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Toys

The 5 Best Types of Toys for Maltese
Puppies and Dogs

maltese-dog-playing-with-toy-on-halloween

Little buddy, at 3 years old, photo courtesy of Stephanie Agostino

Overview

Thinking of toys in a general, generic way can be a big mistake; they may be of very little use, or even completely ignored. However, if you think of toys as tools, and take the time to carefully select those that match what your Maltese needs, you’ll find that the right toys can be incredibly helpful.

Certain toys can be very beneficial to help with a range of issues and situations. This includes teething woes, chewing urges, boredom (which can lead to depression or bad behavior), ability to play independently and stay busy, separation anxiety, and owner and dog bonding.

This section will cover the 5 best types of toy to have for your Maltese, along with helpful tips and exact recommendations.

Read Through... or Jump to a Section

Since this toy article is rather in depth, read through to see the top 5 types of toys, or jump to the section that best fits what your Maltese needs:

Teething Toys - For young pups that are going through teething woes

Chew Toys - For Maltese of all ages that have strong urges to work their jaws

Toys to Stay Busy - For Maltese are bored, both when you are home & when they are alone

Bonding Toys - Fun toys & games

to play with your Maltese to foster

a strong bond

Companion Toys - To offer a friend

as a way to combat separation anxiety

#1 - Teething Toys for Maltese Puppies

What’s happening: The teething phase, which takes place as young as 3.5 months old and lasts up until the 6.5 months is a challenging one for both owner and pup.

As deciduous (milk) teeth are falling out, and primary, adult teeth are cutting in, this causes discomfort and quite intense itching. This is turn makes a pup desperate to soothe his woes.

Without the right toys, a puppy may try to bite down on anything he can reach. Your puppy will be frustrated, and items in your house may be getting destroyed.

In addition, having really good toys at this young age establishes a foundation for a lifetime of good chewing habits.

Qualities of the best teething toys: There are specific elements that you’ll want to look for:

Properly sized – When you have a tiny toy breed like the Maltese, sizing is vital. If a young pup cannot fit the toy in his mouth, it will be useless.

Textures – The needs of a teething puppy can change moment to moment. It varies between pain and itching. And these sensations can move to different areas of the mouth in the blink of an eye. Teething toys should offer a variety of textures that can both ‘scratch’ and ‘soothe’.

Small nubs and twisted rope are great for scratching, and toys with proper resistance help with discomfort.

Shapes – One of the reasons why teething pups struggle so much, and can go into a frenzy in their search for something to chew on, is that the ‘itch’ can be in a hard-to-reach spot. Effective teething toys will offer various shapes, so that the toy can be worked into small crevices and certain pin-point areas.

Enticement – Some Maltese puppies need a bit of encouragement to mouth a toy, and for this those with scents or flavors can work well.

Durability – The last thing you want is a teething toy breaking apart within days. While no dog toy lasts forever, you’ll want some sturdy ones that will stand up to near constant use.

Tips: Puppy-proof the house, so that non-toy items are out of reach of your puppy. When you cannot keep a close eye on your pup, or for when you are not home, use a canine playpen like the IRIS 24'' 4-Panel Playpen with Door to keep your Maltese in one spot, and surrounded by his toys.

Routinely check toys for wear and tear, and replace as needed. Wash toys once per week with warm water and soap.

Our Top Picks for Teething Toys for Maltese Puppies

Fortunately, there are some fantastic toys that meet all of the requirements of young, teething puppies.

1) The Nylabone Extra Small Key Ring Teething Toy is a great choice for many reasons. The ‘keys’ are shaped perfectly for allowing a Maltese to work it into just the right spots and the raised bristles are great for scratching teething itches. This comes in an extra-small, which is the ideal size for Maltese pups, and softer material has just the right ‘give’ for milk teeth to bite down.

2) Another great one is the Activpet Puppy Chew Teething Rope Set. All dogs should have rope toys, but this is often easier said than done when you have a small toy breed like the Maltese. However, this particular rope set is small and offers knots and frayed edges. These are made of 100% cotton and floss fabric, and are washable.

