Pomeranian is a toy breed that stands out for its adorable looks and fluffy coat. They have a bold, curious and alert nature. Being an interesting toy breed, Pomeranians have gained huge popularity around the world.
If you’re going to share your house with a Pomeranian, you’ll need to deal with a little dog hair in your house. You might be wondering how much they shed?
How Much do Pomeranians Shed?
Pomeranians have a double coat, which consists of a shorter undercoat and a longer topcoat. They are moderate shedders and they don’t shed as much as other breeds. However, their shedding is still significant.
They shed heavily especially during the Spring and Fall. This heavy shedding season lasts for 2-4 weeks. This shedding becomes excessive if your dog is not groomed regularly.
At what age do Pomeranians Start Shedding?
Shedding is natural and all dogs experience a certain level of shedding. This is due to the essential growth and regeneration of hair in dogs.
Is there a Pomeranian Shedding Stage?
All Pomeranian puppies enter a phase of relatively fast transition where the puppy coat sheds off and is replaced by the elegant adult coat. Young Pom puppies have a single coat that is very soft and short.
A Pomeranian sheds the puppy coat at the age of 4-6 months. At this age, Poms will get rid of the old puppy coat to develop the adult double-layered coat.
So for a short period, fur may look very light and uneven. The adult Pom has a very dense undercoat and an outer coat of longer guard hairs. Generally, by the 12 to 15-month mark, the adult coat in Pomeranians should be fully grown in.
Reasons Which Affect Pomeranian Shedding
Although this breed is a moderate shedder, sometimes shedding becomes a cause of concern. The abnormal heavy shedding in Poms can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Let’s have a look at the various reasons which affect Pomeranian shedding:
- Change of season
Pomeranian’s natural hair growth cycle adapts with varied seasons. Pomeranians blow their coat twice a year. This heavy shedding is during weather changes, such as fall or spring. This heavy shedding season in Poms may last for 2-4 weeks.
- Poor nutrition
Poor diet and nutrition is a major culprit when it comes to excessive shedding in Pomeranians. If Pomeranians are not given a healthy diet with complete nutrition, their coat appears unhealthy and they might experience excessive shedding.
- Poor grooming
Pomeranians are not brush-and-go dogs. They need regular brushing, bathing, and other grooming to keep their coat healthy. Poor grooming results in excessive shedding. If you are not brushing your Pom frequently enough or using incorrect brushes, this may damage their coat.
Too much or very few bathing can cause Pomeranians to shed their coats. Using the wrong shampoo can also contribute to Pomeranian shedding.
- Hormonal changes
Hormonal swings in female Pomeranians affect how your Pomeranian sheds and you might not be able to control. Hormonal imbalance may happen due to pregnancy, recent spaying or neutering, or female Pom going into heat.
- Stress
Excessive shedding in Pomeranians may be a sign of stress. Poms may get stressed because of loud noises, environmental change, separation anxiety, or when introducing new pets into your home.
- Ticks and fleas
Fleas, ticks, or parasites may also result in noticeably high Pomeranian shedding. This makes their skin inflamed, itchy and uncomfortable. If you observe that your Pomeranian’s shedding has become unusually heavy, it is time to take him for a check-up to a vet.
How to Deal with Pomeranian Shedding
As a Pomeranian owner, you need to understand that their coats will need routine maintenance and grooming to ensure the health of Pomeranian’s fur. Routine maintenance will help to remove loose and dead hair from your Pom’s coat. Here is what you can do to manage Pomeranian Shedding:
Brushing
Daily brushing is essential to keep a Pomeranian’s shedding in check. This will help to remove dead hair and prevent undesirable mats or tangles. It will also save you from loose hair flying around your house.
Regular brushing will also make your Pomeranian’s coat look shinier and cleaner. Thoroughly brush your Pomeranian’s whole coat with the correct brush to remove all the dead hair gathered under the topcoat. You will need to brush your dog from the root of the hair/fur to its tip or end.
Regular baths
Many people believe that regularly bathing your dog also helps control heavy shedding. This is a cost-efficient way to get rid of the dead hair. It is recommended to bathe your Pomeranian no more than twice a month. Over-bathing is not recommended for Pomeranians.
