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Itching

Maltese Itching Issues

Overview

When a Maltese puppy or dog is itchy, they may rub against objects or keep pawing, scratching, biting at, or licking themselves. An itch can affect just one specific body part or be a full-body problem and may be chronic or acute. The intensity of a Maltese’s itching and scratching can range from mild to very severe.  

Fortunately, even if you are not sure what is making your Maltese itchy, there are steps you can take to offer immediate relief and things you can do to help resolve the underlying issue. 

How to Help a Maltese with Itching, Step #1: Offer Immediate Relief

If your Maltese is super itchy, you no doubt want to stop the itch asap. Using something to offer relief will break the cycle of each bite or scratch making things worse and will allow a Maltese to have a mental and physical rest. 
And there are safe anti-itch topicals that can do this. Do keep in mind that these are not meant to be used for months or years on end (Step 2 will discuss how to resolve the underlying cause) but these treatment options can quickly and effectively offer a great deal of help. 

What you use on your Maltese will depend on their symptoms and individual situation. Let’s take a look. 
Anti-itch Sprays
Sprays are commonly a good choice. These are great if a Maltese’s skin is irritated and applying something directly (like a balm) would cause discomfort. And a spray allows you to target specific areas but can also be used for full-body issues. There are two main types: 

Non-medicated, all-natural spray. These are often the best choice for Maltese pups and dogs with itching problems. Certain ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and baking soda can be very effective at stopping even severe itching. And most can be used round-the-clock, as needed. Be sure to avoid any with alcohol or other additives that could sting or cause irritation to already sensitive skin.  
Our top choice is Bodhi Dog All Natural Anti Itch Spray which contains a powerful combination of both colloidal oatmeal and baking soda. This is non-toxic, so it can be sprayed even on areas like the paws that a Maltese may be gnawing at, and this can be used any time (in most cases, this would be applied every 2 to 5 hours). 
Medicated spray. Cases that call for a medicated spray should be addressed to the veterinarian. That said, if a Maltese has such severe itching that they are in pain, certain medicated sprays can often be used while waiting for the appointment. These should not, however, be used on cracked or broken skin. 
One such topical is Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Itch Relief Spray which contains lidocaine (a numbing agent) and hydrocortisone (for both itching and skin inflammation). Note that due to these topical medications, if this is sprayed on the paws or another accessible area, a safety cone collar or protective socks may need to be placed on the puppy or dog. This can be used twice daily. 
Anti-itch Creams
Creams, lotions, or balms can be a good choice if a Maltese has lots of itching alongside dry skin (common in the wintertime) that requires lots of moisturizing. A cream can also be a good choice if the itchy area is red or otherwise irritated. These are not a good choice, however, if your Maltese cannot tolerate being touched (since these need to be massaged in).  

A recommended anti-itch cream is ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment. This can be used for a wide range of itching issues and contains a soothing combo of aloe vera, Manuka honey, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and other all-natural ingredients. 
Anti-itch Shampoos
Regardless of whether you use a spray or a cream to offer immediate relief for your Maltese’s itching, it can be very helpful to also use an anti-itch shampoo. It allows every crevice on a dog to be treated and certain shampoos can be incredibly soothing and cooling while restoring skin health. 

Though it’s normally recommended to give a Maltese a bath once every 3 weeks, this can be increased 2 or even 3 times a week, short-term while you’re working to stop the itching. 

One recommended shampoo is Moosh Shampoo. This is such an all-encompassing product that it works very well regardless of whether the trigger is known. It’s also ideal if there are other issues alongside the itching such as hot spots or a rash. 

This is packed with helpful ingredients including bentonite clay (gently pulls irritants and toxins from the skin and can work on both yeast and bacterial skin issues), argan oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and nutmeg (all 4 of these soothe, moisturize and condition skin), and coconut, olive, and sunflower oil, as well as rosemary, to improve skin health. 
And another recommendation, for a strictly anti-itch formula, is Bodhi Dog All Natural Anti Itch Shampoo. Just like Bodhi Dog’s spray (see previous ‘Anti-itch sprays: All-natural spray’), its two primary ingredients are colloidal oatmeal and baking soda which is a super-effective combo, and it also has aloe vera, coconut, and other fruit extracts. 

How to Help a Maltese with Itching, Step #2: Work to Reduce or Eliminate the Underlying Causes  

It’s not always obvious what’s causing a Maltese to be itchy. So, it can certainly be a good idea to seek veterinary care for a diagnosis. However, there are also steps you can take at home to help with common triggers. 

#1. Be sure all meals and snacks are additive-free. Synthetic preservatives, artificial food dyes, flavor enhancers, and high grain counts can all cause itching. Follow recommended feeding guidelines in offering an all-natural kibble, snacks, and training treats. 
#2 Ward off dust mites. Dust mites mainly live on beds, other furniture, pillows, and carpeting and they feed off of dead skin cells (from both humans who shed an average of 10 grams of dead skin a week and animals including dogs). It is there droppings, not the mites themselves, that people (and pets) can be allergic to. 

