The Alaskan Malamute is a semi-popular dog breed that thrives in cold weather. Animals with a thick coat are very similar to the Siberian husky, only they are tougher and tougher. If you like the look and general description of the Malamute, you’ll probably want to know more about the breed before committing.
One question will surely arise. How long do Alaskan Malamutes usually live? Ultimately, it depends on several factors related to genetics, environment, and overall care. Let’s dig into the details of the life span of the Alaskan Malamute.
Average lifespan of an Alaskan Malamute
On average, the Alaskan Malamute lives between 10 and 14 years. Several different factors go into the overall answer on this. However, there are averages to consider.
Sometimes life expectancy depends on fate. A dog can be perfectly healthy and eventually get injured, causing it to die. Sometimes death is not so easy to predict. However, as long as everything goes according to plan, these guys can have a reasonable lifespan.
How to care for your Alaskan Malamute for a long life?
How you care for your dog has a serious impact on their lifespan. While it may not seem like a big deal to feed your dogs table scraps, skip vet visits, or let them relax with exercise, it can seriously affect them beyond what you can see.
If you want to give your dog the best possible life and to be with you for as long as time allows, here are some areas of care that you cannot skip.
Feeding and diet
Giving your dog a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for their species and their life stage is key to their longevity. The better the diet, the less likely they are to develop certain health conditions as they age. Finally, you should ask your veterinarian for recommendations on the specific types of dog food that would work best for your dog.
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In general, this breed needs a protein-rich recipe to nourish their large bodies and help them stay in top shape. Alaskan Malamutes burn a lot of calories during the day if they get the exercise they need.
Proteins help rebuild muscles and keep dogs physically fit. Alaskan Malamutes rely heavily on intense exercise to burn off those excess calories. So if they have too many calories and not enough exercise, it can cause weight gain, but if they have not enough calories and too much exercise, it can seriously deplete them and affect many different organs in their bodies.
Environment
Environment plays a big role in the lifespan of your Alaskan Malamute. A safe and secure environment will ensure they stay out of harm’s way and have no access to potentially toxic or dangerous elements in the home or property.
If they are under a lot of stress, lack of exercise, or are repeatedly exposed to certain toxins, it can affect your dog’s overall health and lifespan. It is important to provide a dog-friendly space to ensure that your four-legged friend is kept as long as possible.
Health care
Health care is extremely important for every dog. The Alaskan Malamute is no exception. These dogs need regular check-ups to prevent health problems that may arise, including an annual or bi-annual check-up to make sure your dog is in good health and their vaccinations and parasite control are up to date.
It also includes being able to afford emergency visits. More and more families these days are switching to pet insurance policies to combat the ever-increasing costs of veterinary care and be worry-free at all times. Trying to pay out of pocket for these kinds of expenses can really break the bank.
Routine vet appointments are an unavoidable expense you can plan for, but emergency visits can arise unexpectedly, often leading to treatments and surgeries that can catch you off guard. It’s always best to have an emergency fund and be prepared for anything.
Alaskan Malamute Life Stages
The life stage of the Alaskan Malamute is similar to that of any other dog. These are puppies, young adults or adolescents, then mature adults, then older. Each of these life stages means different things to dogs. Let’s explain!
Puppies
Dogs are considered puppies until approximately 9 months of age. Some dogs mature more slowly than others, and some dogs don’t stop growing until they are around 2 years old. Especially for the Alaskan Malamute, these dogs usually grow up to 12 months of age.
After that, your dog can continue to bulk up, but rarely gets taller. Puppies are extremely active and grow very quickly. Since this dog is considered a large breed, you will be amazed at how quickly they grow and how much they are able to learn along the way.
Young adults
Dogs complete their physical and social maturation during their young adult stage. This happens in Malamutes roughly between 9 months and 3-4 years. Some dogs mature more slowly than others, and some dogs don’t stop their physical growth until they are about 2 years old. Especially for the Alaskan Malamute, these dogs usually grow up to 18 months of age.
Grown adults
Adult Alaskan Malamutes will stay roughly the same size, allowing them not to gain or lose a ton of weight until they reach adulthood. You have to be very careful when your dog is spayed or neutered, as it can often put on weight if portions are not controlled.
Keeping your dog healthy can mean many things as he grows up. You may find that you need to change recipes several times to accommodate weight gain and other factors.
If your dog is sensitive to anything and their dog food, you may need to adjust their diet and exercise plan to avoid or manage certain types of allergies.
Seniors
When your Alaskan Malamute is older, it will probably be after they reach around 7-10 years of age. During this phase, you will need to feed your dog a maintenance diet that supports their declining bodies.
Most Alaskan Malamutes will remain very physically fit and strong into their senior years, although they may show their age in other ways. To make sure your dog feels his best, at this stage it’s still important to make sure he gets adequate exercise for the day and stays at an ideal weight.
You know what they say, if you don’t use it, you lose it. This is true for your dog’s overall physical health.
How to know the age of your Alaskan Malamute
The only real way to tell the age of your Alaskan Malamute is if you know exactly when they were born, which is probably true if you bought the dog from a breeder. If the Alaskan Malamute is still quite young, it can be quite easy for the vet or even you to determine how old they are looking at their teeth. These may just be estimates, but you’ll be able to get a pretty good idea. If the dog is already an adult, it can be a little more difficult.
However, you can thoroughly examine your dog and look for signs of aging. Sometimes, for example, a veterinarian can tell how old a dog is based on the animal’s eyes.
In other cases, a rough estimate might be all you need to do. If you adopt an Alaskan Malamute, they may seem extra old if they’ve had a rough life. Or in the reverse scenario, they can be extremely puppy-like, which can make it even more complicated.
Conclusion
Now you understand roughly how long an Alaskan Malamute lives and all the different factors that go into it. As you now know, there is no single answer to how long a dog will ever live. Life is a gamble for all of us, including our pets.
However, there are certain responsible things you can do as an owner to ensure their longevity. After all, you want your dog to be with you as much as humanly possible.
Featured Image Credit: Hana Borisenko, Shutterstock
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