We hope dogs will become lifetime companions. And while most people know it’s inevitable they’ll outlive their pet, the desire to prolong that bond as long as possible is understandable.
That makes it natural that when considering adopting a Maltipoo, one of your first questions will be ‘How long do Maltipoos live?’
In the interest of answering the question, we started researching. Here’s what we found.
How Long Do Maltipoos Live?
How long Maltipoos live depends on a variety of factors. These include:
- Health
- Activity level
- Diet
Notably, health includes more than your Maltipoo’s overall well-being. It also factors in any congenital conditions they have.
With that in mind, exactly how long do Maltipoos live?
A healthy, active Maltipoo lives for approximately 14-15 years.
However, it’s important to note that, like everything, there are exceptions. With the right attention to diet and exercise, a Maltipoo with no chronic conditions could live to be as old as 17.
Alternatively, a young Maltipoo might suffer an unexpected trauma and die as young as seven.
So, how do you ensure your Maltipoo is the exception to the rule? Or if not an exception, at least lives as long as the veterinary estimate?
Conditions That Affect Maltipoo Health
One of the best ways to ensure your Maltipoo lives a long, happy life is by being aware of what illnesses Maltipoos can inherit from their parents.
Because Maltipoos are mixed dogs, you are less likely to see these illnesses crop up in them than you would in their parents. But as their hybrid vigor dilutes, that might change. And knowing what to look for can help you spot a health problem before it’s too late.
So, what health conditions have the potential to shorten a Maltipoo’s lifespan, and what can you do about them?
Portosystemic Shunt
Maltipoos don’t have many health conditions, but this one deserves attention.
Portosystemic shunts develop when the vein that transports toxins to the liver malfunctions. Instead of depositing the toxins into the liver to be filtered out of your Maltipoo’s system, those toxins flow into the bloodstream.
Unsurprisingly, this condition can significantly shorten your Maltipoo’s lifespan if not treated.
Early indications your Maltipoo has a portosystemic shunt include muscle weakness and stunted growth. If your Maltipoo puppy looks too small for their age, it may be time to call the vet.
Other indications include:
- Seizures
- Staring into space
- Circling
- Head pressing
- Disorientation/confusion
There are several ways to treat a portosystemic shunt. The most is a surgical procedure that gets the veins to do their job properly. In the interim, you can manage the condition with medication and prescription food to clear the toxins out of your Maltipoo’s system.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
As discussed, sometimes Maltipoos inherit health conditions from their Poodle or Maltese parents.
Reputable breeders try to screen the worst of these out, but some conditions can’t be spotted until your Maltipoo matures.
Maltipoos inherit Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) from their Poodle predecessors. It can be difficult to spot until your Maltipoo is completely blind. Early signs include:
- Reluctance to enter a dark room
- Bumping into objects
- Hesitancy/difficulty on stairs
- Eyes reflective in bright light
The more the retina detaches, the more complete the blindness becomes. Despite being chronic, many dogs lead happy lives despite PRA.
You can help by:
- Keeping doors open
- Limiting your Maltipoo’s stair use
- Keeping objects/furniture out of their way
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Another condition that might affect how long your Maltipoo lives is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
Frustratingly, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease has no known cause. What vets do know is that although it’s rare, it’s more common in small dogs like Maltipoos.
If your Maltipoo has this condition, you discover it quickly. It usually crops up in puppies, when the ball of the femur disconnects from the rest of the hip and cuts off blood flow.
It can be extremely painful, and the most effective way to treat it is to remove the defective ball of the femur or swallow the expense of a hip replacement.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is another condition your Maltipoo can inherit from a Poodle parent. It’s difficult to anticipate which puppies will manifest epilepsy because it often doesn’t present until the puppy is three or four years old.
But if your Maltipoo experiences a seizure, you’ll know about it. Often dogs with recurrent epilepsy seek their owners out at the onset of the seizure for comfort.
Look for signs of:
- Nausea
- Frothing
- Tensile muscles
- Violent/mild tremors
You can medicate recurrent epilepsy to keep it under control. But if the seizures are sporadic and irregular, a vet may not feel this is necessary. In that scenario, the best thing you can do is hold your Maltipoo through the seizure and minimize their movement.
Note that some dogs may experience paralysis or even blindness after a seizure. This is normal and should correct itself. But if it doesn’t, call the vet.
Obesity
When wondering how long a Maltipoo lives, it’s important to remember that they aren’t only affected by rare conditions.
Obesity is one of the most frequent factors that stop Maltipoos from living as long as their owners would like.
For a healthier, happier dog, try to focus on walks and energetic play/training sessions. Simultaneously, keep treats to a minimum.
Boredom
Finally, there’s more to your Maltipoo’s health and longevity than their physical well-being.
Emotional health is equally important. If you want to extend your Maltipoo’s life, ensure they reap all the benefits of environmental enrichment.
That can include puzzle toys, interactive play sessions, or socializing at the park. If nothing else, bored dogs can be destructive. They’re also more prone to anxiety, and that deserves the same attention as a faulty liver.
How to Prolong Your Maltipoo’s Lifespan
There are a few things you can do to increase how long your Maltipoo lives. Let’s explore some of them.
Routine Exercise
Since obesity dramatically impacts your Maltipoo’s health, one of the best things you can do to keep them healthy as long as possible is to ensure they get enough exercise.
The kind of exercise doesn’t matter. If your Maltipoo is averse to walks, consider games of fetch or frisbee.
That has the additional benefit of helping your Maltipoo burn off excess energy and reduce the chances of destructive behavior. It can also improve their mental health.
Environmental Enrichment
Much as we would like to stay home with our dogs all day, every day, that’s not always an option.
Environmental enrichment ensures your dog gets the mental stimulation they need to stay healthy and alleviate boredom or separation anxiety.
A dog walker is an excellent way to combat these issues. Similarly, toys like snuffle mats or puzzle toys are a fantastic way to teach your dog about independent play.
The toys don’t have to be expensive, either. A cardboard box with treats hidden in it is as effective a puzzle as anything on Amazon.
Moderate Food
As discussed, obesity is one of the leading factors that determine how long a Maltipoo lives.
Challenging as it is, you must resist those wide, sad eyes. Feeding your dog reasonably-sized meals and keeping treats to a minimum will help improve their quality of life.
Vet Exams
The last thing you can do to ensure your Maltipoo enjoys a long happy existence is to see your vet often.
Most owners preventatively treat fleas and ticks, anyway. Use this as an opportunity to bring your Maltipoo in for a routine exam and ensure their health hasn’t changed.
Final Thoughts
How long do Maltipoos live? On average, between 14-15 years.
But their weight, health, and happiness can affect their lifespan. Strictly regulating food, ensuring they get enough entertainment and exercise, and speaking with your vet at least once a year will ensure your Maltipoo stays at your side for years to come.