If you don't think this may apply to your home, or your Maltese, prepare yourself for some dust mite facts. There can be over 100 mites in just 1 gram of dust, up to 100,000 of these microscopic creatures on each 1 square yard of carpeting, and the weight of a pillow can increase by 10% each year due to mites and their feces. 
There are things that can help keep mite population under control including wet dusting and vacuuming often, washing your Maltese's bed cover using the hot water cycle, and using mite-proof pillow cases like Allersoft National Allergy Standard Pillowcases and mattress protectors.
#3 Remove allergens from your Maltese as they enter the house. Pollen, grasses, and other outdoor allergens can cling to a dog’s paws and/or body when they are outside and then they bring these triggers into the house. Using a paw wax like Musher's Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax can help stop allergens (and irritants like lawn care products and ice-melt products) from coming into contact with the paw pads. It also helps to then rinse the paws off upon entry. 
In addition, wiping your Maltese down with a grooming wipe like Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes can help remove allergens that have clung to the coat. 

You can drag in allergens as well, so be sure to leave your shoes and any outerwear near the door. 
#4 Keep the air in the house allergen free. If you have central air, be sure to use HEPA filters (with a MERV rating of at least 8) which will trap allergen particles as they circulate through either the heating or AC cycles. If you’re not using either heat or AC at any given time, some systems allow for just the fan to run. 

If you don’t have central air, an alternative is to use air purifiers. Those like the Medify MA-14 HEPA Air Purifier with a certified HEPA filter can trap extremely small particles including mold, dust, dander, pollen, and even bacteria and viruses. In addition, running a vacuum with a HEPA filter can also help clean the air as it circulates through the machine as well as clean particles from flooring.
#5 Run a humidifier if dry skin is suspected. Dry skin can cause lots of itching and is more common in the winter when air is very arid. One step in resolving dry skin problems is to bring up the humidity levels in the house and one of the most effective ways to do that is with humidifiers. 
#6 Avoid contact irritants. This includes a wide range of elements that can come into contact with a Maltese and cause a reaction. Common irritants are soaping agents, perfumes, parabens, and other additives in (cheap) dog shampoos, dyes or heavy perfumes in laundry detergents used to clean a dog’s belongings (bed cover, etc.), and chemicals in home cleaning supplies such as carpet deodorizing powder.
#7 Work to Improve skin health. Poor skin health often means an increase in issues that have itching as a top symptom. Aside from using quality all-natural shampoos to avoid harsh ingredients, one of the most effective measures is to increase dietary omega, specifically EPA and DHA. 
If your Maltese eats lots of fresh fish or a fish-based kibble, they may already be receiving excellent levels of omega-3. But if not, there is no reason to change a dog’s favorite meals; a good option is to simply add a dash of fish oil via a liquid supplement like Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. Note that omega sourced from wild fish is recommended since farmed fish may contain vegetable oil residue that may interfere with omega levels. 
#8 Assess for yeast infection. With skin yeast infections, the top signs are intense itching and a bad odor. The odor is sometimes equated with corn chips or musty wet socks. The skin may also appear oily and/or scaly. 

A shampoo such as Moosh (see previous ‘Anti-itch Shampoos’) may help. With moderate to severe or chronic cases, a medicated shampoo may be needed. Though these can be obtained over-the-counter, it’s recommended to have a suspected yeast infection diagnosed by the vet since medicated topical treatments (particularly those with chlorhexidine) can be extremely irritating to a Maltese’s skin if a yeast infection is not present. In cases of stubborn yeast problems, an oral anti-fungal medication may be prescribed. 
#9 Assess for a hidden flea infestation. Never automatically rule out fleas. In many cases, you will not see them since they live on a dog’s skin, under the coat. Fleas can be a year-round issue (though they are most active during the summer) and can affect dogs that are well-taken care of in the cleanest of homes. 

To check for fleas, part a Maltese’s hair; black specks near the roots (which are flea feces) may be seen, or if you are quick enough you may see a few fleas scattering away. Running a white paper towel over carpeting may produce tiny red specks that are the blood from fleas that were just killed. 

Getting rid of fleas thoroughly and permanently is no easy task and involves treating both a dog and the entire house (and sometimes the yard). Flea treatments can be harsh, so natural flea shampoos such as TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo are recommended as a first option; this works via a combination of clove oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil and sesame seed oil. 
#10 Itching that is not responsive to at-home treatment should be treated by the veterinarian. While just about all pet owners wish that every issue could be remedied at home, this just isn’t the case. There are a number of uncommon yet possible underlying issues for itchiness that require veterinary diagnosis, care, and treatment including skin mites, mange, scabies, acral lick dermatitis, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, and canine diabetes. 

A Final Word

It can be hard to watch a puppy or dog chronically scratch, bite, and lick themselves due to itching from an unknown source. But by offering itch relief and then working to eliminate common causes, it's possible to resolve many cases of itching relatively quickly. If your Maltese suffers from itching that doesn't respond well to home remedies or that keeps coming back even though you've followed all of the guidelines, please do not hesitate to bring them to the vet for a complete examination and treatment, which may include prescribed medications such as corticosteroids and/or antihistamines. 
Other Helpful Articles:
When a Maltese Smells Bad - Regardless of how a puppy or dog looks, there can be an odd odor. See the most common reasons and exact steps to have your Maltese smelling nice and clean again. 
When a Maltese Chews at Their Paws - Reasons for this include allergic reactions that cause itching, irritation from walking surfaces, stress, and habit. Learn how to respond and stop this behavior. 
When a Maltese Eats Grass - If your little guy or gal loves to munch on grass, see why this can be detrimental and ways you can stop this habit. 
Vaccination Schedule for Maltese - A summary of which shots are needed when. Includes both puppy vaccinations and adult boosters. 
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