Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Malteses Live. Maltese Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Maltese Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Maltese, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Malteses
- How Old is Your Maltese in Human Years
- How Long Do Malteses Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Maltese Live Long
- Conclusion on Maltese Life Expectancy
How Long Malteses Live. Maltese Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Maltese is from 12 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Maltese. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 42 pet Malteses lived.
From the study, it was found that Malteses have a average lifespan of 12.2 years. Furthermore, the study found that Malteses can live for as long as 19.1 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Malteses.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Malteses are:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Congenital Disease: Issues involving genetics and development
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Maltese to make your Maltese live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Maltese have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Maltese is in human years? Then, check out our Maltese age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Maltese Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Maltese compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Toy Poodle Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Lhasa Apso Lifespan | 14.30 |
| Border Terrier Lifespan | 14.00 |
| Miniature Poodle Lifespan | 13.90 |
| Basenji Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Bedlington Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Beagle Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Maltese Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Miniature Schnauzer Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Bouvier des Flandres Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Sussex Spaniel Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Airedale Terrier Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Glen of Imaal Terrier Lifespan | 10.40 |
| Clumber Spaniel Lifespan | 10.30 |
| Scottish Terrier Lifespan | 10.20 |
| Giant Schnauzer Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Pomeranian Lifespan | 9.67 |
Common Causes of Death in Maltese, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Maltese, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Maltese.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Cardiovascular Disease in Malteses
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 21.1 percent of all deaths in Malteses.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Maltese
Heart disease in Malteses may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Malteses
You can prevent heart problems in your Maltese by exercising your Maltese regularly and feeding your Maltese a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Maltese. The supplement is not only good for your Maltese`s heart, but it is also good for your Maltese`s overall health.
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Neurologic Disease in Malteses
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 19.4 percent of all deaths in Malteses.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Maltese
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Malteses
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Congenital Disease in Malteses
There are hundreds of types of congenital issues, and many of them are breed-specific. Congenital issues are inherited from birth by Maltese puppies from their parents.
Congenital Disease is responsible for 9.7 percent of all deaths in Malteses.
Causes of Congenital Disease in Maltese
The causes of congenital abnormalities are genetics and abnormal development. There is often not much you can do to prevent these after the puppy is born; however, breeders and those responsible for the care of pregnant females can influence the health and development of her puppies.
How to Prevent Congenital Disease in Malteses
Congenital problems in Malteses can be prevented by responsible and professional breeding practices. Amateurs are discouraged from breeding Malteses, because it is difficult and can be very heartbreaking if something happens to the mother or the puppies. However, if you are an amateur and find yourself caring for a pregnant female Maltese, you must be sure that her needs are being addressed, including diet and nutrition, stress level, and medical care. Many veterinarians have resources to guide amateurs through the support of the mother during pregnancy, birthing/whelping, and early life care.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Malteses
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 9.4 percent of all deaths in Malteses.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Maltese
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Maltese eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Maltese stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Maltese is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Maltese has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Malteses
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Maltese`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Neoplastic Disease in Malteses
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 9.2 percent of all deaths in Malteses.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Maltese
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Malteses
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Malteses (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Malteses is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Malteses is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Malteses is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Malteses with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Maltese. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Maltese`s gums look pale.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Malteses
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Maltese is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Maltese`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Maltese`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Maltese offsprings by only breeding Maltese that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Maltese puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Maltese breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Maltese has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Maltese for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Maltese a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Malteses for:
How Old is Your Maltese in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Maltese. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Maltese is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Maltese is 12.2 years.
Malteses are tiny-sized dogs. Malteses weigh 6 to 9 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Maltese in converting Maltese age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Maltese`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Maltese`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Maltese`s human age. If you do not know your Maltese`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Maltese is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Maltese`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Maltese`s up-to-date human age.
Maltese Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Maltese age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Maltese`s human age based on your Maltese`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Maltese`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Maltese Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 18 |
| 3 | 24 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 39 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 51 |
| 10 | 55 |
| 11 | 58 |
| 12 | 62 |
| 13 | 65 |
| 14 | 69 |
| 15 | 73 |
| 16 | 77 |
How Long Do Malteses Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Maltese is 12.2 years. In human years, the Maltese lives for 63 years.
How Old is 2-year-old Maltese in Human Years?
A 2-year old Maltese is 18 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Maltese in Human Years?
A 7-year old Maltese is 44 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Maltese in Human Years?
A 8-year old Maltese is 48 years old in human years.
How Old is 9-year-old Maltese in Human Years?
A 9-year old Maltese is 51 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Maltese Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Maltese live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Maltese fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Maltese does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Maltese will have a shorter lifespan than a Maltese that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Maltese high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Maltese. Check out our Maltese feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Maltese from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Maltese existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Maltese has access to clean water whenever your Maltese needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Maltese. See our Maltese water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Maltese.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Maltese might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Maltese.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Maltese is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Maltese’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Maltese teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Maltese Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Maltese`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.