When your Pomeranian is blowing his coat and going through the shedding season, you may consider bathing more frequently. Try to always test the temperature of the water before putting your Pomeranian in. When bathing your pet, use a good quality and mild pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner.
Healthy diet
Pomeranians should be fed a healthy balanced diet and high-quality dog food. You must ensure that your Pomeranian gets good nutrition with a balance of Protein and Essential Fatty Acids. It is also important to ensure that this food is appropriate for the Pomeranian’s weight and age range.
This will keep your Pom’s coat in a good condition. If you observe a dull coat and abnormal shedding, try including fish oil and Omega 3 into your Pomeranian’s diet. These amazing supplements are great for a healthy coat. They promote stronger hair follicles and skin elasticity in Pomeranians.
Tools to Reduce Pomeranian Shedding
You need the right grooming tools at home to help maintain your Pomeranian’s beautiful coat. Here’s a list of equipment and tools that can be used for grooming your Poms:
- A medium-size pin brush will lift-up loose hair and remove debris from your Pomeranian’s coat.
- Wire slicker brush for use on Pom puppies.
- Grooming rake for removing lose and dead hair.
- Grooming scissors for tidying up your Pomeranian’s coat.
- You also need to invest in a dog hair vacuum cleaner. They are specifically created to collect pet hair.
- Deshedding gloves will work great on Pom puppies. They let you have better control of what you are doing.
Are Pomeranians Hypoallergenic?
The hypoallergenic dogs are more compatible with allergic people and are usually non-shedding breeds. Although no dog is truly hypoallergenic some breeds tend to shed less and don’t cause many allergic reactions.
Pomeranians are moderate-to-heavy shedders and are not considered hypoallergenic dogs. If you are allergic to dog hair, then Pomeranians are not the right breed for you.
Can I Shave My Pomeranian?
There is no need to shave your Pomeranian and it’s NEVER recommended. Your Pomeranian’s beautiful coat is its natural insulating layer.
If you shave your Pomeranian, you are removing its natural protective layers and this can be damaging for your adorable pet. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t shave your Pomeranian:
- Your Pomeranian won’t be able to regulate its body temperature
- Your Pomeranian’s skin would be exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Shaving puts your Pomeranian at a higher risk for heatstroke or they may suffer sunburn
- Shaving can cause your Pom’s hair to grow back improperly
- It may damage your Pom’s hair follicle and lead to permanent bald patches on your Pomeranian.
How to Keep your Home Clean
If you own a Pomeranian, here are some tips that will help you keep your house fur-free.
- Vacuuming daily is one of the best ways to prevent Pomeranian hair from building up. Vacuuming also decreases the typical doggie odor from becoming too strong in your home.
- Pomeranian’s hair sticks with blankets, pillows, and sheets. You should clean all your bedding at least once a week to reduce excessive hair build-up.
- Regularly mop or sweep your floors before hair build-up. Search for a dog hair removal broom with scratch-proof rubber bristles.
- Giving your Pomeranians their designated bed. This will reduce the problem of dog hair on your bedding and furniture.
- Pomeranian owners might observe hair on tables and shelves. Dust these areas regularly to remove loose hair.
Final Thoughts
The Pomeranian is a small dog that stands out for its cute fluffy body. Poms combine a tiny body and a big personality. They seem unaware of their small size and are always eager for adventures. They are always eager to please their human companions.
These independent, bold dogs are playful but have minds of their own. They form solid bonds and make wonderful family companions.
Pomeranians have a moderate shedding potential. If you regularly brush and groom your Pom and offer them a healthy diet, you won’t notice a lot of stray hairs around. But, if you are intolerant of dog hair in your house, then this breed is not for you.
However, if you are not allergic to dog hair and are ready to keep up with the maintenance, Pomeranians make incredible pets for families.
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References and Further Reading:
- Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
- Official English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
- Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
- Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
- L.Ives, Show Pomeranians.
- L.Ziegler Spirer & H.F. Spirer, This is the Pomeranian.
- FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (FCI) German Spitz, including Keeshond and Pomeranian Breed Standards. PDF file.