Croci GILL'S for Maltese, 200 ml is a shampoo created specifically for the Maltese. According to the description, besides cleaning it enhances the coat colour, makes the coat soft and silky, gives the white coat a healthy, well-groomed look and leaves a fresh scent. The shampoo makes brushing and subsequent grooming easier. It is simple to use: wet the coat with warm water, apply the shampoo with light massaging movements and rinse.
Ingredients
Deionised water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, D-panthenol, glycol distearate, cocamide MEA, dihydrogenated tallow phthalic acid amide, polyquaternium-10, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, sodium chloride, fragrance, citric acid, methylchloroisothiazolinone, disodium EDTA, trehalose, ginkgo extract and the colourants Acid Yellow 11 and Acid Blue 7.
The cleansing base is sodium laureth sulfate with mild hydroxysultaine. Panthenol and trehalose hold moisture in the coat, while polyquaternium-10 and guar deposit on the hair, smooth it and ease brushing, which is the promised "easier grooming". Two dyes come at the end: blue is traditionally used in white coat shampoos to visually cancel out yellowness.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | shampoo for long white coats |
| For | Maltese |
| Care ingredients | panthenol, trehalose, ginkgo |
| Conditioners | polyquaternium-10, guar |
| Colourants | Acid Yellow 11, Acid Blue 7 |
| Action | softness, shine, easy brushing |
| Volume | 200 ml |
Pros
- Made for the Maltese. Designed around a long, fine white coat.
- Eases grooming. Conditioning agents reduce tangling.
- Panthenol and trehalose. Hold moisture and soften the coat.
- Mild secondary surfactant. Hydroxysultaine softens the cleansing base.
- Compact bottle. 200 ml suits a small dog.
- Fresh scent.
Cons and what to watch
- A yellow dye in a white coat shampoo. The manufacturer does not explain why it is there alongside the blue one.
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone and fragrance. These may irritate sensitive skin.
- No contact time. The directions are very brief.
- Specifications missing on the card. It does not say whether the shampoo suits cats or other breeds.
- Will not remove tear stains. Those need separate care.
How to wash a Maltese
Always brush the coat before bathing, as mats tighten after washing and become harder to work out. Wet the coat with warm water, apply the shampoo with light massaging movements in the direction of hair growth without fluffing it up, and rinse thoroughly. Do not rub a long coat with a towel; blot it and dry with warm air while brushing. More on bathing in dog shampoo: how to choose and how to wash.
White coats and yellowing
A Maltese's white coat yellows from saliva, tears, dirt and urine. Regular washing helps keep the colour, but if the coat is already badly yellowed you will need a shampoo designed for yellowing, such as Iv San Bernard Cristal Clean. For the brown tear stains typical of Maltese, the TropiClean SPA Tear Stain gel works, and eye hygiene is covered in how to clean a dog's and cat's ears and eyes.
Against mats
The Maltese coat has no undercoat but is fine and tangles easily, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and on the belly. If the shampoo alone is not enough, use an anti-mat conditioner after washing, such as Iv San Bernard K101. Daily care is covered in coat care for dogs at home.
The GILL'S range
The GILL'S range has shampoos for different needs: GILL'S Mink Oil is a shampoo and conditioner for dry long coats, and GILL'S for golden coats is for yellow and beige colours.
How often to wash
A Maltese is usually washed every one to three weeks, with the face and paws cleaned as needed. Washing too often dries the skin, while washing too rarely leads to tangles and yellowing. Go by the state of the coat and the dog's lifestyle.
Other breeds
The manufacturer positions the shampoo specifically for the Maltese. Judging by the formula it would suit other small dogs with long white coats, but it is better not used on cats or dogs of other colours, as the card does not mention them.
Storage
Keep the bottle closed at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.
Who it suits
GILL'S for Maltese suits Maltese and other small white long-haired dogs for regular washing and easier grooming. Other products are in the shampoos and conditioners section and the dog shampoo collection.
Verdict
Croci GILL'S for Maltese is a shampoo with panthenol, trehalose, ginkgo and conditioning agents that softens a long white coat and eases brushing. The downsides are an unexplained yellow dye in a white coat shampoo, methylchloroisothiazolinone and fragrance, no stated contact time and missing specifications on the card.
FAQ
Which breed is it for?
The Maltese.
Does it ease brushing?
Yes, it contains polyquaternium-10 and guar.
Does it whiten the coat?
It helps keep a white coat looking good; heavy yellowing needs a dedicated shampoo.
How long should it stay on?
No time is given: apply and rinse.
Can it be used on cats?
The card does not say.
Will it help with tear stains?
No, those need separate care.
What volume is it?
200 ml.
