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Last Updated on 13/11/2023 by Denise Leo. Post first published on July 31, 2019.
What is the best Pomeranian food, and what can Pomeranians eat? How much and how often to feed your Pomeranian are vital questions all Pom dog owners ask. Read on to find details of the best dog food for Pomeranians.
What’s the Best Dog Food for Pomeranians?
The best food for Pomeranian dogs is an extremely controversial topic among owners because everyone has their ideas. After decades of “hands-on” research, I offer my expert opinion on correct Pomeranian feeding.
There’s a wealth of advice on the best food for Pomeranian puppies. The main difference between bad, good, and the best Pomeranian puppy food is the quantity of fillers. Your puppy’s digestive tract processes lots of protein, not carbs or fillers.
Before the 1930s, dogs were generally fed garden vegetables and meat. However, in the 1930s, other dog foods were introduced into the canine marketplace.
Such food included kibble and various canned options from USDA-rejected grained and cereals. These new foods were regarded as handy choices for dog foods for Pomeranians and other dogs.
Pomeranian Feeding Chart
Growing puppies need more food than adults, but each one will vary:
Quantities can be adjusted, but here are Pomeranian feeding guidelines to help you.
- One pound puppy needs approx—½ cup of food.
- A 3-pound dog needs about 1 cup of food.
- 5 pound Pomeranian dog requires about 1.25 cups of food.
- A six-pound Pomeranian dog needs 2 cups of food.
The amount increases during growth spurts and drops when he’s a fully grown adult. He needs 3-4 meals daily until he’s six months old. A puppy has a tiny tummy, so each meal should be small. Every dog is unique in size, activity level, and metabolism.
Use your brains when feeding your Pom. If your puppy stops eating after 5 to 15 minutes, he’s full. On the other hand, if he eats it all within 10 minutes and wants more, give him another 1/4 cup. (If he’s losing weight and has no appetite, he’s probably sick.)
After six months of age, drop him from 4 to 3 meals or 3 to 2 meals per day. When he’s one year old, he’s an adult, and you need to start changing his food to that of an adult over the next six months.
As an adult Pomeranian, he may have 1 or 2 meals daily, depending on how much he can eat in one go. If it’s two meals, it’s half the food at each meal, not double the food. His tummy is sensitive, so slowly increase the food volume. You can give your Pom a snack at any age.
Dog chews and treats should be only given as rewards. Then it will be easier to train him. If you do it all the time, it won’t mean anything.
Portion Control is Essential for Pomeranians
Some dogs will eat everything you give them, so you must control how much they eat. The amount you give your dog will depend on his age and level of activity. Only leave his food out for 15-30 minutes. If it’s not gone by then, put it away.
How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Pomeranian?
Here at Dochlaggie Pomeranians, I feed adult Pomeranians twice daily. Pomeranian puppies are fed three times daily with quality wet puppy food. Dry puppy food is made available to Pomeranian pups under six months of age at all times, together with clean, fresh water, owing to the dangers of Pomeranian puppy hypoglycemia.
What Can Pomeranians Eat?
What do Pomeranians eat? It would be best to decide what foods you’ll feed your dog and wean him off the foods the breeder fed him and onto the foods you intend to give him in the long term. Your breeder probably provided a Pomeranian food list. Because Pom puppies are so small, you must make slow changes for their health.
Follow this Pomeranian Food plan to get your Pom puppy onto your diet gradually.
- Week 1: Replace ¼ of his “normal” food with your choices.
- Week 2: Replace 1/3 of his “normal” food with your choices.
- Week 3: Replace half of his “normal” food with your choices.
- Week 4: Replace ¾ of his “normal” food with your choices.
- Week 5: You’re feeding your puppy only the foods you intend to give him.
What Should You Feed your Pomeranian?
Most dog food brands have fillers, ingredients designed to “bulk up” the dog but have no nutrients. One cup of food is usually half to ¾ of proper food, and the rest is cheap filler/garbage that fills the dog’s bowl and tummy.
- Fillers pass through the dog (without being absorbed) and come out the other end. This can cause nutritional deficiencies and issues with bad behavior, such as eating feces or grass.
- The Pomeranian is fragile and small, so his digestive system is also sensitive and small.
- Home cooking is ideal for your dog because you’ll know there are no fillers, and you can give him the best nutrition. Click to go to the Pomeranian food recipes.
If you either can’t or don’t want to cook for your dog for whatever reason, there are many commercial dog food options. If you buy cheap food, it will be low quality. Big pet stores stock dog products, but most don’t have premium, nutritious dog food.
