As a proud Pommy Mommy, I know how tempting it is to share everything with our beloved Pomeranians—especially when they follow us into the kitchen, begging for a taste of whatever we’re cooking. However, not all human foods are safe for our furry babies. Some common ingredients can pose serious health risks to your Pomeranian. Keeping these foods out of your Pomeranian’s diet will ensure a healthy start. From the dangers of avocado to the risks of chocolate and macadamia nuts, this blog post highlights the Top 10 Things to Not Feed Your Pomeranian and what to do if they accidentally get into something they shouldn’t. Stay informed and keep your Pommy safe!
1. Avocado
Guacamole is one of my favorite things to make and bring to a gathering. It never fails when I’m in the kitchen my Pommy’s are never far behind. They are always begging for a bite of whatever I’m cooking. Avocados for years have been rumored to be toxic to dogs, especially small breeds, because they contain a substance called persin. It’s not necessarily harmful to dogs or cats, but you do need to watch for signs of illness if your furry baby has ingested any Advocado. These include vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of stool production.
The more significant risk to dogs and cats is foreign body obstruction, which can occur if the dog swallows the whole large, round avocado seed. Due to its size alone, this seed can get stuck in the dog’s esophagus, stomach, or intestinal tract. Also, the rough green peel can be quite sharp going down.
2. Candy and Gum
It’s time for my personal favorite – CANDY!!! I make sure to keep all candy and sweets out of my Pomeranian’s reach. Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods can be sweetened with Xylitol. Now known as Birch Sap or Birch Sugar on food labels, Xylitol is known to cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your Pomeranian’s furry body. That can cause your Pommy’s blood sugar to drop and is also known to cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.
3. Chocolate
The most famous thing that almost every Pomeranian owner knows not to give their Pommy is chocolate! If you didn’t know before, now you do! The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. This can even be found in white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds are dark chocolate, chocolate munch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. A small chocolate chip or licking a chocolate frosting spoon can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and be very thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and, sadly, death.
4. Coffee, Tea, and Caffeine
Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for your Pomeranian. Sadly, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. Always make sure your Pommy does not have easy access to any caffeinated drink or food. In addition to tea and coffee – including coffee beans and grounds, caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, sodas, and everyone’s favorite drink to stay awake: Energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, Five Hour Energy, etc…. Caffeine may also be found in the medicine cabinet. Most likely in cold medicines and painkillers. If any pill or medicine from the medicine cabinet acidently drops on the floor you snatch it up right away before your Pomeranian.
5. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins seem like a nice cold treat for your Pomeranian on a warm Summer day. However, they are a BIG no-no. Research isn’t clear why grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, but just a small amount can make a dog ill. Symptoms of grape and raisin overload can include repeated vomiting, and within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to make sure grapes and raisins are kept for humans only!
6. Milk and Other Dairy Products
Milk and milk-based products are another food not to feed your Pomeranian because it can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be causing my little Pommy’s to be sick. (Not to mention cleaning up the “mess” a sick Pommy can make) Milk can also set up food allergies for your Pomeranian if fed regularly. The most common side effect of this kind of allergy is itchiness.
7. Macadamia Nuts
Personally, I’m not a fan of Macadamia nuts, so I never have them around the house. However, for all you nut lovers who are a Pomeranian owner, your Pommy should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. Research shows as few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Because the Pomeranian breed is so small, it would take only two or three to make your Pommy ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Things we never want our Pomeranians to go through!
8. Onions
Powdered, Raw, Cooked, or Dehydrated — Any form of an onion can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Because Pomeranians are considered a “toy breed,” any amount, small or large, of an onion may be fatal in your Pommy. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.
9. Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums
The problem with these fruits is not the fruit itself but the pit and seeds. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in your Pomeranian. They can also cause intestinal obstruction. Just think how uncomfortable you would be eating a watermelon whole! Also, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both you and your Pomeranian. Pomeranians are a very smart breed. However, some Pommy’s don’t understand they can’t eat the pit of a fruit. Please do not feed your Pomeranian a peach pit.
If Your Pomeranian Eats What They Shouldn’t
This list of 10 Things to Not Feed Your Pomeranian helps keep your Pom safe. Pomeranians love to see what’s going on by sniffing and tasting things. We all do our best to keep our Pomeranians safe from harm. However, it is always a great idea to have a plan in case a moment comes that your Pommy has eaten something they are not supposed to. Keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435 — where you know you can find it in an emergency.
Related Posts:
Pomeranian Nutrition: A Comprehensive Guide
Can Pomeranians Eat Nuts? A Guide for Pommy Parents