10 Top Pomeranian Hair Care Tips

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on 16/11/2025 by Denise Leo. Post first published on November 11, 2025.

When it comes to keeping your Pomeranian looking beautiful and well-groomed, proper Pomeranian hair care is essential. With their thick double coat — a soft, dense undercoat beneath a longer, textured outer coat — Pomeranians require regular grooming to maintain that signature fluff and shine.

Healthy coat maintenance goes far beyond appearance. Good grooming practices help protect your Pom’s skin, prevent tangles, and reduce shedding. Whether you own a show-quality dog or a much-loved companion, understanding how to care for your Pom’s coat will ensure they always look and feel their best.

In this guide, written by long-time breeder and Pomeranian expert Denise Leo, you’ll discover the top 10 Pomeranian hair care tips every owner should know — from brushing techniques and detangling tools to bathing routines and conditioning secrets trusted by professional groomers. Follow these expert insights to keep your Pom’s coat healthy, glossy, and full of life all year round.

Why This Matters: The Importance of Proper Pomeranian Hair Care

The glorious, fluffy coat is what makes the Pomeranian so instantly recognizable and loved. But that stunning appearance doesn’t just happen by chance—it requires dedicated, regular Pomeranian hair care. Beneath that soft outer layer lies a dense undercoat designed to protect the dog from both heat and cold. Without the right brushing, bathing, and drying routine, this double coat can quickly become matted, dull, or even damaged.

Neglecting coat care can lead to serious skin problems, discomfort, and even coat loss. When the undercoat becomes tangled, air can’t circulate properly through the fur, trapping moisture and creating the perfect environment for bacteria or fungal infections. Over time, mats can pull on your Pom’s delicate skin, causing pain and irritation.

Proper Pomeranian hair care isn’t only about appearance—it’s about maintaining your dog’s overall health and comfort. A well-maintained coat supports skin health, helps regulate body temperature, and reduces shedding throughout your home. Plus, grooming strengthens the bond between you and your Pom, turning what might feel like a chore into quality one-on-one time filled with trust and affection.

Whether you have a show champion or a beloved family companion, consistent, gentle Pomeranian hair care ensures your little Pom looks and feels their best every single day.

Understanding the Pomeranian Coat

The Pomeranian is a double-coated breed.

• Undercoat: A soft, dense layer of fine hairs that provides insulation and gives the Pom’s coat its full, plush volume.
• Outer coat (guard hairs): Longer, coarser hairs that stand away from the body, creating the signature “ball of fluff” outline while protecting the undercoat from dirt, sun, and moisture.

Brushing correctly means working through both layers to remove dead undercoat without breaking or thinning the guard hairs. Using the right brush and technique keeps the coat standing off the body and prevents painful matting.

Colour and Coat-Type Differences

Although all Pomeranians share the same double-coat structure, texture and density can vary by colour line and genetics.

• Creams, whites, and chocolates often have slightly softer coats.
• Blacks and orange sables tend to develop thicker guard hairs with stronger pigmentation.
• Some bloodlines produce “cottony” coats that require extra vigilance to prevent matting, while show lines are bred for correct harsh texture that stands off naturally.

Knowing your Pom’s coat texture helps you choose the right grooming products and brushing schedule for optimal condition.

Shedding and “Blow-Out” Seasons

Pomeranians shed lightly all year, but they experience seasonal coat changes, often called “blowing coat,” usually in spring and autumn.

• During these times, the undercoat is released in clumps, and increased brushing (daily or every second day) is vital to prevent tangles and hot spots.
• Female Poms may also shed heavily after a heat cycle, pregnancy, or weaning.
• Regular grooming during these phases not only keeps the coat neat but also promotes healthy regrowth and stimulates the skin.

Owners who understand these natural shedding patterns can adjust care routines accordingly, ensuring the coat always looks healthy and full.

Show vs Companion Coats

Show Pomeranians are maintained in full coat to display the breed’s natural beauty and correct outline. Their grooming schedule is more intensive, including weekly baths, frequent line-brushing, and careful drying techniques that preserve volume without damaging texture.

Companion Poms, on the other hand, can be kept in a slightly shorter trim for easier upkeep, provided the double coat is never shaved. Even for pets, routine brushing and periodic baths remain essential to keep the coat healthy, comfortable, and mat-free.

Whether your Pomeranian is a champion in the ring or the cherished star of your family, understanding how the coat works is the foundation of excellent Pomeranian hair care.

