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Insect and Parasite Prevention for Pomeranians: Fleas, Ticks, Heartworms, and Other Parasitic Worms

Overview

As part of your overall plan for taking care of your Pomeranian, you will want to protect your little guy or gal from the most common pests and parasites that can plague dogs: fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other parasitic worms.

With fleas, you’ll want to do all you can to prevent these since they’re very catchy, having them can cause terrible discomfort and itching, and fully getting rid of them takes time, money, and effort.

And for parasites like heartworms which are dubbed the silent killer and ticks which can carry an array of diseases, prevention is key in helping your Pom maintain good health.

A vital aspect of prevention and protection for Pomeranians is to understand the adverse side effects that topical chemicals and oral pesticidal medications can have with dogs, especially toy breeds.

This article will cover everything you need to know about heartworm, flea, tick, and worm prevention with your Pomeranian, including recommendations for products, with a focus on all-natural, non-chemical options when possible.

Sections

Are you looking for tips regarding just one of these elements?

Jump to The Risks of Antiparasitic Drugs and Repellent Chemicals to read about the dangers these present.

Jump to Heartworm Prevention for Pomeranians to read all about heartworms which can be serious and fatal.

Jump to Flea Prevention for Pomeranians to read about fleas which can cause chronic and intense itching.

Jump to Tick Prevention for Pomeranians to read about ticks which can quickly latch onto dogs and transmit diseases.

Jump to Parasitic Worm Prevention for Pomeranians to read about hookworms, roundworms and other worms.

Jump to Recommended Products if you do not need the details of the above and are just looking for all-natural options.

The Risks of Antiparasitic Drugs and Repellent Chemicals

Most pet parents know, in a general sense, why all-natural products are best for their canine family members. But when it comes to prevention and protection from fleas, ticks, other insects, and heartworms, ingredients can be especially harmful.

Below is a short list of the most common compounds and ingredients to be very wary of or outright steer clear of.

Flea and Tick Chemicals:

Parabens. You may know this one as it relates to choosing the best shampoo for your Pomeranian; however, this synthetic preservative can also be found in a range of pet care products, including insect repellent. The use of topical parabens can lead to dry itchy skin, skin rashes and other irritations, and poor coat health including hair loss (with extended use).

Pyrethroid. This is a synthetic insecticide that can cause bad side effects and allergic reactions including vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, breathing issues, neurological issues, fever, muscle tremors, and seizures. This is widely used in traditional flea collars.

Note that pyrethroid (a manmade chemical substitute) should not be confused with permethrin (a natural substance) which has far fewer side effects for dogs (though is extremely toxic to cats); both are forms of pyrethrum (sourced from the chrysanthemum flower).

DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide). This is an insecticide developed by the United States Army. Though DEET does work well to repel mosquitoes, it is toxic to canines via skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. It can cause stomach issues, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, as well as affect the central nervous system.

Isooxazoline. This is a relatively new pesticide and may be labeled as afoxolaner. This is in several flea and tick products for dogs including Bravectom, Credelio, Nexgard, and Simparica. The FDA has linked this to serious neurologic adverse reactions including seizures.

Propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos. These are listed by the EPA as likely carcinogens.

Heartworm Meds:

All prescribed heartworm drugs are pesticides. They cannot stop heartworm larvae from being transmitted to a dog. They work by killing the larvae once it is in a dog’s body before they can fully mature into worms. So, all prescribed heartworm drugs for Pomeranians carry risks, some serious.

Ivermectin. This is found in Heartgard, among others. Side effects can include lameness or paralysis of one or more limbs, vision and balance disorders, pain, and seizures.

Pyrantel pamoate. This is a pesticide added to some heartworm meds to kill roundworms and hookworms and is found in Heartgard Plus, among others. Out of all of the toxic heartworm meds for dogs, this is one of the worst when it is in combination with Ivermectin (previous). Death is, shockingly, the 11th most reported ‘side effect’.

Milbemycin oxime. Not only are there serious questions about the effectiveness of this drug (a reported 9000 dog contracted heartworms while on this), death is the 13th most common side effect. This is found in Interceptor, Sentinel, Sentinel Spectrum, and Trifexis, among others.

Selamectin. A reported 6000 dogs contracted heartworms while on this. There have been over 600 reports of seizures and 1788 reports of vomiting. This is found in Revolution, among others.

ProHeart 6. This is an injectable form of moxidectin. It was recalled after there were 500 deaths within the first 4 years of its release. Now it is back on the market and there have been 496 deaths (and counting) since 2010.

