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Maltese Grooming Costs: What to Expect in 2026

Maltese are tiny dogs with not-so-tiny grooming bills. That paradox catches a lot of new owners off guard. How can a 5-pound dog cost nearly as much to groom as a dog ten times its size?

The answer lies in the coat. Maltese hair is fine, long, and demands precision work. Let us break down what you are actually paying in 2026 and why.

Average Maltese Grooming Prices in 2026

| Service | Price Range | Average | |---------|------------|--------| | Full groom - puppy cut (bath, cut, nails, ears, eyes) | $45 - $90 | $65 | | Full groom - longer style | $55 - $100 | $75 | | Bath and brush only | $30 - $50 | $38 | | Face and eye trim only | $15 - $25 | $18 | | De-matting (add-on) | $15 - $40+ | $25 | | Teeth brushing | $8 - $15 | $10 | | Nail grinding | $10 - $18 | $12 | | Tear stain treatment (add-on) | $10 - $20 | $12 |

Despite being one of the smallest breeds, Maltese grooming costs align closely with medium-sized breeds. You are paying for skill and time, not size.

Why Small Dog, Big Grooming Bill?

Several factors drive Maltese grooming costs beyond what their size would suggest:

Precision scissor work. Maltese cuts are primarily done with scissors, not clippers. Scissoring requires more skill, more time, and more attention to detail. A groomer shaping a Maltese puppy cut is essentially sculpting with scissors around a tiny, wiggly canvas.

Hair texture demands care. Maltese hair is extremely fine and silky. It tangles easily, breaks if handled roughly, and shows every imperfection in the cut. Working with this texture is slower and more demanding than coarser coat types.

Face and eye area. The tear staining, eye cleaning, and precise face trimming that Maltese need add time and attention to every session.

Detangling. Even well-maintained Maltese develop tangles between visits. Working through them without damaging the hair or stressing the dog takes patience and technique.

Drying method. Maltese should be fluff-dried (hand-dried with a brush and dryer) rather than cage-dried or air-dried. This takes 15 to 20 minutes of dedicated one-on-one time.

A surprising price factor: according to grooming industry surveys, the average per-pound grooming cost for a Maltese ($9 to $18 per pound) is the highest of any popular breed. By comparison, a Golden Retriever averages $1 to $1.50 per pound. Ounce for ounce, Maltese are the most expensive dogs to groom.

Annual Grooming Budget for a Maltese

Puppy cut, every 5 weeks:

• 10 full grooms per year at $65 = $650
• Tear stain treatments (6x per year) = $72
• Occasional de-matting (3x per year) = $75
• Add-ons (teeth, nails between appointments) = $60
• Annual total: approximately $857

Longer style, every 3-4 weeks:

• 13 full grooms per year at $75 = $975
• Tear stain treatments (10x per year) = $120
• De-matting fees (4x per year) = $100
• Add-ons = $80
• Annual total: approximately $1,275

Budget-conscious approach, every 7-8 weeks:

• 7 full grooms per year at $80 (higher due to coat condition) = $560
• De-matting fees (5x per year, more severe) = $150
• Add-ons = $50
• Annual total: approximately $760

Notice a pattern? Stretching between appointments does not save as much as you would expect because de-matting charges eat into the savings and per-visit costs increase.

Factors That Change Your Maltese's Grooming Price

• Coat condition at arrival. This is the biggest variable. A well-brushed Maltese is a joy to groom and costs less. A matted Maltese can double the session time and price.
• Style complexity. A simple puppy cut costs $10 to $20 less than a more sculpted or longer style.
• Tear staining severity. Dogs with heavy staining need more face work, which adds time.
• Behavior. Most Maltese are well-behaved for grooming, but anxious or fidgety dogs take longer.
• Topknot requests. Adding bows, topknots, or styling to the head hair adds $5 to $10.
• Location. Urban grooming premium applies here as with all breeds.

Salons with breed-specific coat scoring can assess your Maltese's hair condition at check-in and give you an accurate quote before the groom starts.

How to Get the Best Value

Brush at home between appointments. A pin brush and metal comb used 3 to 4 times per week prevents the mats that trigger de-matting fees. This single habit saves $100 to $200 per year.

Wipe the face daily. Keeping the eye area clean reduces tear staining and the add-on charges for stain treatment.

Choose a puppy cut. It is the most cost-effective style: less grooming time, lower per-visit cost, less maintenance between visits.

Stay on schedule. Every extra week between appointments increases the likelihood of matting and the per-visit cost.

Build a relationship with your groomer. A groomer who knows your Maltese works more efficiently, which often translates to better pricing at independent salons. Use our free pricing calculator →

Prepaid packages. Many salons offer buy-5-get-1-free or discounted bundles. For a breed that visits 10+ times per year, this generates meaningful savings.

Red Flags in Maltese Grooming Pricing

Be cautious of:

• Very low pricing ($25-$35 for a full groom). Quality Maltese grooming takes 60 to 90 minutes of skilled work. Pricing this low suggests rushed work, inexperienced groomers, or corners cut.
• Flat pricing regardless of condition. A matted Maltese takes twice the time of a well-maintained one. Fair pricing reflects actual condition.
• No separate face/eye care. Tear stain management should be part of or available as an add-on to every Maltese grooming session.
• Cage drying. If the groomer cage-dries Maltese dogs, the coat will tangle during drying, creating more work and potentially higher charges at the next visit.

The Perspective on Cost

Maltese grooming at $65 to $75 per month seems like a lot until you consider what happens without it: painful matting, chronic tear staining, ear infections from unmanaged ear hair, and a dog that is uncomfortable in its own coat.

Professional grooming for a Maltese is preventive healthcare in disguise. The groomer who trims ear hair prevents the ear infection that costs $150 at the vet. The regular face cleaning that manages tear staining prevents the chronic skin irritation below the eyes. Every grooming appointment is an investment in your dog's comfort and health.

Budget $60 to $100 per month, find a groomer who knows the breed, and enjoy the compliments when your Maltese looks absolutely immaculate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Maltese grooming cost almost as much as a large dog?

Maltese require precision scissor work, delicate handling of fine hair, tear stain management, and fluff-drying. The skill and time involved rival or exceed what many larger breeds need.

Is it cheaper to keep my Maltese in a short cut?

Yes. A puppy cut costs $10-$20 less per visit and requires less maintenance between visits, reducing overall annual costs by $200-$400 compared to longer styles.

How much should I budget monthly for Maltese grooming?

$60-$100 per month depending on style and frequency. This covers professional grooming every 4-6 weeks plus occasional add-ons.

Are there ways to reduce tear stain treatment costs?

Daily face wiping at home significantly reduces professional tear stain treatment needs. A warm damp cloth under the eyes takes 30 seconds and can cut your stain treatment add-ons in half.

Is mobile grooming worth the extra cost for a Maltese?

For anxious Maltese who stress in salon environments, the 25-35 percent premium for mobile grooming may be worth it. Less stress means better behavior, which often means a better grooming result.

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