Feeding and caring for a Pomeranian spitz

Dwarf Pomeranian Spitz is a popular breed of dog, characterized by compact size and focused on domestic content. Bright appearance makes it attractive to buy as a pet. But even a compact dog needs proper care and creating a comfortable atmosphere in the house.

In addition to maintaining a balanced diet, the animal always requires regular walks and sufficient physical activity. Caring for puppies at home, nutrition and maintenance of dwarf spitz takes a lot of time. But the reviews of the owners make it possible to understand: this breed of dogs is really capable of becoming a devoted companion and a good friend for many years.

Pomeranian Spitz is a German breed of dog, characterized by a lively and cheerful character. But without proper training, a dwarf pet can easily subordinate its entire family to its needs and turn into a home tyrant. The description of the mini-spitz emphasizes its resemblance to a small fox - bright red hair, a sharp muzzle, erect ears are a characteristic feature of the breed. There are animals of black, brown, white or two-tone color, blue with undertones, black and tan, red-black.

Pomeranian spitz dogs are from 19 to 30 cm high, weigh up to 4 kg, and reach 22 cm at the withers.

Eating Pomeranian Spitz is a special moment in caring for a puppy and an adult dog. The excellent appetite of the animal leads to the fact that its diet has to be limited, accurately calculating calorie content. A good metabolism is the reason that the dog quickly begins to experience hunger.

A balanced diet that can be used to feed a Pomeranian must consist of:

• proteins that ensure proper growth and normal metabolism;
• carbohydrates that provide the necessary energy reserves;
• fats responsible for the condition of the coat;
• vitamins and minerals.

Natural feeding is perfectly acceptable. Dogs of this breed willingly eat meat products - low-fat bird, boneless beef, veal. Variety of protein diet will help the use of saltwater fish in boiled form. Sour milk products are also useful for growing puppies and adult dogs - kefir, low-fat cottage cheese. No more than once a week they give eggs.

At home, feeding Pomeranian dogs means using cereals, a source of carbohydrates. Recommended types of cereals such as rice, buckwheat, wheat, you can give hercules or millet in a well-boiled form.

The diet must necessarily include vegetables - cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, as well as fruits and dried fruits as a treat. But to create a balanced diet for the animal and provide him with vitamins and minerals at home is quite difficult. That is why veterinarians and breeders believe that the diet should be prepared from a well-known manufacturer.

Nutrition standards for adult dogs are relevant in the case of Pomeranian spitz aged 1 to 8 years - it is at this age that the animal is considered young and active. Some pets retain their maximum fitness until they are 9 years old.

The nutritional characteristics of adult animals imply a two-time distribution of food to a dog during the day. The advantages of the finished diet in this case are obvious:

• balance of serving contents - by caloric content, combination of vitamins and minerals;
• accurate calculation - the dosage is indicated on the package, you do not need to determine it yourself;
• a wide range of options for different ages and nutritional needs;
• simplicity and convenience of storage, the ability to take with you on a trip or vacation.

When choosing ready meals, you should not be afraid of excessive costs. Buying high-quality varietal meat and fish will certainly cost no less and require additional time. When choosing products, it is worth paying attention to feed marked "mini", "small", "miniature", taking into account the needs of small breeds of dogs.

In recent years, special attention has been paid to breeders of a series of holistic without grain content.

For dwarf Pomeranian, as well as for representatives of other small breeds, rapid and intensive growth is characteristic. At 8-10 months, the dog already has an adult appearance, then the skeleton becomes only a little stronger. That is why the calorie content of the diet in the first months of the animal's life should be maximum.

During the first weeks of life, Pomeranian spitz feed on breast milk. In the absence of such, it is necessary to purchase specialized veterinary milk formula. Self-nutrition can be prepared before each feeding, taking 250 ml of milk and 1 egg yolk.The resulting mixture is heated to 40 degrees, given from a bottle with a pacifier immediately after its creation.

