Own a cute, teeny-weenie Pom and you want to give only the best? Take a look at our round up for the best dog food for Pomeranians.
The Pomeranian is a toy breed dog that comes from the long lineage of the Spitz breeds. The life expectancy of the Pom is between 12 and 16 years, common to smaller dog breeds.
They are lively and very energetic, with large breed personalities. They are attentive, alert and not at all afraid to voice their opinions or concerns.
Because of their alert and vocal nature, they make decent alert dogs. They can be easily trained and hold their family deep in their hearts.
However, homes with very small children should be cautious when adopting a Pom, as toddlers may be too rough and cause injury because of the dogs very small size.
- Best Dog Food for Pomeranian
- 1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
- 2. Tiki Dog Born Carnivore Savory Lamb, Peas & Lentils
- 3. Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
- 4. Nom Nom Pet Food
- 5. Freshpet Homestyle Creations Fresh Beef, Chicken & Turkey Recipe
- 6. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
- 7. JustFoodForDogs JustFresh Human Grade Home-Cooked Beef Recipe
- 8. Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Pint-Sized Puppy Plate in Gravy
- 9. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
- 10. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
- Why Quality Food Matters
- Common Health Issues
- What to Look for in Quality Food
- Ingredients to Avoid
- Brands to Avoid
- Feeding Chart
- Final Say
Best Dog Food for Pomeranian
Below is a suggested list of the best foods for your Pomeranian for each life stage.
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
First 5 ingredients:
Depends on the recipe you choose – See below.
Food Type: Fresh, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 3.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, kale
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
Ollie's introduction to a raw food diet for your Pom makes feeding raw really simple. Ollie is a veterinarian created raw food system designed to give your pet optimum nutrition in a limited ingredient formula.
Everything is created using restaurant grade ingredients and shipped within days of getting made. It’s easy to set up your account and manage things based on your dog’s needs. If you’ve got the extra budget, it’s worth it.
Whole fruits and veggies provide excellent doses of vitamins and minerals, which helps with immune support, and fish oil contains essential fatty acids for maintaining skin and coat health. Everything is packaged in easy to use portion sizes, so there’s no confusion about how much to feed each mealtime.
Fill out a questionnaire for your dog and receive perfectly portioned meals. Put them in your refrigerator or freezer, and they’re ready to serve when you are.
Pros
- Regular deliveries
- Human-grade ingredients
- Easy to use portion sizes
- Raw nutrition with limited ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
- Weekly and biweekly delivery not available for some areas (may cause storage issues)
2. Tiki Dog Born Carnivore Savory Lamb, Peas & Lentils
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Peas, Lamb Liver, Lentils
Protein: 27.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Specially formulated for the health and well-being of small breed dogs, this high-protein diet crafted to support your dog's natural carnivorous instincts.
At its core, this recipe highlights lamb as the first ingredient, providing a rich source of high-quality protein to support lean muscle development and overall vitality.
Complementing this is lamb meal, a concentrated form of protein for added nutritional density, and lamb liver, a nutrient powerhouse packed with essential vitamins and minerals that promote healthy organ function and robust energy levels.
The inclusion of peas, lentils, and chickpeas offers an excellent source of plant-based proteins and complex carbohydrates, ensuring sustained energy for active dogs while delivering dietary fiber to support healthy digestion.
These wholesome ingredients are thoughtfully chosen to provide a balanced mix of proteins and nutrients, catering to dogs’ biological needs without relying on fillers or artificial additives.
What sets this food apart is its unique baking process. Unlike conventional kibble that is often extruded under high pressure, baking preserves the integrity and flavor of the ingredients, delivering a crunchy, nutrient-rich texture that dogs love. This method also ensures optimal digestibility, making it an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
- Small kibbles
- Boosts immune system
- Promotes tartar removal
- Real lamb is top ingredient
- Gently baked to preserve flavor and nutrients
Cons
- Picky eaters may not like it
- Other pets experience belly upset
3. Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-product Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-tocopherols, Corn Gluten Meal
Protein: 29.0% min
Fat: 17.0% min
Fiber: 3.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Purina Pro’s savor formula is made with real chicken to provide dense nutrition and protein with a flavor your pup will drool over.