To summarize thus far:

There is an abundance of drugs and ingredients that can cause adverse side effects. Ahead, we will discuss options for using all-natural flea and tick prevention and taking steps to limit the dosing of prescribed heartworm meds while still keeping your Pomeranian safe from these insects and parasites.

Heartworm Prevention for Pomeranians

About heartworms:

Some of the most common myths about heartworms is that this only occurs with senior dogs or neglected dogs, or that heartworm disease is so rare that owners do not need to be concerned. So, let’s cover 5 quick facts:

Dogs of any age at all, including puppies, can contract heartworms.
The sold method of heartworm transmission to dogs is via female mosquitoes that are infected with heartworm larvae; once these enter a dog’s body, they grow to full adult size and congest not only the heart but often the lungs as well.
The risk of contracting heartworms rises during warmer months when mosquitoes are at their peak.
Between 1.1 and 1.3% of dogs test positive for heartworms each year in the US (this may seem low but this equals more than 100,000 dogs).
In the beginning stages, there are no symptoms. Once heartworms have completely taken over, signs include chronic coughing, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, and eventual heart failure and death.
Treatment, if it can be given in time, is very risky and consists of high doses of extremely strong pesticides and/or surgery to manually remove the worms.

Prevention:

Heartworm meds do play a role in helping to prevent heartworm infestation. However, since that involves very strong drugs that can cause severe adverse reactions (see previous ‘The Risks of Antiparasitic Drugs and Repellent Chemicals: Heartworm Meds’), it is important to implement other, safer strategies. Doing so may allow you to limit the months that heartworm meds are given or keep the dosing very low.

Let’s look at the 3 main steps:

#1 Adjust the dosing of heartworm meds for your Pomeranian, if possible.

The American Heartworm Society recommends the year-round use of heartworm meds for dogs. However, mosquitos, which hibernate in the winter when temps drop below 50 F, are the only method of transmission. So, one has to question if year-round dosing makes sense.

You may want to speak to your Pom’s vet about making some adjustments, particularly if you do not live in a mosquito-endemic area (typically along the Gulf coast). If you are not sure and you’re in the US, you can check out mosquito populations on the AHS Heartworm Incidence Map.

If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, you may be able to stop heartworm meds after the first frost and then start again before temps are expected to hit 50 F in the spring.
Dosing, which is based on weight, should be reevaluated to ensure a Pom is being given the lowest dose possible. For young pups, this may mean giving a half dose.
While heartworms meds are usually given every 4 weeks, a change to every 6 weeks may be an option.
Have your Pomeranian tested for heartworms at least once a year, though 2 to 4 times yearly is best. This is because no prevention is guaranteed and if a dog has adult heartworms and is given heartworm meds (meant for larvae, not worms), this can be fatal.

Note: Because some veterinarians may receive incentives to recommend and prescribe certain medications, if your vet is pushing a brand known to have a high incident rate of death or serious side effects, this is a huge red flag. This would include Ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate, milbemycin oxime, Selamectin, and injectable moxidectin.

Though any heartworm prevention drug carries risks, one that toy breeds tend to be more tolerable to is Advantage Multi (topical moxidectin and imidacloprid) which has far fewer reported serious reactions than many other drugs. Some of the most common adverse reactions include lethargy, upset stomach, and skin reactions (at the application site), so keep an eye out for these.

Note that Advantage Multi requires a prescription and also works to kill fleas and prevent roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, and sarcoptic mange. If you opt for this one, keep in mind that the lowest weight category is 'small 3 - 9 lbs'. and the one above that is 'medium' which is 9.1 lbs. all the way up to 20 lbs. So, if your Pom is just a bit larger than that 9 lb. 'max' on the 'small', you may want to speak to the vet about still using that 'small' dosing. And, if your Pom is in the 12 to 15 lb. range you may want to do a bit less than a full dose of the 'medium'.

#2 Lower the population of mosquitoes near your home.

Mosquitoes generally live within 1 acre of where they are born and this is great news because it means that reducing their population and preventing breeding near your home can limit the number of these troublesome insects that your Pomeranian will be exposed to.

Mosquitoes like to live in damp areas, often living under leaves and hovering around water. They reproduce by laying eggs in still water. Note that mosquitoes live in all 50 US states including Alaska (that has at least 35 species) and the very dry Arizona (that has about 40 species).

