Feeding and caring for a Pomeranian Spitz at home

Dwarf Pomeranian Spitz - a popular breed of dogs, characterized by compact size and focused on home maintenance. Bright appearance makes it attractive to buy as a pet. But even a compact dog needs good care and a comfortable atmosphere in the house.

In addition to observing a balanced diet, the animal necessarily requires regular walks and sufficient physical activity. Caring for puppies at home, the nutrition and maintenance of dwarf Spitz takes a lot of time. But the reviews of the owners give the opportunity to understand: this breed of dogs is really capable of becoming a devoted companion and a good friend for many years.

The Pomeranian Spitz is a German breed of dog, distinguished by a lively and cheerful character. But without proper training, a dwarf pet can easily subdue the whole family to its needs and turn into a domestic tyrant. The description of the mini-spitz emphasizes its similarity with a small fox - bright red hair, sharp muzzle, erect ears are a characteristic sign of the breed. There are animals of black, brown, white or two-tone color, blue with subtone, black and tan, red and black.

Pomeranian spitz can be from 19 to 30 cm in height, weigh up to 4 kg, at the withers reach 22 cm.

Eating Pomeranian Spitz is a special moment in the care of a puppy and an adult dog. Excellent animal appetite leads to the fact that its diet has to be limited, just counting calorie. Good metabolism is the reason that the dog quickly begins to experience hunger.

A balanced diet that can be fed to the Pomeranian Spitz should consist of:

• proteins that ensure proper growth and normal metabolism;
• carbohydrates, giving the necessary energy reserves;
• fat, responsible for the state of wool;
• vitamins and minerals.

Natural feeding is quite acceptable. Dogs of this breed willingly eat meat products - lean birds, boneless beef, veal. Diversify protein diet will help the use of sea fish in boiled form. Dairy products such as kefir, low-fat cottage cheese are also useful for growing puppies and adult dogs. No more than once a week, give eggs.

At home, feeding dogs of the Pomeranian Spitz breed involves using porridge - a source of carbohydrates. Such types of cereals are recommended, such as rice, buckwheat, wheat, you can give hercules or millet in a well-cooked form.

The diet must include vegetables - cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, as well as fruits and dried fruits as a delicacy. But to create a balanced diet for an animal and to provide it with vitamins and minerals at home is quite difficult.That is why veterinarians and breeders believe that the diet should be prepared and from a reputable manufacturer.

Nutritional standards for adult dogs are relevant in the case of Pomeranian spitz aged from 1 to 8 years - it is at this age that the animal is considered young and active. Some pets retain their maximum physical form until the age of 9.

Peculiarities of nutrition of adult animals imply double delivery of food to the dog during the day. The advantages of the finished diet in this case are obvious:

• Balancing the contents of the portion - in calories, a combination of vitamins and minerals;
• accurate calculation - the dosage is indicated on the package, you do not need to determine it yourself;
• a wide range of options for different ages and nutritional needs;
• simplicity and convenience of storage, the ability to take with you on a trip or vacation.

Choosing ready-made meals, do not be afraid of excessive costs. Buying high-quality varietal meat and fish will definitely cost less and will require additional time. Choosing products, you should pay attention to the feed marked “mini”, “small”, “miniature”, taking into account the needs of small breeds of dogs.

In recent years, breeders have paid special attention to the holistic feed series without grain content.

For dwarf Pomeranian Spitz, as well as for representatives of other small breeds, rapid and intensive growth is characteristic. At 8-10 months, the dog already has an adult appearance, then the backbone becomes only slightly stronger. That is why the calorie intake in the first months of the life of the animal should be maximum.

During the first weeks of life, the Pomeranian Spitz feed on mother's milk. In the absence of such, it is necessary to acquire specialized veterinary milk formulas. Self-nutrition can be prepared before each feeding, taking 250 ml of milk and 1 egg yolk. The resulting mixture is heated to 40 degrees, give a bottle with a nipple immediately after its creation.

