Complete Information Regarding the Pomeranian Toy Dog

              

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Pomeranian Shedding Information

Overview

There are 2 types of Pomeranian shedding.  The first is the Puppy Uglies, when a Pomeranian puppy loses their puppy fur and their adult fur then grows in.  The 2nd is when adult Pomeranians shed.

Pomeranian Puppy Shedding

Between the ages of 3 to 7 months old, a Pomeranian puppy will begin shedding their puppy fur.  Each puppy is different therefore this process will take approximately 5 months for their adult coat to be fully grown in.  Once this shedding process is complete, your Pomeranian should have a full and wonderful adult coat.

During this time of Pomeranian puppy shedding, the dog can look quite silly, with funny patches of missing fur.  This stage is only temporary and is completely normal.

You will know that the adult coat is beginning to grown in because you will notice coarser “guard” hairs poking through the fluffy puppy fur that is still remaining. 

Pomeranian Adult Shedding


When does the Pomeranian do its major shedding?  This varies greatly.

The shedding process in dogs is triggered, in part, by changes in light.  Adult Pomeranian shedding, if ruled by the changes in light, happens when the days become longer and the sun is out for longer periods of time.

However, because most Pomeranians are inside dogs and experience artificial lighting all year round, this can disrupt the natural shedding season.  A Pomeranian dog, therefore, may not enter a specific heavy shedding season and may shed lightly throughout the year.

Other Pomeranians, who are sensitive to the natural light and the change of seasons, will shed a bit heavier during the time of the year when the daylight days are longer.  The time of year that this shedding occurs will vary greatly depending on where you live.

If a Pomeranian does show seasonal shedding, this heavier shedding time will last from 2 months to 4 months.  Slow shedding will then continue on for the rest of the year.

How Much Fur Loss is Normal During Shedding?


Unlike the Pomeranian puppy, if an adult Pomeranian losses so much fur that they have patches missing or you the entire coat has thinned to a point of being able to see skin, this is not normal.  The adult Pomeranian does not lose that much fur during shedding.  If your dog is losing fur to this severity, this is a medical issue.   Any number of canine health issues could cause such a thing, from allergies to Red Mange to a thyroid problem. A veterinarian must perform a complete checkup and a battery of tests.

Undercoat VS Overcoat

Does a Pomeranian shed the undercoat or the overcoat?  It is the undercoat that an adult Pomeranian sheds. How much of that undercoat is shed off?  Since the length of time that a Pomeranian sheds will vary, so will the amount of fur that is shed off.

Normally, the undercoat will shed over time and if a Pom stays in the shedding season long enough, the entire undercoat will shed off, as new fur grows in.  Because new fur is growing as old fur is shedding off,  you will not see your Pom with their undercoat missing.

 It is not normal for the entire undercoat to shed off in one quick swipe!  This type of excessive Pomeranian shedding points to a medical problem. 
 
Do keep in mind that the undercoat and the overcoat blend in together and most owners cannot see any clear distinction between the 2 coats.  It is also normal for the overcoat to have loose hairs here and there.

Shedding = Matting

The important thing to remember is that when a Pomeranian sheds, a lot of the fur remains on the dog because it is the undercoat that is shedding.  This can become entangled with intact fur and cause terrible matting.

To prevent matting of the Poms’ fur, the dog should be brushed each day. Once a mat forms, it takes quite a bit of effort to remove it without having to snip it off.  Applying dog conditioner and very slowly working it out with the tip of a dog grooming comb should eventually work.  If not, the fur must be clipped before the matted ball becomes any larger.

Female Pomeranian Shedding

Both males and female Pomeranians will shed as mentioned above. However, if a female Pomeranian is not spayed, she will shed much more than a male Pomeranian.  Unspayed female Poms will also shed:

•    During and after heat cycles
•    Directly after having puppies and throughout the whelping process
•    If experiencing stress

More Information

Oh ! The fur issues that a Pomeranian can have !  This breed is famous for its coat and taking care of that coat is very important.  Bathing, grooming, trimming, knowing about coat colors, proper appearance and so much more is vital.  We have  325 pages of information for you!  Find out more.