they come in different colors, depending on your preference.
Why do we like it?
- Very easy to use
- The handle features special ABS plastic with silicone rubber
- Available in different colors
5. Universal Slicker Brush
The best part about this brush is the design. Its curved design helps reach any area of your puppy without damaging his skin. The brush comes in two sizes: small and large. Given that your Maltese is a small puppy, go for the small one.
The slicker brush is ideal for a quick dematting of your dog. Don’t use it daily, though. It works in combination with a pin brush or grooming gloves.
Why do we like it?
- Curved design
- Ideal for quick dematting
- Available in different sizes
6. BV Dog and Cat Combination Brush
We have another combination brush for you. It’s a bit lower in quality compared to the Oster, but it’s still a good one and ideal for brushing your dog. The brush feels good, and it helps massage the skin and distribute natural oils.
The ergonomic handle is secure and comfortable. It gives you more control over the brushing process and through repeated motions.
The company also gives you a one-year limited product warranty.
Why do we like it?
- Ergonomic handle gives more control
- Round, deep pins
- Dense bristle side
7. Pro Slicker Brush
One of the best features of this brush is the option to turn it into an undercoat rake. Now, you don’t need that for your Maltese. But if you have two dogs at home, you can use it for both of them. The brush will help you with any Maltese grooming cuts. With every purchase, you get a free dog grooming book.
The gentle bristles are comfortable for your dog. They are also firm enough to remove tough tangles and mats. And the ergonomic durable design helps you effortlessly remove debris.
It’s ideal for all dogs, including those with thick and thin coats.
Why do we like it?
- Comes with a free dog grooming book
- Gentle bristles
- You can use it as an undercoat rake
How Often Should You Brush a Maltese?
This is one of the main questions owners ask. Another one is if Maltese dogs shed. Well, the answer to the second one is rarely. They have a single coat that doesn’t shed, although there are few hairs to get rid of.
But the first one is a tricky question—there is no definite answer because it depends on the hair and coat length of your Maltese puppy.
For example, if you have a long-haired dog, you have to brush him once per day. If you have a short-haired Maltese, you can skip a day or two. Maltese grooming is a ritual that helps you bond with your dog. And it keeps your puppy free of mats and tangles.
Be careful—you have to be gentle. You can overbrush your dog, and brushing too aggressively can lead to irritated skin and hair loss. Use a gentle touch and brush for five to ten minutes only.
Grooming Tasks for a Maltese
Brushing is just one part of the Maltese grooming treatment. Today, we’ll talk about brushing, but let’s mention the other aspects as well so you get an idea of the amount of time you need to spend with your Maltese.
- Brushing: Once every day for long-haired dogs, and once every three days for short-haired Maltese dogs
- Combing: Used on the face, along with brushing
- Spritzing: Also used with brushing
- Baths: Typically once every three weeks
- Facial wipes and eye wipes: Usually two to three times per day
- Coat wipes: On a need-to-do basis between baths
- Nail trimming: Once every five to six weeks
- Ear cleaning – o: Once every four weeks
Can I Shave my Maltese?
Some owners give their dogs a haircut. Yes, cutting your dog’s hair is part of the grooming process. The two most popular styles are the Maltese summer cut and the Maltese teddy bear cut.
Short hair makes your Maltese more comfortable walking outside. And it makes brushing simpler because you need to spend less time.
What Is the Best Type of Brush for a Maltese?
We highlighted some of our picks for the best brush for a Maltese. But what type of brush works best? As you can see by our picks, pin brushes are the best. The best brush is the one that can handle long hair without damaging the skin.
Pin brushes are great because the pins adjust to the dog’s body, and they don’t irritate and damage the skin.
Don’t use a rake on your Maltese; these brushes work for double-coated breeds.
Use a bristle brush to finish the coat. But don’t use a bristle brush for getting mats out. Use a pin brush first, and then settle the coat and finish with a bristle brush. Your dog will love how the bristles feel on his skin.
Slicker brushes are good as long as you are extra gentle. Use them only for untangling his coat.
Last, but not least, there are grooming gloves. They don’t remove much hair since your Maltese doesn’t shed much. But they are great bonding tool. Grooming gloves gently massage the skin and redistribute the oil. Use them for a finishing touch for your fur baby.
Tips for Brushing
Brushing your Maltese is a great bonding experience. And while it seems like an easy task, it can be tricky and challenging. Here are some tips for grooming and brushing a Maltese:
- Keep your dog’s coat short to reduce brushing time. Unless your dog is a show dog, there isn’t much reason to keep the Maltese’s hair long.
- Invest in a detangling tool if you keep your dog’s hair long.
- Always check for mats before brushing your dog. You can remove mats with a comb or your hands.
- Take your time and be gentle.
- Make brushing a daily routine, and your dog will adjust to the schedule.
- Put a towel on the bathroom counter and brush your dog there (or brush him on any higher surface to make it feel like being at the groomer).
Conclusion
So, what do you think makes any brush the best brush for a Maltese? Most brushes can work for your pooch, but the most important aspect is the quality of the bristles. Consider the comfort of the handle as well. Our best pick, the Oster Combo Brush, delivers safety and effectiveness in keeping your dog silky smooth.
And if you are looking for a more professional and show-style look, get a slicker and pin brush. You can try the oval brush by Chris Christensen, or a slicker brush from the same brand.
We have a lot of options, and it’s up to you to choose the one best suited for your dog. Whether you have a Maltese teacup or an adult Maltese, we have a brush for you.
Aleksandar
My name is Aleksandar, and I am a storyteller by professional. I’ve got a BA in journalism in 2009. I write ever since. Now, I am here to help you find the best grooming products for your furry friend.
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