Pomeranian Budget Guide, Including Puppy Costs, Vet Bills, and More

Quick Take

• A higher purchase price doesn't mean a healthier Pomeranian, and the real cost difference tends to show up years later in vet bills. See puppy pricing explained →
• Pet insurance timing has a hard rule that catches most new Pomeranian owners off guard, and missing it even once means there is no way to undo it. Check the insurance timing rule →
• Pomeranians have a breed-specific health vulnerability that turns one routine care item into a surprisingly steep recurring expense, and skipping it only makes the problem worse. Explore dental disease costs →

Before adopting a puppy, it’s important to know how much it will cost. In addition to the initial purchase of your puppy, you’ll need to plan for the cost over their lifetime. In this article, we’ll break down all of the expenses you can expect to pay in your Pomeranian’s life and what they cost. This will give you a clearer picture of what you will spend as an individual, depending on the choices you make for your dog.

How Much Does a Pomeranian Puppy Cost?

Pomeranian puppies from reputable breeders cost $1,500-$3,000 on average, with many exceptions. For show dogs, teacup Poms, and rare colors, the costs start at around $5,000 and up. However, high prices don’t always mean a great breeder. This can sometimes indicate someone who is trying to maximize profits. For Poms, this can mean breeding “trendy” puppies to the detriment of the dogs and their health.

Reputable breeders rarely profit from selling puppies, because the cost of genetic health testing, vet visits, feeding, and other care usually cancels out or even exceeds what they make from selling a litter. However, there are plenty of breeders who will skip these things to maximize profits or who do their best but don’t actually have the knowledge to breed ethically. In addition to animal welfare issues, you’re also more likely to encounter high vet bills throughout your Pomeranian’s life if genetic testing wasn’t done on both parents.

Rescue Pomeranian Cost

If you’d like to rescue a Pomeranian, adoptions from local shelters or rescues usually range from $100 to $300. Prices vary depending on your location and the type of organization you adopt from. Dedicated rescues are typically more expensive than your local shelter.

These Poms are usually already spayed or neutered, saving you that expense as well. It can also be easier to assess an adult Pomeranian’s personality, since puppies’ temperaments can change as they mature.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Pomeranian

Dog breeders are not all the same. It’s essential to do your research, ensure you’re shopping with a reputable breeder, and understand why their puppies cost what they do.

Factors that influence the purchase price of Pomeranian puppies include:

• Lineage: Do the puppies have award-winning ancestry? Are the parents famous? If so, the puppies are likely to cost more.
• Registration: Are the puppies registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)? If they are registered with a major kennel club, this will impact the price.
• Location: If your breeder lives in an area with a high cost of living, they’re likely to ask more for their puppies. They’re also likely to have spent more on their care.

Cost of Vaccinations and Other Medical Expenses for Pomeranians

Veterinary care accounts for some of the highest costs in owning a pet. Take an in-depth look at the cost of vaccines and other medical expenses you may have for your Pomeranian.

Vaccines

Vaccines can be broken down into three categories: the ones you’re legally obligated to get, core vaccines recommended for all dogs, and non-core vaccines recommended for dogs who are at increased risk. Rabies is the only vaccine required by law in most U.S. states, while the DHLPP vaccine is a core combination vaccine that vaccinates against several illnesses.

The cost is generally $25-$75 per vaccine. Please talk to your veterinarian about what’s recommended for your puppy’s lifestyle, as well as which diseases are most prevalent in your area.

Spay or Neuter Surgery

Spaying or neutering your Pomeranian is recommended not only to avoid puppies but to increase their life expectancy. The surgery comes with a host of behavioral and health benefits including reduced risk of reproductive cancers. Talk to your veterinarian about when they recommend your Pom be spayed or neutered. Most will wait until a dog is fully grown.

While the price of surgery for your Pomeranian is $100-$500 on average, in many metro areas it is closer to the high end of the spectrum and may even exceed $500. Costs will vary based on your location and the clinic you choose.

Pomeranians do tend to cost less to spay and neuter than larger dogs since they need lower doses of anesthesia and other medications. If you’re struggling to afford the procedure, the ASPCA has a list of low-cost spay and neuter programs that may include a few in your area.

Check-Ups

Your Pomeranian should see the vet at least once a year for a check-up, whether or not they’re having health problems. Prices vary based on which tests you choose; routine bloodwork and any additional tests your vet recommends can cost $250 or more.

If your veterinarian finds a health problem during your visit, treatment may make the appointment more expensive. We’ll talk more about common Pomeranian health problems under the “sick vet visits” section below.

Parasite Prevention Medications

Parasite prevention medications can cost $120-$300 per year. These medications prevent your dog from getting parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworm. They should be on these medications year-round.

Skipping parasite prevention can lead to much more expensive treatments, especially if your dog contracts heartworm, which is also quite painful for the dog. Pomeranians can usually take the lowest or second lowest dose of parasite preventatives, depending on the product and your dog’s weight.

Dental Care

Dental care is especially important for Pomeranians because small dogs are prone to dental disease. In addition to caring for your dog’s teeth at home, most veterinarians recommend professional dental cleaning once a year.