Chemical-free ways to help reduce their numbers include:

Remove any debris or objects in the yard that can hold rainwater including old tires, pails, plant saucers, children’s toys, etc.
Clean the rain gutters to prevent a buildup of debris that can block water from flowing.
For areas that you cannot prevent the accumulation of water including ditches or large depressions in the yard, bird baths, koi ponds, etc., use a product like Summit Mosquito Dunks which are disks containing an organic material that kills mosquito larvae but is completely harmless to birds and other animals.

#3 Use a safe insect repellent on your Pomeranian.

You can’t kill every mosquito in your yard and there’ll certainly be untold numbers elsewhere, but what you can do is use an effective mosquito repellent on your Pomeranian.

Since products that work on mosquitoes also work to repel other insects, a list of recommended all-natural options is ahead under ‘Recommended Products’.

Flea Prevention for Pomeranians

About Fleas:

There are some things about fleas that you may find very surprising.

Though a Pomeranian can catch fleas from other dogs (they can jump several feet), in many cases the transmission happens in the environment via eggs that fall off other dogs or other animals (within just hours of fleas taking up residence on an animal, eggs start dropping off the coat).
Fleas can be on dogs and other household pets (transmission can happen at dog parks or play-dates) and also on wildlife like birds, squirrel, skunks, deer, and more (transmission can happen in your yard or another outdoor area).
The most common signs of fleas are not the fleas themselves. This includes red spots (specks of blood), black spots (flea feces), and/or intense itching. You may never see the fleas themselves because they hide under a Pom’s fur and can quickly scatter away as you are parting the hair.
Pomeranians can be allergic to flea saliva. Just one bite can trigger extremely intense inching with inflammation.
If your Pom has fleas, it is highly likely that there are fleas and flea eggs in the house. There are almost never any exceptions here. The house must be treated or there is a good chance the cycle will repeat again.
Dogs can catch diseases from fleas, most notably bartonella infection (signs include nausea, loss of appetite, seizures, irregular heartbeat, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain) and haemobartonellosis (signs include loss of appetite, lethargy, and pale gums, and this can cause infertility with both genders). And, fleas can transmit tapeworms.

Prevention:

The best method to stop a Pomeranian from getting fleas is to use flea repellent.

It’s strongly suggested to stay away from chemical options like traditional flea collars that can cause bad reactions. Fortunately, there are some very effective all-natural repellents. Since these also work to repel ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects, a list of recommended all-natural options is ahead under ‘Recommended Products’.

Tick Prevention for Pomeranians

About Ticks:

Ticks are a concern for all dogs. Let’s look at some important elements to take note of:

Ticks can be found in every US state.
Ticks do not necessarily go dormant all winter; many species can awaken and be active on any day that is above freezing. They can also survive the winter by latching onto an indoor host.
Ticks are not only in fields of long grass or in wooded areas, they can also be on cut lawns, parks, and any areas of low grass or vegetation.
Ticks can transmit diseases to dogs including Lyme disease, American canine hepatozoonosis (ACH), babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, haemobartonellosis, tick paralysis, canine anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Prevention:

It’s wise to use a repellent on a Pom since tick bites can be very dangerous. However, some strong chemical tick repellents can cause serious and even fatal reactions. An ingredient that is in lots of pet products but can cause severe adverse reactions is pyrethroids (see previous ‘The Risks of Antiparasitic Drugs and Repellent Chemicals: Flea and Tick Chemicals’).

Fortunately, a combination of taking safety precautions and using a safe all-natural repellent can help keep your Pomeranian tick-free.

#1 Reduce the risk of a tick bite to your Pomeranian.

Check your Pom for ticks. This is particularly relevant after walking near tall grass or in a wooded area, but should be done on a regular basis even if you just walk around the neighborhood.

If you find a tick on your Pom, remove it right away. The longer it remains, the higher the chances that disease will be transmitted. When a removing tick, which typically will be buried head-first in the skin, the key is to not squeeze it. If so, this can cause the stomach contents to be forced out into the bite mark which increases the risk of infection. And, squeezing while you pull it off can cause the body to separate from the head which can remain embedded in the skin, requiring removal at the vet's.

You may wish to use something like the Tick Twister Remover Set which are two special tools (one small, one large) designed to prevent squeezing. Once removed, wash the area with soap and water, then dab on betadine. Keep the tick in a zipped plastic bag for at least 30 days, for possible future identification, should your Pomeranian become ill.

Keep your yard neatly landscaped with short grass and no lawn debris. Prune low-lying bushes to prevent damp and cool areas that ticks tend to like.

Discourage wildlife in your yard by not building up piles of wood, removing fallen fruit from any fruit trees, and using secure lids on trash barrels.

If your yard touches forested area, create a 3-food barrier of mulch or gravel, if possible.

#2 Use a safe tick repellent on your Pomeranian.

In many areas of the US, ticks are active from early spring right through late autumn. But, again, they can awaken during warm spells in the winter or even survive all winter season indoors if they have a host to live on. So, using a repellent is an important step.

There are very safe repellents that work via organic, natural plant extracts and oils. Since these are effective in repelling fleas and mosquitoes as well, a list of recommended all-natural options is ahead under ‘Recommended Products’.

Parasitic Worm Prevention for Pomeranians

This category includes roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. The way to keep your Pomeranian free from these is very different, depending on whether you have a Pom younger or older than 6-months.

Pom puppies under 6 months old:

The biggest concern at this age is roundworms. These are very commonly transmitted from dam to pup. When a dam is protected from worms via regular prevention meds, roundworm larvae in the bloodstream goes dormant. These become active once passed to the puppy.

Since it’s very common for puppies to have roundworms, and sometimes other types of worms, dewormer is given at the 2, 4, 6, and 8-week marks. This is almost always done by a veterinarian since proper dosing is vital. So, if you have a new Pomeranian puppy, chances are that they have been ‘de-wormed’ by the time you bring them home. If you are not sure about this, ask the breeder or previous owner.

In some cases, a final de-wormer dose is given at the 6-month mark. The veterinarian will look at your pup’s treatment history and discuss this with you.

Pomeranians 6 months and older:

Worm prevention for Pomeranians will vary depending on a few factors.

If your Pomeranian is given a monthly (or every 6-weeks) heartworm prevention, there is a good chance that it also works on other parasitic worms like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
Pomeranians should be tested for worms at least once a year via a stool sample. If a test comes back positive, prescribed de-wormer meds can be given.
Work to resolve issues like coprophagia (eating feces) or eating grass since worms can be transmitted via contaminated soil or grass from other dogs or from wild animals.
Do not let your Pom drink from puddles or other outdoor standing bodies of water.

Recommended Products

Now that we covered the main elements to know about mosquitoes (which are the only source of heartworm transmission), fleas, and ticks, and the importance of steering clear of harsh chemicals and pesticidal drugs, it’s time to take a look at some of the best options for repelling these pests with all-natural ingredients.

1. Richard’s Organics Gentle Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs.

This is a 100% all-natural spray that works via several essential oils: peppermint, clove, eugenol (which is made from cloves), cinnamon, and rosemary.

Note that cloves, and thus clove oil and eugenol, are toxic to cats (but not dogs). So, if you have a feline at home, one of our other picks will be a better choice.

One of the best things about this spray is that it lasts a long time, up to 4 weeks. Though, it has to be re-applied after baths and since you most likely are giving your Pomeranian a bath every 3 weeks, that is how often you’ll need to apply this.

To apply this, start at the tail and work your way up toward the neck, lightly spraying the coat and working it in, against the direction of fur growth. Avoid the head (eyes, nose, and mouth). Once it’s massaged into the skin, you can towel-dry the coat, if you wish. Afterward, you can use your Pom’s regular coat products such as leave-in conditioner.

One thing to know about this is that some find the scent to be very strong. If you or your Pomeranian are sensitive to strong scents, you may want to opt for our next choice.

2. WonderCide Flea Tick and Mosquito Control Spray - Lemongrass.

This is a 100% natural, highly effective spray with both lemongrass and cedar oil, two organics that work very well to repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes and is a good choice for regular prevention use. Two things to love about this option is that it works very well and it has a really pleasant smell that's crisp and clean.

There are also 3 other formulas in this line, each with a main essential oil that works well as a natural repellent: rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood.

This is sprayed on a dog’s coat every 2 to 3 days, lifting the fur and using your hands to apply against the direction of hair growth.

3. Pure Natural Insect Repellent for Dogs by Curealia.

If you don’t want to use a full-body spray, there are other options such as balms that are strategically placed on a few key body parts.

This balm that comes in a handy tin (easy to bring along with you) repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes via a blend of lavender, cedarwood, rosewood, and patchouli which are all essential oils that repel insects. As an added plus, this also has the skin-friendly ingredients of olive oil and shea butter.

To apply this, take a pea-sized amount, rub it between your hands to melt it, and rub on your Pom’s chest/back of the neck, going against the direction of fur growth. If you’ll be taking your Pomeranian into a wooded area or any other place where there may be a large population of ticks or mosquitoes, also apply this to the legs, tail, belly, and down the back.

This should be re-applied every 5 to 7 days.