Pomeranians are a uniquely lovable breed. They have often been described as small dogs with the personality and attitude of big dogs. However, they need to have the right kind of diet if you expect them to live a long and happy life. In this article, we will attempt to find the best dog food for Pomeranians.
Quick Picks: The 5 Top-Rated Pomeranian Dog Food
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
Best Dog Foods for Pomeranians – Reviews
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
This dog food is mostly made of chicken meal and barley. Both of these are healthy and natural, but I’m not sure what barley is supposed to do. This product is specifically formulated for toy breeds, so that’s a plus.
Another good thing about this food is that it contains fish oil, which is a great natural source of omega fatty acids. Fish oil is the best source, in our opinion, because it contains little to no artificial ingredients.
This dog food also contains a good variety of vitamins, especially those that serve as antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Antioxidants have a whole host of health benefits, but some of them are not proven. Nevertheless, high vitamin content is undeniably a good thing.
A small percentage of those who have bought this product have described allergic reactions resulting in vomiting or localized hair loss. Since most of the ingredients are safe and common, I can only assume that some dogs are allergic to barley. On closer inspection of the ingredients, I see that there are a few chemical ingredients here, although none of them seem too concerning.
Pros:
- All-natural ingredients (mostly)
- Lots of omega fatty acids from fish oil
- Lots of vitamins
- Made for toy breeds
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Some dogs may be allergic to barley
- Does contain a few chemical ingredients
Diamond Naturals Real Meat Recipe High Protein Dry Dog Food
This one is a puppy food, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be good for an adult dog. In particular, an adult female should be given puppy food when she is nursing. Foods made for puppies tend to have a slightly higher nutritional content.
This is a chicken-and-rice-based formula that contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, probiotics, and no corn or wheat. This means that your dog will get a very well-rounded diet.
Pros:
- Contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals
- Contains omega fatty acids
- Great for puppies or nursing mothers
- No fillers
Cons:
- Some of the vitamins are derived from chemical sources and may be too pure
- Relatively high in fat
Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food
This is a dog food that is advertised as being all-natural, and they claim to go to great lengths to ensure safety and purity. As such, the company has staked their reputation on that claim. Since the vast majority of customers appear to be happy, they seem to have done their job.
This food is based on a blend of chicken and duck meal. It is high in fiber and low in fat as a result of its lean meat content. It also contains brown rice and oat groats. I am a little concerned to see taurine on the ingredient list since this is usually found in energy drinks. Thankfully, there isn’t a whole lot.
Pros:
- Made from natural lean poultry
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals
- Relatively low in fiber
Cons:
- Contains taurine
- Pretty expensive
- Might be overloaded with minerals
Royal Canin X-Small Adult Dry Dog Food
This is another one that is based on chicken and rice, which is good because both provide plenty of energy without the fat. Although this is the most expensive dog food on our list, it is specifically meant to meet the needs to high-energy toy breeds that need maximum energy to exhibit their rowdy personalities.
If your dog weighs more than 8 pounds, this isn’t the one for you. However, most Pomeranians don’t reach that size, so you should have no problems. This dog food contains lots of omega fatty acids in two different forms, which is certainly a plus for those who want their Pom to have the long and silky hair for which the breed is known.
This brand provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals, with a special emphasis on omega fatty acids to provide a silky coat.
Pros:
- Specially made for the smallest of dogs
- High caloric content with minimal fat
- Plenty of calcium for strong bones and teeth
- Lots of omega fatty acids
Cons:
- Kind of expensive
- Suitable only for tiny dogs
Solid Gold Wee Bit Holistic Dry Dog Food
There are several good things to be said about this brand. First of all, it is designed for easy chewing. The dry kibble is made in very small granules that are not pressed together very tightly. This helps to ensure that your dog will not have to exert a lot of effort to eat. It’s also great for those old toothless Pomeranians.
This dog food is mainly made from whole grains and bison. This makes it an exotic choice, but bison is a great meat for dogs. Like poultry, it is high in protein while being low in fat. Unlike poultry, it is a type of red meat that contains a whole host of healthy vitamins and minerals.
This dog food is formulated for dogs of all ages, so it is not a specialized brand. This means that you can keep your dog eating the brand that he is used to eating. This is good because changes in diet will almost always produce problems even if the food is of good quality. Any change in your dog’s eating habits is likely to produce some diarrhea and incontinence, at the very least.
