Best Dog Food For Pomeranian In 2023

The small and fluffy Pomeranian has established itself as one of the most popular and beloved companion dog breeds among royals, celebrities, and ordinary dog parents alike.

This miniature central European variant of the Arctic Spitz dog, with its foxy face, never-fading smile, and lively personality, all packed into a tiny body, makes the Pomeranian irresistible.

But to ensure that your sweet furry companion is happy, healthy, and lives a long life, you need to feed it a diet suitable for its weight, age, activity level, and health.

In general, small and toy dogs have high metabolic rates and, in some cases, require more daily calories than some of the larger dog breeds. But Pomeranians are also susceptible to obesity, so you should be very strict regarding caloric intake and portion control.

Here is a detailed look at how to choose the best dog food for your Pomeranian, as well as our top choices for complete and balanced dog foods on the market for this toy breed.

The Best Dog Foods For Pomeranians Reviewed

Here are our top picks for the best dog food for Pomeranian pups of all ages and sizes.

Best Overall (Adults): Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Dry Dog Food

• Top 5 ingredients: deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, lentils, and peas.
• Life Stage: Adult small and extra-small breeds
• Diet: gluten-free, grain-free, high-protein
• Protein: 36.0% min.
• Fat: 16.0% min.
• Calories: 412 kcal/cup
• Other variations: a healthy weight recipe is also available.

This dry dog food is our top selection as the best overall for adult Pomeranians. We chose this Wellness Core dog food because it has everything a Pom owner should look for when shopping for the best food for their dog.

It is appropriately small-sized but has a high protein content with real turkey as the primary protein source, combined with other natural ingredients, and fortified with the nutrients and elements that your furbaby needs to be healthy, fit, energetic, and to look good.

The high protein content will help your Pom maintain a lean and healthy body. The omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon oil will ensure that its coat is as shiny and luscious as ever.

Plus, the food contains chondroitin and glucosamine to promote bone and joint health.

Related: Best Dog Food For Joint Health

Thanks to the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in the kibble, your furry friend will receive all of the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy and well.

It is grain- and gluten-free, so it is suitable even for pups with grain and gluten intolerances and allergies.

Pros

• The first ingredient is real turkey, and the rest are natural animal and plant-based ingredients
• Small kibble size for small and toy dog breeds
• It contains omega-3 fatty acids to promote a beautiful and healthy coat and skin
• The kibble is fortified with healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, glucosamine, taurine, and chondroitin
• Prebiotics and probiotics for digestive and immune system health
• Formulated for a leaner body and muscle tone
• Grain-free and gluten-free, the food is suitable for dogs with allergies or intolerances
• No fillers, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors, and no meat by-products

Cons

• The kibble is not suitable for dogs that have chicken or poultry allergies or sensitivities

Editor’s Choice: The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food

• Top 5 ingredients: dehydrated chicken, organic barley, dehydrated potatoes, organic flaxseed, and organic oats.
• Life Stage: Adult; all dog breeds
• Diet: dehydrated human-grade, natural, no GMO, wheat, corn, or soy
• Protein: 24.5% min.
• Fat: 4.0% min.
• Calories: 485 kcal/cup
• Other variants: available in beef, turkey, and poultry, and in grain-free recipe variants

This dehydrated dog food by The Honest Kitchen is an excellent choice for dog parents who feel like their furbabies deserve the best human-grade dog food, which is minimally processed and made of all-natural, GMO-free ingredients.

It is an easier and time-saving alternative to cooking dog food yourself.

The food is made from real free-range chicken, whole grains, and other human-grade ingredients that have been gently dehydrated with minimal processing and no preservatives, fillers, meat by-products, or other unhealthy additives.

You can prepare it for 3 minutes easily by hydrating it with warm water. Once the food is ready, it will quadruple in size.

This means that when you buy a 10 lb. box of this food, you are actually purchasing 40 lbs. of ready-to-eat dog food.

All of the ingredients are finely diced into small pieces, suitable for small and toy dogs such as Pomeranians.