The incorporation of guaranteed live probiotics makes this recipe an excellent choice for dogs that have sensitive digestive systems – it provides nourishment for the good bacteria in your pup’s intestines, helping to ease the digestion process.
In addition, rice is incorporated to deliver carbs with easy to digest ingredients. There is also fish oil in this formula, so your pup is getting omega fatty acids to encourage joint health and mobility along with support for skin and coat health.
There are no fillers in this dry dog food, and it is even pea-free for pups allergic to this ingredient.
Pros
- Packed with Omegas 3 & 6
- Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- With guaranteed live probiotics
- Contains Vitamin A and linoleic acid
- Shredded pieces are a hit with furbabies
- Specially designed to help your adult dog thrive
Cons
- Contains corn & soy
- Kibbles are quite big
4. Nom Nom Pet Food
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, sweet potatoes, squash, water sufficient for processing, spinach
Protein: 8.5% min
Fat: 6.0% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 77.0% max
Food Type: Gently Cooked
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Nom Nom is a gently-cooked dog food that uses only minimal ingredients with no additives. Each flavor is carefully crafted by hand when you order it. You can order in bulk or by the meal, giving you the option on how much to store, or not.
The reason it is different is that the four options available – beef, chicken, pork, and turkey – are neither dry nor canned… they are recently made and delivered to your door.
Every meal is cooked on low heat, to preserve nutrients, in a human-grade kitchen to pass human standards. You are required to let them know about your canine friend before you begin the delivery service, for a customized program to be created especially for your dog. It does arrive at your door frozen though.
Nom Nom food needs to be stored in the freezer to ensure freshness and before the first meal can be eaten by your dog, the particular food has been in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
Every meal after that should be defrosted for around 24 hours and the packaging is not resealable, which is a bit of a nuisance.
Pros
- 50% off first order
- Vitamin-laded for overall health
- Small ingredient list to limit complications or allergies
- Helps with digestion and lack of additives
Cons
- Some flavors have ingredients a dog won’t like
- Storage can be difficult when trying to keep fresh for longer periods
5. Freshpet Homestyle Creations Fresh Beef, Chicken & Turkey Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Eggs, Carrots
Protein: 16.0% min
Fat: 8.0% min
Fiber: 1.5% max
Moisture: 65.0% max
Food Type: Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This fresh food offers a wholesome, homemade-inspired meal crafted to satisfy your dog’s nutritional needs and taste preferences.
This premium recipe features real fresh beef, chicken, and turkey as the main ingredients, providing a protein-packed foundation to support strong muscles and overall vitality. Each protein source is carefully selected to deliver a rich, savory flavor that dogs love while ensuring optimal nutrition in every bite.
The recipe is further enhanced with a medley of fresh, natural ingredients, including nutrient-dense vegetables such as carrots and green beans, and fiber-rich pumpkin and brown rice, which aid in healthy digestion and sustained energy. The use of real, whole ingredients ensures your furry companion gets a complete and balanced meal without the need for fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives.
Prepared in small batches and gently cooked to lock in freshness, this recipe delivers a tender texture and irresistible aroma that appeals even to picky eaters.
Pros
- High-quality protein sources
- Fresh and minimally processed
- appealing texture and aroma
- No artificial additives
Cons
- Refrigeration required
- Higher cost
6. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
First 5 ingredients:
Dehydrated Beef, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Potatoes
Protein: 22.5% min
Fat: 8.5% min
Fiber: 5.8% max
Moisture: 9.5% max
Food Type: Dehydrated
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
The Honest Kitchen uses all-natural ingredients and prepares the food through dehydration. You will need to follow the instructions on the pack to rehydrate the food before serving. Each box contains healthy ingredients with the primary source of protein coming from beef stock.
This is a premium dog food option made with top-notch ingredients. Made with real, human-grade beef, wholesome grains, and a blend of fruits and vegetables, this dehydrated food retains the essential nutrients. Just add water to rehydrate, and your dog will enjoy a healthy and delicious meal.
