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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a giant northern freight dog — bred to haul heavy loads over long distances on a steady supply of rich, animal-based fuel. That working heritage, paired with a thick double coat and a large-breed frame, makes how you feed one a matter of joints, coat, and clean energy.

Here is exactly how to feed an Alaskan Malamute on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, fat, and joint nutrition a powerful arctic breed is built to run on.

  • Adult weight75–85 lb
  • SizeGiant
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan10–14 years
  • CoatThick double coat — heavy seasonal shedder
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A healthy Alaskan Malamute
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Alaskan Malamute's body needs

Every Alaskan Malamute trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Giant working sled-dog build

    Needs: High-quality animal protein & fat

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels the lean muscle and steady, all-day stamina a freight breed is built for — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and keeping a Malamute lean takes real load off large-breed joints.

  • Thick weather-proof double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting coat condition and helping manage the heavy seasonal blow-out Malamutes are famous for.

  • Big appetite, eats fast & easily overfeeds

    Needs: Precise, measured portions

    Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw fed by weight — not by the begging — makes portion control simple and keeps a food-driven giant lean.

  • Prone to hypothyroidism (weight gain, dull coat)

    Needs: Lean, nutrient-dense whole-food diet

    A minimally processed, protein-forward diet supports a healthy metabolism and skin-and-coat condition without empty starchy calories.

How much to feed a Alaskan Malamute

Quick answer: a healthy adult Alaskan Malamute (75–85 lb) needs about 11.3–12.8 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
75 lb 11.3 oz 5.6 oz
78 lb 11.7 oz 5.9 oz
81 lb typical Alaskan Malamute 12.2 oz 6.1 oz
84 lb 12.6 oz 6.3 oz
85 lb 12.8 oz 6.4 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Alaskan Malamute

For an Alaskan Malamute we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — to fuel a hard-working frame the way its sledding ancestors were fed.

Richer recipes like Beef suit active, working, or underweight Malamutes; Salmon adds the omega-3s that support that heavy double coat; leaner Chicken adds variety for easy-keepers. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Alaskan Malamutes

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Daily support for Alaskan Malamutes

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Treats Alaskan Malamutes love

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Feeding a Alaskan Malamute by life stage

  • Puppy: Giant-breed Malamute puppies must grow slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and avoid overfeeding — fast growth raises the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia in a large frame.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, hand-checked body condition, split across two meals a day, and never free-feed. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to activity — working and sledding Malamutes burn far more than couch companions.
  • Senior: Activity drops but appetite rarely does. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle on a big frame, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Alaskan Malamute concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaCommon in giant breeds and largely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help slow progression and support day-to-day comfort.
  • Obesity from overfeedingA fast-eating giant overfeeds easily; measured raw feeding and a lean body condition take strain off joints and support nearly every other aspect of long-term health.
  • HypothyroidismThis breed is prone to low thyroid function, which can bring weight gain and a dull coat — a lean, protein-forward whole-food diet supports a healthy metabolism and skin condition (always pair with veterinary care).
  • Heavy double-coat & skin healthA thick arctic coat depends on the skin barrier beneath it; an omega-rich, low-filler diet supports coat condition and helps manage shedding.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Alaskan Malamute: what to know

Malamutes are notorious for inhaling their food — they will clean the bowl and beg for more, which is how a giant breed quietly becomes an overweight one. Never free-feed. Measure every meal by weight, split it across two servings a day, and feed to body condition: you should feel the ribs and see a waist from above.

Their thick coat hides weight gain well, so check the body condition by hand every few weeks rather than trusting the eye — and trim portions on rest days or as activity drops with age.

Alaskan Malamute feeding questions

How much should I feed my Alaskan Malamute?
A healthy adult Malamute (75–85 lb) needs roughly 11–13 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean, hand-checked body condition and adjust for activity, since working Malamutes burn much more.
Why shouldn't I free-feed my Malamute?
Malamutes will eat well past full and gain weight fast on a giant frame, which strains the joints. Measure each meal by weight, serve it across two feedings a day, and let a slow pace come from portioning rather than from leaving food out.
What is the best food for a Malamute's thick coat?
A whole-food, omega-rich diet supports the skin barrier under that double coat. Freeze-dried raw recipes like Salmon, plus an omega supplement, deliver the fatty acids that help coat condition and shedding from the inside.
How do I switch my Malamute to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Most Malamutes take to it eagerly — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and feed to body condition.
Does an Alaskan Malamute need joint support?
Most do, given the breed's giant build and hip and elbow risk. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, a joint supplement adds targeted support, and keeping your Malamute lean is the most effective joint protection there is.

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  • Vet-formulated
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  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.