7 Best Brushes for Maltese With 5 Simple Brushing Tips
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These sweet dogs were intended initially as dogs for royalty, and now they bond with their families to provide a lifetime of companionship. They do have long hair, but since many people prefer to keep it short unless they’re in competitions, grooming is a pretty simple routine.
Although their beautiful, silky white coat makes them instantly recognizable it’s also one of the biggest drawbacks for owners due to the amount of maintenance that goes into grooming the Maltese.
What is the Best Brush for a Maltese?
A good brush can help you tackle those persistent tangles and remove mats before they become a huge issue. It can also encourage bonding behavior between you and your Maltese, helping to calm them after a long day and get more amenable to other forms of necessary grooming. Brushing is almost always welcomed by most dogs, so it could lead to comfort with other grooming.
You need the right brush for your single-coated breed, one that can handle long hair without damaging the skin. Not all brushes are meant for the same purpose, so let’s figure out what the best brush is for your particular dog’s coat type.
We’ve put together a list of best brushes for your Maltese. They’re durable enough to handle daily use but gentle enough to preserve the delicate balance of your Maltese’s skin. Plus, each one is small enough to use for your Maltese even in hard to reach places. Let’s take a look and find your perfect grooming tool.
Different Types of Popular Maltese Brushes
Brushes are made to do different things. Dog hair varies wildly from breed to breed, so what works for your neighbor’s Lab or your mother’s Chihuahua may not work for your Maltese. Brushes need to tackle the type of hair issue your dog has. Let’s take a look at a few different types of brushes and their uses to find the best one for your Maltese.
Rakes
Rakes are designed for double coated breeds. Their single row of teeth gets down through the topcoat to gently loosen and rake out the undercoat. It could be too rough for your single-hair breed, but there are a few different rakes designed to detangle mats. Make sure you get one that’s small enough to untangle a mat or remove a piece of debris before you have a serious coat situation.
Bristle Brushes
Bristle brushes can undoubtedly finish the coat, but it may not be the best to get mats out. If you’re on top of your Maltese’s grooming, a bristle brush can help settle the coat, redistributing oils that gives it a polished look. Even with short hair cuts, a bristle brush helps keep the coat laying cleanly. Plus, dogs love the way bristle brushes feel, so this one is a great bonding tool.
Slicker Brushes
A slicker brush could be irritating to the skin of your Maltese. The metal tines are great for taming a double coat, but they could cause pain and discomfort on a single coat. Many of them have larger heads, making it difficult to get into hard to reach spots anyway. We would skip these unless you have a lot of trouble with keeping your Maltese’s coat untangled.
Grooming Gloves
Grooming gloves aren’t going to do much to remove loose hair with a Maltese, but they are a great bonding tool. Much like finishing brushes, they gently massage the skin and redistribute oil across the hair shaft so that the coat is better conditioned and protected. Plus, they’re easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about brushing too hard.
Overall Best Brush for a Maltese
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Check out our top pick brush for your Maltese.
Andis Premium Pin Brush
This brush is a great, all-purpose brush for single coat breeds. It gently detangles and prevents mats while removing any dirt and debris caught in the coat. Small, pinhead bristles gently separate the coat while protecting the surface of the skin. It’s larger to cover more area, but it may have some trouble with hard to reach spaces. The bristles massage the skin and redistribute oils quickly to condition the coat.
The soft grip handle is comfortable to hold, and the entire brush has a good weight for daily use. It can stand up to frequent brushing, but it’s still an affordable option. You could keep one in your house, car, and anywhere else you may need to touch up your Maltese’s coat.
6 More Top-Rated Maltese Dog Brushes
Want to see what else made our “favorites” list? Keep reading.
Fur Remover Duo Dual-Sided Groomer
This dual sided grooming brush is excellent for Maltese dogs with a short coat. It has two sides of grooming with thicker bristles on one side for detangling and separating mats. The other side has more delicate bristles to help remove dirt and grime and help the coat lay back down correctly.
Its thinner head helps you reach around the legs while the softer bristles won’t irritate the surface of the skin. The handle is comfortable to hold, and the patented materials really capture dirt and debris while keeping the coat ultra soft. It may not be so great for longer hair cuts, but if you keep the coat short, it’s a great option.
Safari Combo Pet Brush
The Safari Combo brush has excellent, detangling bristles on one side while the other is a finishing brush designed to smooth the coat. The two sides help both handle the coat to capture loose hair and smooth out tangles. The other side is excellent for helping the coat lay back down and also helps distribute oils to the surface of the coat.
The handle is ergonomically designed for a good grip while the soft grip rubber helps keep things comfortable. Choose the smaller size so that you can get into hard to reach places and to make brushing more manageable. Also, it’s pretty affordable so you could keep one around wherever you need it.
Conair Dog Pin Brush
Conair’s affordable pin brush is a basic necessity. It has bristles that are evenly spaced and designed to detangle and smooth the coat quickly. It has pins on the ends of the bristles to help protect the skin and promptly distributes oils down the length of the coat for better condition.
