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Pampering Your Pooch: Taking Care of Your Pomeranian’s Coat

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Pampering Your Pooch:  Taking Care of Your Pomeranian’s Coat

 

Having a pet is a tremendous responsibility.  There is more to caring for your pet than just giving it food and water.  There are specific care requirements that often go along with particular breeds, such as special dietary needs, special grooming, and special handling.  Pomeranians are no exception.  The Pomeranian’s long hair has been a point of concern for many potential owners, but caring for this loving dog’s coat need not be a chore.

 

Proper coat maintenance is important for many reasons.  It is part of the promise a new pet owner makes when purchasing a new puppy, and it is part of the process of maintaining a healthy pet.  This process is not difficult, but it does involve some time and effort on a daily and monthly basis.  If the following steps are begun on the puppy’s first day home, they can lead to easier care and a better relationship between you and your pet.

 

Pomeranians are descended from Russian and Siberian sled dogs.  Like Malamutes, Pomeranians have a thick double coat, which insulates them against cold wind and snow.  These little dogs were bred down for a smaller size, but they still maintain many of the same coat needs as their ancestors and larger cousins.  Here are some of the keys to maintaining a beautiful Pomeranian coat:

 

• High Quality Diet:  We are what we eat, and for a dog, the quality of its diet reflects in the quality of its coat.  The better the quality, the better the results.  A high quality diet is comprised of high protein and vitamin rich foods, high protein snacks, and lots of fresh water.  A healthy diet regimen, begun on day one, will ensure that your Pom’s coat will be lustrous and healthy.

 

• Exercise:  The glow from exercise is not just found in  people.  Not only does exercise help keep a Pomeranian’s little body in good physical shape, but it also helps release the natural oils in its skin, providing them with soft, shiny fur.  Make it fun by incorporating the exercise into your playtime together.   

 

• Daily Brushing and Combing:  The average person spends 50 minutes a day or more on their own personal grooming.  The same amount of consideration should be made in regards to your dog’s coat.  Brushing and combing your Pom is essential and should be integrated into your daily routine.  The longer you wait between combings, the harder it will be to work through your dog’s hair the next time.  Brushing and combing removes wads of loose hair, especially the hair shed from the dense undercoat, which prevents the formation of mats.  It also removes vegetation that might have accumulated during daily playtime.  The act of brushing your dog’s hair releases your Pomeranian’s natural oils, adding to the shine provided by its healthy diet and exercise.  But most importantly, the time spent brushing and combing your little angel will promote togetherness between you and your pet, establishing a deep bond that will last throughout its life. 

 

• Monthly Bathing:  Think of the refreshing benefits that baths and showers offer us each day.  Bathing is just as important in the health and wellbeing of our pets.  It is important because baths keeps their coats clean.  It removes dirt and dander that can build up throughout the month, as well as helping to kill fleas and other parasites.  Pomeranians always smell better after a bath, which is a plus, but it is also fun to see your little companion all soaking wet.  If fleas are especially bad, increase the frequency of their baths, but make sure not to bathe your Pom more than every 10 days.

 

• Summer Grooming:  Pomeranians are naturally hot natured.  Their coats ensure their body heat is not wasted, so in the summer, it is especially important to keep this in mind.  Just as we enjoy a nice new do when the weather warms up, our dogs can benefit from the same attention.  Summer grooming involves shaving or clipping your dog’s long hair to help keep them cool.  It also makes it easier to maintain their coat and reduce flea activity.  Two favorite cut options are the lion cut and the teddy bear cut.  The lion cut involves trimming the hair to one eighth of  an inch long, from the front shoulder blades all the way to the tail, leaving a “lion’s mane” around the face and neck.  The teddy bear cut involves clipping all body hair down to one half inch, giving an overall “teddy bear” appearance.  It is important to remember that if your Pomeranian is a show dog and you expect to show them over the summer, such drastic grooming may not meet the breed standards required in the ring.  Consult your local kennel club for grooming requirements.

 Consider the payback of taking proper care of your Pomeranian’s coat.  Your dog will maintain a beautiful, shiny coat, which means you will have a healthier, happier dog.  People will offer wonderful compliments about your Pomeranian when you are out and about together.  But most importantly, taking these steps will create a long lasting bond between you and your dog, which is well worth the time and effort it takes. 

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By Helen Stephens on July 29th 2006




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