Vegetables Pomeranians Can Eat and Ones to Avoid.

 

Supplements for Pomeranians

As with people, dogs also need dietary supplements sometimes. A supplement contains one or more ingredients essential for the good health of your Pomeranian. There may be only one ingredient or a blend of different ones and they can be minerals, vitamins, herbs or various botanicals.

There’s a large range of different dog supplements you can buy so it’s easy to be confused about the choices on offer and whether your Pom actually needs them at all.

Most Poms that are 100% healthy without any problems will generally get all their dietary needs from their food, whether it’s high-grade manufactured food or home-made meals. In this case, supplements won’t be needed.

However, there are numerous reasons where supplements may be required to improve your Pomeranian’s health. For example, an upset stomach, itchy skin, poor coat health, gaining weight and issues with moving properly due to age and/or injuries. 

Depending on what you actually feed your beloved pet, you may need to include an added mineral and vitamin supplement to ensure he gets enough of the right nutrients.

Now I’ll cover the various supplement options available and the ways they can assist you.

Daily minerals and vitamins.

Canine needs do vary from human needs so supplements will also be a bit different.

For example: they don’t need chromium, selenium or vitamin K.

The ideal multivitamin/mineral for a dog will contain: vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and B12. Also included is zinc, magnesium, potassium, niacin, phosphorus, iron, copper, calcium, iodine, folic acid and vitamins E, A, C and D3.

How do you know if your Pomeranian needs daily supplements?

1. Dogs that aren’t being fed the highest quality food .

This is a very important fact to understand when feeding your dog.

There’s a major difference between natural vitamins in real food and the vitamins that are chemically derived. The later are separate from food and it’s believed that their quality is much lower than naturally occurring vitamins.

Vitamins in food bind together with amino acids and enzymes and that increases their capacity to provide essential nutrients.

There are major differences between superior and inferior canine foods.

Inferior foods contain minimal “real” foods and nutrients. There might be a minimal amount of vegetables and/or fruits. The bulk of the ingredients are by-products, fillers and various cheap ingredients. To top it off, they include chemically derived minerals and vitamins.

Superior canine foods will be full of wholesome foods containing natural minerals and vitamins, real meat, real vegetables and fruits. Because everything is natural, your dog will have a higher level of overall nutrition. There will be supplements such as probiotics for good digestion and omega-3 for good coat and skin health. A suitable brand of dog food for Pomeranians is Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food – Small Breed Health Recipe – 4lb by Wellness CoreÃ’Â

If you’re considering including supplements in your Pom’s diet, you need to analyze what you’re feeding him. Is it low or high quality food? If it’s not high quality, why not? That just shows you don’t really care about your Pomeranian.

If you’re buying inferior food, it won’t have good nutrients and may have ingredients that can cause harm to your dog. Chemical additives and preservatives can cause itchy skin, digestion issues and many other problems your dogs shouldn’t have to endure due to poor quality food.

If you buy good quality manufactured foods, you must do your research to ensure he’s eating the healthiest foods available. There are some top brands suitable for small breed dogs such as Pomeranians and they contain enough of the right nutrients that, unless he’s sick, he won’t need extra supplements. 

2. Dogs that are given homemade food.

There are tremendous benefits to preparing homemade food for your dog. You’ll be completely in control when choosing what goes into your dog’s food. There won’t be unwanted additives and you can mix different ingredients to keep his meals varied so he’ll enjoy eating. A healthy homemade dog food should have natural minerals and vitamins obtained from vegetables, fruit and meat you include in his meals.

A good homemade meal will contain natural vitamins and minerals via vegetables and fruits. However, it’s virtually impossible to dish up your Pom’s meals and ensure they contain ALL the essential nutrients. Even the best commercial doggie meals you can buy find this impossible and are forced to add extras.

Each time you prepare a meal for your beloved Pomeranian, include minerals and vitamins to help balance the diet.

Supplement choices to consider.

Daily dog supplements are either chewable tablets or in a powdered form. You can easily sprinkle powder over the food and even mix it in if necessary. The tablets can be used as a daily treat.

You have a few choices. Pet MD – Canine Tabs Plus 365 Count – Advanced Multivitamins for Dogs – Natural Daily Vitamin and Mineral Nutritional Supplement – Liver Flavored Chewable Tablets are an excellent choice. These supplements are manufactured in America in regulated facilities that are covered by the USDA, FDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). They have a yummy liver taste loved by most Poms. Half a tablet each day should be used and can be crumbled and mixed into his food or offered as a treat.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

The majority of people talk about joint health supplements as glucosamine on its own, or with chondroitin added. However, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and MSM are also joint supplements.

Each supplement works with dog cartilage and joints but in different ways:

• Glucosamine creates glycosaminoglycan, a substance that repairs cartilage and body tissues from typical wear and tear as well as problems occurring due to age and/or injury.
• Chondroitin assists glucosamine by collecting the ideal amount of fluid for lubrication of your dog’s tissues surrounding joints to help with shock absorption and to supply cartilage with vital nutrients.
• CoQ10 is a body’s natural enzyme that sits in your dog’s cells and it fulfils numerous functions including: acting as an antioxidant, helping blood vessels work properly and supports his immune system.
• MSM doesn’t exist naturally in a canine’s body. It’s an organic compound supplement that decreases swelling and pain and makes a dog more flexible.