3) The Kong Puppy Goodie Bone Toy with Rope is a really neat teething toy that is a combo Kong rubber chew and looped rope with frayed ends. The best part of this exceptional toy is that it is specifically designed for toy breeds under 4 lbs.

4) And, the Nylabone Frenzy Petite Triple Pack Chew Toys is a fantastic option for Maltese puppies that are always craving something new, and need a flavor or scent to keep them happy. This pack includes the tempting flavors of pancakes, roast beef, and lasagna. We should be so lucky! This is made in the USA.

#2 - Chew Toys for Maltese of All Ages

What’s happening: Chewing urges do not often stop once a Maltese matures, most adult dogs like to chew; it’s a canine instinct and a dog’s favorite pastime. And many dogs that like to chew may find it to be a soothing stress reliever.

If a dog does not have toys that he feels are enjoyable, he’ll look elsewhere to meet his chewing needs… and this often means non-toy items like your socks, shoes, pocket book, etc.

Chewing is beneficial for a dog to keep jaws strong and help keep gums and teeth strong and healthy; the right toys can also help keep plaque buildup at bay. This said, you should still perform dental care at home including brushing your Maltese’s teeth and offer dental treats.

Qualities of the best chew toys: There are specific elements that you’ll want to look for:

Properly sized – As with many care items and supplies for Maltese, sizing is important. If a dog struggles to fit a toy in his mouth or has trouble carrying it around, he may start to not even bother trying.

Consistency – For this, a Maltese needs right consistency to clamp down on, and as he chews it must be a pleasant and rewarding workout for the jaws.

Enticement – Flavor is a key element for dogs that need to be reminded why chewing on toys is fun. And tasty chews will help keep a dog focused on his toy, staying busy until he’s met his chewing quota.

Durability - No toy is 100% indestructible, and this makes sense since puppies and dogs have very sharp teeth, even tiny Maltese. This said, if your Maltese really goes at it, you'll want a toy that is designed for aggressive chewers. Note that Goughnuts are a great 'virtually' indestructible dog toy with a guarantee; however, we've found that even the smallest size is often much too large for a Maltese.

Tips: More is not necessarily better. You’ll find that 5 or 6 of really great toys is far better than 15 or 20 of substandard ones. Once you’vel put together a great collection, you can leave out half of them at any one time. The second set can be stored away, and these can be rotated out so that your Maltese always has ‘new’ toys. Do, however, keep any favorites; dogs can get very attached to certain toys and having them gone can be stressful.

Our Top Picks for Chew Toys for Maltese

To meet urges of chewing machines, there are some great choices.

1) The Nylabone Dura Chew Double Bacon Bone is made to keep dogs happy. This bacon flavored, twisted toy with its sturdy ridged base and four nubbed ends is built for powerful chewers. It comes in size petite/extra small, which makes it great for small Maltese. And, this is made in the USA.

2) And you’ll find that the PetSafe Busy Buddy Bouncy Bone Dog Toy in size Small is fantastic. This is sized for dogs of all ages under 10 lbs. It has a sturdy base with a soft ball secured in the center for chewing fun. Some owners of larger dogs modify these to make them last longer, but for Maltese and other toy sized dogs, the original toy as is works just fine.

3) Every dog needs at least one Kong, and the KONG Small Puppy Goodie Bone is a great choice for this breed. The ‘puppy’ part of this simply relates to sizing. Kongs are pretty durable, and this toy holds treats at each tip for motivation and reward for good chewing habits.

You can wedge in a few bits of kibble, and to make it last longer, mix in some 100% all natural smooth peanut butter.

4) Another type of Kong toy offers something unique and fun. The KONG Wild Knots Squeaker Bear for Dogs are durable and cute stuffed animals with minimal stuffing that have knotted ropes inside. When a dog bites down, the rope offers a satisfying chewing experience. In addition, there’s a squeaker inside, so this is an all-around fantastic toy.

#3 ‘Stay Busy’ Toys for Maltese

What’s happening: While you probably wish that you could entertain your Maltese all day, it’s just not possible. And dogs that are left with nothing to do, are often bored and frustrated. Chronic boredom can lead to sullen mood and even depression. And built up frustration can manifest restlessness, disruptive behavior like excessive barking, or destructive behavior.