Pros:
- Made from bison
- Made for easy chewing
- Probiotics and omega-3 acids in sufficient amounts
Cons:
- Small kibble leads to more dust in the bottom of the bag
The Best Dog Food for Pomeranians – Buyer’s Guide
Here, we will give you a better idea of what to look for in a quality dog food for your Pomeranian. We will start by giving you a crash course in canine nutrition before moving on to talk about the specific health problems of Pomeranians and how proper diet can help to prevent them.
The Basics Of Nutritional Content
When buying Pomeranian dog food, you should always check the packaging for certification from AAFCO. This is an organization that measures and certifies the nutritional content of various dog food brands. Even most of the cheaper brands will have this certification. Bear in mind that this does not designate the best dog food. It only designates dog food which has been legally certified as “good enough.”
Three nutrient types should be listed on the label. These will tell you the content of protein, fat, and fiber. High fiber content can often be a red flag, as it can indicate the presence of fillers. You can look at the ingredients list for a better idea of what your dog food contains. Unless there is a very good explanation that goes back to a healthy ingredient, avoid brands with really high fiber content.
Pomeranians are very active dogs. As such, they need plenty of energy from their food. A diet high in protein content is generally preferred for these little dogs, but be careful not to transition to a high-protein diet too quickly, as this can lead to terrible diarrhea and equally terrible canine flatulence.
Fat is a good thing, but only to a certain extent. Pomeranians have a higher incidence of obesity than most dogs, which is surprising when you consider their highly active nature. You would think that the little guys would burn off all those extra calories, but they often do not.
The good news about the study linked above is that Pomeranians only got a 54% obesity score overall. This means that they are higher than average, but still not high-risk. This means that you don’t have to put your Pomeranian on an extremely lean diet. Just keep an eye on their weight and switch brands if they start to get a little too tubby.
This tendency to be overweight probably comes from the history of the Pomeranian. This is a large breed that was gradually bred down to a toy breed. It would seem that their metabolism didn’t entirely keep up with the change.
Pomeranians Require Omega Fatty Acids For Their Hair
This is a long-haired breed, so the health of their hair has a lot to do with their appearance. To keep your dog’s coat at optimal levels, it is good to choose a food that is rich in omega fatty acids. The two most common types are omega-3 and omega-6. Both are about equal in their effectiveness. Research has conclusively shown that dogs develop a glossier and softer coat in response to heightened levels of fatty acids.
Pomeranians Are Prone To Develop Bone Problems
It is a well-known fact that Pomeranians are a little more prone to developing bone and joint problems. This is especially true as Pomeranians get older. Knee and hip dysplasia seem to be particularly common. Some of these dogs have even been known to develop deformities of the skull, which lead to all sorts of other problems.
A diet that is high in calcium is the best thing you can do to ensure optimal bone health. This study was performed on chickens. It confirms the fact that calcium creates stronger bones. They found that the breaking strength of a chicken bone was an accurate indicator of that bird’s calcium intake. Good calcium will also help your dog to avoid dental problems.
Pomeranians Are Prone To Early Tooth Loss
Research has long established that small dogs are more at risk for tooth problems in general. It is unclear as to why this situation exists, but it is pretty well-proven.
Apart from this, many Pomeranian owners have reported that these dogs will tend to lose their teeth a little earlier than other breeds. As such, it is clear that they do not have particularly strong teeth. You may consider wetting their dry food a little bit just to make it easier on their teeth. Using canned food all the time is another option, but it isn’t particularly healthy. Canned dog food should be more like a treat than a regular Pomeranians diet.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we are going to have to give this one to the final item on our list, the Solid Gold Wee Bit. While this product has a nice low price point, it also offers a very wide range of nutrients. A lot of these other products were obviously trying to pack the product with as many vitamins and minerals as possible. One of them even contained a stimulant, which is cause for major concern.
The Solid Gold dog food uses bison, which is a very nutrient-dense type of meat, as its primary source of protein, and uses only whole grains without any additives. At the same time, it gets points for its low price and for the fact that it can be eaten by dogs of all ages. Some of the brands on this list are only intended for dogs of certain age groups, but versatility is always a plus.