What groups of Poms gain benefits from these supplements?

 a) Pomeranians who are 6+ years of age.

As your dog slowly grows older, his body creates less chondroitin and glucosamine, leading to stiffness and pain in the joints, he’ll experience more wear and tear and, eventually, osteoarthritis. While it’s commonly called “arthritis,” this isn’t correct. Arthritis is inflammation of joints and “osteoarthritis” is a degenerative disease that has occurred as a result of joint cartilage that has deteriorated.

A dog’s mobility can be severely hindered as well as being quite painful. He may have problems walking, sleeping, mood swings and other issues.

As a caring owner, you should be treating your Pomeranian as a member of your family. Don’t just sit back and wait until he gets arthritis. Give him MSM as one supplement to help avoid such a serious problem. It can’t stop him succumbing to osteoarthritis, it could slow down the onset. If you have an older Pom with no osteoarthritis, he doesn’t need MSM or CoQ10. 

1. b) An older Pomeranian that has been officially diagnosed as having osteoarthritis:

As mentioned earlier, being proactive is essential. Include chondroitin and glucosamine in his diet as hits the point of being considered “senior.” If he has osteoarthritis, the vet will almost always recommend glucosamine or the formula for the four supplements.

1. c) Poms that have experienced luxating patella and/or various other conditions and injuries to their joints.

Any joint damage may cause permanent mobility troubles and it increases the risk factor for the development of arthritis in the area specified. The supplement can aid in the recovery, as well as reduce the speed of future problems.

Selecting an ideal glucosamine supplement:

If you simply want the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement on its own, an option most suited for a Pomeranian is Glucosamine for Small Dogs- Liquid Canine Hip & Joint Support, Arthritis & Pain-relief Supplement, Advanced Healthy Natural Formula With Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM, For Arthritis & Inflammation This product comes complete with an eye dropper and can be added to your Pom’s food are dropped directly into his mouth.

 If your dog needs the more components, Advanced Glucosamine for Dogs with Chondroitin, MSM, Vitamins C & E, Omega 3 & 6 – Extra Strength Hip and Joint Health Supplements for Dogs – Made in USA.  provides a first class supplement. It also contains: Omegas 3 and 6, vitamins C and E and has powerful joint health benefits. There are FDA-regulated factories in the US that create this product. They’re chewable and soft and if your Pomeranian weighs less than 15 pounds, he only needs one tablet each day.

There’s another superior supplement ideal for supporting small Pomeranian joints which contains Organic Tumeric. Turmeric Curcumin Treats for Dogs – For Strong Hip & Joint Health – Digestive & Immune Support Supplements with BioPerine & Organic Turmeric + Coconut Oil – 90 Duck Flavored Soft Chews.

Omega-3 fish oils.

Your dog’s healthy skin and coat can be kept healthy by using Omega-3 fish oils. The fatty acids are essential for your dog’s skin because they provide proper moisture, quality and elasticity. As for his healthy coat, it helps the coat grow, be healthy and be the correct texture. It assists in controlling allergies such as seborrhea.

Omegas 3 and 6 are believed to assist your Pomeranian with various health problems such as: heart disease, kidney functions, arthritis, cognitive functions and possibly lymphoma (a blood cancer). These oils are essential additives to your beloved Pom’s diet because he doesn’t produce them naturally.

Some oils that do contain the omegas are canola, soybean, walnut and flaxseed. In fact, flax seed oil is a common supplement for dogs. The oils are the ideal substances to give your dog.

Which Poms benefit most from the omega supplements?

 Any Pom that has issues with his coat and/or skin. If your dog’s skin is itchy, peeling or dry and also has brittle and/or dry fur, the oils may, in conjunction with other supplements, ease such problems and even help his coat grow.

Lots of common troubles that dogs face may be due to poor quality diets (especially if the food has lots of additives), intolerance to specific ingredients in food or allergies. Seasonal health issues can come and go but may leave a trail of trouble in their wake, including a weakened immune system.

How to pick the best omega supplement.

 You have plenty of oils, chews and pills to try and the fatty acids may come from multiple sources. I generally recommend a liquid version of the fish oil because it’s simple to give it to your dog. It has a tempting odor and taste for canines. The addition of fish oil can sometimes persuade him to finish his food.

The perfect type of fish oil comes from wild salmon that fishermen catch off the Alaskan coast. DHA and EPA are types of omega-3 and are listed as ingredients. Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats – Supports Joint Function, Immune & Heart Health – Omega 3 Liquid Food Supplement for Pets – All Natural EPA + DHA Fatty Acids for Skin & Coat – 32 FL OZ

You buy it in a useful pump and your Pomeranian only needs half a pump each day. Drizzle over his kibble and then mix it well or you’ll find kibble left but your dog will attempt to lick off everything that’s drizzled on the surface.

Better still for your Pomeranian’s health purchase top quality tinned salmonWild Alaskan Salmon, Skinless Boneless (Pack of 6), 6 oz Can, No Salt Added – Trader Joe’sand add about a tablespoon daily to your Pom’s meal or feed as a treat.

What are probiotics?

