The Ultimate Guide to Maltipoo Grooming and Coat Care

Skin & CoatBreed HealthMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Maltese-Poodle mixes have curly or wavy coats that tangle easily, so daily grooming is essential. Here’s everything you need to know about brushing, bathing, professional grooming schedules, and tear-stain care—all in one place.

Why Maltipoo Coats Require Daily Care

The Maltipoo is a crossbreed between a Maltese and a Poodle, a small breed with curly or wavy fur that tangles easily. The key to grooming is consistent brushing. While Maltipoo hair sheds minimally, it continues to grow, so skipping regular brushing can cause the undercoat to tangle and form mats. Poor ventilation and moisture buildup under matted fur can lead to skin irritation and secondary bacterial or fungal infections, so it’s important to detangle before mats become hard. Regular professional grooming, combined with daily 5-minute brushing, weekly baths, and keeping the area around the eyes clean, will help maintain healthy skin and coat.

Maltipoo Coat Characteristics — Know Them for Easier Care

Maltipoo coats fall into three types depending on the genetic contribution of each parent breed. Knowing your dog’s coat type is essential for choosing the right brush and grooming routine. - Curly (Poodle-dominant): Bouncy curls, prone to the most tangles, requires daily brushing. - Wavy (Intermediate): Wavy texture, the most common type, can be brushed every other day. - Straight (Maltese-dominant): Soft straight hair, less prone to tangles but more prone to tear staining. All Maltipoos have very little undercoat, so they shed minimally. However, their hair grows quickly and continuously; without regular trimming, it can obstruct their vision or become soiled around the anal area.

Care Comparison by Maltipoo Coat Type

Item	Curly Coat	Semi-curly Coat	Straight Coat
Matting Frequency	Very high	High	Moderate
Recommended Brushing Frequency	Daily	Every other day	Every 2–3 days
Recommended Brush Type	Slicker + comb	Slicker + comb	Pin brush
Grooming Interval	4 weeks	5–6 weeks	6–8 weeks
Tear Stain Frequency	Moderate	Moderate	High

Individual differences are significant, so it's best to consult your groomer at the first grooming within 6 months

5 Minutes a Day: The Correct Brushing Order

Ninety percent of tangle prevention comes down to the order in which you brush. Brushing randomly can irritate matted areas, leading to redness and pain. - Step 1: Comb (Tail Comb) – Use your fingers to part the fur and gently work out large knots first. - Step 2: Slicker Brush – Focus on areas prone to tangles, such as the legs, belly, behind the ears, and armpits. - Step 3: Pin Brush – Smoothly groom the entire body. - Final Step: Comb – Run the comb through again to ensure it passes through smoothly from root to tip. Lightly spraying a conditioning spray before brushing reduces static electricity, making tangles easier to detangle.

What Never to Do When Tangles Are Severe

It’s surprisingly common for pet owners to accidentally cut their pet’s skin while trying to snip out tangled fur with scissors. If you find a dense mat more than 1 cm thick at home, don’t try to cut it or force a comb through it yourself—take your pet to a groomer who can safely remove it with clippers. Also, never brush wet fur, as this only tightens the knots; always detangle when the coat is completely dry. If the skin beneath the mat is red, inflamed, or oozing, visit a veterinarian for an examination before any grooming.

Maltipoo Bathing — Once a Week Is the Golden Rule

A dog’s skin differs from human skin, so bathing too frequently can strip away the protective oils, leading to itching and dandruff. Veterinary textbooks generally recommend that bathing once a week is sufficient. For dogs at risk of recurrent bacterial or Malassezia dermatitis, use medicated shampoos containing antibacterial ingredients such as chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide; for allergic skin, consult your veterinarian about using hypoallergenic shampoos with moisturizing and soothing ingredients. - Always brush out tangles before bathing (water can tighten knots if brushed afterward) - Use lukewarm water - Use shampoo formulated specifically for dogs - Rinse thoroughly for an additional minute after all suds have disappeared - Dry completely — moisture left in the undercoat can promote bacterial and fungal growth In addition to proper bathing, a high-quality diet supplemented with essential fatty acids (EFA) and zinc can also support skin and coat health, so be sure to include these in your dog’s care routine.

