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Maltese Age
Overview
The lifespan of a Maltese dog is on average, 12 to 14 years.
Many people remember hearing that 1 year equals 7 years for a dog. This is actually not true. This well-known saying became famous because it was an easy way to estimate a dog's age.
Small breed dogs age differently than larger breeds; therefore the Maltese has its own unique age chart.
As your Maltese grows older, there are issues to keep in mind to keep your dog as healthy and happy as possible.
The lifespan of a Maltese dog is on average, 12 to 14 years.
Many people remember hearing that 1 year equals 7 years for a dog. This is actually not true. This well-known saying became famous because it was an easy way to estimate a dog's age.
Small breed dogs age differently than larger breeds; therefore the Maltese has its own unique age chart.
As your Maltese grows older, there are issues to keep in mind to keep your dog as healthy and happy as possible.
Maltese Age Chart
How do you care for an older Maltese? How do you know when your dog has reached the "senior" years? What will change as your Maltese grows older? These are some questions that you may have as your Maltese quickly grows older.
The above chart certainly will show you the age equivalent of your Maltese dog. However, just like people, each dog will differ in how they behave and their general health as they age. An 8 year old Maltese (48 years) may begin to slow down and another 12 year old Maltese (64 years) may be running around like a puppy!
The realistic way of knowing when your Maltese is growing old, is by noticing their behavior. There will be common signs that begin to occur as this dog breed enters the senior years.
Receiving New Information
Aside from the information that you will see here, join the PetMaltese family! (free for all Maltese owners and potential owners) You will receive friendly reminders when we add the Topic of the Month & when we add new sections. Always keep learning about your Maltese dog! Join PetMaltese
More Care
Read on to learn how to know your dog is getting old and how to care for an older Maltese dog:
Sense of Hearing – Older dogs will begin to lose their once amazing hearing sensitivities. Does your dog not hear you when you call to them? Do they jump up once you raise your voice? Hearing loss should always be checked out by the veterinarian; however in most cases you will find that it is part of the normal aging process. Your Maltese may need to be watched much more carefully, as the dog may not hear you calling to them. Your older dog may begin to rely on hand signals and gestures even more than verbal commands.
Housetraining - Having urination accidents becomes more common as a Maltese dog ages. An older Maltese will also usually drink more water than normal. It should be expected that as your dog enters the senior years, they will lose some control over bladder function. This should be checked out by the vet; however in many cases it is simply “old age”. The most popular and helpful way of dealing with this is to use “dog diapers”. This is a highly recommended and accepted method of helping your dog with bladder control.
Dental Issues – Older dogs are more prone to teeth and gum issues. Left unchecked, this can lead to problems eating. It is very important to continue daily dental care for the dog’s entire life and to bring an older Maltese to the vet for dental cleaning once they are in the senior years. Dental care is so very important at all ages. When a dog loses teeth, this can be a domino effect; dogs who have little or no teeth will of course have eating issues.
Vision Changes - When a Maltese ages, it is normal for a cloudy film to appear on the dog’s eyes. This is not a health concern and will not lead to vision problems for a dog. However, cataracts can look very similar to this normal change in aging; therefore it is important for your dog’s veterinarian to determine the difference.
Weight Change – Older dogs will usually be much less active and this can lead to either a weight gain (as calories are not burned off like before) or a weight loss (as the dog eats less because their bodies are not in need of the needed calories for exercise). If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s weight, do be sure to have the vet check for any heath issues. If none are found, this would then be attributed to the dog’s aging process.
Coat Changes – You may notice less of a shine to the coat of an older dog. As always, use a high quality dog shampoo and conditioner. If the coat is thinning, take care lay down baby blankets, so that your dog is not lying on hard floors or rubbing against the carpet, which can cause irritation.
Changes in Energy – Most dogs will, of course, slow down to some extent as they age. An older Maltese will tire out more easy when walking, exercising, playing, etc. Slow down your pace to match your dog's pace. You may not be able to go hiking, but can still enjoy very pleasant strolls around the neighborhood.
Special Geriatric Screenings
No matter how your dog behaves, once your Maltese is 9 years old (52 dog years), it will be time to have the vet perform geriatric screenings in addition to regular veterinarian checkups. These tests will check for issues common with older dogs.