This works for both canines and their human friends. In the digestive tract, you find bad and good bacteria. Probiotics assist in the balancing of the two opposites, to improve your dog’s digestive system and overall good health.

If your dog has numerous digestive problems like chronic diarrhea, he may need to see a vet. He may have an upset tummy that needs attention and your choice of foods to give him can play a critical part of this. Ensure you buy the best quality food available or make it yourself and then you’ll know it’s easy to digest.

Which Poms benefit most from having probiotics?

• Dogs with sensitive stomachs. All Poms may experience upset stomachs from their food if it’s poor quality. A dog may experience diarrhea, bloating and gas and each of these can alter his normal appetite. This scenario is perfect for the addition of probiotics into his diet.
• If your treasured Pom is trying to recover from an illness of the intestines.
• If your pet was being given medications that can cause a stomach upset or if he has had a nasty bout of diarrhea, your dog’s gut balance will be unbalanced so if you give him, he’ll begin to feel better.

Tips for selecting a good probiotic supplement.

There are various types of the good bacteria including: lactobacillus casei, bacillus laterosporus and lots more with similarly long and hard to pronounce names. The point of this is to understand that you should buy one with multiple strains

Purina Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement Box, 30gm/30 Count is a terrific choice because it has 22 of top grade probiotics that are essential to the good health of your dog. 

You may prefer the powder formula as it’s simple to give your dog, particularly as he’ll be still struggling with an upset tummy that isn’t likely to allow pills to be used easily. Everyday Probiotics for Dogs with Digestive Enzymes for Sensitive Stomachs:  Remedy Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation and Gas / Bloating (102 Treats/4 Billion CFU) is a great choice. It lasts an eternity as a serve is 1/8 of a scoop every day. What’s more, it comes with a 100% guarantee.

Supplements that can help your dog gain weight.

This type of supplement is designed to help puppies that find it hard to gain weight and adult Poms that find it difficult to maintain their body weight. The supplements (aka) high calorie gels or supplements are very small, yet provide a strong dose each time.

If your dog finds it hard to eat, this is a small, yet palatable way of boosting their nutrients, even if they struggle to eat normally.

Which Poms gain benefits from high energy supplements :

• Puppies that don’t gain the weight they should be for their age. If your Pom isn’t increasing his weight, it’s time to see the vet. There’s a long list of health problems your dog may be experiencing but you may fail to realize. No supplement will cure infections, diseases or other health woes but if other possibilities have been eliminated, then supplements are certainly needed.
• Adult Pomeranians with low appetites that can’t maintain a healthy weight.
• If your adult Pom has such a small appetite that he can’t maintain his current weight, or if he is losing weight rapidly, you urgently need to take him to the vet. If he’s living with (or recovering from) a health condition that can cause dramatic weight loss, this tiny gel may very well be the catalyst for turning his life around.

How to select the best nutritional supplement.

There are various puppy and dog supplements so do your own research to find the best ones for your pet. Dogs love the taste and they receive healthy fats, minerals and vitamins, as well as protein and it comes in a single, 28 calorie, teaspoon. Dogs need approx 55 calories per pound of body weight. For example, a two pound puppy needs 110 calories and if he has this 28 calorie supplement, that’s half of his daily recommended caloric requirement. Two of the better high energy supplements are Formula Mass Weight Gainer for Dogs (45 Servings) Made in the USA – Helps Increase Weight on Skinny Dogs – and a product I regularly use at Dochlaggie Pomeranians to ensure small pups are getting enough nutrition Nutri-cal High Calorie Nutritional Supplement for Dogs, 4.25 Ounce (Pack of 3)

Summary.

If you feed your dog high quality foods all the time and he’s healthy, there’s not a need for additional supplements. However, if he has health problems or is getting on in years, the best mix of supplements can keep him going well into the senior years.

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The Ideal Diet For Pomeranians

The ideal diet for Pomeranians is an extremely controversial topic among owners because everyone has their own ideas. After many years of my own research, I’m able to offer my opinion on this hot topic.

Before the 1930s, dogs were generally fed garden vegetables and meat. However, in the 1930s, other dog foods were introduced into the canine marketplace. Such food included kibble and various canned options created from USDA-rejected grained and cereals. These new foods were regarded as handy choices for dog foods for Pomeranians and other dogs.

Let’s start by looking at the dog foods available in today’s marketplace. The canine food manufacturers make billions of dollars every year. Unfortunately, most of the products they’re selling are low grade with unhealthy ingredients that can make your Pomeranian very ill and can even cause premature aging or death.

It’s downright depressing to see all the dog foods being recalled from stores because of the serious problems they cause the dogs who are forced to eat them.

Think of commercial dog food as “fast food.”

People eat foods such as burgers, tacos, fries and other greasy junk food even though it’s all low quality and can cause people a great deal of harm in the long run. These foods are heavily processed. Now equate that to dogs and the “fast foods” they also consume. It’s unhealthy for people and canines.

Manufacturers of dog food are the only people who don’t see the danger in constantly feeding dogs the highly processed foods they create every day. People and dogs have approximately 75% common genetic makeup. Our nutritional requirements are similar as well. As we eat low quality fast food that directly causes harm, the same thing happens to our dogs but at a faster rate.

Human food is healthy for dogs.

