The Pomeranian is well known for its fuzzy coat and lovable personality. Because Pomeranians sport so much adorable fluff, many assume that the breed is a heavy shedder. Though they will experience heavy shedding at certain points throughout life, that’s not always the case in their day-to-day life. To make sure you know everything there is to know about your Pomeranian‘s fur, let’s dive into the details!
Understanding The Pomeranian Coat
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Pomeranians are likely one of the most identifiable dog breeds due to their unique coat. Their plush fur stands erect from their body, giving them a stuffed animal-like appearance. This adorable trait is due to their two layers of fur. Pomeranians have a thick, soft, and dense undercoat, as well as a top layer of fur that is long and fluffy. Their fur will grow to a set length based on their genes and then go into a resting phase afterward.
How Much Do Pomeranians Shed?
Aside from their seasonal shedding habits, Pomeranians are typically seen as moderate shedders. They will typically leave a bit of fur behind on your clothes if you cuddle with them. They may also leave a bit of fluff behind on furniture. In addition, you may notice some stray fur in your hands after petting them. This is typically as excessive as their shedding gets, though. While Pomeranians are typically moderate shedders, there are seasons of their life during which they shed quite a bit. To make sure you are prepared for their high shedding seasons, let’s break down the points at which they shed the most.
When Do Pomeranians Shed The Most?
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If you have a Pomeranian, there are a few times you can expect them to shed more than usual. These high shedding periods include the time in which they are losing their puppy coat and twice a year during their seasonal shedding.
Most Pomeranians will lose their puppy coat between 6 to 12 months of age. This high shedding period can last anywhere from a few weeks to a month. You will notice that their soft puppy coat becomes a bit coarser, and their coat will feel much denser.
Because the adult Pomeranian has a double coat, this means their body will naturally prepare for the changing seasons. Their coat is meant to protect them from the cold and heat throughout the year. Pomeranians will typically thin out their coat during the spring to prepare for the approaching summer. In the fall, they will shed their thin fur to make room for plush fur. During these periods, you will often notice a significant increase in their shedding amounts.
Why Is My Pomeranian Shedding So Much?
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If your Pomeranian is suddenly shedding more than usual, you may be wondering what could have possibly caused this. We want you to be as informed as possible when it comes to your Pomeranian’s fur, so let’s break down a few of the most common causes of excessive shedding in Pomeranians below.
Shedding Their Puppy Coat
As we discussed above, all Pomeranians will shed their puppy coat between 6 months to a year of age. If your Pomeranian is within this age range and they are suddenly shedding more than usual, this could be the reason why. If this is the case, their shedding should slow down within a few weeks to a month.
Seasonal Shedding
If you notice that your Pomeranian is shedding excessively in the spring or fall months, then this is likely a result of their bodies preparing for the changing season. The Pomeranian’s double coat is meant to protect them from the elements, so you will notice a significant increase in shedding amounts during this period. Thankfully, their shedding is easy to manage with the use of daily brushing and de-shedding tools.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes are a common cause of excessive shedding in female Pomeranians that have not yet been spayed. These pups can lose quite a bit of fur when they enter the estrus stage of their heat cycle, as well as directly after they give birth. If your Pomeranian loses a large amount of fur during any of these points, you can likely chalk it up to hormonal changes.
Skin Allergies
We are not the only ones that can suffer from environmental allergies. Our Pomeranian friends can be allergic to anything around them, and these allergies can typically lead to significant skin irritation. If your Pomeranian is experiencing itchy or inflamed skin due to allergies, they may resort to scratching or biting themselves. When this happens, your Pomeranian may lose quite a bit of fur. We suggest having your Pomeranian seen by a vet if they are experiencing signs of allergies. These include fur loss, itchy skin, red skin, watery eyes, hives, and chronic ear infections.
Ectoparasites
If your Pomeranian becomes the victim of an ectoparasite like fleas or skin mites, your pup may begin to lose an excessive amount of fur. These critters cause your Pomeranian to bite and scratch themselves. Moreover, some skin mites attack the hair follicles specifically. No matter the damage they cause, both can lead to an increase in shedding due to skin irritation. If you see evidence of critters on your pup, including fleas, flea dirt, or patches of fur loss, have a vet look at them.
How To Care For Your Pomeranian’s Coat
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Since most Pomeranians are basically all fluff, this means you will need to be prepared to set aside time each day to care for their fur. Not only can a proper grooming routine help you minimize any stray fur found around your home, but it can improve your Pom’s skin and coat health moving forward.
An ideal grooming routine for a Pomeranian will include daily brushing with a pin-style brush that targets tangles and mats. The Pomeranian’s fur can become tangled with normal activity, such as going on walks and rolling around. You will need to brush out these tangles before they can turn into painful mats. Daily brushing will also help you remove any plant material or debris that finds its way into their fur.
In addition to a few minutes of daily brushing with a pin-style brush, we suggest brushing your Pomeranian with a de-shedding tool twice a week. You can even increase this frequency during high shedding periods, as this will help to make their shedding much more manageable around your home. You may have a few extra layers of fur on your clothes after cuddle sessions, but again, this can be limited with the regular use of shedding brushes.
If you need some help with finding the best shedding brushes for your Pomeranian, you can take a look at our detailed guide on the best de-shedding brushes here.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranians do have a lot of fluff, so this means they come with a bit of shedding from time to time. As long as you maintain a regular grooming routine and use de-shedding tools during seasonal shedding, you can typically stay on top of your Pomeranian’s fur loss with ease.
Up Next…
- The Best Dog Food for Pomeranians for 2022
- How Long Do Pomeranians Usually Live?
- 10 Incredible Pomeranian Facts
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