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Pommy Mommy

The Best Snacks for Pomeranians

Our Poms may be cute and tiny, but sometimes they seem to have the appetite of their much larger ancestors. If you load them up with healthy dog food is one option, but sometimes (or, face it: always) we want to spoil our precious pups. In this case, it’s best to find the best snacks for Pomeranians, and to learn what you should absolutely avoid giving to your fluffy friend.

In general, Poms are happy to eat most of what you’ll give them. They love being tended to, and are happy to eat out of the palm of your hand. But what would be the best snacks for Pomeranians that you can easily feed them

on? Fortunately, unlike some children (and adults!), it’s easy to get a Pommy to eat his or her veggies! This is good news because, just like us, our four-legged friends need thei

r vitamins and nutrients. What better way to get them than from veggies like carrots and leafy greens? Your Pommy will likely enjoy snacking on spinach, green beans or cooked sweet potatoes. Just make sure that you don’t feed your Pom raw taters, which can be dangerous for small dogs. Lots of pups also enjoy broccoli, which is good for them in small quantities.

There are lots of store bought options when it comes to doggie treats. When choosing the best snacks for your Pomeranian, just keep in mind their small size and their sensitive digestive system. Smaller, softer, easily digestible treats are best. Rawhide is a popular dog treat that should NOT be given to Pomeranians. It’s too tough on their tiny jaws and can also cause internal or external allergic reactions.

Foods to Consider

When you’re shopping for store bought snacks for your Pommy, you should also keep a close eye on the ingredients. Just like the shelves of manufactured human snacks, many of the puppy snacks include unhealthy additives. Avoid giving your Pom treats loaded with refined flour, sugars, preservatives or artificial coloring. If you don’t like what you see at the store, you can always make your own snacks using healthy recipes available online. Or, boil beef, kidney or liver ahead of time, cut into small pieces, and freeze. Your Pommy will love snacking on these DIY treats! If dental health is your priority, the best snacks for Pomeranians will be veggies like carrots and celery, or small bones from the butcher.

If you plan to use treats for training, then you’ll want to make sure your snacks are cut up into tiny pieces. Your Pommy is so small, that he or she will get full quickly if you’re not careful! Drizzle chicken or beef broth over regular kibble or microwave some kibble with a hot dog. This will give these tiny, bite-size pieces an extra tasty, extra persuasive spin.

Another treat your pup will love? Peanuts! Either peanuts or natural peanut butter are some of the best snacks for Pomeranians, as they’re full of protein and perfectly bite-sized. Just be sure you’re careful about which other nuts you give your sweet Pom. All other nuts have some risk factor. Definitely avoid macadamia nuts, which are VERY poisonous to your Pom. In general, the best snacks for your Pommy will be the most natural ones. For a list of the foods you should avoid giving your Pom, visit our blog post here!

October 24, 2018 0 comment

Pomeranian Health Issues

Collapsed Trachea in Pomeranians

written by Pommy Mommy

Pomeranians, as any Pommy Mommy would know, can be divas. But they’re divas for a reason. These fragile toy dogs are susceptible to certain maladies and discomforts that larger, stronger dogs can more often avoid. Thus, Poms need special care and attention (and they like it, too). Doggies of all sizes can have a collapsed trachea, but this disease is much more common in toy breeds. If your Pommy gets this diagnosis, it may sound scary to you. But, while it can on rare occasion be life threatening, a collapsed trachea in Pomeranians is usually manageable and doesn’t have to shorten your precious Pom’s life span.

The trachea (also known as the windpipe) stretches from your Pommy’s neck to the chest, delivering air to the lungs. It is made up of cartilage rings which, overtime, can lose strength and cave in. Because of the degenerative nature of the cartilage, a collapsed trachea in Pomeranians is typically something that happens only in older doggies. When the windpipe is collapsed, your Pom will have trouble breathing. This might cause him or her to start coughing regularly, and especially when exercising or excited. The cough that come along with a collapsed trachea is usually described as being horn-like. If you notice your Pommy develops a cough like this, take him or her to the vet. Your vet will perform a physical and possibly an X-ray to determine if the trachea is collapsed. Your vet will then also be able to tell you the intensity of the disease.

