What Do Alaskan Malamutes Eat | Best Diet for Your Malamute

Getting your Malamute’s diet right matters more than with many breeds. These powerful working dogs need a specific balance of nutrients to stay lean, energetic, and healthy through their 10–14 year lifespan. The wrong food or feeding schedule can lead to weight gain, joint stress, or nutritional gaps. Here’s exactly what to feed them, how much, and what to avoid.

How Much Should an Alaskan Malamutes Eat Per Day?

Adult Malamutes typically need 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food per day, which works out to roughly 1125–1500 calories. That amount should be split into two meals about 10–12 hours apart—usually morning and evening. Breed-health guidance from the Malamute Health Council puts a more precise target at 1950–2350 kcal/day for an adult weighing 34–43 kg, especially when using a calorie-dense working-dog formula with at least 25% protein.

Puppies under six months need three meals a day and about 50% more calories per pound than adults. After six months, transition to two meals. Seniors—around eight years and older—typically need about 20% fewer calories to prevent weight gain as activity drops. Neutered or spayed dogs also need roughly 20% fewer calories than intact dogs of the same weight.

The simplest body-check: you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily without pressing hard. If you can’t, cut portions by 10–15% and reassess after two weeks.

What Kind of Food is Best for Malamutes?

The most consistent recommendation from veterinarians and breed experts is a complete and balanced AAFCO-approved commercial dog food.

Look for these specific qualities in any food you choose:

• Named animal protein as the first ingredient—chicken, beef, or salmon, not “meat meal” or by-products
• Dry matter protein content around 18–22% for maintenance, higher (25%+) for active/working dogs
• Fat percentage around 15–20% in the dry matter analysis
• AAFCO statement confirming the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for your dog’s life stage

Malamutes can gain weight easily because they were bred to conserve energy. Free-feeding (leaving food out all day) is strongly discouraged—stick to scheduled meals. If your Malamute inhales food too fast, a slow-feeder bowl is a practical fix.

Can Malamutes Eat Raw Food or Table Scraps?

Raw/BARF feeding is an option some owners choose, typically using muscle meat, organ meat, raw bones, raw fats, and small amounts of vegetables or berries. Raw feeding carries real risks (bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances if not carefully formulated), so it’s essential to work with a veterinary nutritionist.

Some breeders and non-veterinary sources also recommend supplementing dry kibble with fresh cooked meat, fish, and vegetables. If you go this route, the Malamute Health Council advises that at least 90% of total calories should still come from the balanced commercial food. Plain cooked chicken, beef, eggs, fish, sweet potato, broccoli, carrots, spinach, and brown rice are all safe in moderation—provided they’re fully cooked and free of salt, spices, onion, or garlic.

Adding extra supplements without veterinary guidance can actually cause harm.

Foods That Are Dangerous for Malamutes

Several common foods are toxic to Malamutes and must never be fed, even in small amounts:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic (all forms—raw, cooked, powdered)
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener found in gum, candy, and some peanut butters)
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol and alcoholic foods
• Cooked bones (they splinter and can perforate the digestive tract)

Raw knuckle or shank bones are sometimes given for dental health, but any bone that can splinter—like rib, steak, or chicken bones—is unsafe and should be avoided. Stick to raw recreational bones under supervision or use safe dental chews instead.