Best Dry Food for Pomeranians
After many years of testing different commercial dog foods on the Dochlaggie Pomeranians, I recommend the following dog food for Pomeranians:
Best Food for Pomeranian Puppy Dogs
Pomeranians under 12 months of age must be fed a special puppy diet to ensure correct growth
Best Pomeranian Puppy Food:
Royal Canin Small Indoor Adult Dry Dog Food
This is dog food for small breeds from 12 months to 8 years of age, weighing 9 – 22 pounds. This food has been calculated precisely so the dogs will get all the essential nutrients needed by dogs in this grouping. This special kibble encourages the dog to chew it thoroughly so it’s properly digested.
The Royal Canin food options balance DHA and EPA to keep the dogs’ coats and skin healthy. It uses easy-to-digest proteins that support digestive health while reducing the smell and amount of stools.
Because the dogs spend most of their time inside the home, involved in low-intensity activities, there’s no need for food that will provide them with too much energy. Foods are designed not to overload the dog with unnecessary calories; they get enough to keep their weight stable.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dog Food, Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
This food targets small dogs between 1 and 8 years old with a precise balance of essential nutrients. The quality and luster of their coats and skin are managed by vitamin E, a unique mix of omega-6 fatty acids and numerous other nutrients.The food also has a proven blend of antioxidants and vitamins E and C to give the dogs a healthy, strong immune system. This is prime quality food containing real chicken to maintain the dog’s perfect weight and ensure he has lean, strong muscles.
This delicious dog food is easy to digest and has no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. This food is not suitable for puppies, nursing, or pregnant dogs. Seek advice from your vet or the manufacturer if you’re not sure.
Dog Food For Senior Pomeranians
Dogs older than 7 or 8 need a diet slightly lower in protein. Nutrients need to be absorbed properly. If your dog eats the best possible home-cooked food, he may not absorb the vitamins, minerals, and protein.
A small amount of normal enzymes can make most of these essential nutrients go right through the dog’s body without being absorbed. If your Pom isn’t gaining weight or has stomach problems, a prozyme enzyme can help ease this issue.A Good Food Choice for Senior Pomeranians is the Following :
Royal Canin Mini Aging
This is dog food targeted at dogs that are 12+ years old. It has been made for smaller senior breeds and helps keep them healthy. There are plenty of antioxidants in this formula that also promote healthy kidneys.
The formula for this product is designed to be a complete diet that provides your older dog with everything necessary for him to be healthy and happy.
The food has several unique flavors and can be rehydrated so your dog can eat it even more easily. The phosphorus content keeps his kidneys healthy, and the chelation parts of the calcium decrease the amount of tartar that accumulates on his teeth.
Grain-free Dog Food Versus Grains
The statistics regarding the number of dogs affected by grains in their diet are usually very different to the reality. However, there are dogs with allergies or sensitivities to all grains, or at least some of them.
Symptoms can include skin irritations, itching, and breathing difficulties. Digestive and stomach issues such as bloating, flatulence, and gas may also occur. Rye and wheat contain large amounts of gluten and are linked to many problems.
In recent years, another serious problem has reared its ugly head. This one is about dog breeds that previously weren’t prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart disease, but now are suddenly being diagnosed with this major problem. The discovery was eventually made that these dogs were being fed a grain-free diet.
Dr. Lisa Freeman and several of her expert colleagues wrote a report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in December 2018. This report identified the link between dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and dog food free from grains.
However, it further identified a particular diet (BEG). This covers certain boutique brands with exotic meats (such as kangaroo, ostrich, and alligator) and foods such as potatoes, lentils, legumes, and peas as among the top five ingredients.
At that time, the FDA was still carrying out more studies into this matter, and there weren’t any recalls of dog foods connected to this issue.
The FDA was finally at the point of issuing an alert on June 27th, 2019. Sixteen brands of dog food were grain-free. They were the main foods dogs ate when succumbing to dilated cardiomyopathy. These brands appeared in a minimum of 10 reports.
These are the brands, and remember; they’re just the recipes that are free of grains:
Acana (67 reports)Blue Buffalo (31 reports)Zignature (64 reports)Rachael Ray Nutrish (10 reports)Nutrisource (10 reports)Merrick (16 reports)Taste of the Wild (53 reports)Fromm (24 reports)Nature’s Domain (29 reports)Nature’s Variety (10 reports)4Health (32 reports)Nutro (10 reports)Natural Balance (15 reports)California Natural (15 reports)Earthborn Holistic (32 reports)Orijen (12 reports)
NOTE: Some brands had exotic meats listed in the BEG diets. For E.g. Zignature and kangaroo was a popular mix, as were Acana beef and chicken recipes.