This can cost as low as $300 or well over $700. Prices vary by location, veterinarian, and whether your Pom needs any of their teeth pulled. The better care you provide at home, the less likely your dog is to need their teeth pulled and the cheaper their dental care is likely to be.

Sick Vet Visits

Going to the vet when your Pomeranian is sick can vary in price from a couple of hundred dollars to tens of thousands. It depends on which vet you go to, their diagnosis, and the treatment you choose. If your Pom needs an emergency vet visit, these clinics typically cost far more than primary care veterinarians. Specialist vets also charge higher rates.

Below are some common health conditions in Pomeranians as well as what they cost on average:

• Collapsed trachea – $30 a month for medications in mild cases; $500-$2,000 for diagnostics and $3,000-$5,000 for surgery in severe cases
• Patellar luxation – $1,000-$5,000 per knee if surgery is needed
• Hypoglycemia – $500-$8,000 for immediate treatment depending on severity; $40-$250 a month for ongoing care
• Dental disease – $500-$2,500 for tooth extractions if needed

Reputable breeders will screen for genetic health conditions, drastically reducing the odds of them occurring in their puppies. They will also never breed for a short (brachycephalic) muzzle as seen in “teddy bear” Pomeranians, as this can cause a range of health issues. Of course, all dogs will get sick at some point in their lives, so even after shopping with a reputable breeder, you should be prepared with either pet insurance or a savings account for veterinary expenses.

Cost of Food and Supplies for Pomeranian

Learn more about the cost of food, initial supplies, and repeat purchases that may be required in the following sections.

Food

Pomeranians typically eat around one-third to one-half cups of food daily, depending on their weight. This should be broken into at least two meals. As small dogs, they’re relatively cheap to feed. Owners with Pomeranians pay anywhere from $20-$150, with most falling into the lower end of the spectrum.

Kibble is cheapest to feed, while fresh, canned, and raw food is more expensive. Please keep in mind that both the FDA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) currently recommend against raw food for dogs.

Stick to foods that meet WSAVA guidelines, which state foods should be formulated by a veterinary nutritionist and that they should be scientifically proven. These are also the brands most recommended by veterinarians.

Initial Purchases

The cost of initial purchases can vary depending on the brand, quality, and quantity of items bought. For instance, you’ll pay significantly more for a fashionable Pom with many accessories than one that has only a collar and leash.

On average, you can expect to pay around $200 for initial purchases. These include:

• Collar and leash
• Harness (optional)
• Food and water bowls
• Grooming supplies
• Crate (optional)
• A dog seatbelt or sturdy, crash-tested crate for the car (optional but highly recommended)
• Car seat or household furniture covers (optional)

Repeat Purchases

You may end up purchasing multiple of any of the above items, depending on your preferences, whether the items are chewed by your puppy, and whether they are worn from wear and tear.

However, here are the things you should most expect to repurchase throughout your Pom’s lifetime:

• Toys
• Treats
• Dental care (dog toothpaste, dental chews, etc.)
• Collars and leashes
• Items chewed as a puppy

Though Pomeranians are small, chances are they’ll chew a shoe or other household item here or there as a pup! They may also be rough on toys or leashes.

Again, the cost of repeat purchases can vary, but you’ll likely pay around $100 yearly, even if you’re frugal.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Pomeranian?

If you don’t have much savings before adopting a Pomeranian, you should definitely opt for pet insurance! Emergency veterinary expenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which most people just don’t have.

You can pay as little as $20 a month for pet insurance or as high as $200. Typically, cheap plans cover very little, and expensive plans will cover a higher percentage of your dog’s care. Opting for something in the middle and paying close attention to what’s covered and what isn’t is advisable.

It’s also important to purchase pet insurance as soon as you adopt your Pomeranian, not after they get sick. Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover pre-existing conditions. It also rarely covers wellness visits but instead is meant for sick or emergency vet visits. Though you can get pet insurance that covers a bit of your routine care costs, it’s typically much more expensive.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Pomeranian?

Training for your Pomeranian can range from free, if you learn how to train them by yourself at home, to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for professional training.

Group puppy training classes typically cost around $150-$250 for a 6-week course, while one-on-one training can cost up to around $500 per week. Board and train classes can run from $3,000 to $6,000 for 2-4 week courses.

Please remember to use only force-free training methods and ensure any trainer you pay for does the same. The training industry is unregulated, so anyone can call themselves a dog trainer and offer harmful advice.

How Much Does It Cost to Groom a Pomeranian?

Professional grooming for your Pomeranian will cost around $30-$80 each time, depending on what you ask the groomer to do. They may just bathe your Pom, or give them a full grooming session with a haircut. The cost of living in your area will also impact what you pay. Your Pomeranian should see the groomer every four to six weeks, so you might pay as much as $1,000 a year for professional grooming.

You will also need to groom your Pomeranian at home, as they shed considerably and their long hair can mat without maintenance. You’ll need to buy a brush and brush your Pomeranian at least three times a week. Of course, you can also save money by learning how to groom your dog at home, but you’ll need to buy supplies such as dog shampoo, scissors, and nail clippers. Since your Pomeranian has a double coat, do not shave, cut, or clip their outer coat.