The Pomeranian is a friendly and perfect companion for those who enjoy being indoors. “Poms,” as they are affectionately dubbed, also make excellent alarm and false-alarm systems, barking loudly at strangers who dare to enter her domain. Reward your Pom's unconditional love by learning to meet her special needs.
Step 1
Prepare a fresh bowl of dry dog food each day and keep it filled. Pomeranians have an unusually high metabolism, making it important to allow them to eat often. By the age of 6 months, your Pom will need to eat two or three times each day for the rest of her life. The average weight for a Pomeranian ranges from 3 to 7 pounds. Talk to your vet about your dog's ideal weight, and keep her as close to it as possible so she doesn’t carry around excess weight on her delicate bones.
Step 2
Bathe your Pomeranian with a dog shampoo and conditioner about once a month. Smooth her fur with a slicker brush as you blow it dry to minimize tangles. If she gets a tangle, saturate it with a detangling solution and pick it apart with your fingers as soon as possible to keep it from turning into a hardened mat.
Step 3
Brush your Pomeranian’s teeth with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste once a day. Pomeranians have a tendency to lose their adult teeth early, but you might be able to delay this loss as well as health problems such as heart disease by keeping her teeth in optimum condition.
Step 4
Play with your Pomeranian and take her for walks so she can get the exercise she needs. Her daily exercise sessions don’t have to be a chore; make it fun by teaching her tricks such as fetching a ball. Poms especially love to use their highly developed sense of smell to track down items. Trying hiding her favorite toy and reward her with love and a treat when she is successful at finding it.
Step 5
Provide a safe, cozy place for your Pom to go when you must leave her alone. A dog crate works well for this purpose; you can use it as a housebreaking aid and for traveling. Choose a small crate just large enough for her to stand up, turn around and lay down in with ease. Never put her in the crate as a punishment.
References
Resources
Tips
- Unless you are experienced with advanced dog grooming, take your Pomeranian to a professional for regular trims and to remove hardened mats.
- In addition to brushing her teeth, give your Pom a dog treat formulated for healthy teeth and gums.
Warnings
- Always take your Pomeranian to a veterinarian for regular checkups and necessary shots to keep her healthy.
- Do not attempt to allow your Pomeranian to air-dry. Blow-dry her thick fur using the lowest temperature setting to avoid burns.
- Trim the hair around your Pom's anus to keep unsanitary feces from getting stuck.
- Use a leash when taking your dog for walks.
Writer Bio
Yvonne Ward began her professional writing career in 2004. She wrote a true-crime book published in 2010 and has two more underway. She also has a strong background in business, education and farm living. Ward is pursuing a Master of Arts in history and culture from Union Institute and University.