So Much to Discuss!
There is a lot to discuss regarding Pomeranian puppies, and we will talk about all of the important elements to know about.
Let's Begin with Size and Growing of Pomeranian Puppies
When you bring home your Pomeranian puppy, he or she should be at least 8 weeks old. Leaving the dam sooner than that can not only be unhealthy physically, but also cause emotional issues.
Your pup will be very small, anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds (.45 to .90 kg). However, do not worry about this, because weight can vary so much. The adult size will be 3-7 pounds (1.36 to 3.17 kg)....Therefore size as a baby Pomeranian will vary depending on whether your particular Pom will grow to be 3 pounds or 7 pounds.
And one must remember that this is not an exact science....Ethically, reputable breeders will do their best to pair dam to sire in an effort to produce litters that meet the AKC weight requirements....However, there will always be those who fall a bit under....And those who fall a bit over. Do be aware of the misuse of the term Miniature or Toy.
When Most of the Growth Occurs
The most obvious time of growth will occur from birth to the age of 6 months old. This is the critical phase when very rapid growth is happening and changes may seem to happen overnight! From 6 months to 9 months, the Pom will still be growing, however it will slow down during this time. From 9 months to 1 year, grow is subtle....Yet your puppy will still be growing in height more so than girth.
Because of this, from the 6 to 9 month age until 1 year or perhaps 1.5 years, your puppy will grow more in height than in weight....And this causes him or her to change from a round little ball into a more streamlines, fox type adult.
For those who take good care of the coat, an adult will have a very fluffy coat of double layered fur and for this reason, mature Poms can still have that rounded appearance when groomed properly.
Speaking of fur, let's take a look at the coat change that will occur!
The Unique Fur Changes of Pomeranian Puppies
Most dogs have a gradual change of fur...they slowly lose their puppy coat and it is slowly replaced by their adult coat. It is a slow process and most owners will not notice much beyond some extra shedding.
With Pomeranian puppies, it is quite a different story. Not all, but 80% of pups will have a dramatic change. It is called the Puppy Uglies. For most it will begin at 4 to 8 months and it will end at 10 to 14 months. During this time, the baby coat (the puppy fur) will fall out very fast....much faster than the adult hair can grow in. Because of this, the puppy will go through a stage of not having much fur...or having it in very odd patches....Hence the term Puppy Uglies.
There is no need to worry....It is temporary, causes no discomfort and the end result will be a very fluffy, long, soft fur.
Important Care
Of course, you will need to give your Pom excellent care no matter what their age....However during the puppy phase there are some elements that owners must be aware of.
Let's begin with Hypoglycemia.....This is a legitimate health concern...It occurs when there is a very fast drop in blood sugar levels. It is very dangerous. If it is to happen, it happens very fast, giving owners sometimes only moments to react.
It can happen because of stress...And one of the biggest reasons for this is the change from household to household. Everything is new...The Pom must become accustomed to new sleeping arrangements, new smells...all while new people seem to be coming up to him or her all of the time wanting to hold them, pat them, make funny noises, etc.
This can all be overwhelming. For this reason, we suggest a slow and steady introduction to their new environment. It is suggested to refrain from meetings with extended family, neighbors, etc until your Pom is used to their new home.
They also need time to get used to you! At a young age, they often very much miss their mother and siblings. This is why some breeders will give you a blanket that has their scent on it to help calm down a sad pup. It is normal for there to be some crying and/or a little bit of whimpering for the first week or so while he or she is becoming acclimated to the new environment. They best thing that you can do is to offer comfort and soft, soothing words.
How Food Plays a Role....
It is very important that a puppy does not have a fast change in the food that they are given to eat. This is the 2nd most common reason for hypoglycemia to develop. This is the reason that most reputable breeders will give you a small amount of the food that they give, so that you have time to obtain some yourself.
This is not to say that you must always feed your puppy what they are used to having. However, it is important to make the change slow and steady. It should be done over the course of about 4 weeks so that their tiny bodies can become accustomed to it.
Signs & Treatment
Symptoms of low blood sugar are sleepiness (often hard to notice since puppies sleep quite a bit), weakness and dizziness. Let untreated, fainting often will occur....And then the next step is slipping into a coma. This can be fatal if not treated. For this reason, new owners should always have Karo syrup on hand. When one notices the first signs, a small amount should be rubbed into the gums. In this way, it will quickly enter the blood stream.
If you are not sure, a good way to test your Pomeranian puppy is to stand them up and see if they can walk steady. If they wobble or fall over, you will know to run and get that Karo! At all times, they should be then brought to the veterinarian right away....In some cases they may need to be given an IV solution to even out levels.
Other Care!
There is so much to cover, and this is why we have the PetPom Book....However, here are some very important basics....
Since they are very tiny, when they are walking with a collar and leash, it can put too much stress onto their necks. If you are holding the leash and they decide to jump ahead or lunge to the side...if the leash goes taunt, this can put all of the pressure onto their neck and cause injury. It can cause collapsed trachea....a condition where the rings of cartilage become crushed or broken. To prevent this, always use a harness instead of a collar. It will distribute the weight across the shoulders, back and chest. This should be used for all ages!
Pomeranian puppies do not like change, it can be very distressing. For this reason, food and water bowls should always be kept in the same area. Your pup should know exactly where to go when hungry or thirsty. This also applies to their doggie bed, their crate and their toys.
They feel more secure if they have a schedule. Their internal time clocks are amazing. For this reason, it is suggested to have specific times to groom, go for walks, play, practice commands, etc.
Much More
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