***Please Note: This article is published on a different website. I completed this article on September 1, 2020, and it was published, however, the site that published it has credited a different writer for the work that I completed.
The tiny Pomeranian actually descended from large, powerful sled dogs and still has a bit of that “can do” attitude that most sled dog breeds are known for. Obviously, the Pomeranian is not able to work as a sled dog due to their diminutive size. They are categorized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a Toy breed and by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as a Companion breed. This little foxy looking dog is active with high energy levels and excels at many dog sports such as agility, rally, and obedience. Their animated attitudes make them a crowd favorite at dog shows as well.
The life expectancy for a Pomeranian is between 12 and 16 years old. Pomeranians can be super small around 4 pounds or a bit larger up to 16 pounds. The ideal weight for a Pom is 4 to 7 ½ pounds, but some do have a larger bone structure and can weigh more without being considered overweight. I have been working with Pomeranians since the early 2000s, training and showing them for my mother who also occasionally breeds Poms. Through the years, I have learned quite a lot about the nutritional needs of these active little dogs. A quality diet is necessary to maintain optimal health so they live a long, happy life. Pomeranians should not be fed a soft diet, or canned food, consistently. Poms can develop dental problems when they are fed a soft diet, which can result in losing teeth at a young age.
Best 4 Foods for Pomeranian Puppies
Great nutrition begins as puppies and feeding a high-quality puppy food is one way to ensure your Pom puppy is off to a great start. It can be frustrating trying to figure out what is the best puppy food for your Pomeranian puppy. Ask your puppy’s breeder about what food to feed and if you decide to change their food do so slowly to prevent stomach upset. Most Pom puppies are very small and have small teeth, therefore, any puppy food that has larger pieces of kibble can be difficult for them to chew. I have fed Fromm Family Gold Puppy and Purina One SmartBlend Puppy to the Pomeranian puppies that I have grown and trained. But there are also other great puppy foods on the market that are good for small Pomeranian puppies.
Tuffy’s NutriSource Chicken and Rice Formula Puppy
Tuffy’s, while not a well-known pet food company, produces a great nutritional puppy food formulated for small to medium-sized puppies. The first ingredient is chicken, an easily digestible protein to help build muscle. Filled with vitamins and minerals to help with growth and development as well as skin and coat health, this food is a good choice for Pomeranian puppies.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Brown rice
White rice
Fish meal
Guaranteed Analysis
32% Crude Protein
21% Crude Fat
5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
This is a puppy food that I personally feed to any small breed puppy that I am raising. Fromm is a 5th generation family owned and operated company that is dedicated to producing quality pet food. The small kibble is perfect for tiny mouths to chew. Fromm Family Gold Puppy is filled with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and salmon oil to promote a healthy immune system as well as muscular and brain development and healthy skin and coat.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Chicken broth
Oat groats
Pearled Barley
Guaranteed Analysis
27% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
3.5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Purina One SmartBlend Natural Puppy
Another food I will use for small breed puppies, the Purina One SmartBlend Natural Puppy Food is a food that most puppies like because of the softer chicken pieces mixed with the harder kibble bits. DHA is an important nutrient for puppy development and is also found in mother’s milk, this food provides an adequate amount of DHA to support brain and vision development. There are no fillers in this food, giving you peace of mind that your Pom puppy will not be ingesting undesirable ingredients.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Brewers rice
Corn gluten meal
Oatmeal
Fish meal
Guaranteed Analysis
28% Crude Protein
17% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
12% Moisture
Having fed Diamond Puppy Food in the past, I really liked the results I saw in conditioning puppies for the show ring. High-quality ingredients are used to create a puppy food that promotes healthy growth and development. DHA is included from salmon oil that is added to support healthy vision and brain function. While not specifically for small breed puppies, the kibble size is great for small teeth.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken by-product meal
Whole grain ground corn
Chicken fat
Wheat flour
Dried beet pulp
Guaranteed Analysis
31% Crude Protein
20% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Best 4 Foods for Pomeranians Adults
As Pomeranians grow and mature into adults, their nutritional needs will change drastically. Adult Poms still require a high-quality food to ensure they remain in optimal health and weight. Different vitamins and minerals at different levels are necessary for adults versus puppies and finding the right adult dog food for your Pomeranian can be a bit daunting, especially with so many different products on the market. After doing much research, I have found that foods claiming to be formulated especially for Pomeranians are actually a gimmick and not necessarily the best food for your Pom. Instead of looking for a food that claims to be made specifically for Pomeranians or even small breeds, look at the ingredients and the analysis to determine which food will be best for your Pom
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition X-Small
Formulated for dogs up to 8 pounds, this food has smaller kibble perfect for a small breed dog to chew and helps to remove excess tartar buildup on their teeth. While adult dogs do not usually need additional DHA, Royal Canin has added it to this formula. Made with chicken, a highly digestible protein, allows for even sensitive stomachs to do well.
