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.
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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.
OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR POMERANIANS
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Best Dog Food for Your Pomeranian
Below is a suggested list of the best foods for your Pomeranian for each life stage.
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Ollie Fresh Pet Food
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed
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Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed
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Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food
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Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley
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The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
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Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
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Merrick Lil' Plates Grain Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Pint-Sized Puppy Plate
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Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
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What Is The Best Dog Food For Pomeranian?
- Ollie Fresh Pet Food
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed
- Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Small Breed
- Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery
- Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley
- The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
- Merrick Lil' Plates Small Breed Wet Dog Food
- Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
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.
The first five ingredients vary on the recipe you will choose.
Pros:
- Raw nutrition with limited ingredients
- Easy to use portion sizes
- Regular deliveries
- Human-grade ingredients
Cons:
- Weekly and biweekly delivery not available for some areas (may cause storage issues)
- Expensive
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Formula
Specially formulated for the health and well-being of small breed dogs, this kibble is made with real deboned chicken. You can be assured that your dog gets only high-quality protein with every serving of this chicken and brown rice recipe.
This formula has a precise blend of carbohydrates and protein to help sustain the higher energy needs of small breed dogs. It has whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. No corn, wheat, or soy are used in this recipe.
This formulation from Blue Buffalo has the exclusive LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.
This dry dog food has glucosamine to support joint health and mobility, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
This Blue Buffalo formula for small breed dogs has unique smaller sized kibbles that are designed to reduce tartar among smaller-jawed pups.
Like all of their recipes, this recipe has no chicken or poultry by-product meals; or artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal & Barley.
Pros:
- Promotes tartar removal
- Small kibbles
- Boosts immune system
- With Glucosamine for joint health
- No corn, wheat, soy or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals
Cons:
- Picky eaters may not like it
- Other pets experience belly upset
3. Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
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.
The first five ingredients are Chicken, Ground Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal & Beef Tallow.
Pros:
- Specially designed to help your adult dog thrive
- With guaranteed live probiotics
- Real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Contains Vitamin A and linoleic acid
- Packed with Omegas 3 & 6
- Shredded pieces are a hit with furbabies
Cons:
- Kibbles are quite big
- Contains corn & soy
4. Nom Nom Fresh Pet Food Delivery
Nom Nom is a fresh 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 freshly 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:
- Small ingredient list to limit complications or allergies
- Restaurant grade food for dogs helps with digestion and lack of additives
- Vitamin packs add to the overall health of the dog
Cons:
- Some flavors have ingredients a dog won’t like
- Storage can be difficult when trying to keep fresh for longer periods
5. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed
Taste of the Wild uses all natural ingredients based on the region their flavors come from.
The Appalachian Valley formula is designed for smaller dogs and toy breeds while still providing natural proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The flavors are enjoyed even the pickiest eaters and can be topped with wet food for a treat if desired.
The first five ingredients are Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, and Lentils.
Pros:
- Easily eaten and digested by the most stubborn of Poms.
- Vitamins and minerals are plentiful providing energy and activeness in Poms.
- Small kibble for tiny mouths.
Cons:
- Some people worry about peas and lentils in their dog’s diet.
- Some ingredients may be eaten around because of flavor or texture.
6. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
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.
You will also find grains, proteins, and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. Everything needed to keep your Pom active, healthy and alert.
The first five ingredients are Beef, Organic Oats, Organic Barley, Organic Flaxseed, and Potatoes.
Pros:
- Over 22 percent crude protein from beef.
- Pomeranians tend to leave little waste.
- Multiple flavors to choose from for variety and other protein sources.
Cons:
- Some vegetables may be too large for Poms to eat completely.
- Adding the water to get the right consistency can be a challenge at first.
Best Puppy Food for Pomeranians
7. Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
Blue Buffalo understands that some smaller stomachs don’t fare too well with a lot of grains. Their Freedom formula for small breeds is grain-free for an all-natural protein and vitamin punch.
The company also provides one of the highest crude protein levels of any puppy food (30%) giving your Pom puppy the energy and nutrition he or she needs.
The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, and Turkey Meal.
Pros:
- Natural ingredients with toy breed digestive systems in mind.
- Flavors are full and enjoyed by virtually all Pom puppies.
- Small mouths have little problems with the kibble size.
Cons:
- Some foods can get stuck in teeth, especially when crowding is involved.
- Finding the correct amount, changes by the individual puppy and can be difficult to lock down.
8. Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Pint-Sized Puppy Plate in Gravy
Merrick creates wet food for toy breeds that have more nutrients and vitamins than most other brands.
Proper growth is important for bones, teeth, coat, and joints. Each tub of Merrick Lil’ Plates provides adequate nutrition levels in a handy single serve size package.
The first five ingredients are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Liver, and Deboned Turkey.
Pros:
- Easily to manage portion sizes.
- Can be mixed with dry food or as a topper.
- Digestion and metabolism are supported through proper nutrition.
Cons:
- Food can be a little rich for some tastes, causing less eating than required.
- Overeating is possible with the wet formula alone.
Best Dog Food for Senior Pomeranians
9. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
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.
The first five ingredients are Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Peas & Ground Rice.
Pros:
- Formulated specially for your senior dog’s weight, heart, and joint needs
- Includes high quality, whole protein
- Reduced sodium
- Is an excellent choice for picky seniors (but without resorting to wet food)
Cons:
- Only comes in a four-pound bag
- May require strict rationing because of the taste
10. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
Blue Buffalo Homestyle is a canned wet food that not only stores well but mixes with their dry food for more complete nutrition.
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.
The first five ingredients are Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, and Peas.
Pros:
- Easily mixed or as a topper with dry food.
- Flavors are enjoyed by most Pomeranians, even the picky ones.
- Activity and alertness levels are maintained.
Cons:
- Older Poms tend to eat more than they should, making portion control crucial.
- May have to limit the number of daily feedings.
Why Quality Food Matters to Your Pomeranian
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.
Pomeranian 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 for Your Pomeranian
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.
Pomeranian 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.