Regardless of what you may hear from dog food makers, wholesome food people eat are also great for dogs. The food people eat is only bad for makers of dog foods.

The delicious, nutritious food you eat can also supply your Pomeranian with essential nutrition and, in doing so, it reduces the amount of bills from your vet. Thanks to the internet and other sources, it’s easy to learn the basic differences between nutrition for people and for dogs. Examples include: no raisins, grapes, corn, wheat or onions and rinse away rich sauces and spices.

Never assume your vet sells high quality food.

Vets don’t learn much about nutrition as part of their studies. Most of their extra knowledge is gleaned from seminars, studies, articles, sales reps and pet food companies.

If your vet hasn’t experimented and/or studied home-made or raw diets, he probably won’t know what foods are good and bad and may simply be using old information and superstition. If your vet makes a profit from selling a specific brand and not others, that can cause a major conflict of interest. Some vets may legally be banned from selling more than one brand.

Processed foods contain questionable ingredients.

It’s actually “legal” for manufactured dog food to contain meat derived from diseased, dying, disabled and dead animals. Other additives can include: sweepings off the mill floor that are labeled as grains and also corn that has been contaminated with strong pesticides. The cheapest food you buy will have the cheapest ingredients and that all adds up to virtually no nutrition at all.

Kibble won’t clean your dog’s teeth.

Virtually all canines from the age of three onwards have some type of dental problems. The majority are fed kibble so that’s really saying something.

A small study was conducted and the results concluded that kibble MIGHT be better for clean canine teeth than the processed tinned foods, it doesn’t state that it’s more effective. People don’t want to spend precious time cleaning their dogs’ teeth so they often use kibble, despite the fact it doesn’t do a good job. If you think for one moment that feeding your pet kibble and hard treats will clean his teeth, you’ll only inflict pain, suffering and possible lost teeth in your beloved dog, as well as lots of high vet bills.

“Balanced and complete” isn’t synonymous with “optimum.”

“Balanced and complete” only means a food has a minimum possible health benefit for an average dog. Balanced and complete is better than not BUT it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good food.

If people boast that they have carried out feeding tests usually only test the main product in a line and tests are only trialed on a small group of dogs for a short time. In the long term, enzyme and nutrient deficiencies will occur.

Feeding your dog the same foods all the time restricts his nutrition.

If you ate a meal consisting of rancid fat, corn, chicken wings and the same composition of added minerals and vitamins, you would soon become ill.

Nutritionists scream that people must consume a wide variety of food to avoid allergies and to improve their overall nutrition. So why shouldn’t dogs be treated the same way and then their health will also be good.

If you start feeding your dog a lot of different foods, he may suffer from a stomach upset in the short term. This is because he hasn’t been eating the right foods so if he does have a stomach upset, it simply means you’re helping him with proper nutrition. His digestive system will quickly settle and then he can eat whatever healthy foods you give him with no problems, in much the same way as people. The key is to make changes gradually.

Kibble isn’t a better food than canned types.

Canned dog food is preserved through the canning process whereas kibble is artificially preserved. Have you ever thought about the amount of preservatives needed to stop food that sits in your dog’s bowl all day long going off?

Kibble starts off as a cooked dry meal, whereas, tinned food is canned when fresh. More nutrients are destroyed in kibble because it’s exposed to a lot more heat.
Kibble has been identified as a cause of bladder and kidney problems in cats; and can cause deadly bloating for larger dogs that are broad-chested. It also causes dehydration.

This doesn’t mean canned food is better or perfect. However, the best food for your dog is fresh food, either raw or cooked. Next best is prepared food that has been frozen, followed by dehydrated food that has been freeze-dried. You can buy these foods at your local pet shop.

Certain food can cause damage to your dog’s health.

• Rawhide chews and cooked bones can create severe health issues that may need emergency surgery.
• Allergies can be caused by foods that have wheat bases. Try coconut chips instead.
• Grapes, chocolate, onions, raisins, Xylitol (artificial sweetener) and various other foods can be toxic to your beloved Pom and so you must NEVER feed your dog any of these things.

Ingredients that aren’t healthy for dogs.

Corn and wheat. Most canines, including Pomeranians, have allergies to both corn and wheat. If you notice your dog constantly scratching or biting himself, read the ingredients on his food to see if these are listed because they can cause such a problem. Corn is also fattening as it also makes corn oil and high fructose corn syrup. So it’s not surprising that there’s an abundance of dogs with diabetes and just as many that are obese.

Artificial colors and preservatives.

Research has shown that there are definite links between particular diseases, including cancer, and the low grade artificial colors and preservatives in food. These particular ingredients have been found to be common ingredients in lots of dog foods. Preservatives are also called BHT, BHA and Ethoxyquin. The fake colors are caramel and FD&C colors.

If your dog food has any of the previously listed ingredients that you know now are hazardous to your dog’s health, I strongly recommend looking at much healthier choices. That’s assuming you actually do care for your dog.

Healthy ingredients found in dog foods.

If you firmly believe your dog deserves the best nutritious, safe food you can provide, there are various ways you can do it. The major way is to prepare your Pomeranians meals yourself, using healthy ingredients to keep him in peak condition. The second option is to use the holistic method.

Dog food companies that manufacture holistic foods only create the highest quality foods by utilizing food sources that are human-grade.
Unacceptable ingredients include by-products, corm and wheat.
Ideal meals can include: real meats such as beef, chicken, bison, lamb, salmon and other meats. Other products to use include: brown rice, barley, oatmeal and other whole grains.

Benefits of homemade foods.

Packaged foods for dogs will often have additives, chemicals and other useless fillers so there are no real nutritional benefits. You would scoop crunchy pieces or dog slop into your dog’s bowl.

Your Pom will get healthy meals when you create them yourself. You’ll be able to add whatever healthy ingredients you want to ensure your dog has no deficiencies of minerals and vitamins. Vary his meals and you’ll find he’s happy, full of energy and better behaved as well.

Feeding Pomeranians under 12 months of age.

Puppy’s require the perfect balance of nutrients to ensure correct growth. Essential to proper development is the accurate ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Skeletal problems can be caused by feeding pups home cooked or commercial dog food for adult dogs. Until your Pomeranian has his first birthday feed a top quality puppy kibble and a quality canned puppy food. Good snacks are dairy products.

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Healthy Home Cooking For Your Pomeranian

Healthy Home Cooking for Pomeranians available here at the #1 Pomeranian Information site, contains healthy recipes suitable for all Pomeranians. I applaud all Pomeranian lovers who commit to feed their beloved Poms home-made food. Feeding your Pomeranian home cooked healthy meals & snacks containing real meat, fruit and vegetables and most importantly containing no fillers, preservatives or by-products will have a tremendous benefit on your Pomeranian’s health. Healthy Home Cooking for all Pomeranians contains over 50 canine recipes including doggie biscuits, healthy snacks, doggie soups, appetizers, breakfast food, yummy slow cooked doggie casseroles for busy Pomeranian parents, chicken and fish dinners, liver treats, a canine chicken birthday cake, a special recipe for senior poms, homemade jerky treats, frozen yogurt pops and more. Healthy Home Cooking for ALL Pomeranians is a downloadable PDF file. Download to your computer, phone or tablet for easy availability.

Price: $4.50

What Fruit Can A Pomeranian Eat?

Benefits of Feeding Fruit to a Pomeranian

A big part of caring for your Pomeranian is to ensure he’s eating the right variety of foods to get sufficient vital nutrients. Some people use kibble more often while others will use more wet food. It’s best to feed him a combination of both food groups but that’s not the end of the list. Fruit should also be part of his healthy diet. You may find that the foods you’re using don’t provide him with all the essentials and this is where fruit comes into the picture. But why fruit? What makes it an important part of your beloved Pom’s diet?

Here are the reasons why you need to pay attention when thinking about the right fruits to feed your beloved Pomeranian.

Fruits are: • Full of nutrients and vitamins and are low in calories (mostly). • Full of antioxidants which are capable of preventing lots of diseases and contributing to a longer life span.

• Safe for consumption by dogs.

• Easy to feed your Pomeranian.

• Capable of being used in many ways and may help your dog eat other foods that might be a little less palatable.

Fruit should be a food staple for your Pomeranian, not a luxury, and here are powerful reasons and benefits for making sure this is the case:

Nutrition. Fruit is full of nutrients, minerals and vitamins essential to a dog’s good health. The actual content levels will vary from fruit to fruit. Some have large amounts of vitamin C. Many fruits also contain vitamins K and A as well as zinc, iron and/or potassium. How each of these will benefit your Pom will be explained further down. Antioxidants protect the body’s cells from becoming damaged, thereby making it easier for diseases to strike. Antioxidants battle free radicals that cause this damage in the first place. Scientists are still studying the enormous benefits of antioxidants but it’s already accepted that they help protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer, and age-specific muscular degeneration. They also boost the immune system.

Low in calories. Most fruits are low in calories. Pomeranians don’t usually have weight problems but it’s still wise to feed them low calorie foods when possible. This will be extra beneficial for senior Poms because they’re more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle and gain weight.

Low GI. Many fruits are low on the glycaemic index (the rate at which sugar gets absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream. Lots of fruits contain fibre that helps prevent high sugar levels unless you give him too much fruit in one meal.

Versatile to use. The majority of fruits are easy to include in a Pomeranian’s diet. Some may be for snacks and others can be added to a regular meal. Small pieces can be included in his kibble for additional flavour and texture, as well as added incentive to eat.

Great reward treat. Fruit is an ideal treat when training your Pom. It’s essential to use different treats for training than you would for other reasons. Then your dog will understand that he needs to be obedient to get the fruit treat. However, you need to identify the fruits he enjoys the most, and that can take time considering just how many different fruits exist. Some are seasonal so it’s wise to have substitutes for fruits not currently growing.

Healthy to eat. Fruits are wholesome foods to eat. Instead of buying foods that are laden with chemicals (flavourings, preservatives, additives and colouring), fruit will help keep your Pomeranian healthy. Always wash fruit before eating it yourself or feeding it to your beloved Pomeranian to ensure complete cleanliness.

What are the best fruits for your Pomeranian?

All foods should be eaten in moderation. Too many carbs, too much sugar or fat and not enough protein can lead to an unbalanced diet. Your dog won’t be healthy if all he eats is fruit. However, snack ideas can’t get any better than fruit. Here are the best fruits for your pet Pomeranian: Blueberries. These berries sit at the top of the fruit list for dogs. They contain more antioxidants than any other fruits, seasonings or vegetables. Most of the antioxidants are phytonutrients and anthocyanins (a phytonutrient) makes the berry a dark colour. These berries are also excellent anti-inflammatories. The best blueberry is a raw, organic blueberry. Cooking kills most of the nutrients. Human research groups have revealed that blueberries help improve cognitive function and memory. It’s harder to study dogs for these specific issues. However, canine studies have revealed that heart disease can be prevented and cancers such as small intestine, colon, breast and oesophageal can be reduced in strength. Nutrition: ¼ cup of blueberries only has 22 calories and no sodium, cholesterol or fat. They have vitamins (B6 and C) and minerals (magnesium and iron). They have a low GI score of 40. Adding them to your dog’s diet: Pomeranians LOVE blueberries. They’re easy to mix with his food or give him some as a snack. But be careful or he’ll start begging for more all the time. If your adult Pom is having other fruits, don’t give him more than ¼ cup of blueberries per day. Puppies should have half this amount. Mix them well into his food so he doesn’t selectively eat them and ignore everything else in his bowl. The berries can be frozen for up to six months as it doesn’t affect their healthy attributes. Dogs love the frozen berries in Summer. Raspberries. Raspberries are almost as good as blueberries in many ways. Organic raspberries are much healthier than non-organic varieties due to a higher level of antioxidants. Raspberries should be bought when they’re bright red and need to be used up within a maximum of three days. Health properties: Raspberries have anti-cancer properties, mainly due to phytonutrients (as with blueberries). The cancers affected are: prostate, colon, cervical, oesophageal and breast. Nutrition: A ¼ cup of raspberries has a mere 17 calories. They have lots of vitamins and minerals including: vitamins E, C and K, folate, copper, fibre, magnesium, biotin, omega-3 fats, manganese and potassium. The GI number is 40, as with blueberries. Diet: The principles for using raspberries are mainly the same as with blueberries. Pumpkin. Pumpkin isn’t like most other fruits because it can’t be fed to your Pomeranian regularly. It has major benefits in specific situations which is why it’s high on the list of good fruits. Firstly, this information solely relates to 100% pumpkin, not a can you buy at the supermarket that contains a pumpkin pie filling. Always read labels before making a purchase and you really should spend most of your time in the fresh produce section. Benefits of pumpkin: It can ease constipation, diarrhoea and an upset stomach. If your Pomeranian has these issues, feed him some pumpkin until the problem settles. If he has diarrhoea, his stool will return to normal. If he had constipation, he should be able to do his business normally once more. An upset stomach will calm itself down. Pumpkin has plenty of soluble fibre which helps make your Pom “more regular,” instead of being at one extreme end of the spectrum. However, you only feed him two teaspoons if he’s an adult or one teaspoon for puppies. This can be included in a meal of plain chicken and bland rice. Pumpkin can treat coprophagia. This is when he eats either his own faeces or that of other dogs and/or cats. Stress and an unbalanced diet are reasons why this problem may manifest itself. Add a spoon of pumpkin to help with digestion and change the taste of his faeces, two elements that can fight coprophagia. Weight problems: Apart from senior Pomeranians, it’s uncommon for Pomeranians to be very overweight. If your dog is carrying excess weight, pumpkin is a great fruit because it satisfies him quickly and for a longer period of time. This is very useful if you need to decrease the amount of food you give him. Nutrition: ¼ cup of pumpkin only contains 8 calories. It also has vitamins and minerals including: C, A, B6, magnesium and iron. It sits at 70 on the glycaemic index (high) but is only a 3 on the glycaemic load. The difference is what matters. The GI doesn’t consider that serve sizes of foods, including fruits, can vary so the high reading may be incorrect. The Load is based on the specific size of the serve of whatever food you give your Pomeranian. Anything under 5 is regarded as a good level. Diet: Ask your vet before adding pumpkin to your beloved pet’s diet. It’s only necessary if he has intestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhoea, as diagnosed by your vet in the first place. A puppy can have 1-2 teaspoons and an adult can have 1-2 tablespoons. Mixing it with white plain rice and plain chicken breast will make the meal more palatable. If your Pom has coprophagia, pumpkin may also be a solution. However, coprophagia is an unusual health problem in that dogs may vary in how they react to different forms of treatment. Poms may slowly develop a resistance to a treatment that does work for a while. Mango. This stone fruit is full of delicious juices and is native to the Southern Asia region. The mango is listed here among the top best fruits for various reasons. It’s very heathy in that it has plenty of vitamins and other nutrients. It’s 84% water and is low in calories. Toxic core: As with many stone fruits, the mango’s core is toxic. Be wary of this and always remove the core before feeding your Pomeranian fresh mouth-watering chunks. Otherwise he’ll try to eat through the core, which is something he may actually do, to the detriment of his health. Nutrients: a quarter of a cup of pieces of mango contains a mere 25 calories. Its many nutrients include: vitamins K, B, A and K and minerals including: beta-carotene, folate, riboflavin, manganese, folate, niacin and potassium. The mango contains more vitamin C than all foods except for oranges. The vitamin C in mangos is a very strong antioxidant that has many benefits including: reducing cell DNA damage that may cause cancer, decreasing the risk of cataracts; improves overall cardiovascular health; acting as a natural antihistamine that can ease congestion in your Pomeranian’s chest, eases symptoms of allergies and keeping skin as healthy as possible. The folate in mangos helps with the creation of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B6 helps keep your Pom’s fur, eyes and skin as healthy as possible. Diet: The ideal way to feed mango to your Pomeranian is by cutting it up into cubes. If it’s mixed in with his kibble he’ll enjoy it more and that can entice him to finish his food.

