10 Top Pomeranian Hair Care Tips

Last Updated on 09/02/2024 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on April 20, 2023.

As an experienced Pomeranian owner, groomer, handler, and breeder with over 48 years of experience, I want to share my top Pomeranian hair care tips with all Pomeranian lovers.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 1

You must brush a Pomeranian’s thick double coat regularly and ensure you’re using the correct grooming tools for Pomeranians.

Ensure you brush the entire coat. Start by brushing his coat with a quality pin brush, then use a slicker brush and finish with a wide-toothed dog grooming comb.

These are the things it will achieve:

When you comb, you’ll find any small mats and be able to either work them out or get rid of them before becoming too big that, if you need to cut clumps out, they’ll be very obvious.
Getting rid of dead fur will make the coat appear fuller once more as it’s not being weighed down.
Brushing will stimulate the follicles of his hair.
Once you get rid of debris particles and fine dirt, his coat will be much cleaner when you brush it.
Brushing helps distribute the natural oils from the roots to the tips to help provide extra shine.
Brushing also separates each hair, giving a better overall look.
Schedule time to brush your Pomeranian’s coat every 2 to 3 days to ensure it stays easy to brush.

Pomeranian Grooming Kit

To ensure that you can maintain the best-looking coat on your Pomeranian, it’s vital that you have the right tools. A good quality comb, a pin brush, and a slicker brush should be of the crucial tools in your Pomeranian grooming kit.

Pomeranian Hair Care Tip Number 2

Bathing a Pomeranian is a necessary regular task for optimum coat condition. How often should I wash my Pomeranian? This is a question I’m always asked about.

I wash my Poms once a month for non-show dogs during the winter months and more often, or as required, during the summer months. The show Pomeranians require regular weekly bathing.

How to Take Care of Pomeranian Hair Tip Number 3

Take care when drying your Pom’s coat:

Ensure you take plenty of care as you dry your Pomeranian after he has been bathed (or got wet in the rain) because it can affect his coat.

Conditioner should be applied after you shampoo, so there’s no need to spray in a leave-in conditioner unless the coat is severely matted.

The Correct Way to Dry Your Pomeranian With A Towel

You shouldn’t be rough with a towel when you’re drying your Pom’s wet coat because it’s easy to get his hair twisted, quickly creating severe mats in his fur.

The right way is to follow the blot and squeeze process. You gently grasp small areas of his fur and, using a towel, lightly apply pressure to both sides simultaneously. Then blow-dry his coat with a forced-air dryer, not one with heat.

This will be a high-speed blower, drying him off quickly without any risk of burns to his skin.

When grooming Pomeranians, it’s important to remember that hair dryers for people have a heat setting too hot for dogs.

If you’re forced to use such a dryer, use the cool setting and keep your distance from your Pom. You can use a pin brush while blow-drying his coat. Buying a dryer on a stand will make the tasks much easier to manage if you plan to do a lot of grooming.

To get ideal results, focus on a small section of fur at a time. Begin with his underbelly, then up to his ears, top and front of his ruff. Then to his tail, and finally, his side and back parts.

Owners who don’t care about their dogs have been known to put their wet dogs into their crates and then start using the dryer. NEVER do this under any circumstances!!!

There have been numerous canine deaths caused by owners who neglected to carry out this process correctly.

Pomeranian Coat Tip Number 4: Apply a Leave-in Conditioner

If you don’t protect your Pomeranian’s fur coat, it can easily become damaged, sometimes permanently.

To retain its natural beauty, choose a good quality leave-in conditioner (one that you spray on and doesn’t get washed out), as it can offer a range of benefits:

Protection from contact friction as this can cause split ends, frizz, dullness and dryness.
Repels debris and dirt, outdoor allergens and splashes of urine.
Protection from the sun’s UV rays as they can discolor and dry fur over time, particularly dark to medium colors.
Prevents tangles.
Improves the texture of his fur, making it shiny and soft to the touch.
Makes the hair stronger, thereby reducing the possibility of split ends.

Some products also have a pleasing smell, a great bonus. Every time you brush his coat, this leave-in conditioner must be used afterward. Most formulas only require a light spritz. Don’t go overboard, or his fur may seem weighted down.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 5. Use the Best shampoo for Pomeranians

The particular shampoo and conditioner (washable) for use on your Pomeranian will make a mammoth difference to how healthy and appealing his coat will look.

Shampoos and Conditioners by Chris Christensen

If you select products with one or more of the following: artificial fragrances, parabens (chemical preservatives, sulfates (harsh detergents), and/or a pH that’s higher or lower than 6.5 to 7.5, then:

Your Pomeranian can experience itchiness, rashes, irritations, dryness, and/or a dry and dull coat. Some of the additives are also connected with health problems ranging from allergic reactions and asthma to various forms of cancer.

Instead, choose an all-natural shampoo, free of additives, contains natural fragrances and plant-based cleansers, and has the right pH for dogs (6.5 to 7.5).

Don’t skip the use of a conditioner you wash out. It’s an essential ingredient for good Pomeranian coat care, making it look and feel soft and healthy. When you shampoo your Pomeranian, the hair cuticles will open. The right conditioner helps to smooth them down once more.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 6

If your Pomeranian gets any dirt, stains, food, pollens, or even urine splashes on his coat, it needs to be cleaned immediately, or it can leave permanent marks or discolor his fur, especially if it’s light in color.

