Pomchi Care

The Pomchi--a Pomeranian-Chihuahua hybrid--is an affectionate, playful, sometimes stubborn companion dog that's beloved by owners everywhere. This crossbreed is great for seniors, disabled people, and others with limited mobility because it doesn't have extensive exercise needs.

And overall, Pomchi care doesn't require much work at all. Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for these little dogs: puppy development, exercise requirements, diet and nutrition, and more. For answers to all your questions about owning a Pomchi, keep reading!

These are active, playful little dogs, so overall Pomchi exercise requirements aren't very extensive. The typical Pomchi will fulfill much of its daily activity needs by just scampering around the house being its energetic self.

An adult Pomchi will be fine with about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day, which can include a couple of short walks (that can double as "potty breaks") and perhaps a brief play period. You can start exercising your Pomchi puppy at about 10 weeks of age by taking it on short (5-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

Some precautions to consider when exercising your Pomchi: first, puppies younger than eight months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And any Pomchi, regardless of age, will need to be leashed when in public. These little dogs are curious and friendly, and may run off in search of new environments or playmates if given the chance; they can also be seen as prey by larger dogs and other predators. A leash will help you avoid these and other potentially dangerous situations when you're out and about. Finally: Pomchis form strong bonds with their owners, so they're much more likely to do exercises in which one or more of their human family members also participate. (Simply putting your Pomchi out to play alone in the yard, in other words, won't do any good; the dog will be miserable, and will likely howl and scratch at the door to be let back in!) Exercises you do together are much better.

Safeguards aside, it's good to exercise your Pomchi every single day. A lack of activity will cause these dogs to become fussy, disobedient, even "yappier" than they already are, and thoroughly unhappy in general. Consistent exercise, even if brief, will be great for your Pomchi's peace of mind--and for your own as well. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 10-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Obstacle Course: Set up a series of tricks, jumps, and other "stunts" either in the yard or the house
• Blowing Bubbles: Your Pomchi will love "attacking" the bubbles you blow

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Pomchi access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you try and exercise the dog at the same time every day, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs need little to moderate care. Depending on the coat it inherits from its Pomeranian and Chihuahua parents, Pomchi shedding can be light or fair; drooling isn't an issue.

Pomchis have some variation in coat length. Pomeranians have profuse double coats, while Chihuahuas can have either short or long ones--so for this Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, shedding will depend on the coat type inherited from its parent dogs. The most common Pomchi coat is medium-length, and will require brushing twice a week and occasional use of the vacuum and lint rollers to pick up shed hairs. Some Pomchis shed more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons, while others that inherit a short-haired Chihuahua coat don't shed much at all.

And Pomchis rarely drool; maybe a bit in anticipation of food, but that's about it. If your Pomchi is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is necessary.

Like all breeds, Pomchis will need a diet that includes plenty of animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. This means that the best Pomchi food is the premium dry kind, particularly food that's formulated for small breeds. These high-quality foods, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, have balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients that will sustain your Pomchi's health. Cheap, generic foods are not recommended for these dogs because they contain mostly empty "filler" ingredients that simply don't give the dog the nutrients it needs in the long term. Blue Buffalo, Royal Canin, and Hill's Science Diet are three premium brands that carry excellent small-breed formulas.

And specifically how much dog food does a Pomchi need each day? The short answer: not much at all. The typical adult Pomchi will only need about ½ cup of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. A Pomchi puppy will need even less: depending on the pup's age, only about 0.3-0.4 cups per day will suffice. So until about six months of age, a few pieces of dry kibble three times a day will be plenty. For more details on feeding your Pomchi from puppyhood through maturity, see the chart below.

Also worth noting is that Pomchis can have dental issues (including tooth decay and loss) they inherit from their Pomeranian parents. In addition to dry kibble, which helps clean the teeth when chewed, owners can give their Pomchis dental dog treats that promote dental hygiene. (Checkups Treats is a popular example.)

If possible, try to stick to the above-listed portions. Pomchis have surprisingly big appetites for their tiny size, and will overeat if given the chance--which will easily lead to obesity in this crossbreed. A fat Pomchi will have joint, breathing, and digestive issues, not to mention a shortened lifespan. You can help control your Pomchi's weight by having a regular feeding schedule, by not feeding the dog table scraps and other "human" food, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby allowing it to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your Pomchi's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up a few minutes after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Pomchi is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Reduce your Pomchi's daily food consumption a bit, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.