Ask any Pomeranian owner about their pet’s most adorable feature and they’re likely to point out his thick double coat. It is also this thick double coat that makes the Pomeranian a high maintenance pet. Frequent brushing is necessary to maintain the beautiful coat that we admire so much.
The coat is just one part of grooming that needs to be performed regularly. The eyes, paws and ears need regular attending as well. Without a solid grooming routine, the coat can become matted, tear stains can lead to eye problems, and a host of other issues.
We have compiled a guide that will help you groom your Pomeranian and keep him in tip-top condition.
Brushing and Combing Your Pom
Several brushing sessions a week will keep your Pom neat and clean. Daily attention is even better. Regardless of the frequency, do not brush your Pom’s coat when it’s dry. Mist the coat with a leave-in conditioner before brushing. Brush through your pooch with a pin brush and a slicker brush down to the skin once a week to keep the hair from matting. Brush all the way down to the skin, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff.
Bathing Your Pom
Use a sink instead of a bathtub. The kitchen sink will usually be the right shape and size for your pooch. Be sure to clean it thoroughly first.
Place a non-slip mat or a small towel on the bottom surface to prevent slipping. Fill the sink with one to two inches of warm water before placing your Pom. Take your time to ensure that the coat is completely wet.
Apply the shampoo and scrub all the areas of the body using your hands. Rinse thoroughly. Proper rinsing is very important since any shampoo residue can lead to skin and coat issues.
When the shampoo has been completely washed out, apply a generous amount of conditioner. Take your time to rinse out the conditioner.
Dab your pooch with a towel. Dry him thoroughly with a dryer set to low or no heat. Brush your Pom one more time and reward him with a treat for his patience.
Cleaning Your Pom’s Ears
Do not use any cotton tips down into your Pom’s ear canal. Any sudden movement, could force the cotton tip deep into the ear and cause damage. Use a cotton swab dipped into a non-alcohol based cleaner. Lift up the dog's ear to expose the skin and gently clean the area with the cotton dipped in the cleaner. Clean only what you can see.
Cleaning Your Pom’s Teeth
Brush your Pom’s teeth regularly with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. The toothpaste comes in different flavours such as liver, chicken and beef.
It’s perfectly normal for your pooch to balk at having his teeth brushed. You can help ease him into the brushing habit by rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. You may have to do this over a few days before moving on.
Put dog toothpaste on your fingertip. Let your pooch lick it from your fingertip. Again, rub his teeth and gums with your finger. If the taste is something he likes, proceed with using the toothbrush. Work in an up and down motion massaging the gums as you go. Give him a tasty reward as soon as you finish brushing his teeth.
Trimming Your Pom’s Nails
You can use a dog nail trimmer or a Dremel pet nail grooming tool for your pooch’s nails. Begin with the front legs. Press the pads with your thumb and hold the paw in your palm. Doing this will extend the nails, making it easier to work with them. The best approach is to cut one little bit at a time rather than taking a single big cut. Be careful not to cut into the quick, which is the blood vessel inside the nail. With dogs that have clear nails, you can easily see the quick which is the pink part of the nail.
If you do accidentally cut into your Pom’s quick, you can use flour or starch to stop the bleeding. Simply dab the affected nail with starch or flour. A better option is a styptic powder which you can also buy online or at pet supply stores.