What to Do if a Pomeranian's Coat was Shaved or Cut Short
There are no miracle cures and there are no short-cuts. But fortunately, there are several steps that can help encourage coat growth and you will get the best results if you follow these tips carefully and do not give up too soon.
#1. Brush your Pom every single day.
Brushing serves two purposes. It stimulates the hair follicles. And it helps remove dead hairs which can otherwise block skin pores.
Of course, you'll want to be sure to use the right type of brushes.
The first type is a slicker brush which is designed to pull out shedded hairs. We like the
PETPAWJOY Slicker Brush
which has comfort tips (like we just spoke about) and it rotates to make it very easy to use. Note: Do not fret when you pull out hairs; you are removing dead hairs that would just get in the way of new growth.
Once you've freed the coat of dead hairs, the next type of brush to use is a pin brush. You'll want one like the
ConairPRO Dog Pin Brush - Size Small
that has comfort tips (this is an important element since you do not want to do anything to nick or irritate the skin). This is the best type to reach down through the coat and to the roots where the follicles are.
#2. When you brush, use a leave-in conditioner.
It cannot be overstated how much protection a good leave-in spritz can offer. One like
The Stuff Conditioner Spray for Dogs
helps repel irritants, helps block UV rays, adds a barrier to help stop contact friction, and helps to keep the hairs properly moisturized to prevent split ends (vital when the goal is to grow the coat after a shave).
Normally, this is sprayed on by section and then brushed through to distribute, but with a shaved coat you can, alternatively, spray this either right on the fur or into your hands and then tousle through the coat.
#3. Daily omega fish oil (with EPA and DHA).
There are 11 types of omega. EPA and DHA are the two types that most effectively trigger fur growth and promote fur strength (a vital component of helping a Pom recover from a shaved coat). Note that this works best when paired with antioxidants (certain foods may be given as opposed to a supplement; see next).
There are two basic types of fish oil, farmed and wild. Wild fish is best since they are not fed pellets with vegetable oil that can interfere with omega levels. We recommend
Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
which comes in a super-handy pump that makes it easy to dispense this into meals.
#4. Daily antioxidants. It's always a good idea to incorporate antioxidants into a Pom's diet. And in instances of a bad grooming experience that resulted in a shocking surprise of a shaved coat, it will work hand-in-hand with the fish oil (see previous) to
prompt fur growth as well as make hairs strong.
Certain fruits (that are safe for dogs to eat) contain excellent levels of antioxidants; this includes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. So, if you add these into your Pom's meals or give as snacks, you do not necessarily need to offer a supplement. If you would like to use a supplement instead or in conjunction with this, we recommend Natural Premium Antioxidants for Dogs by NutraZeta. #5. Prevent contact irritations.
When a coat is thick and full, such things as lying on the floor or rolling on the grass may not do quite so much harm. But, when a Pomeranian is mistakenly shaved down and has a short coat, coming into contact with rough surfaces can cause friction, irritation, and damage to both the coat and skin. The elbows may be particularly affected. Lay down a blanket for your Pom, encourage them to rest in their
supportive doggie bed, and supervise closely to limit body-to-ground contact.
#6. Give your Pom a bath every 2 weeks
(as opposed to the normally recommended 3 weeks). Baths given too frequently will strip away natural oils faster than the body can keep up. But spaced two weeks apart, this will give you twice-monthly opportunities to completely lather your Pomeranian in restorative ingredients.
#7. Use a nourishing shampoo.
The type of shampoo that is used on a shaved Pomeranian makes a big difference. Subpar shampoos that strip the cuticles and/or irritate the skin will only hinder fur growth.
When choosing a product, the pH level should be between 6.5 and 7.5, do not use anything with soaping agents, and steer very clear of parabens and sulfates, as well as isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, and any sort of dyes or artificial fragrances.
We recommend
Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo
which has oatmeal, aloe vera, and coconut cleansers; all are ideal ingredients for skin and coat health. This can proactively stop itching, dry skin, and other irritations and works well to keep skin properly balanced.
#8. Allow a wash-out conditioner to soak in for 10 minutes, minimum. The process of shampooing the coat triggers hair cuticles to open up to some degree. If they remain open, a Pom's fur will be extremely vulnerable to the elements. A quality conditioner must be used to smooth the cuticles down. As an added bonus, it can infuse the coat with extra protectants and moisturizers. Once you massage a conditioner in, give it plenty of time to soak in and do its job; at least 10 minutes. Note: We recommend the matching conditioner to the aforementioned Earthbath shampoo.
#9. Pat (never rub) the coat dry after a bath.
With long adult coats, rubbing the coat dry can result in a terrible mass of tangles and knots (done too vigorously, it itself can lead to having to clip the matted fur off). But, you may assume that it's just fine to rub the coat dry if it's shaved short right now. But, this can also be damaging. Use a high-quality absorbent towel to dab and pat, then allow the coat to air-dry (try to avoid blow-drying during this time).