Shaved Pomeranian
Shaved Pomeranians
A Pomeranian with a nice, full, fluffy coat. This Pom has had some trimming and layering to the outer guard hairs to keep the coat rounded-off, which is fine & healthy.
A shaved down Pomeranian; while some may say this looks cute, this can be a drastic mistake. Once the undercoat is cut into, it may never grow back as it once was.
Overview
There are many outstanding features that make this breed so wonderful, with the most prominent being their amazing double-coat of fur. And, it takes some time to get to there. Pomeranian puppies have short, soft puppy coats. As they mature, they go through a stage known as the puppy uglies in which the adult coat grows in. During that time, a Pom's coat can look uneven and sparse. At the end of it all, a Pomeranian has their final adult coat that's luxuriously thick and relatively long.
For purposes of looking neat and tidy, the coat can be trimmed. It should not be shaved.
Never-the-less, sometimes a Pomeranian will be brought to a groomer for a trim and that person shaves the coat down much to the owner's shock, or in some cases, an owner requests a shave for their Pomeranian while not understanding the long-term consequences.
This article will cover the details of what happens if a Pomeranian is shaved or given a haircut that is much too short, instances in which shaved Poms may struggle to re-grow the coat, and tips to help prompt coat growth.
Rare Instances when a Shave is Required
Before we jump into things, we'd be remiss if we did not cover the few very rare instances in which it either makes sense to shave a Pomeranian or it is essentially required.
#1.
While we do not necessarily agree with the method, some breeders will shave the adult Pomeranians in their breeding program if time issues prevent them from keeping up with properly grooming
all of their dogs. By keeping the coats on the adults very short, time that would otherwise be spent on lots of brushing to keep tangles away and keep shedding under control can be directed toward caring for the puppies and other breeding-related tasks. Since they will not be selling those particular dogs, they feel that it does not matter if the fur is clipped down.
#2.
In cases of past neglect, when grooming simply is not done, a Pomeranian's coat may be so matted and tangled with knots that shaving it off is the only option. Mats often pinch the skin as they twist tighter and pull in more hairs, so they can be very painful. And while minor mats can be carefully untwisted by hand or removed with a mat remover tool without touching other parts of the coat, this usually cannot be done with numerous large mats all over the body. So, in these cases of caring for a rescue Pomeranian, the best (and often only) option is to have the coat shaved.
#3.
Certain skin or coat issues. In cases of severe allergic reactions, skin infections, and other related conditions, at least a partial shave may be recommended as part of the treatment process.
What Can Happen if a Pom's Coat is Shaved or Cut Too Short
The main issue is that once a Pomeranian is shaved, the coat may never grow back the way it once was. Or, if it eventually does, it can take a very long time for this to happen.
In regard to what is too short:
Pomeranians have a short and dense inner coat (that you don't clearly see, but this is where much of the shedding comes from) and a longer outer coat of guard hairs (this is what you do see). The inner coat works as a foundation for the outer coat; it helps the outer hairs stand out from the body, creating the full, fluffed appearance that Pomeranians are known for.
A coat that's trimmed, cut, or shaved too short is one in which most or all of the outer guard hairs are snipped off and the inner coat (which is then visible) is cut down into.
Why this affects re-growth:
The inner coat, which served as the foundation for the outer hairs, will be disrupted. Re-growth of this layer can be quite a struggle since this is where most of the shedding comes from. Hairs will be falling out whilst trying to grow to their potential. Not only that, but both the outer hairs and the inner hairs are going to be competing to grow at the same time.
The coat can end up looking very uneven and patchy.
It can be a long time (months, but most likely years) for it to get back to how it once looked before it was shaved, if it was to its full-length potential before the shave. But, there are things you can do to help speed this up (details ahead).
How Pomeranians End Up with Short Haircuts
Misguided reasons:
There are several reasons why an owner may purposefully have their Pomeranian shaved, regardless of whether or not they realize the possible long-term consequences.
#1.
For aesthetic reasons; often to look like Boo the Pomeranian
or to try and create a toy or stuffed-animal appearance.
#2.
As an attempt to help a Pom stay cool in the summer; note that this does not work, and can actually backfire.
#3.
To reduce grooming needs after underestimating the amount of grooming that's involved with taking care of a Pom.
Grooming mistakes:
99% of the time, shaving is not done on purpose (at least by an owner). It's due to an instance of 'grooming gone bad'.
This happens more often than one may think.
We receive at least 2 or 3 emails a month regarding this. And, it's always the same story. A groomer (either one that previously did a fantastic job or a new one that appeared competent) after receiving instructions to do a minor trim, shaves the entire Pom without permission and without a logical reason. It's really baffling.
Owners are understandably shocked and many feel terribly distressed. It's common to cry. Seeing the whole coat shaved off can be very traumatizing. And, once an owner realizes that it may not just quickly grow back, panic can set it.
If this has happened to you and your Pomeranian, take a deep breath. Pomeranians can easily pick up on their human's vibe and emotions, so it's best to remain calm. Next, we will cover what to do.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).