What’s the Best Way to Groom a Pomeranian?

Pomeranians are known for their spunky personalities, adorable fox-like faces, and plush coats. These soft and fluffy coats, however, mean they have to be groomed quite often. Thankfully, grooming a Pomeranian is pretty easy, as long as you have the right knowledge! In this guide, we'll take you through the grooming process step-by-step so your furry friend can look their absolute best.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Cleaning Ears & Cutting Nails

1
Clean your Pomeranian's ears. To begin the process of grooming your Pomeranian, swab out his/her ears with a cotton swab dipped in a non-alcohol-based cleaner. Simply lift up the dog's ear to expose the skin and gently clean the area with the cotton dipped in the cleaner.
- Never put any cotton tips or cotton buds down into the ear canal. If the dog moves suddenly it could force the cotton bud deep into the ear and cause damage.
- The non-alcohol-based cleaner will not sting the dog's ear like alcohol may.
2
Trim the dog's nails. Carefully trim the dogs nails by lifting their paws from behind and allowing the leg to bend at the joint. This is easier than trying to pull the paw toward you from the front. Try to identify the quick and leave a 4 to 5 millimeters length of nail to protect the quick. If you can't see the quick, nibble tiny amounts of nail away with the clippers just in case the dog has long quicks, which could bleed.
- Cut the nails using clippers specifically made for trimming dog nails.
- Keep styptic powder nearby to stop bleeding if you do accidentally cut the nails too short.
EXPERT TIP

Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer
Lancy Woo is a Certified Pet Groomer and the Owner of VIP Grooming, a pet grooming salon based in San Francisco, California. VIP Grooming has served San Francisco for over 35 years. Lancy received her pet grooming certification from the WWPSA (Western Word Pet Supply Association). VIP Grooming has been voted "Best in the Bay" in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and won Bay Woof’s "Beast of Bay" in 2014. In 2018, Lancy's work contributed to VIP Grooming's acceptance onto San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development's Legacy Business Registry.

Lancy Woo
Certified Pet Groomer

Expert Trick: When you're trimming your dog's nails, hold the nail with your thumb and pointer finger near where the nail curves, and take small cuts until you see a translucent white or black dot appear. By holding the nail firmly, if the dog jumps, you won't accidentally cut the nail too short.

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3
File the dog's nails. After you have trimmed your Pomeranian's nails, use a file made for dog nails to file until smooth. Be sure to praise your pet when you are finished in order to help them be more cooperative when you trim their nails in the future.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Bathing

1
Prepare to bathe your dog. Bathe your Pomeranian prior to clipping so that your clipper blades do not get dull from oily fur. Some oils, however, are good for the dog's coat, so you should only bathe him or her about every three months unless otherwise necessary.^{[1]
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2
Bathe your Pomeranian in a tub. Place a non-slip mat or towel in your bathtub or in a large kitchen sink and fill with warm water. Lower the dog into the water, but be prepared for the animal to react—some dogs like baths, while others do not. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an assistant to help. Use a cup or pitcher to pour water gently over the dog, wetting the entire coat thoroughly, but be careful not to get water in the ear canal. You can use cotton swabs in the ears to help, but do not push them too far in.
- Avoid getting water in the dog's eyes.
3
Lather the dog with shampoo. Be sure to get the soap on his or her whole body, massaging it in gently as you do. Work from head to tail using a shampoo made specifically for use on dogs. Be sure scrub all areas of the animal evenly, including the tail, belly, legs, paws, etc. ^{[2]
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4
Rinse the Pomeranian thoroughly. Rinsing your Pomeranian thoroughly is very important, as leftover shampoo that is not rinsed off properly can cause irritation. Use a sprayer, if possible, to rinse the dog, as it will more easily reach the skin and help remove all soap.
5
Dry the Pomeranian. Drying your dog well will facilitate the rest of the grooming process. You can use a blow dryer or allow the dog to air dry. Be careful to thoroughly dry the dog's ears with a dry towel or paper towel. Parasites, bacteria, and yeast can build up there if not dried effectively.
6
Brush your Pomeranian's teeth. Using a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs, brush your Pomeranian's teeth thoroughly. Some dogs may not like having teeth brushed and may resist, but keep trying for about five minutes per day, and over time your dog will be used to having his or her teeth cleaned, making teeth-brushing easier.
- Do not brush too hard, as dogs have sensitive gums.
- Brushing your dog's teeth can prevent potentially fatal bacterial infections.^{[3]
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7
Apply flea and tick preventative. Monthly application of a flea and tick preventative can help keep your Pomeranian healthy and beautiful. Some shampoos include a flea treatment, while other treatments are applied separately.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Brushing