You’ll want to have a few toys that are designed to draw a dog in, and keep him focused, entertained, and busy.

They’ll provide fun and encourage independent play.

These types of toys should be used:

When you are home but are not able to play with/interact with your Maltese
When your Maltese is home alone

Qualities of the best ‘stay busy’ toys: There are specific elements that you’ll want to look for:

Properly sized – This will always be a quality of any sort of toy for Maltese since an over-sized toy will be hard to chew on, manipulate, or carry.

Reactive – The toys will produce an effect when the dog interacts with it. In this way, the toy is essentially ‘playing back’ with the dog, which brings things to a whole new level.

Entertaining– Silly and/or unexpected noises are great for keeping a dog amused. Challenges that bring about reward also work well.

Incentive – Incentive is vital, because dogs will take action when doing so brings about favorable results. If your Maltese receives something in return for seeking out and playing with a toy, such as being entertained or releasing a treat, he will want to repeat that behavior.

Tips: When your Maltese is home alone, and you want your dog to stay busy with his chosen toys, you won’t want those toys to be rolling under sofas or otherwise being out of reach. One of the best ways to keep a Maltese in one spot, with all needed necessities fully accessible is to use a canine playpen. These are also fantastic for housebreaking purposes; with pee pads placed down, messes stay to a minimum.

Our Top Picks for ‘Stay Busy’ Toys for Independent Play

You’ll be happy to know that there’s some terrific choices for toys that will keep just about any Maltese entertained, focused, and busy for hours.

1) The Pet Qwerks Babble Balls are awesome speaking toys. These are sturdy balls that react when nosed and go into sleep mode when not in use. There are two types, and both are super fun. The talking Babble Ball says over 20 funny phrases such as ‘Hot diggity dog!’, ‘Here, puppy!’, and ‘Yeah, baby!’.

There is also an animal sounds Babble that has over 20 fun animal noises including frogs, pigs, birds, goats, other dogs, lions, roosters, and lambs.

2) What’s cute and sings songs to your Maltese (albeit ones that you’ll have stuck in your head forever)? It’s the MultiPet Deedle Dudes Animals that Sing. There’s a singing mouse, rabbit, and monkey.

3) The line of Multipet Look Who's Talking Toys can’t be left off this list. Each stuffed animal makes its own animal noise. And, there’s lots to choose from; parrots, ducks, cows, lobsters, pigs, goats, fish, roosters, chickens, and more.

4) And last but not least, we switch to a different sort of ‘stay busy’ toy, which is a treat dispensing one. These are wonderful for when your Maltese is home alone and you want to be sure that your dog eats his midday meal.

Many treat-release toys are designed for much larger dogs, but you’ll find that the PetSafe Busy Buddy Barnacle Dog Toy in size Extra Small is perfect. It has 3 barnacle sections that hold treats. You can place dry kibble in this, or mix kibble with 100% all natural smooth peanut butter (we prefer organic).

#4 - Bonding Toys

What’s happening: Most toys serve the purpose having a puppy or dog play by themselves; but, taking time to play with your Maltese is important as well.

Canines naturally bond with their humans to a certain degree and you’ll find that interacting one-on-one will strength that connection. Certain toys, such as those you use to play fetch or hide n’ seek, and doing puzzle games together are great methods to spend special time together.

Qualities of the best bonding toys:

Proper sizing - As with all toys for Maltese, it must fit the dog. Playing fetch with a ball that’s too large will bring an end to the game pretty quickly.

Correct skill level - For puzzle toys, you’ll want these to be at the right level and with levers and buttons that your dog can maneuver.

Tips: Try to schedule playtime with your Maltese. If you just say that you’ll do it ‘sometime’ during the day, you may find that other responsibilities take precedence and before you know it, it’s time to go to sleep. All you need is a good 15 or 20 minutes set aside for this.