Between 2014 and 2019, the reported cases were 524, mostly dogs with only a few cats. This is a tiny number considering approximately—seventy-seven million dogs live in America.
At present, no products are being recalled, and there are plenty more studies left to do. Many vets suggest that owners of prone breeds swap to a diet with healthy grains if their dogs don’t have allergies. Pomeranians and most small and toy dog breeds aren’t generally inclined to DCM.
Putting a Pomeranian on a diet that has grains or is grain-free isn’t an easy choice. Of course, if your dog has a definite allergy, then you must avoid that allergen.
If there’s merely a suspicion that your Pomeranian has an allergy or sensitivity, you can experiment with no rye or wheat. Instead, try gluten-free grains, including oatmeal, white or brown rice, quinoa (this is a seed), or barley, usually well-tolerated foods.
Understanding Pomeranian Food Needs
It would be best if you fed your Pom properly or he can become overweight. Then he’ll have health problems similar to human problems. A Pomeranian can suffer from strained ligaments and joints and may contract diabetes if he doesn’t have a properly balanced diet.The Pomeranian will burn calories quicker than many other breeds, especially when still a puppy. As he gets older, his exercise needs to change.
Pomeranian Nutrition Requirements
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) suggests that adult Pomeranians have a minimum of 18% protein in their diet, and growing puppies require a minimum of 22% protein. The majority of today’s canine foods have more protein than recommended. However, certain exceptions exist.
For example, hypoallergenic foods and limited-ingredient diets. The nature of these foods is that they have to use either exotic meat or plant proteins (but in smaller amounts) to avoid triggering any allergic reactions.
The majority of canine experts believe that for adult dogs to be healthy. They need to be on a diet low in carbs, moderate amounts of fat, and high protein amounts. If your Pom has health troubles, the smart action is to speak to the vet and get their advice.
Great animal protein sources include eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. These foods give your Pomeranian every amino acid necessary for good health. Plant proteins can supply some essential amino acids but can’t give your dog the full amino acid requirements that animal proteins supply. Most are missing at least one and sometimes more vital amino acids your Pom needs.
Lots of today’s dog foods (including the costly, popular choices that claim they supply high protein levels) may get a lot of their proteins from lentils and peas. While some protein and various extra nutrients benefit canines, they’re harder to digest than protein from eggs, meat, and other animal proteins.
Manufacturers prefer using plant material when making dog food because animal proteins cost considerably less. They have plenty of fiber, but unfortunately, lentils, chickpeas, and peas are much harder to digest.
If you’re giving your Pomeranian dog grain-free food, you should check to ensure the fiber ratio isn’t too high. Most canine foods with grains contain approximately—4% fiber, as per the guaranteed analysis.
If grain foods have more plant protein, there can be 6 – 7% fiber per guaranteed analysis. This significantly affects how well your dog digests his food and the quality of what you must pick up after him.
Fat is an essential ingredient necessary to keep your dog healthy. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids critical for your brain’s development, good healthy skin and coat, and the proper functioning of his heart.
Essential fatty acids assist with absorbing vitamins A, D, E & K. Fats from animals are healthier than fats from plant sources. Your Pom can’t use fats from plants. The best fat sources for your dog’s diet include chicken fat and fish (e.g., salmon oil).
Dog Minerals, Vitamins and Supplements
Pomeranians require minerals and vitamins as part of their diet. Many owners believe vitamins and minerals within dog foods are derived from the ingredients of that food.
However, the truth is that most canine foods are cooked at very high temperatures. This process destroys a large percentage of nutrients. They’re forced to include supplements as a part of their formula, so when you check food labels, don’t be surprised when you read a long list of minerals and vitamins.
Recent studies have also indicated the importance of taurine in doggie diets, and links have been made to feeding commercial dog food that often lacks taurine and is possibly related to heart issues.
Taurine is an amino acid containing sulfur and is important in metabolizing fats. All these studies reinforce that the best food for your Pom (if possible) is a healthy home-cooked diet.
Pomeranian Food Allergies
Some Pomeranians start getting allergies and become sensitive to certain foods such as peas, lentils, and other plant proteins. This is a typical problem with any regular food ingredient protein.
Because plant proteins have been used in many different dog foods, there’s an increase in “fermentation products” and digestive enzymes.
The enzymes assist your Pom in digesting his food more easily and are also very good for properly digesting certain plant proteins. Digestive enzymes aren’t bad, but they can tell if your dog needs help digesting certain plant proteins.