How to Help Your Older Maltese Dog
With your help, your older Maltese can continue on to lead a happy and healthy life. One of the biggest changes that you will need to make is the change in dog food. An older dog’s body cannot process dog food that they once did. High quality dog food made especially for senior dogs is important in maintaining your dog’s health.
Because an older dog may experience a loss or decrease in hearing abilities and of seeing abilities, these senior dogs do not like change. If you rearrange the furniture in your home or severely change your dog’s normal daily routine, this can put great emotional stress on the dog. Old dogs can learn new tricks, but an older Maltese is much happier when things do not change.
The 3 most important elements of caring for an older Maltese dog are your patience, love and understanding. How do you best care for an aging Maltese? By offering support when times are tough! Be patient as your dog rises slowly or cannot run through the park as they once did. Understand that any bladder problems are uncontrollable, some cannot be helped with medication or surgery. Love your dog as your put on those doggie diapers and enjoy every moment that you have together
Coping With the Loss of Your Maltese
Although words can never express all that you are feeling and going through, do please have a look at our Loss section, as our thoughts are with you and we do hope that our words will help you.
Should You Spay or Neuter a Senior Maltese Dog?
Many owners believe that the reason for spaying or neutering dogs is to stop unwanted litters of puppies from being born into a world that already has a huge over population of dogs.
However, spaying or neutering also has many health benefits; and this does apply to older, senior dogs as well ! Having this done may prolong the life of your Maltese.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs live longer lives and stay healthier when spayed and neutered.
For the female Maltese: Spaying greatly reduces the possibility of developing ovarian, uterine and mammary cancer as well as uterine infections. Infections are very common in older dogs and can often be life-threatening. Spaying your senior female Maltese also reduces hormone changes which can affect other health conditions your dog may have, such as diabetes, epilepsy and more. Female dogs can become pregnant even at the senior age, and giving birth can have severe health consequences for the mother as well as the pups.
For the male Maltese: Neutering male dogs eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors, infections and reduces the risk of prostate disease. More than 60% of un-neutered males over the age of 5 show signs of prostrate enlargement.
To summarize, if your senior Maltese is not yet spayed or neutered; this is highly recommended by the Human Society.
A Maltese dog ages much differently than the standard age equivalence saying of "1 year equals 7 dog years". This is how a Maltese ages:
| 3 month old Maltese = 5 human years |
6 month old Maltese = 10 human years | 1 year old Maltese = 15 human years | 2 year old Maltese = 24 human years | 3 year old Maltse = 28 human years |
4 year old Maltese = 32 human years |
5 year old Maltese = 36 human years |
| 6 year old Maltese = 40 human years | 7 year old Maltese = 44 human years | 8 year old Maltese = 48 human years |
9 year old Maltese = 52 human years |
10 year old Maltese = 56 human years | 11 year old Maltese = 60 human years |
12 year old Maltese = 64 human years |
Caring for an Older Maltese Dog
How do you care for an older Maltese? How do you know when your dog has reached the "senior" years? What will change as your Maltese grows older? These are some questions that you may have as your Maltese quickly grows older.
The above chart certainly will show you the age equivalent of your Maltese dog. However, just like people, each dog will differ in how they behave and their general health as they age. An 8 year old Maltese (48 years) may begin to slow down and another 12 year old Maltese (64 years) may be running around like a puppy!
The realistic way of knowing when your Maltese is growing old, is by noticing their behavior. There will be common signs that begin to occur as this dog breed enters the senior years.
Receiving New Information
Aside from the information that you will see here, join the PetMaltese family! (free for all Maltese owners and potential owners) You will receive friendly reminders when we add the Topic of the Month & when we add new sections. Always keep learning about your Maltese dog! Join PetMaltese
More Care
Read on to learn how to know your dog is getting old and how to care for an older Maltese dog:
Sense of Hearing – Older dogs will begin to lose their once amazing hearing sensitivities. Does your dog not hear you when you call to them? Do they jump up once you raise your voice? Hearing loss should always be checked out by the veterinarian; however in most cases you will find that it is part of the normal aging process. Your Maltese may need to be watched much more carefully, as the dog may not hear you calling to them. Your older dog may begin to rely on hand signals and gestures even more than verbal commands.
