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Keep Safe

PetPom
The 
Pomeranian
Information
Center

How to Keep a Pomeranian Safe

Overview

While there are all sorts of important care tasks involved in raising a Pom, one of the most vital aspects is keeping your Pomeranian safe. All canine family members need their humans to protect them in a variety of ways, and when it comes to small toy breeds, this is more pertinent than ever. 

There are dangers both inside and outside of the home. Don’t wait until something happens to take action; your Pom is depending on you. This section covers 15 things you can do to help prevent injury, illness, and accidents. How many are you doing? 

Safety Tip #1: Don’t bring your Pomeranian puppy outside until all puppy shots have been given. 

A newborn puppy will have some antibody protection. Initially, this comes from the dam’s bloodstream via the placenta. The next level of immunity is from antibodies in the dam’s milk. This milk (technically colostrum), only gives a puppy antibodies for a short period of time; those antibodies are only for diseases that the dam has been vaccinated for (and is up-to-date via booster shots) and they begin to lose effectiveness when the pup is between 6 to 20 weeks old. 

When maternal antibodies drop to a low enough level in a puppy, immunization will be successful. Because a puppy can be anywhere from 6 to 20 weeks old when this drop occurs, a series of shots are given to be sure one of them does its job. 

There is a period of time lasting 1 to 3 weeks in which the maternal antibodies in a puppy are too low to protect against disease, but are too high for a vaccine to work. This is called the ‘window of susceptibility’. A puppy can still contract a disease even if he is right on schedule with vaccinations.

Therefore, any puppy that has not yet had his full round of puppy shots must be kept away from other animals and from any areas where there is even a chance that any animals (pets or wildlife) passed through (like your backyard and certainly any public areas). The only exception to other animals is your own pets if you are 100% sure that they are up-to-date on vaccinations. 

Puppy shots are usually complete by the 12 to 16-week mark. Since each vet has their own exact schedule, you’ll want to check to confirm when they are complete for your Pom puppy. We recommend waiting 2 weeks past that point, to be safe.

Safety Tip #2: Take care at dog parks. 

Heading out to the dog park can be a great way to offer exercise and socialization. However, dog parks have been the scene of terrible attacks on smaller dogs by larger dogs. This just about always happens when there is just one area for dogs of all sizes or when an owner places their small dog in a section meant for larger dogs. 

Keep your Pomeranian safe by only visiting dog parks that have separate sections for dogs based on size and be sure to keep your Pom in that area. 

In addition, do not allow your Pom to drink from a shared water fountain. There are a couple of diseases that can be transmitted this way, including papillomavirus (which causes painful warts to grow in a dog’s mouth) and certain respiratory diseases. 

Keep your Pom safe by making sure your dog is fully hydrated before you leave for the park and bring along your own supply of water in a travel jug. Every 30 minutes or so, before thirst sets in, have your Pom take a break with you to rest and drink the water that you brought. 
Pomeranian on blankets
Pomeranian on blankets
Sammie Fuzzybottoms, at 10 months old, photo courtesy of Pattie & Don Hupp

Safety Tip #3: Do not allow your Pomeranian to jump from heights.

Jumping down from too high of a height can cause several types of injuries including torn ligament, dislocation, sprain, or fracture, or broken leg. In addition, the Pomeranian is extremely prone to patella luxation (kneecap that slips out of place). Though luxating patella can be due to genetic disposition for weak tendons and/or shallow kneecaps, it can also be caused or triggered by jumping down from too high of a height or a fast, awkward twist of the leg. 
Finally, older dogs with arthritis (80% of all dogs over the age of 8 have some level of this), are at a greater risk for injury to the back, shoulders, and legs when jumping down from heights. 

To prevent your Pomeranian from getting hurt in this way, do not allow jumping down from any distance that is higher than your dog. For many puppies and some adults, this will mean no jumping off of the sofa, chairs, or your bed. If this applies to your Pom, you may wish to place ramps or steps like the PetSafe Solvit PupSTEP Wood Pet Stairs against your Pom’s favorite resting spots. 

Safety Tip #4: Do not let your Pomeranian eat feces. 

The biggest risk is when a dog eats the feces of another animal, particularly that of unknown dogs or wildlife such as birds, rabbits, deer, etc. Top concerns include worms (roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms) and disease including Campylobacter, coronavirus, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, parvovirus, and salmonella.