There Are Two Problems Associated With Buying Commercial Dog Food for Pomeranians:
- The myriad of commercials make people believe certain foods must be the best because they’re brand names they hear so much about. The sad news is that the opposite is often true.
- It’s simple to buy something while you’re out shopping and the advertisements do their work again so the popular foods go into the trolley and your dog’s tummy.
The downside is that you’ll pay more for this higher quality food, but this is a reason to go for the home cooking option.
Read the food labels and use chicken and fish as your main cooking ingredients. Add vegetables, and you can also add probiotics to aid in digestion. If you see the word “chelated,” this means it has an added chemical to help with absorption.
Home Cooking Saves Money
Many of the ingredients you would feed your dog are the same as what you normally buy yourself. Just buy a little more for your dog’s meals.
You can also make larger amounts and freeze them in small portions so you don’t have to cook every day just for your dog. This is not the same as tossing your dog the table scraps. You control what nutrients your dog is getting so you can ensure he remains healthy.
Some better ingredients you may use include:
- Organs such as brains, kidneys, and liver.
- Lean meats including fish, white breast chicken and lean hamburger mince meat.
- Vegetables such as sweet or regular potatoes (your Pom loves these), spinach, baby carrots, zucchini, and broccoli. Don’t use corn.
- White or brown rice. Poms also love different types of pasta, so use your imagination there.
- Meat is the most important ingredient for your dog and should be the biggest component of each meal. The other foods help balance the meal. Use a ratio of 40% meat, 30% starch, and 30% vegetables.
Pomeranian Dog Food Quality
Never buy cheap supermarket dog food. Higher quality canine food has less filler and will give your dog better quality vitamins, protein, and calories.
The cheaper food can make your dog gain weight and become unhealthy. It may affect his immune system, and he could be sick more often. He’ll find it harder to fight off any illnesses. Food with more filler will also give him bigger, more frequent bowel motions.
Wet or Dry Pomeranian Dog Food?
Some say you should feed your Pom dog mainly dry food. If he’s resistant, add some low-salt beef or chicken broth on top or mix through the food. Never give your Pomeranian rawhide snacks. They may give him an allergic reaction internally and on his skin. They can also damage his teeth and jaw causing bad breath and digestion issues. There are good alternatives if you want this type of product.
High Protein Dog Food for Pomeranians?
When studies claimed it was dangerous for dogs to be on a high-protein diet, people were worried. However, the studies were conducted on rats, not dogs, and don’t apply to dogs. Your dog should have 20% or more of his diet as protein, mainly meat.
Your Dog May Have Times When He Needs a Special Diet
If your Pom is inactive because of a health problem, age, an injury, or other reason. He needs a reduced-fat diet with more fish oils. Always consult with your Veterinarian about special feeding requirements.
When you feed your Pomeranian store-bought food, you must amend the diet when the Pom Is pregnant. She needs food with more vitamins and minerals to help her puppies grow.
The calcium-to-phosphorous balance must be correct throughout pregnancy and lactation to lower the risk of milk fever (hypocalcemia) and for ease of whelping.
Artificial Colors and Preservatives
Research has shown that there are definite links between particular diseases, including cancer, and the low-grade artificial colors and preservatives in food. These specific ingredients are common in lots of dog foods. Preservatives are also called BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin. The fake colors are caramel and FD&C colors.
If your dog food has any previously listed ingredients you know now are hazardous to your dog’s health, I strongly recommend looking at much healthier choices.
Pomeranian Strange Eating Habits
Occasionally, your dog will take his food somewhere else to eat or try to bury it. You should train him not to do this.
Allow Pomeranian Begging or Not?
Your dog will beg for food. When you have put his food in his bowl, he’ll look like he will die if you don’t feed him. Never give him your food if you’re also eating, or he won’t eat his own. Giving him a piece of your food will be very tempting, but don’t give in. Human food has lots of additives that cause harm to people. Just think what they may do to your Pomeranian.
Best Dog Food For Pomeranians
Final thoughts on Best Dog Food for Pomeranians
If you are unsure or confused about what Pomeranians can eat or want to know if your Pom dog is the correct weight, chat to your Vet about your Pom dog’s dietary requirements.
For complete and detailed Pomeranian information, Feeding your new Pomeranian puppy, How to read dog food labels. Feeding your Pomeranian for optimum health, toilet and crate training your Pomeranian, how to choose the right Pomeranian puppy for your family, Socializing your Pomeranian Puppy. Download the Pomeranian Book by Pomeranian Breed Authority Denise Leo.
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References and Further Reading:[1] Denise Leo “The Pomeranian Handbook”.[2] Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association “Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?”