Complete Information Regarding the Pomeranian Toy Dog
Weight is a concern for many dog owners, especially those of small breed dogs such as the Pomeranian. Because a Pom is so small, it is very easy for this dog to become to thin and even easier to become overweight.
Many Pomeranian owners wonder if their dog is carrying a few too many pounds. With all that fur going on, it is difficult to determine if a Pomeranian is too heavy!
Small breed dogs show weight gain very easily. Even a 1 pound (.45 kg) gain can make a dramatic difference on a small breed dog as opposed to a Husky who could gain a pound and no one would notice!
If your Pomeranian is under 2 years old, there is no reason to be concerned about weight; your dog is in the growing stages and the final adult weight will be set at the end of the first 2 years.
A growing pup can gain weight quickly and then this can even out as the dog's bone structure grows. There is much talk regarding thyroid disease or diabetes causing weight gain, but this is rarely seen in a puppy. These are health issues that may develop as a Pomeranian grows older.
Once your Pomeranian reaches 2 years old, you will want to make sure that your dog is holding a steady weight to maintain optimal health.
The Effects of Being Overweight
- Stress on joints
- Limited mobility to exercise/ interact with family
- Diabetes
- Strain on the heart...and more
All adult dogs that appear overweight must be checked out by a veterinarian to first rule out a medical issue that may be affecting the dog. However, most pet owners swear that their pet "hardly eats" and that any weight gain must have a medical reason. Contrary to these beliefs, currently 43% of pets are overweight and of that number only 6% have true medical issues that are causing this.
How Did My Pomeranian Get Fat?
Just as with humans, when a dog takes in more calories that is needed and does not burn off those calories through exercise, the result will be a weight gain for the dog. While most owners have good intentions and honestly do not believe that their dog is eating too much, there are 4 main ways that a dog's calorie intake can be increased:
- Snacking - Many dogs are given little treats through out the day, these small calories snacks can add up quickly
- Begging - It is hard to resist those puppy eyes! A dog will beg for food unless you train them that you will not give in. If you give in once, your dog may not leave you alone until they get a bit of your dinner. Throwing down those little pieces of cheeseburgers or steak can add up
- The Finicky Eater - Discussed as an early Topic of the Week, a dog that seems to refuse to eat dog food and be quite a challenge. An owner may then feed the dog human food on a regular basis - a huge no-no!
- Performance Eating - Dogs are sometimes given treats every time that they behave. As discussed in our training topics, in most cases your Pomeranian should receive praise, hugs and kisses for their great behavior, not food
The easiest way is to access your dog's rib cage. This will tell you a lot. You will want to look at the ribs and touch the bones.
- Looking - Stand above your Pomeranian. This can be done more easily when your Pom is wet after a bath and their fur is not getting in the way. Does the stomach area curve in? Is there a distinction between the upper torso and the lower torso? If not, there is most likely too much fat there.
- Touching -- Pushing the fur aside, try to gently touch the rib bones on your Pomeranian. Dogs that are underweight will have bones that are right against the skin and protruding in some places. Pomeranians that are overweight will have a thick shielding of fat between the bones and you; if you find it very difficult to even locate your pet's rib bones, this is a sign of obesity.
- Metric System: weight in kilograms x 30 + 70 = calories needed per day. For example: 2.26 kg x 30 = 67.8 + 70 = 137.8 calories needed per day
- Decimal System: weight in pounds divided by 2.2 x 30 + 70 = calories needed. For example: 5 pounds divided by 2.2 = 2.27 x 30 = 68.1 + 70 = 138 calories needed per day.
You may simply feed your dog a bit less and exercise a bit more each day; over time there will be a weight loss. This is a preferred method, because small breed dogs are very sensitive and should not have the stress of a sudden surge of increased exercise. Adding 10 minutes to a daily walk is suggested and cutting down on portions by about 20% is recommended.
Counting Calories
If you have used the above calculations to determine the calories that your dog needs, you should then take 3 days to feed you dog as normal, but keep track of all the calories. Average this number to see how much your Pomeranian is truly eating each day. If your dog is eating above the recommended calories per day, slowly work down to the recommended number.
Give it Time
A dog may whine when not given as many treats and snacks as usual. Your Pomeranian also will need time to become accustomed to exercises more if you will be implementing an exercise routine. Make sure to give your dog plenty of time to adjust to these changes; a slow weight loss is so much more healthy than a fast one. As long as you are working toward a healthy goal for your Pomeranian, there is no reason to rush to get there.
