Alaskan Malamute grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Alaskan Malamute: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
Brush two or three times a week with a slicker brush and an undercoat rake, working right down to the skin. Twice a year, usually spring and autumn, the undercoat comes out in handfuls for about three weeks. Daily raking during this blowout, followed by a high-velocity dryer if you can borrow one, removes the dead wool before it mats. Never shave a Malamute: the double coat insulates against heat as well as cold, and it may not regrow properly.
The coat is naturally oily and sheds dirt, so baths are only needed a few times a year. In snowy months, trim the hair between the pads so ice doesn't ball up, and keep nails short, since long nails reduce grip when pulling. Look inside the ears weekly for dirt or redness.
Alaskan Malamute grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Shedding | Heavy, with seasonal blowouts |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Every 2 weeks |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
A thick, coarse outer coat over a dense, oily, woolly undercoat that can be 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) deep.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling