Caring For your Pomeranian, Pomeranian Grooming

Pomeranian Skin Issues – Causes, Treatments and Prevention

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Last Updated on 29/11/2023 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on April 14, 2023.

Do you own a Pomeranian? If so, chances are that you’ve experienced at least one skin issue with your pup. From dry and itchy skin to parasites, these issues can quickly become a source of worry for pet owners.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about the possible common causes of skin problems in Pomeranians and provide tips on treatments and methods to help prevent them from occurring in the first place. Whether it’s an infection or parasites, learning more about these issues will help keep your beloved companion looking healthy and happy!

Pomeranian dry skin is annoying for you and your beloved canine family members. Because lots of things can cause Pomeranian skin conditions, it’s hard enough just diagnosing the right problem, let alone looking at treatment options.

Pomeranian Skin Issues - Causes, Treatments and Prevention
Pomeranian Skin Issues – Causes, Treatments and Prevention

Causes of Pomeranian Dry Skin

If you say it quickly, Pomeranian dry skin doesn’t seem like a big problem. However, it can be viewed as the tip of an iceberg; it’s only when you get beneath the surface that you may discover more serious problems with your dog’s health.

Dry skin can be a symptom of other, more severe medical problems including: parasites, Pomeranian allergies, hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. If your dog has patches of dry flaky skin, or displays symptoms of dog dry flaky skin and hair loss, the first step is a Vet visit.

Does My Dog have Fleas or Dry Skin?

Fleas and other parasites are a possible cause for dry skin. If your Pom’s skin is flaky and dry, it may indicate the presence of various parasites that can each cause separate problems Demodex mites can cause mange. Your puppy may have scabies or walking dandruff (its medical name is cheyletiellosis). Puppy flaky skin should be vet checked for Cheyletiella Mites (aka Walking Dandruff).

Your dog may even have lice. The only way to correctly diagnose parasites as the cause of your pet’s dry skin issues is to take him to the vet. There are times when even your vet isn’t sufficiently knowledgeable so he could send you to an animal dermatologist for further examination. This is similar to you getting referred from your GP to a specialist. Neither your GP nor a vet will know everything.

Pomeranian Allergies

As with people, dogs can get allergies as well. One allergy can be to the saliva produced by fleas. Other possibilities include: food and environmental allergies. There are quite a few seasonal allergies including grass, grain, animal dander, dust, feathers, pollen that can each cause a number of canine symptoms, including dry skin. If you simply ignore the problem, hoping it will go away on its own, your Pomeranian can contract atopic dermatitis, causing additional problems such as redness, itchy skin, inflammation and further infections of the skin.

The most common cause of Pomeranian itching and scratching is flea allergy dermatitis. This is where your dog becomes allergic to the saliva produced by fleas. To avoid facing this problem is to maintain a clean home that’s free of fleas. Regularly bathing your pet will help protect him from fleas. Ask your vet about the ideal ways to combat dog allergies.

Pomeranian Skin Infection

A Pomeranian skin infection is usually caused by fungal and bacterial infections. Vets usually test for infections by taking some scraped skin samples to do further testing. Infections may simply be an early warning sign that something more sinister will happen to your dog,  if he’s not treated quickly enough. Ringworm (a fungal infection) can also be contracted by humans, an additional reason to keep your Pom as healthy as possible.

Systemic Disorders

It’s common for dry skin to be a precursor to bigger issues. There are two significant metabolic diseases related to dry skin and they are: hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease. In both diseases, your dog may also have hair loss, brittle and dry hair, and infections of the skin.

Cancer and autoimmune diseases can also cause your Pom dog’s skin to dry out. Your Pomeranian is part of your family. For this, and many other, reasons, all health symptoms, including dry skin, MUST be viewed seriously. Please do not delay the visit to the vet.

Skin Problems Affecting Particular Breeds

Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to skin problems, particularly dry skin. Hairless dog breeds such as Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli can contract numerous skin conditions. Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and many of the bigger breeds that have rapid growth puppies can contract zinc-responsive dermatosis.

Vets need to conduct sufficient tests to determine what may be causing your dog’s dry skin problems before deciding on a way to treat it.

Pomeranian Dry Skin May Have Other Causes

Dry air, cold weather, low quality nutrition, bathing your Pom too often and using harsh soaps can all cause dry skin. If you think your dog’s problem is due to poor nutrition, over-bathing or environmental factors, get your vet to rule out other more serious problems.