What To Do

Once you’re aware of your Pom’s collapsed trachea, you should adhere to a handful of specific precautions. And, really, these precautions would best be applied to all toy breed across the board, as they can be preventative too! First, if your Pommy is overweight, then you need to help him or her get in shape. It’s better to have maintained your pup’s weight all along, as exercising with a collapsed trachea can be more difficult. However, an overweight pup has a harder time breathing in general, so it’s important to keep them healthy in that regard. You should walk your Pommy every day. But—and this is very important—be sure that you are using a harness leash rather than a collar. A harness will give your Pom the support he or she needs, whereas a collar will put more pressure on the trachea. That’s no good for fragile toy dogs! When you do exercise your Pom, pay attention to the temperature. If your pup overheats, that will make it harder to breathe, too.

In many cases, keep in mind these precautions and making sure the cough doesn’t worsen is enough to give your Pom a happy life, even with a collapsed windpipe. In rarer, more severe cases, a Pom may need cough suppressants or even surgery. But generally, a collapsed trachea in pomeranians doesn’t have to mean much change in lifestyle. As long as their owners are caring and attentive (which you no doubt are!), Poms with a collapsed trachea can live as long as one without.

Does your Pomeranian smell bad? Here are 3 reasons why.

October 22, 2018 1 comment

Pomeranian Grooming

Pomeranian Hair Growth

written by Pommy Mommy

Overview

It is important to note that a Pomeranian hair growth will go through a phase of hair loss when it is time for them to have a change over from puppy coat to adult coat… This is normal and you can read about it here: Puppy Uglies.

This page is dedicated to Pomeranian hair growth in instances that the dog has already been diagnosed and treated for a fur loss issue…

This can be a case of patches or it can be an all over thinning. It can be the result of an illness or another medical condition such as a strong allergic reaction. For some, the coat will fall out after surgery… Once the health issue is resolved, owners wonder what they can do to restore their Pom’s appearance…

In the case of shaved Pomeranians (a huge No-No is if you actually shave down as opposed to just a trim to round out appearance)… And the owner is desperately trying to help promote fur growth.

If a coat has been destroyed from shaving, it is not easy to bring it back to what it once was… or what it could have been. However, this does not mean that you should not try. It will take patience and dedication from you… And by following all of the up-coming advice of a health Pomeranian hair growth, you may find great success.

So, let’s get going and see what we can do about this issue.

short haired Pomeranian

Question

Hello, I had my Pomeranian shaved down to a Lion Cut and it was only afterward that I saw and read your information that this should never be done. Now, her coat looks terrible. It is not growing in properly. It looks all patchy in many places. Is there anything that I can do to help the fur grow in better? Thanks in advance!

Answer

Yes, cutting down to a lion cut is not good and we are not happy with “professional” groomers who dare say yes when people asked to shave a Pomeranian.

Since Poms have a double coat of fur, having that inner layer shaved is not natural for this breed.

Pomeranian’s inner layer is made up of thick, dense, short hairs… And the outer layer is made up of long, thinner hairs that create that fluff appearance. Longer hairs can be slightly trimmed to create a neater appearance and in certain places such as under the tail for hygiene reasons and under the paws so that there are no hairs that the dog walks on.

Natural length of Pomeranian hair growth ranges from 1 inch (on puppies) to 4 inches (adults, varying lengths, but longer ones found on the saddle and/or chest). It will be normal for an adult to have shorter hairs on the legs and top of head and longer ones on the saddle (back and sides) and the chest. Your Pomeranian’s stomach may seem patchy and it is normal for skin to show.

If that top layer is shaved off and one goes even further than this and the clipper goes down and shaves into that thick, protective inner layer… This is when problems occur. Doing that, in most cases, will affect how and even if the outer layer ever properly grows back again.

With this being said, there are some things that you can do to help a shaved Pomeranian hair growth. These methods can also help for anyone who is looking for help to stimulate the coat to grow in thicker (after the reason for the loss has been diagnosed and treated).

