What Is The Best Dog Food for a Pomeranian?

Skip To Detailed Recommendations

With their foxy faces and lively personalities, Pomeranians are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and in the entire world. They are a spitz breed from Scandinavian countries, and they were originally large enough to pull sleds and work as herding dogs on farms. The breed was bred down in size in the 19^th century when they became a particular favorite of Queen Victoria, who – interestingly enough – bred Pomeranians herself.

Now, they are one of the smallest breeds, making them especially suitable for city living. The breed doesn’t require much exercise, but they do have a few quirks as far as their dietary needs go. So, what is the best dog food for a Pomeranian? Here’s a look at our recommendations for this lively breed.

Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which will direct you to our partner sites. If you purchase the pet foods we recommend through those links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you.

Quick Look: The Best Dog Food for a Pomeranian

[easy-pricing-table id=”5279″]

Pomeranian Diet and Nutrition

Pomeranians typically weigh between four and seven pounds. You may have a Pom who is a little larger, but most are quite small. They sometimes look bigger because they have a lot of fluffy fur. They usually stand no taller than about 11 inches tall at the top of the withers.

For the most part, Poms are a very healthy breed. Although they are small, they are quite sturdy for their size. As long as they have a good diet and sufficient exercise, they often live into their middle teen years.

By weight, the National Research Council of the National Academies recommends an average daily caloric intake of between 300 and 400 calories for an active adult Pomeranian weighing 10 pounds. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. Growing puppies, for example, consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. A young adult Pomeranian weighing about 10 pounds, for example, and getting lots of exercise would need about 436 calories per day. However, if your Pomeranian tends to lie around the house all day with little opportunity to exercise, he would need fewer calories. An inactive Pom, weighing 10 pounds, is estimated to require about 296 calories per day.

What To Feed Your Pomeranian

Like all dogs, Pomeranians require good quality protein. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum of 22 percent protein for growth (puppies) and 18 percent protein for maintenance in adult dogs. Fat is an important source of energy for dogs and should comprise at least 8 percent of the diet for Pomeranian puppies and 5 percent of the diet for adults. Most dog foods today have more fat than these percentages. Fat also adds flavor to dog food and makes it very appealing to your dog. Fats are also one of the sources of fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 which are good for your dog’s skin, coat, heart, and brain.

Ingredients To Look For:

Protein – Ideally, a good dog food will feature a couple of meat proteins in the first several ingredients. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to ingredients such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb, meat meals are a concentrated form of meat in which the moisture is removed.

Fat – Dogs also need fat from good sources. Some vitamins are only fat-soluble and your dog needs them in his diet. But fat, like protein, varies in quality depending on the source. You should look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Other named fats also provide needed nutrients such as fish oil which can provide omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat healthy.

Avoid – You should try to avoid artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, if possible. Avoid artificial flavors, sweeteners, and colorings. Your dog doesn’t need them. It’s not always easy to avoid some of the less desirable ingredients, however, since they can be labeled in ways that are harder to recognize.

Best Dog Food For a Pomeranian Puppy

You won’t have to feed Pomeranian puppies very much per day. We do recommend that you divide the food into meals and feed at regular times instead of free feeding. Feeding regular meals encourage dogs to eat their food when you serve it instead of becoming picky about their food or overeating. If you have more than one dog we recommend that you make sure each dog is eating his or her own food and not stealing food from other dogs. In some cases, you may need to feed a dog separately to make sure he or she is getting all of his food since some dogs eat faster/slower than other dogs.

Some good puppy foods you may consider for your Pomeranian puppy include:

NutriSource Small and Medium Breed Puppy Food

This NutriSource puppy food is especially formulated for small and medium breeds and includes adequate protein and fat percentages for your growing pup. The recipe is prepared with fresh ingredients and offers your pet all the vitamins and minerals he will need to grow and development.

Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Chicken, Brown Rice, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat

Protein: 32%

Fat: 21%

Fiber: 5%

Calories: 535

Wellness Small Breed Puppy

Wellness Small Breed Puppy is one of the best dog foods for a pomeranian puppy, offering DHA for brain development, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and a beautiful coat, and top-notch protein for energy and muscle development.

Main Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Salmon Meal, Ground Barley

Protein: 28%

Fat: 18%

Fiber: 4%

Calories: 480 kcal/cup

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed

Blue Buffalo is packed with nutritious ingredients, including fresh protein, fruits, and veggies. With DHA to promote brain development and omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health, this formula is tailored to keep your young pup in prime health.

Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, Menhaden Fish Meal

Protein: 29%

Fat: 17%

Fiber: 5%

Calories:  415 kcal/cup

Best Dog Food For a Pomeranian Adult

Small breeds like the Pomeranian usually need food that comes in smaller kibble shapes, too. This may seem like an unimportant feature of dog food, but kibble comes in all different shapes and sizes. Some sizes and/or shapes can be difficult for some dogs to chew, especially if you have a Toy dog. So, pay attention to the size and shape of the kibble when choosing food for your dog.

There are lots of good foods that you could choose to feed your Pomeranian but we have selected several that you might consider.

Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult is made in small batches from a family-owned company that has been in business in Wisconsin for over 100 years. The ingredients are healthy and provide adequate nourishment for a full grown Pomeranian.

Main Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Broth, Oat Groats, Pearled Barley

Protein: 26%

Fat: 17%

Fiber: 5.5%

Calories: 425 kcal/cup

Wellness Small Breed

Wellness Core knows that your dog’s food should be focused on quality protein, which is why this small breed blends turkey and chicken, along with supporting vitamins and minerals to give your pup the nutrition he needs. It’s one of the best brands on the market, and we’d happily reccomend it for your Pomeranian.

Main Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas

Protein: 36%

Fat: 16%

Fiber: 5%

Calories: 396 kcal/cup

Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed

If you are looking for a grain-free food for your Pomeranian, Blue Buffalo Freedom is one of the best options. It contains the proper percentages of protein, fat, and carbs to support your pup’s health and energy needs. Plus, dogs love the taste, and owners love that the kibble is good for dental hygiene.

Main Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Starch

Protein: 26%

Fat: 15%

Fiber: 5%

Calories: 380 kcal/cup

Best Dog Foods for a Pomeranian Senior

It’s not unusual for many Pomeranians to live into their teen years. This means that you will probably need to consider what kind of food to feed your Pomeranian as he gets older. As your dog ages, it’s a good idea to plan an annual senior check-up with your vet. Many older dogs begin to put on pounds as they become less active. For this reason, most senior dog foods have fewer calories and they can skimp on protein. You should watch your older dog’s weight as he gets older to make sure he doesn’t become overweight. In some cases, you can simply cut back on the portions of his regular dog food to help him stay fit or increase his exercise.

Very old dogs can start to lose muscle as they begin to have problems metabolizing nutrients, including protein. You often see older dogs start to have less muscle tone, especially in their rear legs. They can start to have difficulty walking when this happens. If your Pomeranian falls in this category, you may need to avoid senior foods or look for one that is high in good quality protein. As long as your dog does not have kidney problems there’s no reason to avoid protein as he gets older.

Here’s a look at our recommendations for the best dog food for a Pomeranian senior:

GO! FIT + FREE Senior Recipe

Go! is part of the Petcurean family of foods. This food features great meat proteins and lower carbohydrates. It doesn’t contain beef, wheat, corn, or soy, which are common triggers for allergies. It has no by-product meals, no added growth hormones, and no artificial preservatives. It’s also gluten-free. The food also has pre- and probiotics for good digestive health. This food is AAFCO-approved for maintenance.

Main Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey

Protein: 32%

Fat: 14%

Fiber: 4.5%

Calories: 394 kcal/cup

Nature’s Variety Instinct Originals Small Breed Canned Diet For Dogs

If you would like to feed your older Pomeranian a good canned food, we like Nature’s Variety Instinct.  These canned foods are grain free and gluten free.

There are lots of good canned foods for dogs. If your older Pomeranian is starting to be finicky about his food, you can try something like Party Animal Cocolicious Organic Turkey & Chicken. First Mate, Tiki Dog, and Weruva also have very good canned foods. First Mate recommends these canned foods for senior dogs.

Main Ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver, Ground Dried Peas, Cod

Protein: 8.5%

Fat: 4.5%

Fiber: 2%

Calories: 153 kcal/5.5 oz can

Additional Dietary and Health Considerations

Pomeranians are generally healthy breeds, but there are a few issues that are common among these small pups. Hypoglycemia, bone and joint issues, and dental problems occur fairly often, but each of these conditions is treatable and non life threatening. Of course, a proper diet and moderate exercise helps to keep your Pomeranian healthy and avoid these health problems. For additional recommendations for the best dog food for a Pomeranian, check out our Small Breed Dog Food Buyers Guide.

Below is the list of products reviewed in this article

1. NutriSource Small and Medium Breed Puppy Food
2. Wellness Small Breed Puppy
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed
4. Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
5. Wellness Small Breed
6. Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed
7. GO! FIT + FREE Senior Recipe

8. Nature’s Variety Instinct Originals Small Breed Canned Diet For Dogs