Other fruits your Pomeranians can enjoy.

The above list doesn’t contain ALL the safe fruits, just the best ones. However, whatever you feed your pet should be in moderation. Too much of any food can cause health problems. This is a list of the safe fruits for your Pomeranian to enjoy. • Watermelon is 92% water and is perfect for those hot days when you want to ensure your beloved pet stays hydrated. Because it has flavour, it’s more enticing than water on its own. • Apples are good and bad. You can’t feed your Pomeranian the core or seeds but some bite-size slices will keep him healthy. • Bananas are ok in moderation. Too much may cause constipation but a few slices are fine unless your dog has kidney disease or Adison’s disease and then bananas are a big no-no. • Strawberries. • Plums. • Pineapple. • Oranges but only the occasional slice due to their high sugar content. • Cantaloupe. • Kiwifruit. • Nectarines. • Cranberries can control and/or prevent urinary tract infections. • Pears. • Peaches.

Fruits that a dog may eat but be aware of the risks.

• Apricot. The pit is toxic and it’s very hard to remove the flesh from it due to its shape and size so only use apricots if you’re prepared to do the hard preparation work. • Avocado is toxic to cattle because it contains a toxin called persin. It’s not a problem for cats and dogs. However, the fact that it IS dangerous to bigger animals means it’s frequently listed as a dangerous food for all animals. If your Pomeranian eats a small amount, he should be fine but why take the chance? • Tomatoes ARE a fruit, despite much controversy. The green leaves are very toxic so if you happen to grow tomato plants, keep your dog away from them. But adding tomato to his food gives him another delicious flavour to enjoy. • Olives. The pits are high in sodium which is unhealthy for Pomeranians and so they’re best avoided. If your Pom does happen to eat a pitted olive, get him to the vet because the pit may have difficulty going through his system.

Dogs must NEVER eat these highly toxic fruits:

• Coconut can cause bloating and an upset stomach due to medium chain triglycerides. • Cherries. The seeds contain cyanide and because it’s extremely impossible to separate them from the rest of the fruit, never feed these to your Pomeranian. • Grapes are among the most toxic foods for dogs anywhere in the world, being not only poisonous but can actually kill dogs who eat them. • Currants and raisins. Some currants are technically called grapes and there are numerous types of currants that it’s definitely a food to avoid. • Grapefruit contains psoralens and oils that can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, depression, light sensitivity and changes in behaviour.

The bottom line is this:

If you own a Pomeranian, or any dog for that matter, you want to ensure he remains healthy. One major aspect is feeding him only the foods that won’t harm him. You’ll find the right kibble and wet foods, as well as snacks and treats. A balanced diet is one thing. To enjoy the taste of the food your dog eats is just as important and the right fruits can provide added nutrients and flavours, while keeping his meals interesting. Fruits provide lots of extra benefits so check out the fruit section when you visit the supermarket and don’t just buy the items you enjoy. Think about your four-legged family member as well. Although he can’t show it, he’ll appreciate the extra work you have done to enable him to live a healthier lifestyle in the long term. Copyright Pomeranian.org. All rights Reserved.

10 Most Harmful Foods For Your Pomeranian

While these foods may be safely consumed by people, they should NEVER be fed to Pomeranians because of the serious health problems they can cause.

Avocado is a delicious food to eat alone or with family and friends. However, when there’s food around, your Pomeranian is sure to be nearby. Avocados are very dangerous to dogs, particularly smaller breeds, because of a substance called persin. While it’s not necessarily fatal for dogs or cats to consume, the symptoms can be nasty. These include: diarrhoea, vomiting and/or constipation. If you know your dog has ingested avocado, watch for these signs and, if they occur, get him to the vet asap. The more serious risk is that the big round seed in the avocado can be swallowed and get stuck in your Pom’s oesophagus, intestinal tract or stomach. The green avocado peel may cause internal damage because of its sharp edges as it’s consumed.

  Gum and candy. What person doesn’t love candy? However, all sweets and candies should be kept far away from dogs because many products (such as baked goods, toothpaste, gum, candy and certain diet foods) gain their sweet taste from a product called Xylitol. This ingredient can increase the amount of insulin in your pet’s body. That can make his blood sugar levels drop and cause liver failure in extreme cases. Early symptoms to watch for include: lethargy, vomiting and poor coordination. Seizures may then ensue and liver failure may occur with a few days so act fast if you notice symptoms, before it’s too late.

Chocolate.Pretty much everybody knows that chocolate is toxic to Pomeranians. The dangerous ingredient is called theobromine. This is found in most types of chocolate including white, dark and milk varieties. A single chocolate chip will often cause diarrhoea, vomiting and extreme thirst. More serious side effects include: abnormal heart beat, seizures, tremors and, if untreated, it may prove fatal.    

