Are Maltipoos Hypoallergenic?

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Published: April 19, 2023
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​​Maltipoos are rapidly winning the hearts of many pet parents thanks to their reputation for being amiable, smart, and just plain cute! Something that makes this breed beloved by so many people is they do well in all types of households. Whether you have other animals or small children, Maltipoos make great pets! 

If you’re curious if Maltipoos are hypoallergenic, you’re in luck because they come as close as a pooch can get to being hypoallergenic! Below you’ll find out everything you need to know about these precious pups. 

What Does a Hypoallergenic Dog Mean?

Maltipoos are considered to be hypoallergenic

Maltipoos come as close as a dog can get to being hypoallergenic.

©Rob Hainer/Shutterstock.com

Since Maltipoos have low to no shedding, it is relatively doubtful that any allergies are going to be aggravated as they might be with some other breeds. The majority of people believe that Maltipoos are hypoallergenic since this breed lacks fur and instead has hair. 

But the majority of allergy sufferers are allergic to dander. Dead skin cells that are shed and accumulate in the dog’s fur, not the coat, make up dander. Dander is present in dogs with and without fur. Similar to humans, the top layer of skin is constantly renewing, with old cells being replaced by new ones.

The fact that fur is typically much thicker than hair is what determines how severe the allergic reaction is. Fur hangs onto and gathers dander since it is denser and thicker. The dander can easily fall out because the Maltipoo’s hair is smooth and soft. 

Someone with allergies may come into proximity to anything that is on a dog’s coat as they cuddle or groom the pooch. An individual may experience a reduced or nonexistent allergic reaction while touching the Maltipoo since there is far less dander that has accumulated over time.

What is a Maltipoo?

The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a poodle

The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a poodle.

©Rita Petcu/Shutterstock.com

These cute little puppies, also referred to as “designer dogs,” are a somewhat new variety. Maltipoos, a popular subgroup of poodle mixtures, is a hybrid of the Maltese and the poodle. These canines are small in stature, have rounder heads, drooping ears, and they look like puppies their entire life! 

Maltipoos will differ in size because there may be a minor variation in the stature of the poodle breed genes. 

These canines typically weigh between five and 20 pounds and range in height from eight to 14 inches tall. There is no particular breed of Maltipoo that is going to shed less than any other kind, unlike doodles which may have a high-shedding coat from a non-poodle parent. 

Regardless of which parent dog your Malti takes after, they will have a low-shed coat.

Lifespan of Maltipoos

Maltipoo

Maltipoos often live for 10-15 years.

©vkon39/Shutterstock.com

Maltipoos can live for 10 to 15 years because they are a petite breed and have fewer health problems than larger breeds. The nutrition, exercise regimen, and general health of the dog are just a few of the variables that affect how long it takes. 

Your pooch has to be on the right food and exercise schedule if you want to guarantee that it lives a long and healthy life. Making regular appointments with your veterinarian is also important.

How Common Are Pet Allergies?

Up to 30% of Americans are affected by pet allergies, according to Healthline. Dog allergies are more severe than cat allergies, which are far more prevalent. This means that, sadly, many individuals who couldn’t want anything more than to have a canine will be hesitant to get one due to stresses that their allergies will rev up.

There is a widespread misconception about pet allergies that the cause of symptoms is an intolerance to loose hair or fur. Despite the fact that this is untrue, it is clear why people believe it. In fact, the body is responding to particular proteins in the animal’s saliva, urine, or skin cells.

However, when hair or fur is lost, it frequently contains dander, which is the worst offender, as well as dried saliva from areas where a puppy has licked itself. This is the term used to describe skin fragments that have fallen off the body. 

Due to the size of these small particles, breathing them in is all too easy, which leads to the onset of symptoms.

Reducing the Risk of Reaction

Brushing a Maltipoo can help reduce allergens

Brushing your Maltipoo will help to remove dry skin and dead hair.

©iStock.com/marketlan

There are things you can do with your furry friend to reduce the chance of allergy flare-ups! 

Regular Grooming

The idea is to remove dry skin and dead hair as carefully as you can. A good brush will capture the hair during routine brushing, making disposal quite easy. Similarly, when you take a bath, you can flush away dead hair and dander. 

If your dog has long hair, you might also think about routine trims for even greater results. In fact, bathing your dog too frequently might have the reverse of what you want. The oils in a dog’s coat help to maintain it healthy, and removing those oils might dry out both the hair and the skin and increase shedding. 

Opt for extremely hydrating shampoos and limit your usage to once every two weeks. 

Keeping a Clean Home

Naturally, maintaining good cleaning practices is essential to guarantee any hair that manages to escape during grooming and ends up on the upholstery or flooring is removed. This includes routinely vacuuming carpets, wiping tile and wood where dander might collect, and wiping down furniture like sofas and chairs. 

Additionally, you can think about spending money on an air purifier that has a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to assist capture any allergens that manage to evade cleaning. Last but not least, think about defining some areas of the home as pup-free, namely the bedrooms or a specific level. Dog gates will be a big help in making this happen.

Feed Your Dog Properly

Maltipoo puppy eating

If your Maltipoo is experiencing excessive shedding, itching and scratching, it may be a sign of a poor diet, allergy or food sensitivity.

©iStock.com/marketlan

Excessive skin shedding, together with the accompanying itching and scratching, might be a sign of poor dietary habits, which is perhaps not unexpected. It may indicate that either your friend is not consuming the nutrients they require from their diet or that they have a personal allergy or sensitivity to a specific food element. 

Finding a dog food that exactly matches your dog is fortunately not too difficult these days because of the wide variety of options available. Even entire product lines of kibble are available for those with more delicate stomachs. You may find out more about your dog’s unique needs by doing a little research.

Consider Medications

Talk with your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue if you’re giving your dog the best care possible, including using a hydration-enhancing shampoo and providing them with premium food, but you’re still finding an issue with dry skin. 

They might additionally be able to recommend supplements that could benefit them even more, such as hemp oil or omega oils. A greater amount of shedding, at least during certain seasons, might simply be unavoidable. 

You may want to make sure you have enough supplies on hand of allergy-reducing medications, such as bronchodilators and antihistamines, for these times, including nasal sprays.  

Bottom Line

These adorable puppies have genes from their parents that reduce their propensity to shed allergen-causing dander throughout the house. In fact, by taking a bit more care, tidying up, and grooming you could virtually completely eradicate the allergen issue, making it far more likely that you found your best bud in a Maltipoo. 

If you or a member of your family suffers from allergies, you should wait at least 20 minutes before adopting a Maltipoo and play with it in that timeframe to see if it triggers any reactions. Because the air outside can push the dander away and produce false results, make sure to do this inside. 

We are confident that adopting a Maltipoo could be a great choice for those with dander allergies. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/marketlan

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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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