Pomeranian Grooming

One of the Pomeranian's signature features is its fluffy, double-layered coat. The coat, with a thick, harsh, "puffy" outer layer over a soft (yet equally thick) undercoat, will take some daily grooming, but the Pom grooming won't be a monumental task like it can be for some breeds.

Here you'll find plenty of info on grooming a Pomeranian, including details on coat care, brushing, bathing, styling and haircuts, and much more. Get answers to your questions about Pomeranian grooming in the sections below!

With its signature fluffy, double-layered coat, Pomeranian coat care can be an involved task, but it's not an all-day, every-day thing like it can be for other toy breeds. Most owners have to groom a Pomeranian only 30 minutes or so a day, much of which is brushing out that gorgeous coat! These dogs shed seasonally, so more grooming for Pomeranians will be needed during shedding season. Baths will be necessary every 2-3 weeks, to both keep the coat clean and fluffy and to minimize the buildup of natural oils that make the hair look dull and greasy.

A few Pomeranian grooming tools will help your Pom grooming. Your Pomeranian grooming kit should include a 2-in-1 comb, a de-matting tool, a slicker brush, a pin brush, a flea comb, canine shampoo and conditioner, a pair of scissors, and some nail clippers.

In regards to haircuts: numerous Pomeranian hairstyles are possible, and some of the styles are easy enough to do at home--but many owners rely on a professional Pomeranian groomer for much of their coat care needs. In any case, it's a good idea to visit a groomer at least once. The best way to find your nearest groomer is with a simple Google search for "Pomeranian groomer near me." The groomer can demonstrate the methods of a Pomeranian getting groomed, and offer advice on how to groom a Pomeranian in general.

Brushing a Pomeranian isn't a difficult task, but the Pomeranian brush should happen 3-4 times per week (if not daily). This breed's fluffy coat mats and tangles easily, so frequent brushing will minimize these tendencies.

Several different brushes for Pomeranians will be useful to have. Overall, the best brush for a Pomeranian is a slicker brush--but a 2-in-1 comb, a de-matting tool, and a pin brush are good to have on hand as well.

How to brush a Pomeranian: first, quickly go through the coat with the comb to see whether it has any mats or tangles--and if you find one, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the comb if needed. If you encounter a particularly stubborn mat or tangle, the de-matting tool, with its double rows of curved teeth, will help work out the knotted hairs.

Then, before the main brushing with the slicker brush, wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle. Next brush the coat section by section with the slicker, brushing deep down to the undercoat to remove any dead hairs that may be trapped there. Finish by going through the coat again with the pin brush to shape and fluff it.

For the Pomeranian, matted fur can be a problem--and sometimes, these mats or tangles can form in the undercoat, which means they'll be close to the dog's skin and thus hard to work out! Here are several ways to deal with mats or tangles:

• Work it out with your fingers and a comb. If the tangle or mat is relatively small, you should be able to separate it some with your fingers, and then you can continue working it out with a comb. If this doesn't work--and if the mat is on the outer coat--you can just cut it out with scissors. (Note that cutting a tangle out will leave a "hole" in the Pom's coat until the hair grows back.)
• Use a de-matting tool. When using a tool like a FURminator, Pomeranian mats--especially those deep in the undercoat--are easier to remove. Use the tool to "dig" through the tangle, moving in the direction of hair growth to avoid friction. Make sure the tool's sharp teeth don't prick the dog's skin, though!
• See a professional groomer. When all else fails, let a pro handle it! You and your Pom may have to make more than one visit--and if the mats are numerous and severe, the groomer might recommend recommend shaving the coat as the only option. In any case the groomer will know best how to deal with those stubborn mats and tangles.

Bathing Pomeranians isn't too difficult an undertaking. How often should you bathe a Pomeranian? These dogs and their fluffy coats will need to be cleaned every 2-3 weeks to keep them looking their best.

Because Poms are small, your Pomeranian bath time can take place in the kitchen sink. It's also important to use Pomeranian shampoo and conditioner made for dogs, as the kind made for humans can irritate a dog's skin--and since Pomeranians' coats are fluffier than many breeds, the shampoo will need a particular pH level. According to breed enthusiasts, the best shampoo for Pomeanian dogs is from the Earthbath line.

Here's how to bathe a Pomeranian: before the bath, give the dog a thorough brushing. Then wet the coat completely with warm water, and apply a small amount of Pomeranian dog shampoo to the Pom's back. Lather well, working downward and outward--and don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail! Use a washcloth to clean the dog's face and ears, then rinse the coat completely. Repeat the process with conditioner. Dry the coat with a hair dryer (towel-drying these dogs can lead to tangles), then finish with a quick brush-through with a pin brush to make the coat look fluffy and clean.

