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Toys for Poms with Missing Teeth

PetPom
The 
Pomeranian
Information
Center

Toys for Pomeranians with
No or Very Few Teeth

Overview

Pomeranians, like many other toy breed dogs, are vulnerable to tooth decay and eventual tooth loss, particularly without at-home dental care and periodic veterinary cleanings. It’s not uncommon for rescued Pomeranians to have had dental care neglect in the past that leads to tooth removal or loss or for older, senior Poms to have missing teeth. And this does present some challenges like the one discussed in this article: Which toys can be given to a Pomeranian that has lost some (or all) of their teeth?

This section will cover the advantages of giving toys to Poms with missing teeth, helpful tips to encourage play, and some great recommendations. 

Do Pomeranians with Missing Teeth Still Need Toys?

There are several reasons why you will want to offer toys to a Pom with few or no teeth:

1. To meet the natural needs of canines.

In many cases, the physical urge to chew and psychological need to be entertained is just as present with dogs that are missing teeth as it is for those that have all their teeth intact. The right toys can feel good when mouthed and there are also certain ones that can keep a Pom engaged, regardless of how many teeth are present.    
2. To help keep gums healthy.

Though the food to give to Pomeranians that are missing teeth will involve several options including crushed and moistened kibble and canned wet dog food, whatever you choose to offer will need to be gummed. And, to make eating as easy and comfortable as possible, the gums will need to be strong. 
If a Pomeranian still has some remaining teeth, they should be brushed and cleaned on a regular basis. But regardless of whether a Pom is missing a few teeth or nearly all of them, contact between toys and the gums will help strengthen the gum tissue (and it helps keep jaw muscles strong as well). 
3. For mental stimulation. 

Life can be boring for a dog that does not interact with toys. And this is especially so for those that spend some time home alone. In regard to seniors with tooth loss, while most do indeed sleep more than their younger counterparts and have decreased physical stamina, this does not mean that they are happy just laying around. With Pomeranians that have few or no teeth, the right toys can help keep them busy and occupied, and even ease loneliness that may occur when owners are away. 

How to Help a Pomeranian with Missing Teeth Learn How to Play with Toys

If your Pomeranian has not been given toys for some time due to missing teeth or has previously shown no interest in toys that you have offered, you may need to get things started by encouraging play. This can be done by:

1. Build up suspense. 

When first introducing the toy, be sure that there are no other distractions. Make this exciting and suspenseful. Have the toy in a small bag. Use an enthusiast voice to say, ‘Ohhhh, what do we have here? What could it be?’. Slowly take the toy out of the bag, acting happy and surprised to see it. 

2. Relay happiness. 

Wiggle the toy on the ground in front of your Pom, toss it a few feet away and scramble to get it, or ‘hide’ the toy under a pillow then happily ‘find’ it to show your Pom that the toy is something to be joyful about.
 
3. Know that interest in the toy may need to build up over time.

Even if your Pom only pays attention to the toy for 15 seconds, this is a perfectly fine first step. The idea is to build familiarity. And, gradually, that can lead to the toy becoming a cherished favorite. Tips to make this happen include:
  • If needed, repeatedly place the toy near your Pom’s area. 
  • Two to three times per day, relay happiness (previous point #2). 
  • Never show your Pom that you are disappointed if interaction is short-lived. 
  • If it will not cause your Pom to take pause, offer verbal praise whenever the toy is played with. But other than this, do not interrupt or distract.  
4. Add extra enticement. 

Poms that have missing teeth may need a bit more incentive to notice and interact with toys. A great way to offer this is via scent. With any non-porous dog toy, this can be accomplished with a few dabs of fish oil smudged onto the toy. You can do this with a paper towel or just with your fingertip. Fish oil is one scent that is highly alluring and essentially never ignored by canines. 
You may already have fish oil for your Pom at home (it is a wonderful supplement to keep skin and coat healthy, boost immune and heart health, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce painful inflammation associated with arthritis). But, if you are looking for one, Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is a fantastic choice. 

This is a premium salmon oil that is rich with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid from EPA and DHA. And, this comes in a very handy pump which makes doling it out quite easy and mess-free.

Recommended Toys to Gnaw and Mouth for Pomeranians with Few or No Teeth

The goal is to offer a few toys that are easily mouthed and are fun to play with. Let’s take a look at a couple great options:


This is a super-cool, floppy plush squirrel that has tiny knotted ropes for all four feet, a flat wide tail, a soft body with crinkle paper inside, and a squeaker in the head, all of which offers different choices for pleasant gnawing sensations (and fun noises) in one toy. Though this is marketed as a ‘small’ toy that is perfect for puppies, that means pups of all breeds including large breeds, so this 11” toy is well-suited for most adult Pomeranians. 
2. HuggleHounds Plush Corduroy Moose.

This is an adorable soft moose that has 5 little squeakers (one in each foot and one in the body), plus crinkle material in both antlers. Those qualities alone make this great for Poms with few teeth, but the fact that this is made of corduroy offers a pleasing feeling on the gums, so this toy is a definite winner. 