First 5 Ingredients:
Brewers rice
Corn
Chicken by-product meal
Chicken fat
Corn gluten meal
Guaranteed Analysis
22% Crude Protein
15% Crude Fat
3.5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
I have been feeding Diamond Premium since the early 1990s and have been comfortable feeding it to large breeds such as Rottweilers and Collies, medium-sized breeds such as Welsh Pembroke Corgis, and small breeds such as Pomeranians and Japanese Chins. The quality ingredients promote a healthy immune system, skin and coat, and muscle development. Antioxidants and fiber aid in digestion and immune support.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken by-product meal
Whole grain ground corn
Chicken fat
Wheat flour
Dried beet pulp
Guaranteed Analysis
26% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Small Breed Grain-Free
When in search of a quality grain-free option for your Pomeranian, check out Castor and Pollux Organix dog foods. While I do not generally feed grain-free to any of my dogs, there are dogs that do have allergies to specific grains making it necessary to find good grain-free food for your Pomeranian. This food is made in the USA with free-range, organic chicken as the main source of protein making it a good choice for sensitive stomachs. There are no artificial preservatives or GMOs used in this food.
First 5 Ingredients:
Organic chicken
Organic chicken meal
Organic sweet potatoes
Organic chickpeas
Organic peas
Guaranteed Analysis
26% Crude Protein
15% Crude Fat
5% Crude Fiber
11% Moisture
Fromm Family Gold Small Breed Adult
Fromm is a pet food company that has been in operation since 1904 and remains family-owned and operated. The Fromm Family Gold Small Breed Adult dog food was formulated with toy breeds in mind, providing easily digestible proteins. Salmon oil keeps skin and coat healthy. Probiotics have been added to help with easy digestion that even most Poms with sensitive stomachs can handle.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Chicken broth
Oat groats
Pearled barley
Guaranteed Analysis
26% Crude Protein
17% Crude Fat
5.5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Best 4 Foods for Pomeranians Seniors
As a dog ages, their nutritional needs will begin to change. They begin to move slower and not be as active as they once were, creating the need for high-quality food that is formulated for their less active lifestyle. Many people consider dogs that are over 7 years old to be senior dogs needed a special senior diet. In the case of larger breeds that do not have as long of a life expectancy as many of the smaller breeds, this is accurate. A Pomeranian, however, remains very active well past 7 years old. I generally keep them on their adult food until they reach between 9 and 10 years old. This is usually when I have noticed their energy levels begin to decrease. Adding supplements to their diet at 7 years old is a good idea to continue to support joint and immune health. The best time to begin adjusting your aging Pom’s diet is when you begin to notice changes in their daily energy levels. I have used several of these senior-specific dog foods for small breed senior dogs.
Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Senior (Chicken and Rice)
This food has been formulated to combat changes to senior dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS, which is somewhat similar to Alzheimer’s disease. The wholesome ingredients along with vitamins and minerals help promote healthy brain function. The easily digestible protein is good for sensitive stomachs. Not as pricey as other senior foods, Pro Plan Bright Mind is a good food for your senior Pom.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Poultry by-product meal
Brewers rice
Whole grain corn
Whole grain wheat
Guaranteed Analysis
29% Crude Protein
14% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
12% Moisture
Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Senior
Iams produces quality pet foods including ProActive Health Mature Senior which has no plant-based protein boosters that can cause problems for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The main protein is chicken, an easily digestible protein that is good for most senior dogs. Pomeranians as they age may develop sensitivities to harsher proteins such as beef, fish, and venison. This food contains L-carnitine which helps to burn fat, making it an ideal food for overweight senior Poms.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken by-product meal
Ground whole grain corn
Ground whole grain barley
Ground whole grain sorghum
Guaranteed Analysis
24% Crude Protein
10.5% Crude Fat
5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Chicken, Egg, and Oatmeal
While I generally do not feed the Diamond Naturals' line of food, I have found this senior food is good for dogs of all sizes including Pomeranians. This is one of the most budget-friendly senior dog foods I have fed and boasts high-quality ingredients such as fresh chicken. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been added for joint health as well as L-carnitine for weight management.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Whole grain brown rice
Ground white rice
Egg
Guaranteed Analysis
25% Crude Protein
11% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Canidae Grain-Free Pure Senior Formula
Canidae makes a quality grain-free food formulated specifically for aging dogs. Limited ingredients help ensure that senior Pomeranians suffering from sensitive stomachs will be able to easily digest. Developed for dogs with food sensitivities, this food can be fed to any senior dog and is free of any grains including wheat and soy. The main proteins are poultry, specifically chicken for easy digestion.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Turkey meal
Sweet potatoes
Garbanzo beans
Guaranteed Analysis
28% Crude Protein
10% Crude Fat
5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
How Much Food Is Enough?
Understanding the nutritional needs and feeding requirements of your Pomeranian is essential. A high-quality diet as well as additional supplements, if needed, will ensure your Pomeranian lives their best life. Because Pomeranians are such high energy little dogs, a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and plenty of toys for mental stimulation are important. Puppies obviously have different nutritional needs than adults, the amount of food that a puppy eats versus an adult will also drastically vary.
Due to the small size of a Pomeranian puppy, they can easily suffer from hypoglycemic episodes if they do not have the proper nutrition and the proper amount of food. Be sure to ask your breeder what puppy food your new Pomeranian puppy is currently eating and then slowly change foods if you are not comfortable with the breeder’s food choice. Pomeranian puppies must eat often to regulate their blood sugar levels, especially very active puppies. It is best to keep their food accessible at all times so they can munch when they need to. As your Pomeranian matures into adulthood, the risk of hypoglycemic episodes will drastically reduce.
Adult Pomeranians will still burn calories quickly because of their high energy levels, but you can begin to offer them meals instead of leaving food down all the time. Generally, healthy adult Pomeranians can have two meals a day. The amount of food given per meal will depend on the food you are feeding and the weight of your Pom. Be sure to read the feeding instructions on your Pom’s adult food to ensure you are not over or underfeeding.
Overfeeding is a common occurrence in Pomeranians when the dog is not getting enough exercise to burn the excess calories and they begin to gain weight. An overweight Pomeranian can develop health issues so their food intake should be closely monitored and they need to be kept on a strict exercise routine. If you notice your Pom is a little thin but you are feeding the recommended amount of food, have your veterinarian do a thorough exam to ensure there are no underlying health problems. If your Pomeranian has a clean bill of health but is still on the thin side, increase the amount of food they get at each meal or decrease the amount of exercise they are getting each day.
A healthy Pomeranian is one of the most animated, happy dogs you will ever meet. Their coat will be shiny and soft to the touch, their eyes will be bright and lively, and their tail will be constantly wagging. Dry kibble is always my preferred choice of food for Pomeranians because of the dental problems that can develop when they eat a soft diet. Quality ingredients and easily digestible proteins are always best for a Pomeranian.
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