At-a-Glance Grooming Schedule

Quick Reference / At-a-Glance Grooming Schedule

Frequency	Tasks	Why it matters
Daily	• 3–5 minute brush-through of friction spots (behind ears, armpits, trousers, tail base) • Light mist with detangling/leave-in spray before brushing • Face/eye area wipe; check for tear staining (light coats) • Quick paw/pad check after walks; remove burrs/debris • Reward calm handling to build positive grooming habits	Prevents early mat formation in the undercoat, reduces tear/skin irritation, and keeps coat “standing off” instead of compacting.
2–3× Weekly	• Thorough line-brushing in sections with pin/slicker brush, follow with a wide-tooth comb • Teeth brushing (aim 3–5×/week) • Ear check & gentle clean if needed • Spot clean feathering and sanitary areas	Deeper detangling preserves guard hairs, supports oral/ear health, and keeps high-soilage areas hygienic.
Weekly	• Nail check/trim as needed; tidy paw pads and stray toe fluff • Blow-out on cool/warm (never hot) to lift coat and remove loose undercoat • Inspect skin thoroughly for redness, hot spots, parasites	Short nails and clean pads improve gait and comfort; regular blow-outs prevent compacting and allow airflow to the skin.
Every 3–4 Weeks Pet Pre-show Show	• Full bath with breed-appropriate shampoo & conditioner • Rinse thoroughly; blow-dry in sections while brushing to set volume • Trim feet, hocks, sanitary areas; tidy outline (no shaving the double coat) • Clean/condition tools; launder towels/brush sleeves	Maintains coat cleanliness, volume, and texture; careful tidy keeps a natural outline without damaging the double coat.
Monthly	• Deep equipment clean & disinfect brushes/combs/dryer filters • Refresh detangling/conditioning sprays; replace worn tools • Review diet/omega-3s if coat looks dry or dull	Hygienic tools prevent skin problems; nutritional check-ins support healthy skin and glossy coat.
Seasonal / Coat Change	• During “blow” (spring/autumn): increase line-brushing to daily; extra cool blow-outs • Consider professional groom help if mats develop • Summer: avoid sun/heat stress; never shave the double coat • Winter: watch for static/dryness—use humidifier/leave-in mists • Puppy coat change (approx. 4–8 months): gentle, frequent detangling	Adjusting to coat cycles prevents impacted undercoat, protects skin, and keeps the natural insulating properties intact.

Notes: Bathing frequency varies by lifestyle and coat; many pets do well every 3–4 weeks, while show dogs follow pre-show timing. Always use cool/warm air and avoid shaving a double coat.

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 remove them before they become too large, so that if you need to cut clumps out, they’ll be very obvious.
• Removing dead fur will make the coat appear fuller once more, as it’s no longer being weighed down.
• Brushing will stimulate the hair follicles.
• Once you remove 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, providing extra shine.
• Brushing also separates each hair, resulting in a better overall appearance.
• Schedule time to brush your Pomeranian’s coat every 2 to 3 days to keep it easy to manage.

Pomeranian Grooming Kit

To ensure your Pomeranian maintains its best-looking coat, you need the right tools. A good-quality comb, a pin brush, and a slicker brush should be among the essential 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 when drying your Pomeranian after it has been bathed (or got wet in the rain), as this can affect its coat.

Conditioner should be applied after shampooing, so there’s no need to spray 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 essential to remember that hair dryers designed for people often have a heat setting that is 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, the 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. Please don’t go overboard, or his fur may seem weighted down.

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

The specific shampoo and conditioner (washable) for use on your Pomeranian will make a significant difference to how healthy and appealing his coat looks.

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 may experience itchiness, rashes, irritations, dryness, and/or a dry, 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 that is 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 using a conditioner after washing out. It’s an essential ingredient for maintaining a good Pomeranian coat, 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 dirt, stains, food, pollen, or even urine splashes on its coat, it needs to be cleaned immediately, or it can leave permanent marks or discolor its fur, especially if it’s light in color.

Because you only bathe a Pomeranian once or twice a month, spot cleaning and wiping him down will help maintain a beautiful-looking and smelling coat. You also benefit from eliminating irritants and allergens that may be present.

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 be easily altered if its 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 occurs when a dog has excessive tearing (due to 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 important to address the cause and prevent it from happening, or the tears will keep recurring. This is why my tips for getting rid of these tear stains offer a two-pronged approach: a topical remedy to address the stains and separate ideas for eliminating 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 those that have 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 to his kibble, or add a small amount of fish oil to his meals, as most dogs adore the taste and smell of fish.

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 the look of a trimmed coat, 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 to give it a more rounded appearance, with symmetrical ends.

Unfortunately, there are many cases of poor grooming where the owner delivers the pet to a groomer and requests 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 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, along with photos of examples, will help the groomer understand your needs, especially at 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 principle also applies to food choices. 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:

1. Brush his coat regularly with the correct tools.
2. Bathe your Pomeranian regularly.
3. Be careful when you hand-dry your Pom’s coat.
4. Always use a leave-in conditioner.
5. Take care when using a dryer on any part of his coat.
6. Use the best shampoo for Pomeranians.
7. Give him plenty of food containing Omega fatty acids.
8. Be careful when trimming his coat, whether it’s you or somebody else.
9. Give him the right food so he remains as healthy as possible.
10.  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. Please do everything possible to keep them safe and healthy in every way. Don’t compare your Pomeranians to others, especially show champions.

Copyright Pomeranian.org. All Rights Reserved.

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.”