Pomeranian Health Problems: An Honest Guide

Pomeranians are charming, long-lived little dogs, but like every breed they come with a set of health vulnerabilities worth understanding before — and during — ownership. Knowing what the breed can be prone to helps you choose a responsible breeder, spot problems early, and make the everyday choices that keep your Pom well. Here is an honest, factual guide to Pomeranian health problems and what you can do about them.

Dental disease

The most common health issue in toy breeds like the Pomeranian is dental disease. Their tiny mouths mean teeth are crowded, which traps plaque and food, leading to tartar, inflamed gums, painful infection and eventually tooth loss. Dental problems do not just affect the mouth — chronic infection can affect general health. Prevention is everything: daily tooth brushing with dog toothpaste, appropriate dental products, and regular vet dental checks with professional cleaning when needed. Our dental care range is a good place to start. Bad breath, reluctance to eat hard food, or pawing at the mouth all warrant a vet check.

Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)

Like many small breeds, Pomeranians can be prone to a luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of its groove. Signs include a sudden skip or hop in the gait, holding a back leg up for a few steps, or intermittent lameness. Mild cases may be managed conservatively by keeping the dog lean and fit; more significant cases sometimes need surgical correction. Keeping your Pom at a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to protect those small joints — our pet calorie calculator helps you feed the right amount.

Collapsing trachea — and why a harness matters

The collapsing trachea is one of the most important conditions to understand in this breed. The windpipe is held open by rings of cartilage; in some toy dogs these weaken, so the airway narrows, producing a characteristic honking cough, often triggered by excitement, exertion, heat or pressure on the neck. This is precisely why a harness is strongly recommended over a collar for Pomeranians: a collar puts pressure directly on the throat — especially if the dog pulls or lunges — which can aggravate the airway. A well-fitted Y-shaped harness spreads the load across the chest instead. Make a harness the default for walks; browse our dog harnesses. Keeping the dog lean and avoiding overheating also help.

Alopecia X (black skin disease)

Pomeranians are prone to coat-loss conditions, most notably Alopecia X, sometimes called black skin disease. The coat thins or is lost, often symmetrically over the body and tail, leaving the exposed skin looking darkened. It is largely a cosmetic problem rather than a painful one, but other, more serious causes of coat loss (such as hormonal disease) should be ruled out by your vet first. Because shaving a double coat can trigger or worsen poor regrowth, this condition is one of the key reasons you should never shave a Pomeranian — see our grooming and care guide for proper coat management.

Open fontanelle

Some Pomeranian puppies are born with an open fontanelle — a soft spot on the top of the skull where the bones have not fully closed, similar to a human baby's. In many cases it is small and causes no problem, but it does mean the puppy's head needs careful, gentle handling, as a knock to the soft spot could cause injury. A responsible breeder and your vet can advise on any individual puppy. It is one more reason this fragile breed needs gentle handling overall.

Eye and heart conditions

Like many small breeds, Pomeranians can be affected by certain eye conditions (such as tear-duct and cataract issues) and heart conditions that may develop with age. Routine vet checks help catch these early, and your vet can advise on monitoring. Report any coughing, exercise intolerance, eye cloudiness or discharge promptly.

The everyday risk: weight

On such a small frame, even a little excess weight strains the knees, airway and heart and worsens many of the conditions above. Because Poms are so fluffy, weight gain is easy to miss, so judge condition by feel — ribs easily felt, a visible waist — and feed measured portions rather than free-feeding.

Reducing the risks

• Buy from a responsible breeder and avoid 'teacup' marketing, which is linked to worse health (see our cost guide).
• Use a harness, not a collar, to protect the windpipe.
• Brush teeth daily and keep up dental checks.
• Keep your dog lean to protect joints, airway and heart.
• Never shave the coat; manage it with regular grooming.
• Handle gently, especially puppies with an open fontanelle.
• Insure early and keep up routine vet care; find clinics via our vet finder.

*This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet, who can examine and advise on your individual dog.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — Pomeranian breed health information (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• PDSA — small-breed health, dental disease and collapsing trachea (pdsa.org.uk).
• Blue Cross — dog health conditions and care (bluecross.org.uk).
• RVC VetCompass — UK dog health research (rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass).