How much does a Maltese cost per year?

After the first year, a Maltese costs approximately $2,270 per year on average, covering food ($395), vet care ($425), grooming ($730), and insurance ($470).

smalldog15 yr lifespan

How Much Does a Maltese Cost?

Q: Is a Maltese expensive to own?

Malteses have a lifetime ownership cost of approximately $36,065 over 15 years. Annual running costs average $2,270/yr, putting them in the mid-range for annual ownership costs.

The Maltese's typical 15-year lifespan and small size both factor into its long-term cost of ownership. Expect to budget for frequent grooming sessions to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. Like most breeds, the biggest health-related costs come from preventive care and the occasional emergency vet trip. Day-to-day costs are driven mainly by food, routine vet care, and basic supplies.

Get My Personalised Estimate

$4,285

First Year Total

inc. one-time setup

$2,270

Annual Ongoing

per year from year 2

$36,065

Lifetime Estimate

over 15 years

What these figures assume: US national average pricing, own home (no pet deposit), standard food, grooming at the breed's typical frequency, insurance and professional training included, no daycare, routine dental care only. See how this is calculated or change these assumptions.

First Year Costs (inc. setup)

Purchase / Adoption Fee

Varies by breeder vs rescue

$730

Initial Vet Visit & Vaccinations

Spay/neuter, microchip, health check

$425

Starter Supplies

Bed, crate, collar, bowls, toys

$580

Training Classes

Basic obedience recommended

$280

First Year Food

$395

First Year Vet Care

$425

First Year Grooming

$730

First Year Insurance

$470

Total$4,285

Annual Ongoing Costs (Year 2+)

Food

$395

Vet Care

$425

Grooming

$730

Pet Insurance

$470

Supplies & Toys

$175

Total$2,270

Budget for emergencies

We recommend keeping $2,000 in a dedicated emergency fund for unexpected vet bills.

About the Maltese

The Maltese is a small-sized dog breed with an average lifespan of 15 years. First-year ownership costs typically run around $4,285, which includes the purchase or adoption fee, initial vet visits, vaccinations, starter supplies, and the first year of food, grooming, and insurance.

From year two onwards, ongoing costs average $2,270 per year. The largest recurring expense is vet care at $425/year, followed by food at $395/year. Grooming is a significant cost for this breed at $730/year, reflecting their coat maintenance requirements.

Over a 15-year lifespan, the total estimated cost of owning a Maltese is approximately $36,065. These figures are US national averages — your actual costs will vary based on your city, lifestyle, and whether you use a breeder or rescue organisation. Use our calculator above to get a personalised estimate.

What drives Maltese costs

The Maltese carries a tiny food bill (~$395/year) but a large grooming one (~$730/year): the silky, floor-length white coat needs daily brushing and regular trims, plus ongoing tear-stain cleaning around the eyes. Many owners opt for a shorter 'puppy cut' to make the coat manageable and cheaper.

As a true toy breed it faces the classic small-dog conditions across a long ~15-year life: dental disease, luxating patellas, tracheal collapse (use a harness) and, in some lines, liver shunts. The costs are individually small but persistent, so budget for steady care rather than one big expense.

Written by Darren Newland. Health information here summarises published veterinary and breed-health sources for cost-planning purposes and is not clinical advice — we do not have a veterinarian on staff. Talk to your vet about your own animal.

How to save on Maltese costs

→Adopt rather than buy. Rescue organisations typically charge $150–$400, against $730+ from a breeder — a difference of about $455. Adult dogs from shelters usually arrive vaccinated and desexed, which also removes part of the $425 initial vet bill.
→Learn to maintain the coat yourself. At $730 a year, grooming is one of this breed's largest running costs. Booking a professional groom quarterly instead of monthly, and brushing and bathing at home in between, is the single biggest saving available on a Maltese — typically $292–$365 a year.
→Insure early, before anything is pre-existing. At $470 a year, insurance is one of the larger predictable costs — but Malteses insured as puppies see lower premiums and, more importantly, no pre-existing-condition exclusions. Every condition that appears before cover starts is excluded for life, which is why waiting is the expensive option.
→Do not over-buy on food. Food is a modest $395 a year for this breed. Bulk buying saves little at this volume and risks the bag going stale, so buying a quality food in sensible quantities beats chasing bulk discounts.
→Build an emergency fund. We suggest $2,000 in a dedicated pet savings account for a small breed. A single emergency surgery runs $3,000–$8,000 without insurance, and four in five owners face an unexpected veterinary bill at some point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Maltese cost?

A Maltese typically costs $4,285 in the first year, including the purchase or adoption fee ($730), initial vet visits ($425), supplies ($580), and the first year of food, grooming, and insurance. Annual ongoing costs from year two are approximately $2,270/year.

How much does a Maltese cost per month?

After the first year, a Maltese costs approximately $189/month on average. This covers food ($33/month), vet care ($35/month), grooming ($61/month), and insurance ($39/month).

Is a Maltese expensive to own?

Malteses cost approximately $2,270/year to maintain — in the mid-range for annual dog ownership costs. Over their 15-year lifespan, total costs come to around $36,065.

How much does a Maltese puppy cost?

A Maltese puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs $730. Rescue or shelter adoption fees are usually $150–$400 and often include initial vaccinations and desexing. Remember the purchase price is just one part of the first-year cost of $4,285.