In the first 5 days, babies eat often - up to 12 times during the day. Night feeding canceled from three weeks of age. With the advent of milk teeth in the fourth week, puppies are given finely ground or minced meat without fat, and puree-shaped vegetable soups are introduced.

From 1 to 3 months the frequency of feeding a puppy is 5 times a day. Be sure with each feeding is given boiled meat. For the prevention of rickets boiled egg yolk is injected twice a week. Milk rice, buckwheat, and wheat cereals are responsible for weight gain and a surge of energy.

From 2 months to six months dairy products are useful for the puppy. Natural cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir without added sugar help to provide the baby with calcium. At the same time, you can begin a gradual training to dry food. From 3-3.5 months, it is given soaked throughout the entire period of tooth replacement.

At 4 months, puppies of the Pomeranian Spitz are given to chew on the veins, soft spongy bones and cartilage - this is useful for the formation of the chewing apparatus of the animal. From six months of age, the frequency of feedings is reduced to 3-4 times a day.

A castrated or sterilized adult Pomeranian Spitz should receive specialized nutrition that takes into account its health condition.Animals after surgery have certain difficulties with the metabolism and the work of the urogenital organs. The owner must carefully regulate all the problems with the help of a properly selected meal regime.

The main feature of such products - low calorie. Here the volume of incoming proteins is optimized, the content of fat and carbohydrate components is reduced. The batch sizes remain the same, the dog does not experience hunger. However, in the postoperative period, while anesthesia is removed from the body, the amount of food will still have to be reduced.

It is necessary to select the best feed for neutered or sterilized animals after consulting a veterinarian. It is worth paying attention to the products focused on small and dwarf rocks with low levels of physical activity. Among the useful supplements you should pay attention to chondroitin, biotin, l-carnitine, calcium and magnesium, organic and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Pomeranian spitz - dog quite unpretentious. A puppy has its own private bed, which is better placed in a room away from drafts. A house or basket with sides and a mattress liner inside is suitable. Dogs of this breed need toys and devices for grinding teeth.

At home, if the puppy is left alone for a long time, it is worth preparing an open-air cage with a toilet and a stove bench inside. In the house or apartment at the time of growth and the formation of the backbone of the dog will have to lay paths or carpets all slippery floor surfaces. Walking the animal is carried out on a leash - an inquisitive animal is very indifferent to the garbage and other objects dangerous to him.

The direct position of the ears of the Pomeranian Spitz allows you to quickly and easily carry out the necessary hygienic manipulations. Dogs are not prone to developing otitis and other ear diseases. A pet who lives at home does not usually show anxiety with regular mandatory procedures. Caring for a puppy start from the first months of life.

The hairs growing on the inner surface of the auricle are recommended to be removed. The procedure is carried out during the period after bathing, manually, and does not give the pet special discomfort. Cleaning with a cotton swab is performed weekly, the immersion depth should be minimal. It is better to give preference to special safe options with a limiter.

The following symptoms should be the cause of concern for the owner:

• the formation of tumors, seals on the surface of the skin;
• itching, scratching surfaces with paws;
• discoloration of the skin inside;
• appearance of discharge from the ears, unpleasant smell.

Dog care tips can also not be ignored. The features of their structure in Pomeranian Spitz are such that often the eyelashes or the hair around grow incorrectly. Purulent discharge, excessive tearfulness, the appearance of lumps in the corners of the eyes are considered a cause for concern.

Normally, the lacrimal discharge requires only regular removal of coat from the surface. Tearing, necessary for wetting the bulging eyeball, increases in the period after sleep, walk or with a sharp change of light and shade. But if the abundance of secretions increases significantly, you should be alarmed.Problems can be caused by an allergic reaction or injury to the eye.

Daily eye hygiene is the removal of secretions using a cotton swab dipped in a special veterinary lotion or boiled water, and chamomile decoction will do.