In the first 5 days, babies eat often - up to 12 times a day. Night feedings are canceled from three weeks of age. With the appearance of milk teeth in the fourth week, puppies are given finely ground or minced meat without fat, puree-shaped vegetable soups are introduced.

From 1 to 3 months, the puppy’s feeding frequency is 5 times a day. Be sure to give boiled meat with each feeding. To prevent rickets, boiled egg yolk is injected twice a week. Milk rice, buckwheat, and wheat cereals are responsible for weight gain and a burst of energy.

From 2 months to six months, the puppy will benefit from dairy products. Natural cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir without added sugar help provide the baby with calcium. At the same time, you can begin gradual accustoming to dry food. From 3-3.5 months it is given soaked throughout the entire period of the change of teeth.

At 4 months of age, Pomeranian puppies are allowed to gnaw veins, soft spongy bones and cartilage - this is useful for forming the animal's masticatory apparatus. From six months of age, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 3-4 times a day.

A castrated or sterilized adult Pomeranian must receive a specialized diet that takes into account his state of health. Animals after surgery experience certain difficulties with metabolism and the work of the urogenital organs. The owner needs to carefully regulate all the problems that arise with the help of a properly selected meal regimen.

The main feature of such products is reduced calorie content. Here, the volume of incoming proteins is optimized, the content of fat and carbohydrate components is reduced. The serving size remains the same, the dog does not experience hunger. However, in the postoperative period, while anesthesia is excreted from the body, the volume of food will still have to be reduced.

It is necessary to select the best food for castrated or sterilized animals after consultation with a veterinarian. Pay attention to products focused on small and dwarf breeds with reduced levels of physical activity. Among the beneficial supplements, attention should be paid to chondroitin, biotin, l-carnitine, calcium and magnesium, organic and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Pomeranian Spitz - a fairly unpretentious dog. It’s enough for the puppy to have its own bed, which is best placed in a room away from drafts. A house or basket with sides and a liner inside is suitable. Dogs of this breed need toys and devices for grinding their teeth.

At home, if the puppy remains alone for a long time, it is worth preparing an aviary with a toilet and a couch inside. In the house or apartment during the growth and formation of the dog’s skeleton, you will have to cover all slippery floor surfaces with paths or carpets. The animal is walked on a leash - an inquisitive animal is very indifferent to garbage and other objects dangerous to it.

Direct delivery of the ears of the Pomeranian spitz makes it possible to quickly and easily carry out the necessary hygienic procedures.Dogs are not prone to developing otitis media and other ear diseases. A pet living at home usually does not bother with regular procedures. Caring for a puppy begins in the first months of life.

Hair growing on the inner surface of the auricle is recommended to be removed. The procedure is carried out in the period after bathing, manually, and does not cause the pet any particular discomfort. Cleaning with a cotton swab is carried out weekly, the immersion depth should be minimal. It is better to give preference to special safe options with a limiter.

The following symptoms should be a cause for concern for the owner:

• the formation of tumors, seals on the surface of the skin;
• itching, combing surfaces with paws;
• discoloration of the skin inside;
• the appearance of discharge from the ears, an unpleasant odor.

Dog eye care tips should also not be ignored. The peculiarities of their structure in Pomeranian Spitz are such that often the eyelashes or hair around grow incorrectly. Purulent discharge, excessive tearfulness, the appearance of lumps in the corners of the eyes are considered cause for concern.

Normally, lacrimal secretions require only regular removal from the surface of the coat. The lacrimation necessary to wet the convex eyeball intensifies in the period after sleep, walking, or with a sharp change in light and shadow. But if the abundance of secretions increases significantly, it is worth worrying. The cause of the problems may be an allergic reaction or eye injury.

Everyday eye hygiene is to remove secretions using a cotton swab dipped in a special veterinary lotion or ordinary boiled water, and a decoction of chamomile is also suitable.