Caffeine. In a large amount, caffeine can kill your Pomeranian and there are no antidotes. Symptoms include: fits, rapid breathing, restlessness, muscle tremors, heart palpitations and bleeding. Ensure you keep all products with caffeine in them well away from your dog. This includes tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, sodas, energy drinks and so on. This also means the grounds and beans of coffee. If you throw things in the bin, ensure your dog can’t get at them. Caffeine is often found in certain medications so be careful when handling painkillers, cough medicines and other drugs. If you drop a tablet, grab it before your Pomeranian can get to it.    

Raisins and grapes. You may think that raisins and grapes are a delicious treat for your dog but FORGET IT! While scientists haven’t identified the reason, they have stated that consumption of these foods, even in small amounts, can cause dogs to suffer from kidney failure. Symptoms may include: continual vomiting, depression and lethargy. Enjoy these foods yourself but don’t give any to your beloved pet.      

  Milk and other dairy foods. The lactose in all dairy products can cause your Pomeranian to suffer from digestive problems and diarrhoea. I’m sure you don’t want to intentionally make your pet sick (Not to mention the need to clean up the unpleasant messes afterwards). Such products can also trigger allergies if consumed regularly. Itchiness is the typical side effect. Don’t avoid giving your Pom dairy products completely. Dogs, especially pups, nursing and pregnant mothers, require milk and other dairy products as part of their diet for calcium. Low fat cheese, yoghurt and milk specially formulated for dogs and pups are the best choices to feed your Pomeranian.  

Macadamia nuts. I don’t like Macadamia nuts so there aren’t ever any in my pantry. However, if you love these nuts, keep them away from your Pomeranian. This applies equally to other products containing these nuts. If your dog does consume even a few, it may prove fatal. Six nuts are enough to make a dog sick but because your Pom is a small breed, it can take just two or three nuts to make him ill. Symptoms of Macadamia poisoning include: weakness and/or paralysis of his hindquarters, muscle tremors, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and an increase in body temperature. No Pomeranian should have to suffer these symptoms.  

Onions. Any form of onion can kill your Pomeranian’s red blood cells, thereby causing anaemia. As Poms are a small breed, even a small amount of onion can be fatal if not treated fast enough. Anaemia symptoms. include: loss of appetite, vomiting, breathlessness, dullness and weakness.      

Plums, peaches and persimmons.The fruit isn’t the problem. It’s the seeds and pit that causes harm. Persimmon seeds can inflame your Pomeranian’s intestines, causing an obstruction. Consider how horrible it would feel trying to swallow a whole watermelon. Plum and peach pits contain cyanide, poisonous to dogs and people. Pomeranians are generally clever, but some still don’t realise that fruit pits can’t be eaten.  

What happens if your Pomeranian eats these foods?

Pomeranians are naturally inquisitive and love tasting and sniffing things. While owners do everything they can to protect their beloved pets, it’s also wise to have a plan of attack if your Pom does eat something dangerous. Keep phone numbers of your vet, the animal hospital and the Poison Control Centre on your fridge where you can easily see them in an emergency.

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Pomeranians Can Benefit From Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a long-chain, medium-length lipid (or fatty acid) that, on its own, comprises approx. half of the total fatty acids within the coconut oil. Lauric Acid turns into an antimicrobial agent (known as Monolaurin) that can fight off yeast, viruses, bacteria and all other pathogens. If your Pomeranian has a yeast infection or infected ears and/or mouth, the use of coconut oil will kill the bacteria surrounding those areas. A serious complaint is that owners of Pomeranians can’t control their pet’s weight, regardless of how much exercise the Pom gets. Coconut oil can boost your thyroid and it also helps your Pom in the same way. It enables him to remain at a healthy weight and reduces the number of vet bills associated with problems, such as arthritis and joint pain, that occur when your Pom is overweight. Coconut oil makes it easier for your pet to properly digest the vital nutrients contained in his food. This has explained how coconut oil helps your Pom’s insides. Now to look at how it helps his outsides, on his skin and fur. If his skin is dry and itchy or is hot, you can directly apply the oil and it works instantly. It can also be used on his nose and paw pads when they become dry. When bathing him, add a little of the oil to ease raw skin as a result of fleas. When added to his food, his skin becomes moisturised and his coat will look a lot better. Always have a jar of coconut oil at home to help keep your Pomeranian as healthy as possible.

Dosages for Pomeranians.

I recommend 1/4 of a teaspoon for every 5 lbs.

How to add coconut oil to your Pom’s diet.

A big problem in winter is that your coconut oil will solidify. Just stand the jar in warm water for a few minutes and, presto, you’ll have oil again. If your Pomeranian eats kibble of any type, make this food more palatable by warming the coconut oil to a liquid. Place the kibble in a very large storage jar, pour in the coconut oil and mix thoroughly into the kibble. It’s so easy and the kibble will be more palatable for your Pomeranian. Everything is done and you only need to feed a small amount daily for your Pom to gain many health benefits. Alternatively, the coconut oil can be mixed with a meat meal or, horrors of horrors, if you feed wet doggie food, mix the required daily amount of coconut into the wet food.  

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