Pros

• It is prepared with minimally processed, real, human-grade ingredients
• A high protein content
• The food expands to four times the dehydrated volume when you add water, so it is very convenient for storage
• It is available in a wide variety of other recipes and flavors
• The food contains healthy fatty acids for your Pomeranian’s coat and skin
• You can add it as a topping for the pup’s regular dog food

Cons

• It is a more expensive variant as compared to traditional dry dog food
• Some pups who are not used to it may not like the food’s texture

Premium Pick: The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Beef Recipe

• Top 5 ingredients: USDA beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver, kale
• Life Stage: Adult
• Diet: fresh
• Protein: 11.0% min.
• Fat: 8.0% min.
• Calories: 361 kcal per ½ lb. of body weight
• Other variants: turkey, pork, and chicken

The Farmer’s Dog is a premium dog food subscription service. It will ensure that your pup receives freshly prepared food that is custom-made for your specific dog, its age, breed, weight, activity level, flavor preferences, and health issues.

The fresh dog food is made of real USDA beef with added sweet potato, carrots, lentils, kale, beef liver, and other healthy human-grade ingredients. It has added fish oil, which is loaded with healthy omega fatty acids, to keep your furbaby’s joints healthy and its coat beautiful and shiny.

Eating a fresh diet will ensure your dog’s teeth remain clean and healthy and boost its immune system.

You will get a recipe and a feeding plan customized to the needs of your pup, as well as feeding recommendations, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

You will receive the food fully cooked, and all you need to do is thaw it or heat it, and it can be served to your four-legged friend immediately.

Pros

• The food is prepared with human-grade, premium ingredients in USDA-inspected kitchens
• It is cooked gently at low temperatures to preserve as much of the nutrients as possible
• You can switch to the other recipes, including chicken, pork, or turkey, for free, if your pup doesn’t like the taste of the beef recipe
• The fresh food is in compliance with the AAFCO requirements for a complete and balanced dog food
• When frozen, it can last for months
• It contains no additional preservatives or fillers
• Shipping is free and quick.
• It promotes dental, skin, coat, and immune system health

Cons

• The food needs to be frozen and, when refrigerated, should be consumed within 4 days

Breed Specific: Royal Canin Health Nutrition Pomeranian Adult Dry Dog Food

• Top 5 ingredients: Brewer’s rice, corn, chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, oat groats,
• Life Stage: Adult; for small and toy dog breeds
• Diet: sensitive digestion; breed specific for Pomeranians
• Protein: 24.0% min.
• Fat: 14.0% min.
• Calories: 352 kcal/cup
• Other variants: available in recipes for many other small and extra-small dog breeds, for a total of 60 breed formulas

If you’d rather buy dog food that’s been made especially for Pomeranians, this kibble by Royal Canin is one of the best choices on the market.

The dry dog food has been tailored to meet the specific nutritional requirements, potential health issues, and activity levels of your Pomeranian. Even the size and shape of the kibble are designed to be perfect for your Pom’s mouth size, bite, and jaw structure.

The dry dog food contains the nutrients and ingredients such as DHA and EPA needed to keep your pup’s joints, bones, digestive system, skin, and coat health at optimal levels.

This formula features ingredients specifically chosen to meet the unique needs of your Pomeranian.

Pros

• The food has been created specifically for Pomeranians
• It has added nutrients and ingredients to help keep your dog’s coat, skin, joints, and digestive system healthy
• The morsels are specially designed to be comfortable and safe to eat by Poms

Cons

• The first protein source is chicken by-product meal, which is not real chicken

Best For Puppies: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Oatmeal

• Top 5 ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, and fish meal.
• Life Stage: Puppy, small, and toy dog breeds
• Diet: dry puppy food; natural; no wheat, soy, or corn
• Protein: 29.0% min.
• Fat: 17.0% min.
• Calories: 417 kcal/cup
• Other variants: chicken and brown rice, and recipes for large breed puppies

Pomeranian puppies are so cute, but because they are so small, they are at a high risk of hypoglycemia if they don’t get enough high-energy food in the right amounts.

If you want your fluffy baby to be happy and healthy, it’s best to spend money on high-quality puppy food made for small and toy-size breeds.

This kibble by Blue Buffalo is one of the top options available on the market.

It has a high protein content and is made with real chicken as the first ingredient, making it ideal for your active and growing tiny pup.

It also includes omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your puppy’s brain health, coat health, and overall well-being.

The dry dog food also contains a perfectly balanced ratio of essential vitamins and minerals like phosphorus and calcium to ensure that your puppy’s bones develop properly and remain healthy.

The small kibble has special bits called LifeSource Bits that are full of minerals and vitamins.