Housetraining - Having urination accidents becomes more common as a Maltese dog ages. An older Maltese will also usually drink more water than normal. It should be expected that as your dog enters the senior years, they will lose some control over bladder function. This should be checked out by the vet; however in many cases it is simply “old age”. The most popular and helpful way of dealing with this is to use “dog diapers”. This is a highly recommended and accepted method of helping your dog with bladder control.
Dental Issues – Older dogs are more prone to teeth and gum issues. Left unchecked, this can lead to problems eating. It is very important to continue daily dental care for the dog’s entire life and to bring an older Maltese to the vet for dental cleaning once they are in the senior years. Dental care is so very important at all ages. When a dog loses teeth, this can be a domino effect; dogs who have little or no teeth will of course have eating issues. Vision Changes - When a Maltese ages, it is normal for a cloudy film to appear on the dog’s eyes. This is not a health concern and will not lead to vision problems for a dog. However, cataracts can look very similar to this normal change in aging; therefore it is important for your dog’s veterinarian to determine the difference.
Weight Change – Older dogs will usually be much less active and this can lead to either a weight gain (as calories are not burned off like before) or a weight loss (as the dog eats less because their bodies are not in need of the needed calories for exercise). If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s weight, do be sure to have the vet check for any heath issues. If none are found, this would then be attributed to the dog’s aging process.
Coat Changes – You may notice less of a shine to the coat of an older dog. As always, use a high quality dog shampoo and conditioner. If the coat is thinning, take care lay down baby blankets, so that your dog is not lying on hard floors or rubbing against the carpet, which can cause irritation.
Changes in Energy – Most dogs will, of course, slow down to some extent as they age. An older Maltese will tire out more easy when walking, exercising, playing, etc. Slow down your pace to match your dog's pace. You may not be able to go hiking, but can still enjoy very pleasant strolls around the neighborhood.
Special Geriatric Screenings
No matter how your dog behaves, once your Maltese is 9 years old (52 dog years), it will be time to have the vet perform geriatric screenings in addition to regular veterinarian checkups. These tests will check for issues common with older dogs.
How to Help Your Older Maltese Dog
With your help, your older Maltese can continue on to lead a happy and healthy life. One of the biggest changes that you will need to make is the change in dog food. An older dog’s body cannot process dog food that they once did. High quality dog food made especially for senior dogs is important in maintaining your dog’s health.
Because an older dog may experience a loss or decrease in hearing abilities and of seeing abilities, these senior dogs do not like change. If you rearrange the furniture in your home or severely change your dog’s normal daily routine, this can put great emotional stress on the dog. Old dogs can learn new tricks, but an older Maltese is much happier when things do not change.
The 3 most important elements of caring for an older Maltese dog are your patience, love and understanding. How do you best care for an aging Maltese? By offering support when times are tough! Be patient as your dog rises slowly or cannot run through the park as they once did. Understand that any bladder problems are uncontrollable, some cannot be helped with medication or surgery. Love your dog as your put on those doggie diapers and enjoy every moment that you have together
Coping With the Loss of Your Maltese
Although words can never express all that you are feeling and going through, do please have a look at our Loss section, as our thoughts are with you and we do hope that our words will help you.
Should You Spay or Neuter a Senior Maltese Dog?
Many owners believe that the reason for spaying or neutering dogs is to stop unwanted litters of puppies from being born into a world that already has a huge over population of dogs.
However, spaying or neutering also has many health benefits; and this does apply to older, senior dogs as well ! Having this done may prolong the life of your Maltese.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs live longer lives and stay healthier when spayed and neutered.
For the female Maltese: Spaying greatly reduces the possibility of developing ovarian, uterine and mammary cancer as well as uterine infections. Infections are very common in older dogs and can often be life-threatening. Spaying your senior female Maltese also reduces hormone changes which can affect other health conditions your dog may have, such as diabetes, epilepsy and more. Female dogs can become pregnant even at the senior age, and giving birth can have severe health consequences for the mother as well as the pups.
For the male Maltese: Neutering male dogs eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors, infections and reduces the risk of prostate disease. More than 60% of un-neutered males over the age of 5 show signs of prostrate enlargement.
To summarize, if your senior Maltese is not yet spayed or neutered; this is highly recommended by the Human Society.
