Maltese cost of ownership
Cost of ownership in Texas · about 7 lb · 13.1-year median lifespan · AKC rank #37 (2025)
Photo: Maltezervereniging · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Source · 8 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats266 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $179 | 7% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 2 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $803 | 31% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 31% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| Grooming7 salon visits × $62 | $421 | 16% | Industry price guides · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 12% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
A Maltese — about 7 lb, toy group, ranked No. 37 of 202 by 2025 AKC registrations — costs a typical owner in Texas about $2,586 a year, or $1,356 to $3,126 depending on food, grooming and insurance. That is 4% above the $2,489 average for toy breeds; the Chihuahua is the cheapest in the group and the English Toy Spaniel the dearest.
With a small appetite — 266 kcal a day, about 5 lb of kibble a month, $179 a year — the fixed costs dominate: insurance is the single biggest line at 31% of the total at the US average accident-and-illness premium, adjusted for Texas. Turn it off in the panel and vet & preventive takes over at 31%.
Ranked No. 37 of 202, it is common enough that most vets and groomers see the breed regularly.
Long, silky hair needs a trim every six to eight weeks unless kept in a short "puppy cut", plus daily combing to prevent mats. The estimate assumes 7 salon visits × $62, $421 a year; owners who clip at home spend a fraction of that.
First-year total: $3,537. Beyond the running costs that includes spay or neuter ($457 at Texas prices) and the puppy vaccine series with its extra visits. Gear for a toy breed is cheap ($158 on our list) but includes a carrier and indoor potty pads that larger dogs skip.
A Maltese typically lives 13.1 years (a study of 584,734 UK dogs), so the lifetime figure of $35,985 is driven by the long tail: 5 senior years at about $2,813 each rather than $2,586.
Food
Calories from RER = 70 × kg^0.75 scaled for a 7 lb moderate-activity dog; price per 1,000 kcal is the median of our recorded SKUs in this tier.
Source · 2 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Shop dog food at Chewy · partner link
First-month shopping list
- CrateTop Paw · 36″L x 25″H, Med/Large$47
- BedTop Paw · Medium$15
- Bowls ×2Top Paw · 12 fl oz$3
- LeashPetSafe · 3/8 in$5
- CollarKONG · Large$25
- HarnessPetSafe · Small$21
- BrushTop Paw$9
- Nail ClipperTop Paw · Large$8
- CarrierTop Paw$15
- Pee PadsGreat Choice · 23″ x 24″$10
- Total$158
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
First-month gear on Amazon · partner link
Health conditions commonly recorded in Malteses
We have not yet found a peer-reviewed, openly licensed prevalence study for this breed, so this section stays empty rather than quoting unsourced lists.
Informational only — not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian about your own dog.
Breed data
| Weight | about 7 lb |
| Median lifespan | 13.1 yrs (12.6–13.5) |
| Breed-club life expectancy | 12–15 yrs |
| Coat | long silky |
| Activity | moderate |
| AKC group | toy |
The breed standard gives a maximum weight only; the figure shown is that maximum and is used as the reference weight.
Source · 3 sources · Updated 2026-09-21
Questions about Maltese costs
How much does a Maltese cost per year?
About $2,586 a year in Texas for an adult on a standard kibble with an accident-and-illness policy, ranging from $1,356 to $3,126. Insurance is the largest category at 31%.
How much does it cost to feed a Maltese?
A 7 lb Maltese needs roughly 266 kcal a day, about 5 lb of dry food a month. On a standard kibble that is $15 a month treats included ($13–$16 depending on brand); budget kibble costs about half, fresh food several times more — use the food tier switch to see exact figures.
What is the lifetime cost of a Maltese?
Around $35,985 over the breed's 13.1-year median lifespan, including $951 of first-year set-up costs and higher senior-care spending after age 8.
Last updated September 21, 2026. Figures are estimates built from the sources listed above; your own costs will differ. How we calculate.