Your level of enthusiasm will go a long way in how well your Maltese responds. If an owner halfheartedly tosses a ball, how much fun do you think a dog will have? But, if you jump up, speak in a happy voice, shake the ball, dance around a bit, and then toss it while saying, “Goooo get it!’, your Maltese will match your vibe and be rearing to go.

Our Top Picks for Bonding Toys

There’s two categories, those for playing games like fetch, and puzzle-type toys.

1) For fetch, you’ll find that the Zanies Mini Tennis Balls for Dogs are wonderful. One like the are sized just right for this breed, making it easy for a Maltese to mouth and bring back to you. They also come in a 6-pack of cute, bright colors.

2) Another option is the Chuckit! Small Ultra Ball 2-Inch; this goes above and beyond a tennis ball. It has the 3 b’s: High bounce, high buoyancy, and ultimate brightness. It comes in sizes as small as 2 inches, so this is ideal for most Maltese. They also make a glow-in-the-dark one.

3) For more high-flying, fetching fun, you may want to try a Wubba; these are a neat design of a squeaker ball on top of a tennis ball, which is wrapped in sturdy fabric, with trailing tails. It’s fun to throw and easy for a dog to retrieve.

Keep in mind that many Wubba toys are designed for much larger dogs. However, the Kong Wubba for Puppies is ideal for Maltese; the top squeaker ball is 1 and 1/4 inches, and the tennis ball is 1 and 1/2 inches. Note that this comes in two colors, light blue or light pink, and either or will be sent to you.

4) Switching things up, a great way to bond is to work with your Maltese as a team on a puzzle game. These are floor level games in which treats are hidden in secret compartments. It will be your job to teach your puppy or dog to nose levels, paw buttons, or otherwise release the treats.

It’s a great way for a dog to build self-confidence, and puzzles do vary by skill level. The Trixie Pet Mini Mover Toy is a super fun one, and you’ll see that there’s a several types, including towers, and three skill levels.

#5 - Companion, Home Alone Toys

What’s happening: It’s more common than not for dogs to have to stay home alone, at least for a portion of the day, as owners need to work, go to school, or be away for other responsibilities. And, with this comes the very real issue of separation anxiety. Dogs can be overwhelmed with feelings of isolation and loneliness.

There are quite a few things that you can do to help fix separation anxiety issues, including offering a companion toy.

Qualities of the best companion toys:

Mimicking a living creature – This is what it all comes down to; offering your Maltese a toy that comes as close as possible to a real, living friend. This should include being a good size, being soft, having a heartbeat, and emitting warmth. It will be as close to another dog that you can get without actually bringing home a new puppy.

Replaceable parts – Quality companion toys are not cheap, so you’ll want the toy to be very sturdy, and for certain parts (heart, and warming pads) to be replaceable. This way, you are purchasing the toy once, and can keep it working essentially forever.

Tips: Companion toys are absolutely great for when a dog is home alone, but are also fantastic for dogs that are mourning the loss of a friend, are trying to adjust to a new home, or for those that have generalized anxiety (often seen with rescue dogs).

Our Top Picks for Companion Toys

For this, there is no competition and no comparison. There’s only one that we’d ever recommend. It’s the Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy, and it’s nothing short of amazing (see below).

These comes in several styles (brown and white, golden, white, pink, blue), and are a good size. The Snuggle Pet toy has a rhythmic heartbeat, to provide a sense of comfort and the feeling of being with another living creature. Additionally, you can use the heat option, so that the toy emits a soothing warmth.

The heart is replaceable, as are the warming packs. This runs on 2 AAA batteries (included) and if it were on 24/7, the batteries last 2 full weeks, so you can typically expect to replace the batteries about once a month. A wonderful extra and helpful bonus is that once you take out the removable heart, it is machine washable. So, your Maltese’s new best friend won’t get stinky.

A Final Word

When you are looking for toys, go beyond just what looks cute, or what may seem like fun to you.

Some toys are worthless, and it won’t matter if you have a huge pile; you’ll be wasting your money and the toys will be ignored. It’s better to have a few select toys that meet your Maltese’s particular needs.

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The 5 Best Types of Toys for MaltesePuppies and Dogs