The 7 elements that will help with Pomeranian hair growth are:

1. You need to massage the skin when grooming.
2. You have to take care of any matt immediately.
3. As a Pomy parent, use a high quality and proper canine shampoo and condition (We have a list of recommendations under “Grooming” in the Pomeranian Specialty Shoppe).
4. Don’t forget to use a leave-in conditioner.
5. Use the proper grooming tool to help with any extra fur loss that could occur otherwise.
6. Provide baths a bit more often than normal (extra baths are a good thing if the right products are used).
7. Eliminate elements that may interfere with growth.

Details on Bathing and Products to Aid in Pomeranian Hair Growth

During this time of waiting for Pomeranian hair growth, we would suggest that you give him a bath every 2 weeks as opposed to the recommended every 3 weeks.

The reason that every 3 weeks is usually recommended is to prevent any potential dry skin issues. However, during this time when all other elements are brought in, this will be beneficial.

One of the important keys to this is that when you are bathing your Pomeranian, you will want to make sure to set aside enough time so that you do not need to rush through the process.

It’s super important to use a super high quality shampoo and conditioner; really good products can make a coat look great and inferior products can really ruin one.

Pomeranian with thick fur

Kayla Marie Diva, 4 years old
Photo courtesy of owner: Jessi B.

You will want to give his body a good massage when shampooing your Pom. This will stimulate the follicles. Most dogs enjoy this when done in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Be sure that there is not a lot of foot traffic or distracting noise.

Gentle Reminders

You need to ensure that the water is not hot nor cold… It should be luke warm and you should test the water with the inside of your wrist before placing him or her in the bath. Also, depending on his size, he may feel more comfortable and safer if this is done in a clean kitchen sink, as opposed to a bath tub which may seem intimidating.

So, your goal will be to massage him as you are soaping him up. This massage should last 3-4 minutes. Next, you need to massage the skin for a much longer time while the canine conditioner is in his fur. Talking in a happy, soothing voice to keep him still and calm, massage the conditioned fur and skin for a good 10 minutes. This will stimulate blood flow, which in turn helps feed the hair follicles. Be sure to rinse very well when washing off both the shampoo and the conditioner.

It is vital to pat him dry as opposed to rubbing the fur. If you have a thin towel, you can gently squeeze water out of various sections… Rubbing the coat however and potentially cause split ends and that would be detrimental to Pomeranian hair growth.

For Poms that have major issues such as patchy fur, we recommend using rescue lotions typically used for BSD. There’s no need to use this if you are simply waiting for the coat to grow, but it will be helpful for issues such as severe thinning, patchy odd growth, etc.

In addition, a quality leave-in conditioner is needed on a daily basis. This will also aid in preventing split ends and keep the Pomeranian fur healthy. It will protect the strands from the sun, wind, cold (during the winter) and dry air; all elements that can impede Pomeranian hair growth.

Brushing and Grooming

Brushing and combing will be of great importance. You will want to mainly stick with a wide toothed comb for now. It is important to go over each section of the coat without missing a spot. Go slow. As you go through each section, you will want to be ready for any tangles or mats.

Pomeranian grooming in this way should be done every single day. This issue began with a matting problem and the goal will be to never reach that point again and also to fix any tangles when they are small and controllable… And this will release that previously tangled fur, allowing it to grow longer and help fill in the coat.

Any tangle found should be spritzed with a mixture of ½ water and ½ conditioner. Comb aside any surrounding fur so that you can clearly see what you are dealing with. With your hands covered in the water/conditioner mixture, slowly, by hand, untangle the mat. This is not a job to be rushed. It takes time. Simply gently pull through each strand, one at a time, until all are free.

Pomeranian with thick coat of hair

Pooh Bear, 4 years old
“Has a big smile because he just had a bit of ice cream”
Photo courtesy of owners: John & Wendy Traynor

Make sure to check the entire body… the belly, the legs and so forth. Ensure that you keep the coat tangle free is a key element in promoting Pomeranian hair growth.

While you are in this process of trying to help the coat grow, you will not want to use a blow dryer. Allow the coat to air dry.

