Your Pomeranian's grooming schedule
Taking care of your Pomeranian with regular grooming just makes good sense — and a well-groomed Pom is even that much cuter to look at. The following table covers basic grooming steps (and necessities) and how often to do them so you can take your Pomeranian from ordinary to extraordinary:
| Do This | This Often |
|---|---|
| Wipe eyes | Daily |
| Brush coat | Daily or every other day |
| Brush teeth | Optimally daily; at least weekly |
| Check ears | Weekly |
| Clip nails | Every other week |
| Bathe | Monthly |
| Trim | Optional; monthly |
| Use a professional groomer | Optional; every six weeks |
When to call your Pomeranian's veterinarian
Living with a Pomeranian, or any pet, for many years, means dealing with illness. It’s important to recognize signs of serious illness in your Pom and get help immediately. Keep your veterinarian’s number handy, and if your Pomeranian shows any of the following symptoms call your vet promptly:
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Respiration: Quicker than 10–30 breaths per minute at rest
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Pulse: Higher than 80–150 beats per minute at rest
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Temperature: Higher than 100–102.5 degrees F at rest
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Capillary refill time: Color does not return to toenail in less than 2 seconds after being pressed until it turns white
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Hydration: Skin does not snap back into position within 3 seconds of being lifted
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Anal region: Redness, swelling; also scooting or licking the area
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Behavior: Weakness, lethargy, incoordination, stiffness, aggression
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Ears: Head shaking, head tilt, bad odor, debris, crusted tips
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Eyes: Unequal or unresponsive pupils, tearing, squinting, gooey discharge
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Feet: Swollen or misaligned toes, abrasions, split nails
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Gait: Limping, especially holding up a rear leg for a hop or two
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Gums: Whitish, bluish, speckled, or any color but pink
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Mouth: Bleeding, ulcers, bad breath, loose teeth
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Nose: Thick or colored discharge; crusted top
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Skin: Parasites, hair loss, itching, crusts, sores, lumps
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Stool: Black, tarry, or bloody diarrhea
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Torso: Swollen abdomen, weight loss
Removing household hazards for your Pomeranian
Make sure you dog-proof your house to keep your Pomeranian safe. Dogs are curious — they chew things, run under furniture, and squeeze into tiny spaces. Do a room-by-room search thoroughly checking for the following hazardous household items and put them away:
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Animal baits, herbicides, fertilizers
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Antifreeze
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Chocolate
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Detergents, bleach, drain cleaners
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Doors (including garage doors) that can slam
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Electric wires
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Gasoline and oil
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Medications
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Objects that can fall
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Open-sided balconies
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Pins and needles
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Rat traps
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Small toys that can be swallowed or partially inhaled
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Socks, yarn, and long things that can be swallowed
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Unfenced pool or yard
Helpful websites about dogs
If you want information about Pomeranians, or dogs in general, a number of websites are available. You can find information regarding dog adoption, health, training, boarding, and competitions on the following sites:
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Need information on registration, competition, or other official matters? Head to the American Kennel Club.
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Want to find breeders, rescue Poms, or to just become more involved with all things Pom-related? Contact the American Pomeranian Club.
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Looking for motels and other places you can take your dog while traveling? Check out DogFriendly.com.
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Lost a pet or want to find one for adoption? She may be waiting at Petfinder.
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Looking for veterinary information? Go to Veterinary Partner.