With the breed's fluffy double coat, a multitude of Pom hairstyles are possible. Owners can see their Pomeranian with haircut styles ranging from the simple and short puppy cut, to the stylish Pomeranian lion cut, the artistic 3-layer cut, and more. And while some owners can learn to give a haircut for Pomeranian dogs themselves, cutting Pomeranian hair can be tricky--so most people rely on professional groomers for their Pom trim needs. A few of the most popular Pomeranian cut styles:

• Puppy Cut: A Pomeranian with a puppy cut is one of the most common Pomeranian hair styles. The coat is cut short all over (to 1-2 inches), with the neck ruff and tail hair sometimes left a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Lion Cut: On Pomeranian dogs, this style is adorable. Most of the hair on the torso and legs are clipped short, but the hair on the neck and chest are left fluffy and full; rounded "poms" are also sculpted on the feet and tail tip. A Pomeranian with a lion cut looks like a tiny King of the Jungle! Best done by a professional groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: A Pomeranian with a teddy bear cut resembles a precious little stuffed animal. Similar to the puppy cut described above, except the hair on the head and legs is carefully sculpted and rounded. Can be done at home, but will definitely take some practice.
• 3-Layer: A very complicated and artistic style. The hair on the head and neck is cut to shoulder length, the body hair is cut to a line about 1½ inches from the ground, and the leg hair is cut to a line nearly touching the ground; the overall look portrays three distinct layers or "levels." Definitely needs to be done by a groomer.
• Fox Cut: On Pomeranian dogs, this cut looks fantastic. The hair on the head and ears is cut in a sort of "triangular" pattern, the torso and leg hair are medium length, and the tail hair is plumed and drooped. While it looks pretty simple, the Pom fox cut takes some precision, so this style is best done by a groomer.

A Pomeranian will need its paws regularly maintained in these areas:

• Nails: If your Pom's nails "click" on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. How to cut Pomeranian nails: use standard nail clippers to trim each nail so it's even with the toe. Make sure not to clip the nail too close, though, as doing so will cut into the nail's "quick" (the blood vessel running through the nail), making it bleed and be painful.
• Toe hair: If the hair between the toes gets too long, it can get excessively dirty and even infected. Use scissors to trim the the hairs as close to their roots as possible.
• Paw Pads: Your Pom's paw pads can get dry and cracked, especially if the dog walks or runs on hot asphalt or snow/ice. Use commercial paw pad moisturizer (available at pet stores) to keep your Pom's paw pads moist and healthy. Apply it weekly for regular care, or more often if the pads are dry or cracked.

On a Pomeranian, fleas and ticks can be a problem--but since these dogs aren't as likely to spend a lot of time outdoors as some other breeds, they're not as pest-prone. Even so, if you're an owner who exclaims, "My Pomeranian has fleas!" the best solution is to see a veterinarian. Here's more info about flea and tick prevention and treatment:

PREVENTION:

• Have the dog wear a flea collar
• Use commercial powders, sprays, and shampoo
• Use a flea comb on the dog once a week; the long, thin teeth remove fleas and their eggs
• Wash the dog's bedding frequently
• Keep your lawn mowed short, especially after a rain; pests live best in tall, wet grass

TREATMENT:

• See a veterinarian
• Use commercial shampoo, sprays, and powders
• Clean the house thoroughly, including vacuuming the carpet
• Extreme cases require indoor sprays and/or foggers

Your Pom will also need care in these areas:

• Teeth: Just like humans', Pomeranian teeth need regular brushing. Like other toy breeds, Poms are prone to dental problems, and Pomeranian teeth falling out isn't an uncommon occurrence. Brush your Pom's teeth twice a week using a regular toothbrush to reduce plaque and tartar, and to minimize Pomeranian bad breath--but be sure to use canine toothpaste (which you can get at any pet store), because dogs can get sick if they swallow toothpaste made for humans.
• Tear Stains: Lighter-colored Poms can develop tear stains, which are red or brown stains beneath the eyes, made from the dog's tears; the iron compounds in the tears "stain" the areas an unsightly reddish-brown--though Pomeranian tear stains are naturally occurring and painless. And while a Google search for "how to get rid of Pomeranian tear stains" will return many varied results, veterinarians say wiping the area with a cotton ball moistened with a solution containing boric acid (like contact lens cleaner) twice a day works best.