Keep the Coat Free from Friction

If your dog likes to lie down on the floor, whether it is carpeted or is hardwood, you will want to place a soft, clean baby blanket down first. Be sure that it has been washed with hypoallergenic laundry detergent first.

If your Pom has several areas in the house that he generally sets down to rest, have a blanket there already in place for him. This will provide him with a soft, gentle surface that will not irritate the skin (particularly the elbows) and stop contact static issues and carpet friction that can get in the way of a coat growing in.

Supplements

One last thing that may, and we emphasize the word may, help with Pomeranian hair growth is to make sure that the vitamin and supplement that you are giving to him each day contains Omega 3. If not, you can obtain Omega 3 by itself. It can be found in powder form, which can be sprinkled on his food each day. This has proven to work with some Pomeranians.

Give it Time

Finally, time is what your dog needs right now. It may take months, even up to a year for the fur to grow back in. There is a chance that it will never look as it once did. Only time will tell. If you keep up with the above suggestions and are consistent in your efforts, you will have the best chance of success.

Age Related Thinning

We have many owners asking if it is normal for a Pomeranian’s coat to thin out as the dog grows older, into the senior years. The answer is yes. As a Pom matures and reaches 8 or 9 years old and officially becoming a senior the coat will not be as thick and shiny as it once was when the dog was younger. Follow all of the steps above to help give life to a dull, dry and thinning coat; but do know that many older Poms will look their age and the main element in all of that is the coat.

Moderate to Severe Thinning Over the Entire Coat

For any skin issues that are leading to a thinning of the coat, you will want to read: Skin Conditions, where we talk about good grooming practices and steps that you can take to keep the skin healthy, which is the foundation for a thick, healthy coat.

If you believe that your pom may have BSD (Black Skin Disease) or Alopecia X, be sure to read the Black Skin Disease page.

October 19, 2018 0 comment

Know your Pomeranian Pomeranian "How To"

Pomeranian Puppy Biting

written by Pommy Mommy

Puppies play with other puppies especially Pomeranian puppy biting each other! It is a very natural thing to do. It can be very confusing to a pup if you scold him for playing the only way he knows how, and then encourage him to play again.

I have taught puppies and stray dogs to stop nipping and biting “people” by doing what “mom dog” and “littermates” do. Next time he bites or nips you “yelp” in a noticeably loud and high-pitched voice. Usually, the pup will look at you kind of funny, like he doesn’t understand, and then proceed to bite you again. This time you “yelp” louder and in a very high pitch. Maybe jumping back at the same time as if you’re really hurt. Whenever you do this technique, you must always immediately furnish an appropriate chew toy for him to bite and play with. After a half dozen times of this, the pup usually gets the message. But, he is still a puppy, and he will “forget”. Next time he wants to play and bite again (after all, that’s the only way he’s played for his whole life). It will take a week or two until this pup finally “gets it.”

Pomeranian Puppy Biting Guide

Some learn much faster, and others more slowly, but this technique has never failed me as long as every person is consistent. That means every time the pup bites, “yelp!”. Tell children and visitors to do the same. (Yes, really tell them to do the same, and make sure they do it; maybe they’ll learn something in the process). If your puppy or dog reacts in a frightened manner of your yelping. Then try it again in a softer, less frightening manner. You do not want to frighten the dog, only let it know that biting too hard hurts.

As the pup gets older, if he is not 99% reliable not to bite, after you “yelp,” put your hand over his muzzle gently. But firmly (sometimes referred to as a nose-hug) immediately after you yelp and when you say “No Bite!” Then immediately give him a chew toy and say “Good Bite!” You always want to end a lesson being taught with praise, that way, your dog will be more willing to learn. This will also teach your dog to go get a chew toy when he gets so excited that he just must bite something.

Another Option

If these methods fail to work another option you have is to get up, turn your back to your dog and walk away whenever he bites or nips you. No reprimand, no emotion, simply turn your back to your dog immediately after he bites you (the *first* time) and walk away. After about 10 minutes, approach him again. Be sure that you are praising him when he is biting appropriate things and not you. This will teach your dog that he will not receive the attention he desires unless he behaves appropriately.