Because you only bathe a Pomeranian once or twice monthly, spot cleaning and wiping him down will maintain a beautiful-looking and smelling coat. You get the added benefit of getting rid of irritants and allergens that may exist.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 7- Don’t Ignore Pomeranian Tear Stains and Face Stains

Although this is only about the face, it’s included because a Pomeranian’s overall look can easily be changed if his face is unkempt. Pomeranian eye stains are usually brown or red around or under his eyes and often run down the cheeks for a reason that differs from the stains already mentioned.

It’s virtually always caused by a compound called porphyrins, found in basal salt (where the name originates). It happens when a dog has too much tearing (from allergies or any other reason). The longer you leave it, the more noticeable it will become as it grows darker.

It’s essential to remove the actual stains, but it’s equally as important to solve the cause and stop it from happening, or the tears will keep coming back. This is why my tips for getting rid of these tear stains provide a two-pronged attack; a topical remedy to address the stains and separate ideas for getting rid of the potential causes.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 8 – Omega Fatty Acids

If a Pomeranian’s coat quality is poor, increasing his omega fatty acid intake will usually help. It improves the health of the Pomeranian’s coat and skin, helps him grow longer, thicker fur, improves the texture and makes his coat shine.

A Pomeranian diet can include Omega fatty acids that mostly come from seafood (mainly fish), nuts, certain plants, seeds, canola oil, and soybeans. The best choice to keep your Pomeranian’s coat healthy is the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These are both derived from fish and, if possible, use wild fish instead of fish that has been farmed.

You can introduce additional fish to your dog’s diet (cold-water fish such as salmon, pollock, and mackerel are the ideal choices) in three ways. Prepare home-cooked meals, add fresh fish into his kibble, or add a small amount of fish oil to his meals because most dogs adore its taste and smell.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 9 – Pomeranian Trimming

This tip to help your Pomeranian’s coat be fluffy, thick, healthy, and stunning to look at has a warning to remember.

Pomeranian trimming isn’t necessary in all cases. When a Pomeranian’s coat is natural, it’s often perfect without needing to be touched. The majority of Pomeranians that do have trimmed coats compete in the conformation show rings because it’s a requirement. So, if you like a trimmed coat’s look, read on.

A Pomeranian’s coat won’t grow perfectly on its own. It needs the touch of a caring owner. This is the same in people. Imagine letting your hair grow for a year with no attention. What a sight!

A certain amount of asymmetry is expected and is normal. When his guard hairs become long, they don’t do what they’re supposed to, namely, stand outwards from his body with a thick, full look.

Instead, the weight makes it look flat, as it weighs his coat down. If the trim is carried out correctly, it will tidy up everything necessary. His fur will be trimmed and layered so it looks more rounded and the ends are symmetrical.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of cases of bad grooming where his owner delivers him to a groomer and asks for a quick trim. When collected, the poor animal has been shaved to the extreme, and his previously great looks have vanished, often never to return, depending on the exact nature of the close shave.

As fur struggles to reappear, it’s likely to be patchy and it can take a lot of time and effort to restore your Pomeranian’s look back to being a healthy one again.

If you use a grooming service, ensure it’s somebody you have complete faith in and that your instructions are interpreted accurately. A “tidy trim” is just that, NOT a bald dog that has to tolerate that unpleasant feeling for a long time. Precise instructions and maybe photos of examples will help the groomer understand your needs, especially in the beginning.

Pomeranian Coat Care Tip Number 10 – Correct Pomeranian Diet

We have kept the most important COAT CARE tip for last. Feed your Pomeranian dog wholesome food. Avoid cheap, processed dog food and, if possible, feed him a correct, well-balanced diet of raw and home-cooked dog food.

Many people treat their dogs better than their human family members in some ways. This applies to food choices as well. After all, if your Pomeranian isn’t healthy on the inside, his coat won’t be healthy on the outside.

Your vet can always give you information on the right foods to keep your Pom healthy and happy if you aren’t quite sure.

Summary

Here’s a summary of the things you can do to make sure your Pomeranian’s fur stays looking super thick, healthy, and beautiful:

Brush his coat regularly with the correct tools.
Bath your Pomeranian on a regular basis.
Be careful when you hand dry your Pom’s coat.
Always use a leave-in conditioner.
Take care when using a dryer on any part of his coat.
Use the best shampoo for Pomeranians.
Give him plenty of food containing Omega fatty acids.
Be careful when trimming his coat, whether it’s you or somebody else.
Give him the right food so he remains as healthy as possible.
Feed your Pomeranian a healthy diet.

A Final Word

One of the special things about Pomeranians is that they are all unique! They have differences in coat colors, sizes, shapes, nose colors, habits, and behavior patterns. They have personalities that range from shy and nervous to outgoing and full of boundless enthusiasm.

Never compare your Pomeranian to anybody else’s Pom, and don’t even compare your own if you have more than one.

Give them as much love and care as you would any human baby or child. Do everything you can to keep them safe and healthy in every possible way. Don’t compare your Pomeranians to others, especially show champions.

References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger “The Complete Pomeranian.”
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[6] William Taplin’s “The Sportsman’s Cabinet.”
[7] E. Parker “The Popular Pomeranian.”
[8] Lilla Ives “Show Pomeranians.”