Tear Stains, Ears, and Paws — Key Area-Specific Care

Maltipoos have a high proportion of white or cream-colored fur, which makes tear stains particularly noticeable. Please follow these area-specific care tips: - Tear stains: Wipe under the eyes daily with gauze dampened in lukewarm water to maintain cleanliness. - Hair around the eyes: Trim regularly to prevent hair from obstructing vision or irritating the eyes (hair around the eyes can stimulate tearing and conjunctival irritation). - External ear canal: Since hair grows inside the ears, check ear condition during grooming. Clean the ears only as needed when there are abnormalities such as discharge or odor (otitis externa often manifests as part of a systemic skin condition). - Hair between paw pads: Trim the hair between the pads to prevent slipping. - Perianal area: Keep the hair short for hygiene purposes (hygiene cut). If tear stains suddenly darken or yellowish discharge appears, there may be an underlying medical cause such as conjunctivitis or nasolacrimal duct obstruction, so a veterinary visit is necessary.

Grooming the hair around a Maltipoo’s eyes

Professional Grooming Schedule and Popular Cut Styles

Even with thorough brushing at home, professional grooming is necessary every 4–6 weeks. If the growing fur is not trimmed, it can lead to obstructed vision, anal area soiling, and matting. - Teddy Bear Cut: The most popular style, featuring a rounded face with fur trimmed to 7–10 mm. - Poodle Cut: Shorter fur on the face, with fuller, voluminous fur on the legs and tail. - Puppy Cut: Uniform length of 1.5–2 cm over the entire body, making it the easiest to maintain. - Summer Hygiene Cut: Trimmed to 5–7 mm to help prevent overheating and skin inflammation. The first grooming session is safest after 4–5 months of age (two weeks after the second vaccination). It is also advisable to establish a regular relationship with a specific groomer to maintain consistency in fur length and style.

When These Signs Appear, Veterinary Skin Care Is Needed

Maltipoos are prone to skin issues even among small breeds, so it’s important to regularly check their skin condition. If you notice any of the following signs, it may not just be a grooming issue but could require veterinary attention: - Licking or scratching the same area repeatedly for more than a day - New appearance of dandruff, scabs, discharge, or foul odor - Hair falling out in circular patches (possible fungal dermatitis) - Redness and warmth in the paw pads - Sudden yellowing of tear stains In particular, when dandruff or flaking is present, it's important to check for parasitic infections and secondary bacterial infections. Fungal dermatitis (dermatophytosis) can also spread to humans and other animals, making prompt diagnosis and environmental cleaning essential.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Maltipoos really not shed?

While they do shed, it’s significantly less than typical double-coated breeds. However, the loose hair can easily get tangled with the rest of the coat and form mats, so it’s more important to prepare for tangling than to assume they’re completely non-shedding.

Can I trim my pet’s nails at home using a nail grinder?

While we can handle hygiene trims—such as grooming the paw pads, perianal area, and tear-stain regions under the eyes—we do not recommend full-body grooming. A line trim that preserves the natural texture of a Maltipoo’s coat requires considerable skill, and skin injuries are unfortunately common during such procedures.

Will tear stains disappear if I change my pet’s food?

While food can sometimes be the culprit, medical causes such as nasolacrimal duct obstruction, eyebrow irritation, and conjunctivitis are actually more common. It’s best to have your pet examined by a veterinarian before switching to a different food.

How can I get my pet used to grooming from an early age?

Starting at 8 weeks of age, spend 1–2 minutes each day gently brushing your puppy, petting them, and offering treats to build positive associations. For their first grooming session, wait until they are 4–5 months old and keep it brief—under 30 minutes—gradually increasing the duration over time to prevent grooming anxiety.

Should I still groom my pet during winter?

Yes, Maltipoos have very little undercoat, so keeping their hair short won’t significantly affect their warmth. In fact, leaving it long can be more dangerous because dirt and debris from walks can get tangled around their eyes and elsewhere. In winter, use clothing to keep them warm, and stick to your regular grooming schedule.