Pros

• The small-sized morsels are comfortable and safe for tiny puppies and will help keep the teeth clean
• The added ARA and DHA help promote healthy brain development
• The food is made of real chicken and contains a complete and balanced mix of essential nutrients
• It will help promote healthy bone and joint development
• It is made specifically for extra-small and small-sized puppies

Cons

• Some puppies may not like the LifeSource Bits and spit them out.

Related: 20 Best Puppy Foods 2022

Best For Senior Dogs: Eukanuba Senior Small Breed Dry Dog Food

• Top 5 ingredients: chicken, chicken by-product meal, wheat, chicken fat, and corn.
• Life Stage: Senior dogs of miniature or toy breeds
• Diet: high-protein dry dog food
• Protein: 29.0% min.
• Fat: 17.0% min.
• Calories: 387 kcal/cup
• Other variants: available in recipes for adult and puppy dogs, and small and toy dog breeds

Toy and small breeds usually have much longer life spans than large and giant dogs. But to ensure that your furbaby is getting all of the nutrients it needs once it enters its golden years, it is recommended to switch to senior dog food for small and toy breeds like this one by Eukanuba.

While large senior dogs require lower protein diets, small and toy-sized pups still need to eat dog food with a high protein content. This kibble by Eukanuba contains 29% protein, which is perfect for a healthy senior Pom-Dog.

The dry food is packed with glucosamine, which will help keep your pup’s joints and bones healthy as it ages and will relieve any joint pain and mobility issues.

It also contains healthy omega fatty acids to promote better heart, brain, and coat health.

Thanks to the high 17% fat content in this dry dog food, your senior Pomeranian will remain active and

Pros

• The food is formulated to meet the needs of senior dogs from small or toy breeds, which are very different from those of senior dogs from large and giant breeds
• The food has a high protein and fat content to keep the elderly Pom as healthy and active as possible
• It is fortified with glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids to boost the health of your pup’s brain, heart, skin, coat, and joint health

Cons

• Some picky eaters may not like the taste of this kibble

Best For Sensitive Stomachs And Allergies: Natural Balance Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato

• Top 5 ingredients: salmon, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, tapioca starch, and potatoes.
• Life Stage: adult small and extra-small breeds
• Diet: sensitive digestion; limited ingredient diet for allergic dogs; chicken-free, grain-free, pea-free
• Protein: 24.0% min.
• Fat: 10.0% min.
• Calories: 380 kcal/cup
• Other variants: Chicken and Sweet Potato, Duck and Potato, Salmon and Sweet Potato

If your Pom has an allergy or a sensitivity to one or more common canine allergens—chicken, peas, or wheat—then this limited-ingredient dog food by Natural Balance is a great choice.

It contains no chicken, grain, or peas, making it suitable for puppies who react negatively to these common allergens.

The main ingredients are real salmon and menhaden fish, combined with healthy sweet potatoes and other excellent sources of essential nutrients for your pup.

The food helps sensitive dogs digest well and can stop them from getting nasty rashes, itching, and other reactions.

The kibble is designed to be safe and comfortable to eat, even by toy-sized dogs, and it will help keep your pup’s teeth clean and healthy too.

Pros

• Excellent food for dogs who are allergic or intolerant to chicken, grain, or peas
• Salmon is the first ingredient and is rich in proteins and amino acids
• Sweet potatoes help support a healthy digestion
• The small, crunchy kibble is suitable for small pups like Poms and can help clean their teeth and keep them healthy

Cons

• Some pet parents have complained of an inconsistency in the kibble size after the formula was changed.

Related: Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food of 2022

A Guide To Buying Dog Food For Pomeranians

As with all other dogs, Pomeranians need to eat complete and balanced dog food that is suitable for their breed, weight, age, activity level, and any health issues they may have.

Here are the essential features to remember when choosing the best dog food for your Pom.

Nutritional Requirements

The following are the protein-to-fat-to-fiber recommendations made by the AAFCO for all dogs at different stages of their lives:

• For puppies: Proteins-22.0% min., Fats-8.0% min., Fiber-5.0% max.
• For adults: Proteins-18.0% min., Fats-5% min., Fiber-5.0% max.
• For seniors: Proteins-18% min., Fats-5% min., Fiber-5% max.

Toy and small-sized dogs need high-protein and high-calorie foods.