Outdoor Activities

But if none of these things work? The problem you are experiencing is one of the hardest solutions to describe via the Internet that I have come across. That is because, if the old standby’s (yelping and no bite, and walking away) don’t work. Then the problem is usually based on a lack of communication in general. Meaning, the dog does not understand what you are trying to communicate. So it becomes frustrated at your attempts at getting it to stop biting and in its frustration, bites more. This can actually make the problem worse.

The first thing to look at is if your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis. Your puppy or dog should be able to be off-lead (off-leash), running around quite a bit to expend some of energy. Depending on the age, size and breed of your dog, she may require up to 2 hours per day of vigorous activity. Playing fetch and going for walks does not suffice for all dogs. Both of these activities are quite mindless and can be done for very long periods of time without much mental concentration.

Training Your Pomeranian Pup Some Commands

Next, teach your Pomeranian puppy biting the Settle command. Begin teaching your dog at times when she is already resting so it is easy for her to succeed. You can also teach her an “easy” command by holding a treat within your fist and allowing her to gently take the treat. When she is forceful, she does not get the treat, as she becomes gentler and more “easy” she gets the treat.

You will be rewarding her for inhibiting her bite and her aggressiveness. This takes many, many repetitions. If your Pomeranian puppy biting and nipping continually and getting consistent attention for it (negative or positive), she may have already learned that she can get what she wants by using force. You need to change this so that she receives more and better rewards for being “easy,” for “settling” for “leaving it” etc.

Three-Step Approach

When you reward a Pomeranian puppy biting, be use a two and three-step approach. At the instant the good behavior is initiated (she lightens up just a little) give her the verbal reward “Good Girl!”. This is her cue, so that she learns exactly what behavior pleases you. After the verbal reward, give her a food treat. (step 2). And while she is eating the food treat (or after she inhales it) pat her on the sides for the physical-touch (step 3) reward. The food treat (step 2) can and should be omitted periodically.

You need to convince her that it is beneficial and in her best interest to behave the way you want her to. Setting her up to succeed so that she can be praised is the best method to do this. Using times when she is more relaxed in the first place… and then giving her a chew toy to chew on and praising her for a good “easy” as she leisurely chews on the chew toy may also help.

Attention Into Appreciation

Right now, your focus may be on all your Pomeranian puppy biting and rough-play antics. You may be giving her the most attention during these times. Turn this around, so that you are giving her more (and better) attention when she is behaving appropriately. This can be quite difficult with puppies and young dogs, and her appropriate behavior may disappear quickly – but it is important that you recognize it and praise it in the instant that it is there.

For example, I have had stray puppies come into the house that have never been in a house before… they run around all the furniture and bounce off the walls. And a Pomeranian puppy biting run into me and snapping out of pure joy and excitement. If they refuse the chew toy (a soft stuffed animal) I give to them and persist on biting me instead. I give them my calm, but firm “uh-uh” (meaning: I am not happy with what you are doing). The instant they (or I) put the chew toy in their mouth, I praise “Good Girl” and as I try to pet them, they usually try to bite my hand out of their excitement. So, I say, “Uh-uh” again. If they persist, I turn my back to them. If they climb up on my back, I get up and walk away.

Forget the Rules

When a Pomeranian puppy biting follow me at my heels… I throw a toy for them in front of me (they usually don’t even know where it came from). And this, or something similar, usually takes their attention off me and they chase the toy. Sometimes I dangle a toy above their heads to entice them to bite the toy. When the toy is in their mouth: “Good Girl!” and I try to play with them using the toy again.

This type of scenario is repeated many, many times. Consistent positive reinforcement for biting appropriate items, and no reinforcement of behaving inappropriately. After an afternoon some pups settle down, others take a few days, and some take a week or more. They will periodically “forget” the rules (very often at first). But will begin to understand the communication at hand, and comply after repeated and consistent “lessons.”

Think about “What am I communicating to my dog?” And “What is it like to be trained by me?” Puppies and dogs that continue to nip and bite relentlessly, usually do not understand you. For another helpful article, point your browser to: http://www.stbernardrescue.org/behavior and learn how to teach your dog bite inhibition.

