How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Alaskan Malamute Puppies
The Alaskan Malamute puppy is an adorable ball of fluff that is reminiscent of what was likely one of its ancestors: the grey wolf. A working breed, the Alaskan Malamute traces its heritage back hundreds of years to its days as a sled dog pulling heavy loads of supplies over long distances and through freezing conditions.
Alaskan Malamute puppies have energy to spare and are also renowned for their immense stamina, strength, and endurance. Due to their high activity needs and innate intelligence, the Alaskan Malamute is a breed that needs daily physical and mental stimulation to remain a contented pooch.
The Alaskan Malamute puppy is loyal and loving to its family members and enjoys spending time in active pursuits with those it loves most. Since this breed is known to be highly active, the Alaskan Malamute puppy needs high quality nutrition to help fuel its critical developmental periods and maintain adequate stores of energy.
Though the Alaskan Malamute puppy is typically a very healthy pup, the breed can be predisposed to a number of different health conditions. The best dog foods for Alaskan Malamute puppies help to stave off illness and provide support for each of a puppy’s systems to encourage optimal health and wellness.
Among the conditions that can plague Alaskan Malamute puppies are:
- Inherited polyneuropathy
- Hemophilia A and B
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Eye disorders
- Allergies
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes mellitus
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Alaskan Malamute Puppies
Finding the correct portion size for Alaskan Malamute puppies takes some experimenting. The best dog foods for Alaskan Malamute puppies will list suggested serving sizes on the side of the bag. These can form an excellent starting point for owners. These amounts can be gradually increased or decreased until the correct portion is determined.
Though obesity is not typically a problem for Alaskan Malamute puppies, it is still a good idea to avoid free feeding this dog breed. More commonly, it is necessary to temporarily increase portion sizes of this dog type’s food to maintain a healthy body weight since the breed is active and can easily begin to lose weight.
Bloat can be a common concern in Alaskan Malamute puppies. Though it is not yet known what factors must combine to create this problem in dogs, experts generally agree that eating too rapidly and too much may play a role. To this end, it is best to carefully measure all food intake, and it may be necessary to feed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day during puppyhood.
As a large breed, the Alaskan Malamute puppy is a slow developer, meaning maturity is often not reached until two to three years of age. Best practices for an Alaskan Malamute puppy’s diet indicate feeding a high quality puppy food until the dog reaches one year of age or 75 percent of its full adult size. At this point, the dog should be transitioned to an appropriate adult dog food.
Of great concern in large breeds is the rate of bone growth as it affects the final physical structure of the adult dog. To help promote proper growth, it is important to select a food that contains the correct amount of calcium to phosphorus which is defined as 1.2 parts of calcium for every single part of phosphorus.
Alaskan Malamute puppies require a diet that is a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat.
Dietary Requirements for Alaskan Malamute Puppy Foods
As a working breed with high activity requirements, the Alaskan Malamute puppy requires a premium quality diet that is comprised of only the finest ingredients. A lean meat should be the foundation of any food suited to the needs of this busy breed. Whole meats are the preferred options, but meat meals are also an excellent source of protein.
Meat by-products and plant-based proteins are typically difficult for Alaskan Malamute puppies to effectively process and utilize. The best dog foods for Alaskan Malamute puppies most often do not contain these ingredients. In addition to this, artificial flavors, colors, and ingredients added to a food are best avoided entirely.
Carbohydrates play an important role in helping keep Alaskan Malamute puppies in exceptional health. These can be derived from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Any ingredient included in a diet for Alaskan Malamute puppies should ideally be rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants to support fluid digestion and a strong immune system.
Healthy fats help to support a puppy’s skin and coat health as well as fuel its energy reserves. The DHA and ARA found in such foods as chicken fat and oily fish help to encourage healthy eye and brain development. Plant-based oils such as canola and safflower also offer ample servings of vital omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Supplements added to a puppy’s diet can help the food to be well-rounded. The most beneficial ingredients to look for are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Alaskan Malamute Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a food for an Alaskan Malamute puppy:
- Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Includes the correct proportion of calcium to phosphorus to support proper bone growth