It is everything you need to keep your Pom active, healthy and alert.
Pros
- A hit among picky eaters
- Over 22% crude protein from beef
- Multiple flavors to choose from for variety and other protein sources
Cons
- Some vegetables may be too large for Poms
- Adding the water to get the right consistency can be a challenge at first
7. JustFoodForDogs JustFresh Human Grade Home-Cooked Beef Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Ground beef, water, oats, beef liver, brown rice
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 5.0% min
Fiber: 1.5% max
Moisture: 70.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This wet food delivers the ultimate in quality and nutrition, crafted to provide your dog with a wholesome, home-cooked meal made from the finest ingredients.
It features human-grade ground beef as the primary ingredient, a premium source of high-quality protein essential for maintaining strong muscles and supporting healthy growth, making it ideal for growing puppies.
The addition of sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans provides a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to overall health and a robust immune system.
To further enhance its nutritional profile, this recipe includes blueberries, which are packed with antioxidants to support cognitive function and cellular health, and fish oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that promote a shiny coat, healthy skin, and optimal brain development—particularly important for puppies during their formative months.
This tasty meal is made using a gentle cooking process, preserving the integrity of its fresh, human-grade ingredients. Free from preservatives, fillers, and artificial additives, it delivers a natural, balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards for all life stages, including puppies.
Pros
- Veterinarian formulated
- Ideal for growing puppies
- Supports skin and coat health
- High quality, human-grade ingredients
Cons
- Shorter shelf life
- Refrigeration and storage needed
8. Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Pint-Sized Puppy Plate in Gravy
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Liver, Deboned Turkey
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Stew
Best for: Puppy, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Merrick creates wet food for toy breeds that have more nutrients and vitamins than most other brands.
The main feature of this dog food is that it is grain-free, which means it does not contain any wheat, corn, soy, or other grains. This is beneficial for puppies with food sensitivities or allergies, as grains are common culprits for causing digestive issues in dogs.
The formula comes in a convenient and appetizing gravy form, which adds moisture and enhances the flavor, making it more palatable for picky eaters. The gravy also helps to keep the food moist and provides additional hydration for your growing puppy.
The primary protein source in this formula is real deboned chicken, which is a lean and easily digestible protein. It helps to promote lean muscle development and provides the necessary amino acids for overall health.
In addition to chicken, the recipe includes wholesome ingredients like peas, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients offer natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which contribute to a strong immune system and optimal overall health.
Pros
- Easily to manage portion sizes
- Can be mixed with dry food or as a topper
- Digestion and metabolism are supported
- Comes in various flavors
Cons
- Overeating is possible
9. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Peas, Brown Rice, Rice
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Senior, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Small breeds of dogs typically live longer than large breeds. You’re likely to spend a significant amount of time caring for your senior Poms.
Wellness Complete offers an easily digestible formula with only 12% fat to help with your senior’s weight without compromising essential antioxidants and vitamins.
The first ingredient is deboned turkey, an excellent source of lean protein. Other ingredients include veggies for vitamins and minerals, probiotics for better digestion, and healthy fats for skin and coat.
It also considers heart health with highly controlled sodium. It includes glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint and bone health. If you’ve had trouble with your senior dog refusing food in the past, you shouldn’t have any issues with that here (just be sure to portion correctly to avoid overfeeding)
Wellness has a team of veterinarians, animal lovers, and nutritionists responsible for creating their food formulas. They use fresh, whole ingredients for their foods, giving your Senior dog a better chance to digest food properly and receive dietary requirements.
Pros
- Reduced sodium
- High quality, whole protein
- Formulated specially for your senior dog’s weight, heart, and joint needs
- Excellent choice for picky seniors (but without resorting to wet food)
Cons
- Only comes in a four-pound bag
10. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas
Protein: 7.5% min
Fat: 4.5% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 78.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Pâté
Best for: Senior, All Breeds
This is a canned wet food that not only stores well but mixes with their dry food for more complete nutrition.
