How to Deal with Malamute Shedding: A Shedding Guide

Alaskan Malamutes are actually popular for their shedding, and this guide on “a shedding guide” is for you if you want to learn everything about how to deal with Malamute shedding.

This dog breed sheds year-round and will shed heavier when they are blowing coats, and on average, this happens twice each year.

They need so much grooming to help maintain their coats, and in this case, they are considered to be a difficult breed.

In this guide, you will learn how to deal with malamute shedding, so let’s get right into it.

How Much Do Malamutes Shed?

Malamutes are regarded as extremely heavy shedders. This is because of their overall huge size and their extremely thick coat, which require them to be shed before the warmer weather.

In comparison with almost all other breeds, there is not one that sheds more than a malamute.

There are times that malamute sheds so much in such a short period of time, and it is very possible that it will look like you have a second malamute after you pile their dead hair up.

What Are Malamutes Like to Groom?

Alaskan Malamutes, also known as Mals, need daily brushing to maintain their coat and reduce shedding.

They come with a thick, waterproof double coat. The outer coat has medium-length, coarse, straight guard hairs, and the undercoat is thick, woolly, and dense.

From one perspective, compared to breeds that need special attention, such as the Afghan Hound or Shih Tzu, they are not so hard to groom.

Mals are rugged, hard-working dogs. However, brushing sessions can be quite intensive compared to short-haired or smooth-coated breeds, due to the fact that their coat is very thick and woolly.

In any respect, regular brushing is required. There are two main reasons for this.

The first is due to the fact that the Malamute’s coat is susceptible to matting, and these can become quite painful for it if left unchecked. That being said, these require regular brushing.
And, secondly, you will need to brush daily to get the shedding under control, except if you want a home full of dog hair.

When it comes to what type of brush you should use, a pin brush or slicker brush works great on a Mal in the case of general brushing.

That being said, an undercoat rake or de-shedding tools should help you get rid of the dead undercoat fur when they shed their undercoat during spring and fall.

On the bright side, Malamutes are regarded as a rather meticulous breed, so bathing is only required once a month or two.

As a matter of fact, some Mal owners describe them as cat-like due to the way they clean themselves, and this can explain why their coat does not smell bad or have a distinguishable dog odor.

Facts about Malamute Fur

Malamute fur is odorless.
A change in light actually triggers shedding; normally, spring and fall.
There are some Malamutes that love water, and there are some that don’t.
Malamute fur is as soft as a teddy bear.
In fact, dirt does not cling to Malamute fur; however, it dries and falls off.
Malamutes should never be shaved.
I strongly advise against too much bathing, as it dries the Malamute’s skin.
Mal fur is extremely clean, and it can be used as wool and spun to make yarn.

Equipment for Bathing Your Malamute

Dog grooming blower or cattle dryer
Large bathtub, I suggest you go with the one with a lift and tie-offs to secure them.
Mixing container for shampoo
Patience
Extremely large dry towels
Conditioner
Shampoo (which you can buy specifically for double-coated breeds)
Nozzle or hose to reach all parts of the dog’s body with water
Cotton for cleaning ears and eyes or to insert during blow-drying

How to Groom a Malamute

When it comes to grooming a Malamute properly, it has to do with spending the necessary time to groom both their undercoat and their long guard layer.

So, to groom a Mal, you have to start with a Slicker Brush, which is made to comb through the undercoat and get rid of loose hairs.

First, begin with areas of dense fur, like the neck and rump, as these tend to contain matted fur.
That being said, you should use a de-matting comb after this. These gently cut stubborn tangles out of their fur; do this slowly, given that it can be quite painful for your Malamute.
After that, you are to follow up with an undercoat rake, which is one of the most popular and widely used grooming tools.
Undercoat rakes aim at the undercoat specifically to get rid of the hair while leaving the guard hairs untouched.
That being done, use a grooming comb to remove any remaining loose hairs.
Then, wrap it up with a bristle brush; this is an excellent way to get your Malamute to relax after all the intense grooming, and it will definitely leave their coat looking like new.

The Best Grooming Tools

Container for fur
If necessary, detangling leave-on solution (optional)
Metal comb
Pin brush
Slicker brush
Various rakes
Haircutting scissors
Claw for detangling
Nail clippers
Shedding blade (optional)
Cotton and mineral oil for cleaning ears
Furminator and/or attachment to a vacuum

What About Shaving Them?

It has already been stated that shaving your Malamute is a really bad idea, and that is so for various reasons.

Below are a few of these reasons:

There’s the possibility that their fur will not grow back in the same way.
It exposes their skin to the sun and windburn.
It also makes it much harder for them to regulate their temperature.

However, you can still shave a Mal, but it should only be done under veterinary supervision and at their recommendation, given that the process itself can also easily damage the skin if you don’t know what you are doing.

When Do Malamutes Shed?

Alaskan Malamutes shed throughout the year, with two significant “blowouts” at the beginning of big seasonal changes.

Spring and winter are when you can expect your malamute to shed more than normal.

The Best Ways to Deal with Alaskan Malamute Shedding

You are to provide it with sufficient exercise.
Stick to a brushing routine.
Ensure that you don’t cut or trim your malamute’s coat.
You are to enhance your malamute’s diet.
And, lastly, don’t over-bathe your malamute.

Conclusion

As you know, you can’t stop your malamute from shedding altogether, but you can, of course, apply a better routine that will more effectively manage it.