Dental care for dogs of dwarf breeds, which include Pomeranian spitz, requires special attention. Only thorough hygiene will help protect the animal’s dental system from caries, prolapse, calculus. It is important to understand that the breed is so exposed to all these risks that it may well lose its molars and premolars long before the venerable age.

Teeth change in Pomeranian puppies occurs up to six months. The length of the process is about 60-90 days. During this period, the animal may show signs of anxiety and malaise. There may be signs of fever, upset stomach. In the absence of signs of a timely change of teeth, you should consult a doctor.

The teeth of a Pomeranian Spitz are regularly cleaned after they are replaced with permanent teeth, at least three times a week. A special dog toothpaste is used, it is worth choosing options without sweeteners. To carry out the cleaning procedure, you need a special brush or sponge, in an emergency situation outside the house you can do with ordinary bandages.

Hair care is one of the main concerns of Pomeranian owners. Owners of long outer hair and dense undercoat require careful and regular combing. The procedure is carried out at least once a week, but too often it does not need to be performed, otherwise the famous luxurious fur coat of the pet will be excessively thinned.

The rules for grooming for Pomeranian spitzers require combing in the direction against the coat.Particular attention is paid to areas of the body where the hairline is particularly soft and prone to form mats. These are the areas behind the ears and in the groin, on the legs and throat. A set of appropriate devices will help to properly remove dead undercoat and excessively long outer hair:

• combs with different tooth frequencies;
• brushes - with metal teeth and natural bristles;
• scissors for haircuts - you should take the option for animals, with safety rounded ends.

In order for an adult dog to well tolerate all complex manipulations with the coat, it is worth taking care of its accustoming to this procedure in advance. It should start from a month old, creating conditions comfortable for the puppy, and gradually increasing the time for combing the hair. Adult Spitz needs regular grooming - a haircut to give the right silhouette.

Bathing Pomeranian helps to keep the coat clean. It is carried out not too often, once every two months, using special dog shampoos. They must be hypoallergenic and from a reputable manufacturer. In emergency cases, dry shampoos are used, which can quickly bring the contaminated animal coat to proper condition.

When bathing at the bottom of the bathtub or other container, a special non-slip coating is laid. In addition, it is also worth considering a number of subtleties that will help to achieve an optimal result.

1. During molting, swimming is undesirable. It is necessary to provide a break in the implementation of hygiene procedures, so as not to provoke even more profuse hair loss.
2. Pre-combing will greatly facilitate the process of further processing of the coat and will avoid tangling the undercoat.
3. At the time of bathing, cotton swabs must be placed in the ears of the animal to prevent water from entering.
4. For the most uniform distribution of shampoo, you must first dilute it with water.
5. On the day of the water procedures, you should abandon the animal walking to prevent possible hypothermia and the development of colds.

After the procedure, the animal is dried using a hairdryer. Dense undercoat prevents rapid natural drying. The best solution would be to buy a special stand for the hair dryer, which allows you to act with two hands in the process of processing the body of the animal.

Clawing is a difficult procedure. And if we are talking about a hyperactive German dwarf spitz, it can be even more difficult to carry it out without harming the health of the dog. But this procedure is absolutely necessary, because the claws naturally grind very poorly, and excessively long keratinized plates can grow into soft tissues and injure the pet.

The regularity of clipping of claws in Pomeranian is determined by such factors as the conditions of their maintenance. The more often the dog is in contact with natural abrasives - asphalt, concrete, the less often it will be necessary to artificially remove excess keratinized layer. On average, it is necessary to inspect and cut the nails once every one to two months.

The main difficulties in cutting the claws are the presence inside the hard shell of living tissue - pulp. Its border is clearly visible even when visually inspected if sufficient lighting is provided. 2 mm should be retreated from this line and excess claw should be removed. Further, the cut edge is carefully filed with a classic nail file or special grinding tools.

About the features of the upbringing and care of Pomeranian spitz see in the next video.