It’s best for long-haired Maltese dogs. Short haired ones may not need the bristle length, but for those of you who show your Maltese dogs or keep the hair long for aesthetic reasons, it’s a great option. Plus, it’s comfortable to hold and less than $10 to invest in. Overall, it’s a great all-purpose brush.
Li’l Pals Double-Sided Comb
This finishing comb is designed to help you quickly detangle and handle mats while gently smoothing the coat. On one side there are tines spaced further part for tackling mats and big tangles. The other side with tines spaced closer together is for removing dirt and gently helping the coat settle back down.
It has a pleasant weight and a steady grip handle that doesn’t slip while you’re using it. The tines are durable metal but curved at the end to help protect your Maltese’s delicate skin. It’s suitable for both short and long-haired Maltese dogs because it can both smooth and remove debris, so whichever haircut you choose, you’ll still be able to use the comb effectively.
Furminator Curry Comb
For short-haired Maltese dogs, the Furminator curry comb helps massage the skin and redistribute oils. It quickly removes debris and dirt while handling any small tangles. It’s safe to use both wet and dry, and it can be easily washed to remove grimy build up.
It fits into your hand with a curved ergonomic design. You don’t have to worry about brushing too hard because the soft teeth only massage and help to bring oxygen to the skin. It may not be as effective if you decide to grow out your Maltese’s coat. However, for those of you who intended to keep the hair short, it’s a great option.
Four Paws Instant Mat Removing Comb
Four Paws mat remover is a simple tool designed to handle mats forming in your Maltese’s beautiful coat quickly. It also helps remove dirt and debris and return your Maltese coat to its former glory. It’s a specific tool designed for a particular purpose, but if you’re in the business of trying to keep your Maltese’s coat long, it could be a game changer.
It’s well designed and sturdy. The weight and grip are both comfortable, and the smaller brush head gets into smaller places easily. The bristles are covered so you have less risk of scraping your dog’s skin, but they can quickly detangle a mat without bending or breaking. Overall, a great tool to have for occasional use.
5 Simple Tips to Properly Brush a Maltese
- If grooming really isn’t your thing, consider keeping your Maltese’s coat short. That way, you’ll only have to brush for a few minutes every day and be on your way. Most people who aren’t showing a dog prefer this style of haircut because it’s more manageable and very comfortable for a pet.
- If you are keeping your Maltese’s hair long, invest in a few different tools to use. Begin with an essential detangling brush and move to a de-matting tool where necessary. A finishing brush can smooth the coat out and make it easier to gather into a topknot. These steps will need to happen every day to keep the coat healthy.
- Go slowly when handling brushing, especially on a long-haired Maltese. CHeck first for any mats or debris that can get caught in a brush and go from there. It can cause a lot of pain if your comb catches on a mat and you pull it out without detangling it first.
- Be gentle. Gentle brushing is best for the comfort of your Maltese and for efficient detangling. The fur can break, causing split ends and a dirty look. To achieve the smooth, silky coat they’re known for, take your time and be gentle. Plus, your Maltese is more likely to sit still through the whole brushing period.
- Make it a daily routine. Your Maltese needs regular brushing to maintain the health and wellbeing of the coat. If you decide to keep it long, this is non-negotiable. Waiting to comb the coat until you’ve got a serious problem leaves you little choice but to cut out mats, ruining the overall finished look of your Maltese. Make sure you’re ready for the grooming commitment.
The best thing you can do is choose the right brush.
FAQ Regarding Maltese Brushing/Grooming
- How often should you brush a Maltese? – If you have a long-haired Maltese, the answer is definitely once a day. If you cut your Maltese’s coat short, the answer is still once a day. Make grooming a steady ritual that you complete can help your dog stay calm and ensure that your dog is free of any mats and tangles. It can also help with some of the shedding.
- Do Maltese dogs shed? A Maltese doesn’t shed as bad as you might think. Their single coats don’t have much to get rid of, but you will have some hair as your Maltese sheds its coat somewhat like you drop hair from your head. However, the less you groom your Maltese, the more you’re likely to notice shedding, especially if your Maltese keeps a long coat.
- Can you over brush a Maltese? – Brushing once a day is wonderful, but you need to have a gentle hand. Overbrushing your Maltese could lead to irritated skin and some hair loss, but that could only happen if you’re brushing way too hard. Instead, keep a gentle touch and stick with five to ten minutes to detangle the coat completely and you should be fine. Also, choose a brush that won’t irritate your Maltese’s skin or tear the hair.
- Can I shave my Maltese? – A short haircut is one of the acceptable styles for a Maltese. The single coat isn’t damaged by a short cut. It’s highly recommended that you choose a shortcut if you aren’t showing your Maltese unless you’re willing and able to take on the extra labor of making sure the long coat is well cared for. A short coat can keep your Maltese more comfortable for outside walks and just laying around the house. And it makes brushing really simple because you only need to spend a few minutes making sure there aren’t any mats forming in common areas like the haunches or underneath the arms.
