Breed Specific: The Pomeranian

Pikes Peak Vet wants you to know about your Pom’s lifestyle and other needs!

Pomeranians have a big dog personality packed into a tiny, fluffy body. Their glorious coat, smiling foxy face and vivacious personality make them one of the world’s most popular breeds. They are easily trained and make both good watchdogs and spritely family pets. Because of their diminutive size, children should not play roughly with them. They require activity, but can get enough exercise playing indoors with their family. They love to learn tricks  and delight in providing laughs and companionship.

Males and Females    Height: 6-7 inches       Weight: 3-7 pounds

Feeding: Dis

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Some Poms are prone to weight gain; watch calorie consumption. Appropriate treats can be an effective training aid; too many can cause obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming: The Pomeranian’s profuse double coat is both a joy and a source of much work. Brush through the coat with a pin brush and a slicker brush down to the skin once a week to keep hair from matting. Keep nails short so as not to cause pain or discomfort. It is highly recommended that you find a groomer to do a full groom, including bathing and brushing as well as cleaning ears, nails and anal glands, every four to six weeks, if you are not comfortable doing this at home. Weekly to daily tooth brushing is also highly recommended as Poms can be susceptible to tooth and gum issues.

Exercise: As much as Poms enjoy lounging indoors, they also love to run and play outside. Keep a close eye on them as they are notorious for escaping through small crevices, gaps in walls or over short fencing. Poms can easily be hurt by larger dogs or mistaken for rodents by birds of prey, so stay them and keep a sharp eye out on walks.

Training: Train your Pom to walk on a leash and come when called as soon as possible. Housebreaking can be a challenge;  consistency and patience are key. They can easily injure joints or break bones, so do not allow them to jump on and off furniture, walls, etc. Poms are alert and intelligent, excelling at agility, rally and obedience or working as therapy dogs.

Thank you to the AKC webpage, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pomeranian/, for much of this information.

Over the Pom’s 12-16 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise. Poms are generally very healthy.

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Knee issues
• Cardiac issues
• Eye issues
• Hypothyroid
• Skin evaluation
• Dental disease

PPVC’S HEALTH PLAN FOR YOUR POMERANIAN

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your pet.

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months, as advised by your veterinarian, until age 6, including a full physical exam and routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• Joint x-rays
• Chest x-ray
• Regular eye exams
• Bloodwork to check thyroid
• Regular skin checks
• Regular dental cleanings

Reach out for more information by phone or text, 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!