There are many things you can do to stop your Pomeranian from eating poop, including ensuring that the kibble you offer is high-quality (no fillers, correct nutrient balance), keeping the yard clean, taking steps to discourage wildlife (no bird feeders, trash is kept tightly secured), and always supervising your Pom when outside. 

Safety Tip #5: Keep the house puppy-proofed, no matter your Pom’s age. 

Though puppies are notorious for mouthing everything that they see, this applies to adults as well. Without opposable thumbs, a dog’s main method of answering the question ‘What is this?’ is to mouth it. Even a very low-key Pomeranian can become curious at any time and nothing is off-limits.   

Dogs have been known to swallow needles, toothpicks, fishing hooks, candy wrappers, batteries, jewelry, coins, small children’s toys, and many other choking hazards or objects that can cause blockage that requires emergency surgery. In addition, chewing on an electrical cord poses the very dangerous risk of electrical burns to the mouth or electrocution. 

Keep your Pomeranian safe by routinely picking up any potential dangers and be sure that electrical cords are out of reach or wrapped by using something like the PetCords Dog and Cat Cord Protector.
Pomeranian puppy wearing harness for safety
Ziggy 'Paw Dust' at 11 weeks old, photo courtesy of Kim 

Safety Tip #6: When on leash, have your Pomeranian on harness. 

Using a harness, not a collar, can keep your Pom safe in a number of ways. It reduces the risk of collapsed trachea, helps prevent other stress-related neck injuries, and allows you to safely reel your Pom to you should there be a sudden danger (a threatening dog, car coming too close, etc.).

With a harness, pressure is dispersed over the shoulders, back, and chest, not the fragile neck. If your Pomeranian does not yet have a harness, this should be at the top of your list. 

The Puppia RiteFit Harness is a great choice; this is made from a comfortable mesh for breathability and is adjustable in 4 places.
And the Puppia Harness Soft B Vest is just about the easiest harness to put on a dog; you just slip it over the front legs (not the head) and then it has a Velcro closure on the back. It’s also made of air-mesh and comes in 13 different colors. 

Safety Tip #7: Supervise your Pomeranian When Outside

Just opening the door and letting your Pom out puts your dog at great risk, even if you’re right inside and even if the yard is fenced in. 

As explained on Hawks Aloft, any dog under the weight of 15 lbs. can be mauled or carried off by birds of prey including Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls. In addition, coyotes, which are found in every single state in the U.S. aside from Hawaii, should be taken as a serious danger. And, there have been reports of attacks on small dogs by raccoons, skunks, foxes, and other wild animals. 
Other safety concerns are ingestion of plants, weeds, or mushrooms (many of which are toxic), larger dogs coming into the yard (which often happens by jumping the fence), ingestion of feces or grass (which can cause everything from upset stomach to contracting serious disease), possible escape via a small hole in the fence, and issues with weather tolerance (cold or hot). 

Staying by your Pom’s side will help keep your dog safe and has the important added benefit of establishing and maintaining proper housebreaking habits.

Safety Tip #8: Protect your Pomeranian from Paw Injury

Paws have thick skin; however, it is just skin and vulnerable to all sorts of injuries. 

A top concern is burns in the summertime. Any surface over 120 degrees F will cause pain. Anything over 130 F can cause burns. At 140 F, rapid burning and blistering will occur in 60 seconds.

But, does your walking route get this hot? There’s a good chance it does. On a sunny day in June, a study was done to see how hot walking surfaces become.   
By 2 PM, cement reached 125F. By 1 PM, red brick reached 130F. And, by noon, pavement reached 130 F and soared to 140 F at 2 PM, not becoming safe again until 7 PM. 

A wintertime hazard is tears between the toes (from snowballing; when snow between the toes melts, refreezes and stretches the skin). Losing traction on slippery surfaces due to ice or snow is also a concern.  

Year-round, rough or jagged walking surfaces can lead to abrasions, blisters, tears, punctures, or lacerations on the paw pads. 
You can protect your Pom’s paws and keep your dog safe from burns and other injuries by paying attention to the walking route as you go and, importantly, routinely applying a quality paw wax. 

A paw wax like Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax will offer a breathable layer of protection and keep the pads in good shape. It’s also great for preventing the pads from becoming dry and for creating a barrier from grass and other outdoor elements that are linked to allergies. 