1
Brush your Pomeranian. Brush your dog's coat using a wire-pin or firm bristle bristle brush.^{[4]
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Research source} Daily brushing is best, but a minimum of two brushings per week is recommended. Brush out from the skin instead of along the body. Regular brushings will help keep your dog's coat free of tangles.
2
Avoid brushing dry hair. It is widely recommended that you do not brush a Pomeranian's coat when it is dry. Doing so can cause static and strip the protective layer of the hair shaft, causing split ends. Mist the coat with a leave-in conditioner or a homemade leave-in conditioner that is 10% good quality bathing conditioner mixed with 90% filtered water.^{[5]
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- You can also simply brush the dog's coat after bathing.
3
Comb out any tangles and/or cut them out. After brushing, comb through your Pomeranian's coat with a fine-tooth steel comb to find any tangles.^{[6]
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Research source} You can try to use your spray-on conditioner to get the tangle out, but if that doesn't work, use scissors to cut it out.
- Use safety scissors available for dogs to ensure you don't injure your pet should he make a sudden movement while you are cutting.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Trimming

1
Exercise the dog prior to trimming. Exercising your dog prior to trimming can minimize the dog's activity during grooming, which is safer. He or she may also be willing to sit still longer, giving you more time in which to complete grooming.
2
Use good quality clippers and scissors. Good quality tools for grooming will make the job easier for you and more comfortable for the dog. Good quality scissors and clippers will minimize hair-pulling and help ensure your cuts are clean and even. Be sure to use the correct blades for the clippers you buy and the correct lengths, etc. for the clipping you are doing.
3
Introduce the dog to the clippers. Turn the clippers on near the dog before using so they get used to the sound. Doing this when the dog is very young can help train the dog to be comfortable with the clippers later on.
4
Remove excess fur from around the eyes, ears, hindquarters and paws. Use electric clippers for ease. You should also trim around sanitary areas. Read the instructions for your clippers to be sure you are using them properly. This includes selecting the right blades for each area you are trimming.
5
Shape your Pomeranian's fur with scissors in targeted areas. You will want to trim and shape the dog's coat to give him the trademark fluffy look this breed is known for. Trim feet, shape the rear, and scissor the back, sides, underline, and chest to achieve this effect. You will also need to trim the tail, ears, and head.
- Give your Pomeranian a lion cut to accentuate their fluffy mane by leaving the hair around their neck long and thick.
- Try a puppy or teddy bear cut and trim their hair until it's 2 to 3 inches in length for an adorable look.
- Go for a show cut with minimal styling that lets your Pomeranian's hair grow out.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I control shedding from my Pomeranian?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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Shedding is a natural process, and cannot be prevented. Your best option is to brush the dog daily, preferably with a deshedding brush, so as to gather the shed hairs on the brush rather than have them fall out on the soft furnishings.
Question

I find it difficult to trim between their toes and clip claws. Is there an easy way?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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This involves planning well ahead and training your Pom to tolerate having their paws touched. Each day, gently touch the leg or paw (depending what the dog is happy with) and reward good behavior with a treat and praise. Build up how long you hold the paw and what you do, always rewarding when the dog does what you want.
Question

Should a neck strap be used when grooming?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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That very much depends on how still the dog will stand without one and their temperament. Professional dog groomers use neck straps to steady the dog when they don't have an assistant to restrain the dog. Keeping the dog relatively still is important so they don't accidentally move and hurt themselves on the clippers or scissors.

Warnings

Do not give a Pomeranian a complete bath too frequently. This will strip natural oils from his or her skin and cause it to become dry and flaky.

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Be mindful of roughness when grooming a Pomeranian. This intelligent toy breed is eager to please and shouldn't be too challenging to groom if you start at a young age and have patience during the process.

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