Hugglehounds offers an entire line of stuffed toys, so in addition to the moose, there is a bunny, cow, frog, giraffe, lobster, racoon, rooster, and monkey that are all available in size small (about 8 inches long). 

Recommended Talking Toys for Pomeranians with Missing Teeth

When a toy speaks to a dog, it brings things to a whole new level. This sort of interaction can keep a dog entertained and focused. Talking toys are fantastic when you’d like for your Pom to stay occupied, either when you are busy with other things or when you’re away from home. Let’s look at some good options: 


This nostalgic little toy emits the classic ‘Oh, nooooo!’ phrase when pressed. Your Pom doesn’t have to clamp down on it to make it speak, most dogs learn to press their paw down for that. And, it’s bright red and blue coloring makes it eye-catching since canines do see blue and red is seen as dark yellow.  
2. Multipet Deedle Dude Singing Mouse.

This is a really cute stuffed mouse that, when pressed, sings a happy ‘Deedle, deedle, dee!’ song along with a plucky musical beat. The round pink nose offers a perfect spot for Poms to mouth when carrying this little guy around. It does run on a non-replaceable battery, and depending on how much your Pom uses this, it can last anywhere from a month to half a year. Thankfully, it’s rather inexpensive to replace.  
3. PetQwerks Talking Babble Ball Toy.

This toy isn’t meant to be chewed at all, it’s designed to be nosed, so that makes it a perfect choice for Pomeranians with little to no teeth. This awesome ball speaks each time it’s moved and says 20 different funny phrases including ‘Hot diggity dog!’ , ‘Oh, baby!’, and a playful ‘I’m gonna get you!’. 

Recommended Fetch Toys for Pomeranians with Missing Teeth

Poms can enjoy this classic game, benefiting from the exercise and owner interaction, because there are some great options that make it easy for a dog to clamp down on the toy no matter how many teeth are missing. Let’s take at some fun ones:


This is a soft donut-shaped toy designed for games of fetch indoors that can be thrown, rolled, or even launched (if you Pom likes to jot over a good distance) with the compatible Chuckit! Indoor Launcher (you would need to get that separately). This sort of toy is great for anytime that you want to get your Pom moving while inside and is good option for rainy or cold days.  
2. Chuckit! Flying Squirrel Dog Toy.

This is a super fun fetch toy designed to soar high and then come gliding down. It has soft, curved sides which makes it easy for a Pomeranian to pick up, even if missing teeth. It’s super colorful and even glows in the dark. The size small is about 9 inches square and since this is very lightweight, it works well for all but very tiny Poms. 
3. Squeaky Giggle Light-Up Balls.

If you’re looking for something that will really make your Pom give chase, look no further. This is a set of 3 small balls (great for Poms 7 pounds and up) that do all sorts of wild things. All 3 light up (with bright glowing colors that show even in daylight). In addition, one of them makes funny sounds, one of them squeaks, and the third one emits giggles. Each of these balls are rather soft and flexible; and while they are certainly not for aggressive chewers, this makes them perfect for dogs with weak jaw strength or missing teeth. 

Add to this the fact that they are bouncy (the one with soft ‘spikes’ bounces off in its own direction, making it more enticing), and you have super-awesome balls that dogs love to run after. 

Recommended Treat-Release Toys for Pomeranians with Missing Teeth

The idea behind treat-release (or treat dispensing) toys is that with enough manipulation, kibble or small dry dog treats are gradually dispensed out of a toy. This keeps a dog interested and happy for quite a long time, which makes this sort of toy perfect for time spent home alone or when owners are busy. 

But, will this work if a Pomeranian has very few teeth? You’ll be happy to know that yes, there are some that will indeed work well, particularly if you make adjustments in regard to filler. As opposed to hard kibble or crunchy treats, you can fill certain toys with soft chews like mixed with mashed banana and/or smooth peanut butter, or just mashed banana or peanut butter alone. 

Then, the trick is to choose a treat-release toy that will allow that soft mixture to be dispensed. Let’s look at some good choices: 


This is a neat toy that is designed to be used not just with kibble but alternatively with wet food or even just peanut butter, so it’s ideal. This starts at size extra-small which is for dogs under 10 lbs. It works well because of its clever design that allows you to adjust the opening and difficulty level with just a twist (hence the name). And, it’s super-easy to take apart and wash. 
2. Darkyazi Snuffle Mat Activity Blanket.

This might not be what you had in mind when looking for a treat-release toy, but it offers a fun challenge that’ll keep your Pom busy while working the gears in their mind. This is ideal as long as your Pom is able to chew on soft treats. 

This play and activity mat has a ‘foraging’ fluffed material area, slide pockets, and other hiding places to keep your Pom on the ‘hunt’ for quite some time. It’s machine washable and folds up when not in use.  

A Final Word

When a Pomeranian is missing teeth, this doesn’t mean the end of toys. There are other kinds of toys other than just the ones meant to be chewed on with sharp teeth. Between soft plush squeakers, toys that sing and make silly noises, enticing fetch toys, treat-release toys and fun foraging mats, there are lots of options to keep a Pom busy and happy.  
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