October 17, 2018 0 comment

Pomeranian "How To"Pomeranian Grooming

Keeping a Pomeranian’s Fur Healthy

written by Pommy Mommy

How Many Coats Does the Pomeranian Have?

Poms have two coats, as most Spitz breeds do. The Pom originated from larger, cold-weather sled dogs of the Arctic. That is why it’s a bit of a challenge when keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy. The trait of having 2 layers is common with outdoor dogs and even though the Pom was drastically bred down in size during its development; the trait of 2 layers stayed with the breed.

An adult Pomeranian has a short undercoat of dense hairs and a long top coat of guard hairs. These 2 layers blend into each other.

Puppies will have a much different appearance than adults. Puppy coats are soft and short. As the Pom matures, there is a drastic change. The soft puppy coat falls out and is replaced by the 2 layered adult coat.

The Age a Pom Grows His Adult Coat

Over the course of the first year, a Pomeranian puppy will have a gradual loss of puppy fur that is replaced by his adult coat.. When a Pom is just about 1 year old, he will have his adult coat.

Color Change

It is extremely normal for a Pomeranian’s fur to change color as the Pom matures. It happens more often than not. This element is one of the exciting things about owning a Pom. That is why keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy is a very important thing to do. He will be one color as a pup and a different color as an adult dog. Many things can happen to the fur, sabling or brindling may lighten or darken, the whole coat of fur can fade (brown to cream) or become deeper (orange to red) and so forth.

Tips in Keeping a Pomeranian’s Fur Healthy

Without proper care, a Pom’s fur will become very dry, brittle and end break off. Proper care will keep it fluffy, healthy and able to grow. Here are some things you can do when keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy:

1) Never brush a dry coat – Always mist the fur with a light leave-in spray before you do any brushing at all

2) Groom the coat on a regular basis, whether or not it appears to need it or not. Since the fur is so dense, there will be matted pieces and dirt & debris near the skin where you cannot see it.

In addition, regularly brushing out dead hairs from the coat will improve skin health. Dead fur stuck near the skin blocks healthy air circulation and promotes build up of body oils. This can lead not only to an odd smell, but also skin issues. And if the skin is not healthy, the fur will not be either. For this reasons, brushing at least every other day is recommended.

3) Protect the fur from the damaging sun of the summer and the damaging dry air of the winter by using a light leave-in conditioner. This also protects the coat from static that can build up and protect fur strands from friction (fur against carpeting, etc.)

4) Fur can grow too long and this can make the coat flat. If your Pom’s fur does not have the fluffy look that you wish for, this is often the reason. A nice trim – not too much – but just enough to tidy things up, will allow the outer guard hairs to stand out as they should.

5) Omega 3 fatty oils are super great in keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy. Break open a capsule and drizzle this on 1 meal per day.

6) Be very choosy regarding which products you apply to your Pomeranian’s fur. This includes shampoo, conditioner and leave-in spray. Also, be very choosy regarding what tools touch your Pom’s fur. This includes both the brush and the comb. A cheap dog brush can rip the hairs and ruin a coat in one grooming session.

*** If you’d like to see our recommendations for fur grooming products, look to the Pomeranian Specialty Shoppe.

Fur Loss as a Puppy

Puppy Uglies – If an owner is not expecting it, this can be a shocking growth phase. This breed – as he matures – has a drastic loss of fur during the time that the puppy coat is falling out to make way for the adult coat. This is referred to as the Puppy Uglies. Though, one must always be aware that other issues can cause this as well (more ahead).

Before – A 5 month old Pomeranian with severe fur loss. No worries! This is just the ‘Puppy Uglies’ stage. Photo courtesy of Keen Pomeranians

After – At 11 months old, the adult coat is growing in nicely. The fur will still grow a bit longer; however this Pom made a major change from the ‘before’ photo! Photo courtesy of Keen Pomeranians

Many owners become nervous during this time, because the pictures of Pomeranians with super fluffed fur are splattered everywhere, but not so much when a Pom temporarily looks like this. At such, finding answers in keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy starts to kick in.

