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

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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.

Training Treat
Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats Salmon Recipe, Soft Dog Treats - 6 oz. Bag
Pros:
  • Less than 3 calories per treat
  • Perfect size for training
  • Corn, wheat, and soy free
  • Made with natural ingredients
Cons:
  • Not grain-free
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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

Dental Treat
Whimzees 6 Count Toothbrush Star Value Bag Doggie Dental Chews, Large Whimzees 6 Count Toothbrush Star Value Bag Doggie Dental Chews, Large
Pros:
  • Large treats are long lasting
  • Fights oral bacteria for better dental health
  • Filled with vitamins
  • Contains amino acids for a healthier coat
Cons:
  • More expensive than other treats
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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

Dental Treat
GREENIES Original Large Natural Dog Dental Care Chews
Pros:
  • Bendy treats clean teeth to the gum line
  • Freshens breath
  • Easy to digest
  • Packed with vitamins and nutrients
Cons:
  • Expensive so keep as a once daily treat
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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

Training Treat
Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats Salmon Recipe, Soft Dog Treats - 6 oz. Bag
Pros:
  • Less than 3 calories per treat
  • Perfect size for training
  • Corn, wheat, and soy free
  • Made with natural ingredients
Cons:
  • Not grain-free
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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

Bedtime Treat
SmartBones Calming Care Sticks With Chamomile And Lavender
Pros:
  • Chamomile promotes better sleep
  • Good for teeth
  • Low fat and aids digestion
  • Vitamin enriched
Cons:
  • Not grain-free
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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

Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites Real Meat Dog Treats, Beef Burger with Bison Recipe
Pros:
  • Eleven tasty flavors to try
  • No artificial flavors or meat by-products
  • USA-raised meat
  • Each purchase contributes towards charity
Cons:
  • Currently exclusive to the USA
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

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

Fun Treat
KONG - Easy Treat - Dog Treat Paste - 8 Ounce - Pepperoni
Pros:
  • Puppy-safe version available
  • Several tasty flavours
  • Unique texture
  • Easy to dispense into treat-toys
Cons:
  • Can be difficult to clean up
  • Expensive
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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

Training Treat
Pet Munchies Duck Training Treats Pet Munchies Duck Training Treats
Pros:
  • Wheat, soya and gluten free
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Small chunks make them perfect for training
  • Only 1.5% fat
Cons:
  • We've found shipping to the US to be slow
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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

Training Treat
Farm To Pet – 4 oz Single Ingredient Chicken Chip Dog Treat Farm To Pet – 4 oz Single Ingredient Chicken Chip Dog Treat
Pros:
  • Made in the USA
  • No artificial preservatives and no coloring chemicals
  • Made from 100% chicken
  • Ideal for training with
Cons:
  • Expensive but worth supporting a smaller business
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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.

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About The Author

Caitlin is the owner and lead writer for The Malamute Mom. She has over 10 years of experience with Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies. She is currently working on getting her PhD in materials science but continues to write for The Malamute Mom in her spare time.

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