The Alaskan Malamute is a semi-popular dog breed that thrives in cold weather. The thick-coated animals are much like a Siberian Husky, only they’re blockier and sturdier. If you love the look and overall description of the Malamute, you likely wonder more details about the breed before you commit.
One question will surely rise. How long do Alaskan Malamutes tend to live? Ultimately, it depends on several factors relating to genetics, environment, and overall care. Let’s dig into the details of the Alaskan Malamute lifespan.
Alaskan Malamute Average Lifespan
On average, an Alaskan Malamute lives between 10 and 14 years. Several different factors go into the overall answer about this. However, there are averages you should consider.
Sometimes, lifespan is up to fate. A dog might be perfectly healthy and end up getting injured, causing them to pass away. Sometimes death is not so easy to foresee. However, as long as all goes as planned, these guys can have reasonable lifespans.
How to Care For Your Alaskan Malamute for a Long Lifespan?
The way you care for your dog severely impacts their lifespan. Even though it might not seem like much of a big deal feeding your dog table scraps, skipping vet visits, or letting them slack off on exercise, it can severely impact them beyond what you can see.
If you want to give your dog the best life possible and ensure that they are with you as long as time will allow, here are some areas of care you can’t skip out on.
Feeding & Diet
Giving your dog a complete and balanced species-appropriate diet that is tailored for their life stage is crucial for their longevity. The better the nutrition, the lower the likelihood of them developing certain health conditions as they age. Ultimately, you should ask your veterinarian for recommendations about the specific types of dog food that would work best for your canine.
Generally speaking, this particular breed requires a protein-dense recipe that will nourish their large bodies and help them stay in the best shape. Alaskan Malamutes burn quite a few calories in a day’s time if they get the exercise they need.
Proteins help replenish muscles and keep dogs physically fit. Alaskan Malamutes rely heavily on intense exercise to burn those excess calories. So, if they have too many calories and not enough exercise, it can cause weight gain, but if they don’t have enough calories and too much exercise, it can seriously deplete them and impact many of the different organs in their bodies.
Environment
Environment plays a huge role in your Alaskan Malamute’s lifespan. A safe and reliable environment will ensure that they steer clear from dangers and don’t have access to potentially toxic or hazardous elements in the home or on the property.
If they are extremely stressed, don’t exercise, or they’re repeatedly exposed to certain toxins, it can impact the overall health and lifespan of your dog. It is important to provide a dog-friendly space to ensure your four-legged buddy sticks around as long as possible.
Healthcare
Healthcare is extremely important for any dog. The Alaskan Malamute is no exception. These dogs require regular vetting to get ahead of any health issues that might come along, including an annual or biannual check up to make sure your dog is in good health and their vaccination and parasite control is up to date.
It also includes being able to afford emergency visits. More and more families are switching to pet insurance policies these days to combat the ever growing cost of vet care and get peace of mind at all times. If you try to pay out of pocket for these sorts of costs, it can really break the bank.
Routine vet checkups are an unavoidable expense you can plan for, but emergency visits can arise unexpectedly, often leading to treatments and surgeries that may catch you unprepared. It’s always best to have an emergency fund and to prepare for anything.
Puppies
Alaskan Malamute puppies are considered puppies until they are around 9 months old. Some may continue to grow until they are 2 years old. These large breed puppies are very active, grow rapidly, and are capable of learning quickly.
Young adults
Alaskan Malamutes reach physical and social maturity between 9 months and 3-4 years of age. They may continue growing until they are 18 months old. This phase is crucial for their development.
Mature adults
Adult Alaskan Malamutes maintain their size unless they gain or lose weight. It is important to monitor their diet and exercise to keep them healthy and fit.
Seniors
Alaskan Malamutes enter their senior years around 7-10 years of age. They require a maintenance diet and regular exercise to stay in good health.
How to Tell Your Alaskan Malamute’s Age
Estimating an Alaskan Malamute’s age can be done by examining their teeth or eyes. A vet can help determine their age based on physical signs of aging.
Conclusion
Understanding the life stages of Alaskan Malamutes and how to care for them is essential for their well-being. By providing proper care and attention, you can ensure a long and healthy life for your beloved pet.
Featured Image Credit: Hanna Borysenko, Shutterstock
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