When does a Pomeranian first lose its fur? It usually happens when the puppy is 4 to 6 months old. This is not set in stone. Fur loss from Puppy Uglies may happen early, at 3 months or late at 7 months. When the fur falls out, it does not always happen evenly. You may see a severe loss of hair just around the eyes. You may see patches all over the dog’s back. There is no rhyme or reason for this; it is a natural part of growing up. Thus, keeping a Pomeranian’s fur healthy is extremely crucial at this stage.

While this is the most common cause of fur loss during the puppy stage, do keep an eye out for other signs that may point to another cause. Severe allergies and other conditions may also have symptoms that include: red, irritated skin, loss of appetite, water eyes and/or scratching. Next up, can Pomeranians eat nuts?

Note: Fur is what the Pom is known for…their most outstanding feature! For this reason, an owner should be aware of every fur issue that affects this dog breed. Find out more in our eBook.

October 15, 2018 1 comment

Pomeranian Health Issues

Expressing Your Pomeranians Anal Glands

written by Pommy Mommy

Pomeranian’s are funny little things. Like all doggies, they like to greet their friends by sniffing their friend’s bum. Dogs have an extremely good sense of smell, and they use it to interpret their surroundings. When pups smell each other’s behinds, they’re sniffing for a smell that’s unique to each dog. Amazingly, this smell can inform the sniffer of the doggie’s health, emotional state, age and gender. Your Pom stores his or her unique smell inside of the anal glands. But, sometimes the anal glands can get backed up. In these cases, expressing your Pomeranians anal glands is a good idea for everyone involved.

What Triggers It?

Your Pommy’s anal glands with a stored smelly fluid, is not as useful as it once was to them. Like other dogs, Pomeranians are able to distribute this unique scent with each bowel movement is how wild dogs marked their territories. For domestic dogs, of course, this is no longer necessary. Still, ideally the pups let out a bit of their scent with each stool. If not, the anal glands get backed up. This is especially likely if your Pom consistently has extra soft stool, which prevents the glands from successfully releasing fluids at regular intervals. Firm stool will massage and empty the glands.

When they’re impacted (backed up), you will need to express (empty) them. Most of the time, you will be able to tell when your Pommy needs his or her anal glands expressed. The most common sign is that he or she will often drag or rub his or her bottom on the ground in an attempt to relieve the irritation. The impaction of the anal glands is more common on small dogs like Pomeranians. So, while you can have a groomer do it, expressing your Pomeranians anal glands on your own will be a useful skill to have. And it’s really quite simple!

The two anal glands are located on either side of the anus, at about seven and five o’clock. If your Pommy is extra squeamish, which may well be the case the first few times. Have someone else help hold your pup steady. If you’re doing this for the first time, you may wish to do so in the bathtub or somewhere else with easy cleanup. When anal glands are regularly expressed, there’s not much to it, but if it’s been a while, there may be a lot of fluid.

How: Expressing Your Pomeranians Anal Glands

Prepare a warm, damp washcloth and lift your Pom’s fluffy tail out of the way. Take the other hand under the wash cloth and using your thumb and your index finger, feel for the anal glands. They will feel like small, round nodules. The more swollen they are, the firmer they will be. Once you’ve located them, gently apply pressure. The fluid will release through the anus. Catch it with the washcloth and wipe your Pommy clean. If there seems to be a lot, you may need to repeat. If your pup’s fluid has blood or pus in it, then you need to take your Pom to the vet. The anal glands may be infected.

Expressing your Pomeranians anal glands is an important routine to have. If swollen glands go without expressing, they can burst, which is very painful for the pup and very messy and expensive for you, since you will need to take your Pom to the vet. Indicators of a bursted anal gland include an extra foul, fishy smell, irritation and redness around the anus, and discolored discharge. If any of these occur, you should take your Pommy to the vet immediately.

On the other hand, if you got a rescue story to tell, let us know. Simply, submit your Pomeranian rescue to our directory.

October 12, 2018 0 comment

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