Apply this every 2 weeks or so, all year round. While Musher’s Secret absorbs rather fast, you may find that it’s easiest to apply it right before your Pom goes to sleep. 
Pomeranian wrapped up
Pomeranian wrapped up
Pepper, at 5 years old, photo courtesy of Marie

Safety Tip #9: Help prevent, and properly respond to, attacks by stinging insects.

For toy breeds, attacks by bees, wasps and other stinging insects are a concern in just about every part of the country. The danger is two-fold. First, is an allergic reaction to the venom. Second is a buildup of toxins, which is a separate issue. For canines, 5 stings per 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) of body weight can cause acute toxic overload and 10 stings per 2.2 lbs. of body weight can be fatal. 

To keep your Pomeranian safe, examine the yard often and have any existing hives properly exterminated. Do not let your Pom sniff along the ground, particularly under bushes or vegetation. If you see a stinging insect hovering around your Pom, promptly pick up your dog and go inside. If bees are chasing after your Pom, pick your dog up and run in a straight line to shelter. 

If your Pom has been stung, part the coat to look for stingers and scrape them out with a credit card (do not pull them with tweezers). Monitor your Pom for any allergic reaction, which can occur up to 45 minutes afterward. Signs include swelling around the eyes and/or breathing difficulties. This, or a case of multiple stings, warrants immediate veterinary care. 

Safety Tip #10: Limit the risk of falls. 

If your home has stairs, there is reason to be concerned for your Pom’s safety, even if your dog successfully navigates them. All it takes is a dog to jot along faster than normal to miss a step (most cases of falls involve missing the last one or two when descending). Another risk is taking a tumble down the steps due to a misstep or slip at the top. 

While this sort of mishap can happen to a dog of any age, young puppies and senior dogs are most at risk.
 
You can keep your Pom safe by installing no-slip step runners, and assess if a gate to block off the steps is in order. This is something that should be reevaluated each year; it’s very common for senior dogs to have decreased vision and less flexible mobility; these conditions tend to worsen as a dog ages. 

Safety Tip #11: Help Deter Attacks from Large Dogs While Out on Walks

Maybe you live in a neighborhood with few pets and even fewer menacing dogs. But, the fact is that most attacks on small dogs happen when a larger dog has broken off leash or escaped from a yard, which may be located miles away. 

Of course, do not let this dissuade you from taking your Pomeranian out since regular exercise is crucial to good health; however, you can proactively keep your Pom safe by using a retractable leash and the aforementioned harness. 

Using a retractable leash allows you to keep your Pom close by your side. And, for a multitude of reasons, maintaining a heeling position (your Pom to your left, no further ahead than the extension of your foot) is highly recommended. This keeps a dog moving along, helps boost the alpha/beta hierarchy, and better lets you monitor any attempts at eating grass, feces, or other matter.  

If you don’t yet have this sort of leash for your Pom, you may want to consider the Retractable Dog Leash by TrustyPaw. We like this one because it’s comfortable to hold, is sized nicely, has reflective nylon to better see at night, and even comes with a free attachable poo bag dispenser. 
The other part of this, the harness (as discussed earlier), helps because if there is any such danger, you can quickly reel your Pom to you or even lift your Pom right up in the air and into your arms if needed, with very little risk of injury. 

In addition, remain aware of your surroundings, if you see another dog off leash, pick up your Pom and walk away from the area. Do not stare at the other dog; but, know where he is. If a larger dog is barking and bearing his teeth, hold your Pomeranian close to your body and remain calm. Often, yelling at an aggressive dog only riles him up. 

If, based off of observations, the chances of such an encounter is deemed high, you may also want to consider carrying a walking stick or even an umbrella. If an aggressive dog is getting close, it can help to give a firm and confident ‘No!’, stand tall, and use the object to claim your space and maintain distance. If attacked, the object can be a barrier between you and attacking dog’s teeth. 

You may also want to consider carrying an air horn or pepper spray (depending on what is legal in your city or town). 
Pomeranian puppy asleep in shoe
Pomeranian puppy asleep in shoe
Gracie Mae, at 6 weeks old photo courtesy of Sheila LaFont

Safety Tip #12: Prevent, and properly respond to, your Pom running away. 

Many dogs that run off, run to something, not from something. So, for Pomeranians that are not spayed or neutered, dashing out the door to seek out a mate is not unheard of. 
This aside, loud noises like fireworks or thunder can spook a dog so bad that panic causes them to take off. 