Dogs with dry skin can exhibit these symptoms

There are a lot of variances in dry skin problems because breeds differ and each dog within a single breed also differs further. So it’s normal to say that symptoms of Pomeranian dry skin may also present in a variety of ways including:

  • Flaking.
  • Dandruff.
  • Itchiness.
  • Bad smell.
  • Scabs.
  • Inflammation.
  • Pimples.
  • Scaling.
  • Loss of hair.

Some dogs may only have one symptom and others may have a few, concurrently or at different times. Monitor your Pomeranian whenever symptoms do appear and consult your vet to diagnose and treat dry skin.

Treatment for Pomeranian Skin Conditions

Pomeranian puppy
Pomeranian puppy

Before a vet can determine the most appropriate treatment, he needs to identify the cause of Pomeranian dry skin. Yes, you can search the internet for information but nothing beats the hands-on experience that a vet has, especially if he sees your dog regularly because he’ll understand him more.

If dry skin is one symptom in a bigger problem, your vet will devise a treatment regimen to treat the dry skin itself as well as its cause.

Cushing’s disease and mange are often connected so both will need treatment, but only after tests have been conducted as each disease has different tests that need to be done.

Medication can generally manage both diseases and the dry skin as well. When it comes to the treatment of allergies that dry out the skin, there’s no test that reliably diagnoses allergies to food.

The elimination diet is what a vet would normally recommend. This diet works by eliminating foods that can possibly cause allergies, one at a time, and watch for any changes in your pet. Foods that are most likely to cause your dog’s food allergies are: eggs, chicken, corn, soy, beef, dairy and wheat.

There are tests that can identify environmental factors but there isn’t a cure

The three main ways to manage allergies are:

  •  Allergy injections.
  • Manage the symptoms (the itchiness, inflammation, etc.
  • Avoid feeding your dog anything to which he’s allergic.

Vets generally combine treatment options when fighting allergies. If you bathe your dog too often, that’s easy to fix. Start by decreasing the number of times you wash him each week or month. Get a humidifier for use when the weather is dry and cold. Ask your vet what is the best shampoo to use.

Improve your Pom’s diet by getting information from your vet about the ideal foods and whether supplements should be also used. Good nutrition will help his coat and skin return to good health once more.

Tips to Help Prevent Pomeranian Skin Problems

The popular proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is certainly true when you connect it with good skin health for your Pom.

These tips will help keep your dog’s skin healthy and moist:

  •  Ensure your dog has all the current preventatives to protect him from parasites.
  • Make sure you feed your Pom healthy, nutritional food and include supplements where necessary (and recommended by the vet).
  • Keep your dog’s fur in top shape by ensuring they get a regular bath – and remember the all-important step of drying them off afterward!
  • Regularly groom your Pomeranian so there’s no build-up of debris and dirt on his body.
  • Keep the facial skin clean, including wiping under the eye area often.
  • Your vet should regularly check your Pom to avoid prolonging existing, previously undiagnosed problems.

Final Thoughts on Pomeranian Itchy Skin

Google is your friend. Learn all you can about your Pomeranian, what skin and overall health issues he may be prone to having. Then you’ll know what to look for and that improves your chances of catching problems early.

A happy dog is a healthy dog. There are times when Pomeranian skin problems will occur and it’s essential that you’re a conscientious owner so you can have your Pom treated early enough that he’ll get to enjoy living a long, happy life. 

The importance of taking care of your Pomeranian’s skin issues can’t be overstated. Each case has the potential to cause long-term problems if not addressed and treated correctly.

Dog allergies can manifest in a variety of ways and can become difficult to treat over time, while infections will require professional medical attention. Proper preventative care is essential to avoiding future skin issues, as it’s better to nip these problems in the bud.

Keeping an eye on your pup’s coat and regularly washing them with a veterinarian-approved shampoo and medicated products can help you spot any early warning signs that indicate a possible problem.

Most importantly, maintaining regular check-ups with your vet will allow them to detect any abnormalities or changes that could help diagnose potential skin issues before they become too severe.

With this knowledge of Pomeranian skin issues, you can take proactive steps to ensure your beloved pet stays healthy and happy for many years.

Disclaimer: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your dog. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on ANY website.

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References and Further Reading:
[1] Denise Leo “ Pomeranian Grooming”.
[2] Denise Leo “The Pomeranian Handbook”.

Helpful Products for Pomeranian Itchy Skin

Pomeranian Itchy Skin
Pomeranian Itchy Skin

The Pomeranian Handbook

About

Denise Leo

Pomeranians are my passion, and I have shared my life with these darling little dogs for many decades. The creator and face behind this website is published author and Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo of Dochlaggie Pomeranians.

Denise Leo
Denise Leo