Do Pomeranians Shed?

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 these dogs experience heavy shedding at certain points throughout life, it is not constant. Read this article to learn everything there is to know about your Pomeranian‘s fur. Let’s dive into the details!

Understanding The Pomeranian Coat

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 grows to a set length, which is based on genes. It then goes into a resting phase afterward.

How Much Do Pomeranians Shed?

Aside from their seasonal shedding habits, Pomeranians are typically seen as moderate shedders. They typically leave a bit of fur behind on clothing and furniture. In addition, you may notice some stray fur in your hands after petting your pup. This is typically as excessive as the shedding gets, though. However, there are seasons during which Poms shed quite a bit. To make sure you are prepared for the high shedding seasons, we break down the points at which they shed the most.

When Do Pomeranians Shed the Most?

There are a few times you can expect Pomeranians 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 six to 12 months of age. This high shedding period can last anywhere from a few weeks to a month. You will notice that the soft puppy coat becomes a bit coarse and feels much denser.

Because the adult Pomeranian has a double coat, the 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?

If your Pomeranian is suddenly shedding more than usual, you may be wondering what could have caused this. We 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 shed their puppy coat between six months to a year of age. If your Pomeranian is within this age range and he is suddenly shedding more than usual, this could be the reason why. If this is the case, the shedding should slow 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 the tiny body preparing for the changing season. The Pomeranian’s double coat is meant to protect from the elements, so you will notice a significant increase in shedding during this period. Thankfully, it’s 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 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, she may resort to scratching or biting herself. When this happens, your Pomeranian may lose quite a bit of fur. We suggest having your Pomeranian seen by a vet if she is 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, he 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. They 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 him.

How To Care for Your Pomeranian’s Coat

Since most Pomeranians are basically all fluff, this means you will need to be prepared to set aside time each day for grooming. 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.

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 turn into painful mats. Daily brushing will also help you remove any plant material or debris that finds its way into the 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. Increase this frequency during high-shedding periods, as this will help to make shedding much more manageable. 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.

Final Thoughts

Pomeranians have a lot of fluff, so 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 easily stay on top of your Pomeranian’s fur loss.