If your Pom tends to try and escape every time the door opens, ask that all family members knock before entering to allow the person in the house to secure your puppy or dog first. 

If your Pom is home alone and tries to run past you as you’re entering, rethink having your Pomeranian unrestricted in the house. Having free reign when alone is a contributing factor to all sorts of trouble including destructive chewing, housebreaking accidents, and separation anxiety. It is best to have your Pom in an indoor canine playpen, which holds all of your dog’s necessities. 

You may also want to consider having your Pom microchipped; though, this is only helpful if your dog runs off and is turned into a shelter or kennel that has a scanning device. Though many Poms are kept collar-free (since a harness is used when on leash), if your Pom does wear a collar, be sure that it holds an ID tag.

Safety Tip #13: Avoid Injuries Common to Under-the-foot dogs.  

An under-the-foot dog is just what it sounds like; the dog is small enough to be under your feet and this can happen in the blink of an eye. A Pomeranian can be stepped on, tripped over, or injured in some other way by darting out while you’re in motion. It happens most often when an owner is distracted or is coming around a corner. 

Another mishap is accidentally closing a door on a dog’s tail which can cause a sprained or broken tail. 
To keep your Pomeranian safe, everyone in the house should take care when walking about and when closing doors. Many accidents like this happen at night; so, if your Pom is able to roam in the evening, be sure to have the house properly lit.   

Safety Tip #14: Have an emergency caregiver in place.

The aim of this article is to keep your Pomeranian safe; however, what about if something were to happen to you? From being stranded on the highway due to weather to having an accident that requires a hospital visit, the type of misfortunes is, sadly, numerous and completely unpredictable. 

If you are your Pom’s main caregiver and there are not others in the household, have plans in place for someone to step in, should this ever be needed. This may be a neighbor, friend, or family member that can come to your home to care for your Pom or take your dog over to their house. 

In advance, have simple instructions written down such as where to find your Pom’s food, how often and how much to feed your dog, a schedule of walks and bathroom trips, and a list of favorite care items (bed, toys, snacks, etc.). 

Be sure that this appointed person has a key to your home and that your Pom has spent at least some time getting to know them. 
a Pomeranian in safe car seat
Pomeranian in safe car seat
Mini, photo courtesy of Mike and Marni

Safety Tip #15: Buckle up your Pomeranian.

Out of all of these safety tips, this is the one that plays the biggest role in preventing devastating injury. It cannot be overstated how vital this is. 

When a dog is unrestrained in the car, any accident at all is going to transfer a certain amount of bodily force. While there are many factors (car to car accident Vs car to stationary object, etc.), an easy method of calculating this is the weight of the dog x speed of travel. So, if your Pom is 8 pounds, not secured, and an accident occurs at the relatively slow speed of 35 MPH, your dog will be thrown as if he/she is a 280-pound projectile.

If you’re a conscientious driver that never gets into accidents and stays close to home, you may deem the risk of this to be very low; however, the average person is involved in 3 accidents, most occur within 15 miles of home, and none of us have control over other drivers (90% of crashes are caused in part or wholly by human error) or the weather (22% of crashes are weather-related). 

The bottom line is that if you’d buckle up a baby, buckle up your Pomeranian in a quality car seat. The added bonus is that a raised booster seat will keep your Pom up high which will reduce the chances of motion sickness.
Keep in mind that a car seat is only safe if it’s properly secured and if the inner buckle is attached to your Pom’s harness (not a collar which could cause terrible neck injury or even death). The safest spot for your Pom is in the back seat; if you have your puppy or dog up front with you, be sure to disable the passenger airbags and slide the car’s seat as far back as it can go. 

If you do not yet have a car seat for your Pom, you may want to consider the Kurgo Skybox Dog Booster Seat; this is for dogs up to 20 lbs. and it keeps them nice and high. It’s also very easy to install; a strap slips over the car’s headrest and the car’s seatbelt connects through the bottom. 

A Final Word

It may seem like there are a lot of dangers to protect your Pom from and maybe it's a bit overwhelming. But, nothing is worse than seeing a canine family member injured, ill, or worse, due to something preventable that could have been done in hindsight.

Keep a list of which of these safety measures are not yet in place, and work on incorporating them in. Your Pomeranian is counting on you.
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Helping a Pomeranian with Itching - This is a very common yet extremely troubling issue that is seen with dogs, and the Pom is no exception. See the causes for itching, along with exact steps to remedy this for good. 
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