8 Best Dog Treats for Alaskan Malamutes: An Owner’s Guide

Whether it’s to reward good behavior or promote better dental health, giving your Alaskan Malamute treats is part of the fun of owning a dog.

Finding the right ones for your Mal can be challenging with so many different dog treat brands available. So, what are the best treats for Alaskan Malamutes?

We’ve got you covered with our personal recommendations that have kept our Malamutes happy and healthy throughout the years.

Our Top Pick

If you’re in a hurry, check out our top pick below.

Make sure to keep reading for more recommendations!

How To Choose the Right Treats For Your Alaskan Malamute

To get the best treats for your Alaskan Malamute, there are a few things you should look out for.

Remember that dog treats generally have less nutritional value than your Malamute’s regular food unless they are specifically made to improve some aspect of their health.

We’ve listed some things below that we look out for when trying a new dog treat with our Malamutes.

Low Fat And Calorie content

Alaskan Malamutes are heavily food orientated and can become very demanding when it comes to getting treats. We often see Malamutes who know exactly how to get their owners to give them treats and, as a result, consume far more calories than necessary and become overweight.

Don’t worry; we’ve often fallen for their puppy eyes, and it helps to equip yourself with low-fat treat alternatives if you’re in the same situation.

Ideally, calories that come from treats should not comprise more than 10% of your Malamute’s daily calories. Feeding them more than this can eventually lead to obesity and diabetes.

Higher calorie treats should be given once daily, and more frequently used training treats should be as low calorie as possible.

Check Where The Dog Treats Are Made

One of the best ways to determine the quality of dog treats is to check where they are made. Products made in the US or the UK will make it very clear on the front of the product itself, and typically, these are higher quality products.

This is because the bulk of the ingredients will not need to be imported, and regulations on pet products are usually tighter in these countries.

If you’re buying meaty dog treats, you should also check whether the brand specifies what country the meat comes from. Again, brands that use meat from their own country will typically make it clear on the front of their packaging.

Purpose Of The Treat

We recommend buying your Alaskan Malamute three types of dog treats to keep them healthy and enrich their usual diet:

• Dental chews – Dental chews should be given once daily to promote healthy teeth and gums and keep your Malamute’s breath fresh.
• Training treats – Training treats are usually very small and should be used during training and play sessions to reward good behavior.
• Daily treats – Daily treats are usually more flavourful and have a little higher calorie content; they should be given once daily to reward good habits.

You may also choose to buy treats designed to improve certain aspects of your Malamute’s life, including probiotic treats for better digestion or bedtime treats for a good night’s sleep.

8 Best Dog Treats For Alaskan Malamutes

Now that we know what to look out for in the treats we give our Malamutes, it’s time to reveal our personal picks.

We’ve tried to include a range of purposes for the treats to ensure you’ve got the treats you need to keep your Malamute happy in all situations.

1. Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats by Whimzees

We believe the Grain Free Dental Dog Treats by Whimzees are the best dental dog treats and, in general, one of the best dog treats for Alaskan Malamutes.

They’re full of nutrients to keep your Malamute healthy, from amino acids that promote a shiner coat to malt extract, which increases their metabolism.

As suggested by the name, these treats are ideal for keeping your Mal’s teeth and gums healthy while maintaining fresh breath.

The treats are bigger than others available to keep your Malamute occupied for longer, and to top it all off; they’re also grain, gluten, and GMO-free.

2. Daily Original Large Dog Treats By Greenies

Greenies are known for their original dental treats; we couldn’t make this list without mentioning them.

Their Original Large Dental Treats are the perfect size for Alaskan Malamutes and should be given once daily to promote better dental health.

What makes them particularly unique is their bendiness, which helps them clean your Mal’s teeth right down to the gum line and keep their breath fresh. It’s clear to see why so many dog owners love them!

Greenies provide a more budget-friendly alternative to the previously mentioned ‘Whimzees,’ although they are still pricier than other treats due to being a ‘once-daily’ treat.

3. Mini Naturals Training Treats By Zuke’s

It should be no surprise that Alaskan Malamutes are heavily food orientated, so when it comes to training, treats are necessary to reward good behavior.

The problem usually comes with high-fat treats that offer little nutritional value and quickly add to your Malamute’s daily calorie intake.

We love the Mini Naturals Training Treats by Zuke’s, which are less than three calories per treat. This is perfect if you want to spoil your Mal while lowering their calorie intake.

They come in various flavors and are made with high-quality, natural ingredients that encourage your Mal to behave well during training sessions.

With added vitamins and plenty of fiber, these treats also offer plenty of nutritional benefits to your Malamute.

These treats are a very popular choice amongst owners, and it’s no surprise to hear they’re one of the best dog treats for Alaskan Malamutes.

4. SmartBones Calming Care Sticks With Chamomile And Lavender

As owners of Alaskan Malamutes, we’ve all had those nights where they don’t want to settle. It may seem counter-intuitive, but giving them treats could help them sleep.

Treats like SmartBones Calming Care Sticks With Chamomile And Lavender are made with chamomile to promote a better night’s sleep for your Malamute.

As long as your Mal isn’t avoiding sleeping for another reason like lack of exercise, these are a great supplement to their diet and for nights when they need to sleep.

5. Real Meat Dog Treats Burger Bites By Rachael Ray Nutrish

Those in the US are bound to have heard of Rachael Ray’s dog treat line, Nutrish. Available in 11 delicious flavors, these bites are made with USA-raised meat and no artificial flavors or meat by-products.

Each treat is inspired by one of Rachel Ray’s home recipes, and the care that goes into making them is clear with how much our Malamutes adore them.

If you need any more reason to purchase these treats, a portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to The Rachael Ray Foundation, which provides food, medical supplies, and treatments to animals in need.

It’s a win-win!

6. Easy Treat By KONG

The most unique treat on this list is the Easy Treat by KONG. The Easy Treat is a tasty paste in a dispenser can, originally designed to be used with their stuffable treat toys.

Several flavors are available, including a puppy-safe recipe suitable for Malamutes over eight weeks old.

We use this to cover our Malamute’s toys to keep them occupied longer, but they certainly don’t oppose being fed it directly!

Be warned, though; it can be challenging to clean off soft surfaces, so we suggest using it outdoors or on easily cleaned hard surfaces.

7. Natural Duck Training Treats by PET MUNCHIES

The Natural Duck Training Treats by PET MUNCHIES are a low-fat treat made with 100% quality human-grade duck breast meat. They’re gluten, soya, and wheat free, making them one of the best dog treats for Alaskan Malamutes with sensitive stomachs or allergies.

These treats are a little smaller than others available, making them perfect for training as the calories are less likely to build up. Their small size also makes them suitable for stuffable treat toys.

8. Single Ingredient Chicken Chip Dog Treats By Farm To Pet

We’re rounding off our list of the best dog treats for Alaskan Malamutes with possibly one of the best – the Single Ingredient Chicken Chips by Farm To Pet.

As the name suggests, these treats are made from just one ingredient, 100% dehydrated chicken. You can’t get any more natural than that!

In Summary

Remember that treats should be given as part of a balanced diet, and you should always follow the recommended serving sizes on the product.

We know how easy it can be to go overboard with treats, so avoid doing it too often! Plenty of low-calorie options are above, so you should have no problem choosing one that suits your needs.

By following our recommendations, you can give the best treats to your Alaskan Malamute for all situations.