This particular recipe features real chicken as the main ingredient, which is a lean source of protein. Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and supporting the aging process in senior dogs. The chicken used in this formula is free from by-products and provides a delicious and easily digestible protein source.
The inclusion of garden vegetables adds nutritional value and enhances the flavor of the food. These vegetables may include peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and cranberries. These ingredients are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which support the immune system and overall vitality of senior dogs.
The formula is designed to be grain-free, which means it doesn't contain any wheat, corn, or soy. This makes it suitable for senior dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies. By eliminating grains, Blue Buffalo focuses on providing a diet that is easily digestible and less likely to cause digestive issues.
The recipe is carefully formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of senior dogs. It includes essential vitamins and minerals that are important for maintaining joint health, cognitive function, and overall vitality. Additionally, it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
As a stand-alone, it is easily eaten by the smaller mouths and older teeth without worry of denture issues or gum diseases in the later years. The Homestyle recipe also provides many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals not found elsewhere.
Pros
- Easily mixed with kibble or as a topper
- Promotes activity and alertness levels
- Enjoyed by most, even picky eaters
- Maintains and supports bone and joint health
Cons
- Prone to overeating, portion control is crucial
Why Quality Food Matters
Poms, like other toy breeds, have very small mouths. They also have smaller teeth and will be affected by larger kibble. All your food options should be small enough for them to eat without having to break it down first.
Because of the high energy levels, your Pomeranian will also need a high protein, high vitamin diet. Their metabolism is higher than most small and medium breeds and will need smaller, but more frequent meals to maintain.
Common Health Issues
Every breed will have some health concerns. You should always do thorough research on the breed you want to welcome into your home. Poms are a toy breed, which brings with it a special set of health issues. We will cover some of them here.
Weight Gain – Poms are easily susceptible to overeating and gaining weight. They eat too fast to understand when their bellies are full. It is up to you as the parent to decide how much they should eat per day and make sure they are not just getting enough food, but that they are not getting too much.
Poms have small mouths and are susceptible to tooth crowding in their mouths. This can also lead to teeth and gum problems attributed to their food. Not only will eating properly be essential, but regular checks for food stuck in their teeth will need to be performed.
Followed by regular dental checks by the veterinarian. With high quality food, such as the ones we list here, your Pom will have few issues with eating. The proper nutrition will not only help them remain active and healthy, but it will also promote good gum and tooth health.
Hypoglycemia – Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. It is very common in puppies under three months of age and in small breed dogs their entire life. Owners should be aware of the symptoms and act right away. The most common symptoms are shaking and twitching, loss of motor controls or trouble walking, overall weakness and even seizures.
If you notice these conditions, you should use a finger of natural honey and rub it on their gums. This will temporarily increase the blood sugar. Then, you need to get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible for proper treatment.
Proper food will help avoid this condition to some degree. Ensuring your Pom has the right vitamins, minerals and proteins will keep their blood sugar regulated.
Severe Hair Loss Syndrome – Severe Hair Loss Syndrome, known as SHLS or Coat Loss, is a condition that mainly affects males of the species. It also typically appears later in life and results in the coat thinning and eventually falling out completely.
You will first notice the signs of the thick, double coat of the Pom thinning out. You will also notice that the fur around the hind legs and tail is the first to go. If not treated, it will eventually spread to the rest of the body from tail to head.
Your veterinarian will have the proper treatment methods and be able to explain them to you. Prevention is also a part of the process and catching the condition early can be crucial. Your dog’s diet can play a large role in the prevention methods as well. Ensuring proper protein and vitamin intake is a great method of SHLS prevention.
What to Look for in Quality Food
High-quality food is more than a recognizable brand name. Some of the most well-known dog food brands aren’t suitable for most dogs. That being said, here are some things you should look for on your ingredient label.
Meat and Meat Meal – The most important ingredient is going to be protein. However not just any protein will be good for smaller breeds and toy breeds like the Pomeranian. Most of the proteins should come from real meat.