Care for the teeth of dogs of dwarf breeds, which include the Pomeranian Spitz, requires special attention. Only careful hygiene will help protect the dental system of the animal from caries, loss, damage to tartar. It is important to understand that the breed is so exposed to all these risks that it may well lose its molars and premolars long before the onset of respectable age.

The change of teeth in puppies of the Pomeranian Spitz breed occurs up to six months. The length of the process is about 60-90 days. During this period, the animal may show signs of anxiety and discomfort. There may be signs of fever, indigestion. In the absence of signs of timely change of teeth should consult a doctor.

Brushing the teeth of the Pomeranian Spitz is done regularly after they are changed to permanent ones, at least three times a week. Special dog toothpaste is used, it is worth choosing options without sweeteners. To carry out the cleaning procedure, you will need a special brush or sponge, in an emergency situation outside the house you can do with ordinary bandages.

Hair care is one of the main problems for owners of Pomeranian Spitz. Holders of long hairline and thick undercoat require careful and regular combing. The procedure is carried out at least once a week, but too often it is not necessary to perform it, otherwise the famous pet's luxurious fur coat will be excessively thinned.

Rules for the care of wool for Pomeranian Spitz require the combing in the direction against the coat. Particular attention is paid to areas of the body where the scalp is especially soft and prone to form mats. These are the areas behind the ears and in the groin, on the paws, throat. A set of appropriate devices will help to remove the dead undercoat and excessively long guard hair correctly:

• combs with different tooth frequencies;
• brushes - with metal teeth and natural bristles;
• scissors for haircuts - you should take the option for animals, with safety rounded ends.

In order for an adult dog to tolerate well all the complex manipulations with the coat, it is worthwhile to take care in advance of its training to this procedure. It should start at the age of one month, creating comfortable conditions for the puppy, and gradually increasing the time it takes to comb the coat. Spitz adults require regular grooming - a haircut to give the correct silhouette.

Bathing the Pomeranian Spitz helps keep the coat clean. It is carried out not too often, once in two months, using special dog shampoos. They must be hypoallergenic and from a reputable manufacturer. In emergency cases, apply dry shampoos that can quickly bring the contaminated fur coat of the animal in proper condition.

When bathing, a special non-slip coating is laid on the bottom of a bath or other container. In addition, it is worth considering also a number of subtleties that will help to achieve an optimal result.

1. During molting, swimming is undesirable.It is necessary to ensure a break in the implementation of hygienic procedures in order not to provoke an even more abundant loss of hair.
2. Pre-combing will greatly facilitate the process of further processing of the coat and will avoid tangling of the undercoat.
3. At the time of bathing, cotton swabs should be placed in the ears of the animal to prevent water from getting inside.
4. For the most uniform distribution of shampoo, you must first dilute it with water.
5. On the day of the water procedures, you should refuse to walk the animal in order to prevent possible hypothermia and the development of colds.

After completion of the procedure, the animal is dried using a hair dryer. Thick undercoat prevents rapid natural drying. The best solution would be to buy a special stand for a hair dryer, which allows you to act with two hands during the processing of the animal's body.

Claw clipping is a complicated procedure. And if we are talking about a hyperactive German dwarf spitz, it can be even harder to hold it without harming the health of the dog. But this procedure is absolutely necessary, because naturally the claws grind off very badly, and excessively long cornified plates can grow into soft tissues and injure a pet.

The regularity of clipping claws in Pomeranian Spitz is determined by such factors as the conditions of their maintenance. The more often a dog is in contact with natural abrasives - asphalt, concrete, the less often it will be necessary to artificially remove excess horny layer. On average, inspect and cut the claws have to once every one or two months.

The main difficulties in clipping claws are the presence inside the hard shell of living tissue - pulp. Its border is clearly visible even when visually inspected, if sufficient lighting is provided. From this line you need to retreat 2 mm and remove excess claw. Next, the cut edge is carefully filed with a classic nail file or special polishing tools.

On the features of education and care of the Pomeranian Spitz, see the following video.