Maltese Pet Insurance Guide
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
4–7 lbs
Avg. Vet Cost/Year
$300–$1,100
Avg. Insurance
$20–$40/mo
Overview
Maltese are elegant, affectionate toy dogs with silky white coats. They are generally healthy but share many toy-breed vulnerabilities including dental disease, luxating patella, and collapsed trachea. Portosystemic liver shunts are a serious congenital condition that occurs at elevated rates in Maltese.
Common Health Conditions
Potential Expensive Conditions
Why Malteses Need Insurance
Maltese' long lifespan and predisposition to liver shunts make insurance valuable. Liver shunt surgery costs $5,000–$10,000, and the condition may not be diagnosed until symptoms appear in young adulthood. Low premiums for this small breed make insurance an excellent value.
Breed-Specific Health Risks
Liver shunts (portosystemic shunts) are the most serious breed-specific concern — abnormal blood vessels bypass the liver, allowing toxins to circulate. White Dog Shaker Syndrome causes full-body tremors and is more common in small white-coated breeds. Dental disease is nearly universal.
Insurance Tips for Maltese Owners
For Maltese, enroll early to ensure liver shunt coverage before any symptoms appear. Low premiums make this one of the most cost-effective breeds to insure.
Our Recommendation
Why We Recommend Healthy Paws for Malteses
Healthy Paws covers congenital conditions like liver shunts with unlimited payouts. For a breed where a single surgery can cost $10,000, the unlimited coverage provides essential protection at very affordable premiums.
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