This will depend on the brand you choose, generally be chicken or turkey. You will find other meat proteins such as beef, pork or wild game as well. The meat proteins should be listed by the type of meat they are (chicken, turkey, etc.) and should never just say “meat.”
The same goes for meat meal. Meat meal should be labeled as the specific type of meat the meal is made from, again such as chicken meal, beef meal, etc. If you ever see it listed as simply “meat meal,” walk away and choose another brand.
Vegetables and Fruits – When vitamins and minerals are concerned, they should come from natural sources such as vegetables and fruits whenever possible. Added vitamins and minerals are also ideal since a lot of the senior dogs need joint supplements that aren’t natural in fruits and veggies.
Ingredients to Avoid
There are a few things you need to watch out for and avoid whenever possible. Here are a few of the most common.
Byproducts – Meat byproduct is a 4-D food established by the FDA as not consumable by humans. The meat in question that the byproduct is derived from has no nutritional value, often contains spoiled or soured meat and even plastics, Styrofoam and another packaging.
The four D’s stand for dead, dying, diseased, and deformed. The slough off from the meat production leaves things like skin, bowels and other parts that aren’t used for consumption. Byproduct also includes meats that are expired.
Butchers and grocers that have expired meats send them to plants to be reused in byproduct manufacturing. The entire package is thrown in, along with the spoiled meat. This isn’t something you should ever eat, nor want to feed to your dog.
Artificial Colors or Dyes – For allergy reasons, you should also avoid added colors or dyes. Dogs are highly susceptible to allergies from foods that contain artificial colors. If you ever see colors on the ingredient list, you should avoid the food entirely.
These consist of such things as Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, etc. These additives are designed to please human eyes and ensure the bits of kibble that taste like a carrot appears to be a carrot.
However, the colors can rub off on your pet’s fur, especially around the face and paws, and can be a trigger for food-borne allergens.
Brands to Avoid
There are several brands; some are even well known and established, that should be avoided. They are constant offenders of adding ingredients that shouldn’t be in your dog's food.
Pedigree – Pedigree is a well-known brand that has been manufacturing dog food for quite some time. Their price point and marketing make them a viable choice for many. However, there are virtually zero proteins in Pedigree foods, and their grain proteins they do use come from corn. Even when the rare instances that chicken is used as the first ingredient, it is quickly followed by corn, corn meal, and other grains that all but negate the proteins from the chicken that is used.
Ol’ Roy – Arguably the worst food on the market is Walmart’s Ol’ Roy brand. Not only is there zero nutritional value, but they also use dyes, artificial colors and meat byproduct. The cost savings are tremendous, but the health concerns and dietary issues are not worth it. One vet has been known to state that feeding your dog Ol’ Roy was the equivalent of giving them a diet of candy bars and soda. While it may fill their belly temporarily, they will eat more, have digestion issues and need to go out more often.
Feeding Chart
As a guide, there are some feeding suggestions you should follow with your Pomeranian. Before you fill their bowl, you will need to understand that they are tiny dogs and have smaller stomachs.
In general, a Pom should have less than ½ cup of food per day. Some Poms will eat more, while others will eat less. This should also be given to them over several meal times per day and not all at once.
The key is to keep an eye on the food and how they eat it. If they devour the serving in less than five minutes and look for more, the next feeding should be slightly increased. Likewise, if they eat and walk away leaving food behind, that lasts longer than 15 minutes, the next serving should contain less.
After a few feedings, you will learn the proper amounts to give them. It will be a trial and error type of feeding schedule for the first week or two until everyone is comfortable with the schedule and amounts.
Final Say
When choosing the best dog food for Poms, it’s essential to consider their unique nutritional needs, such as high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals to support their energy levels, coat health, and overall well-being.
Small kibble sizes and easily digestible ingredients can also enhance their eating experience. Whether you prefer dry, wet, or raw diets, the best option should align with your Pomeranian's specific health requirements, age, and activity level.
Consulting with a veterinarian will ensure the diet you choose supports your pet’s long-term health.