Equip Yourself with What You Need to Groom Your Maltese Terrier
Part of Maltese Terrier care is an extensive amount of grooming. Here is a complete run down of the products and supplies you will need to groom your Maltese Terrier successfully.
Shampoo and Conditioner
You will want to choose your shampoo used in Maltese Terrier care carefully. You must not use human products on your Maltese Terrier’s hair. They will damage the hair, because the Maltese has hair that is very different from human hair.
They best way to determine the best shampoo to use is to buy small bottles of several varieties and find which one works best for your Maltese Terrier. Even in the same breed, every dog has a different coat that will respond to different shampoos. You will want to use a cream rinse or other type of conditioner made for dogs after shampooing your Maltese Terrier. Another type of conditioner used in Maltese Terrier care is a conditioning spray. You will spritz this on your dog before you brush their coat, and particularly when working out mats. You can even create your own by diluting some conditioner with water.
Pin Brush
You will need a variety of brushes for your Maltese Terrier care, starting with a pin brush. You will use the pin brush to get to the bottom layers of your dog’s hair. Choose a pin brush with long, sturdy bristles that will not fall out of the brush easily.
Combs for Grooming
You will use combs frequently in Maltese Terrier care. You will want rat tail combs and greyhound combs, both large ones and small ones. It is best to buy steel combs because they will take a beating. Plastic ones will break when tackling a mat. The rat tail comb is used for parting the Maltese Terrier’s beautiful coat.
Scissors
While you will take your dog to the groomer for their professional haircuts, in between groomings you will want to do some trims at home. Get a good pair of trimming scissors, either those made for human or dog hair, to use in your Maltese Terrier care. Six inches is a good length for your scissors.
Slicker Brush
The slicker brush is used in Maltese Terrier care to make the coat smooth and silky. It is a must have grooming item, particularly if your dog is going to wear his coat long. It is a very relaxing process to groom your dog with the slicker brush.
Toenail Clippers
Keeping your dog’s toenails clipped is important to make walking comfortable. Get a good pair of toenail clippers for your Maltese Terrier. Keep in mind that his feet are smaller than a typical dog, so you might want a smaller pair of clippers.
Rubber Bands
If your dog wears his coat long, you will need rubber bands or clips to keep the head hair out of his eyes. The rubber bands used for braces work well for this purpose. You can wrap the hair and then attach an attractive clip to make a pleasing look and finishing out your Maltese Terrier in style! Once you’re comfortable with grooming basics, you can then turn to expert grooming tips for your Maltese Terrier.