It is advisable to buy dog food that has at least the recommended percentage of proteins and fats when choosing food for your Pom. If possible, buy food with a higher protein content because miniature and small-sized dogs need more proteins, fats, and calories to stay nourished and healthy.

High Protein

Like other toy-sized dogs, Pomeranians require high-protein food with enough amino acids and higher concentrations to ensure they receive the nourishment they need from their small portions.

So, make sure to choose a food that has a minimum of 24% crude protein and a real animal-based protein source, such as meat or fish, as the first ingredient.

Moderate To High Fat

Poms are usually very lively and energetic, so they can do better by eating dog food with a higher fat content than less active dogs.

A healthy adult Pomeranian should eat dog food that has at least 14% crude fat.

Also, make sure the ingredients include sources of or added omega-3 fatty acids.

Digestible Carbohydrates

Unfortunately, Poms, like other toy and small dogs, are more susceptible to low blood sugar and hypoglycemia.

The reason is that their tiny bodies, with very little muscle mass, are unable to store enough carbohydrates like glycogen.

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to lethargy, disorientation, and even seizures.

So make sure that your furbaby is consuming a sufficient amount of carbohydrates on a daily basis.

Ingredients such as sweet potatoes or whole grains are superb sources of healthy carbohydrates.

Vitamins And Minerals

If you feed your four-legged companion commercial dog food that complies with the nutrient profile guidelines and requirements of the AAFCO, then it is likely receiving all of the vitamins, minerals, and healthy nutrients it needs to be healthy and well.

Make sure to choose a dog food that is suitable for your pup’s size and age, too, because toy and small breed puppies need much higher concentrations of calcium and phosphorus than other puppies.

Only give your furbaby added vitamins or minerals if your veterinarian recommends or approves of them.

How To Choose Dog Food For Pomeranians

Dry Or Wet Food

There are different types of commercial dog foods available on the market. The most common ones are dry or wet dog foods.

Poms, like other cute toy dogs, are usually quite picky when it comes to food. Usually, fussy eaters prefer wet dog food over kibble. The reason is the texture and aroma of canned and other wet dog food.

There are pros and cons to feeding your pup only dry or only wet dog food, which you should take into consideration.

One of the options is mixing the menu up so that your pup gets the best of both worlds. Or you can improve the palatability of your dry dog food by adding some wet food, broth, or another topping.

The Manufacturing Processes

Wet dog food is made by grinding and mixing the ingredients, then cooking and sterilizing the food. It has a much higher water content than dry dog food.

Dry dog food production is more complicated. Even though the ingredients can often be the same as in some wet foods, they are mixed and pulverized into a dough that is then shaped into kibble and cooked. In the end, the morsels are sprayed with vitamins, minerals, and fats.

If you prefer that your dog eat a more natural and less processed food, you can choose from our list of dehydrated or fresh frozen dog foods.

Wet Food Benefits

The main benefit of wet dog food is that it provides hydration to dogs that, for some reason, do not drink enough water or have kidney disease.

Another benefit is that, in general, most dogs prefer wet food over kibble because of its smell and texture. This makes wet dog food more suitable for pups that need to eat more, for picky eaters, and for sick dogs.

Dry Food Benefits

Kibble is easier to store, portion, and serve. It also helps encourage the dogs to chew their food and thus clean their teeth and exercise their jaws.

It is usually less expensive and more durable than wet dog food, too.

Kibble Size

These tiny fox-faced pups have small mouths, so you should pick kibble that is made for small and toy-sized dogs. This will make eating the food easier and safer for your pup.

Caloric Requirements

Since they have faster metabolisms than average and large dogs, Pomeranians require more calories on a daily basis.

On average, a healthy adult Pomeranian requires about 40 calories per pound of body weight, as compared to the 30 calories per pound recommended for large dogs.

Life Stage

As mentioned previously, your dog needs to consume appropriate food for its life stage to stay fit and healthy.

The recommended daily caloric intake for Poms in different life stages is as follows:

• Puppy: 55 kcal per pound of body weight
• Adults: 40 kcal per pound of body weight
• Seniors: 30–40 kcal per pound of body weight

How Much Should You Feed A Pomeranian?

While obesity is a serious problem for Poms and can lead to severe health problems and the shortening of their life spans, malnutrition or underfeeding a tiny dog with such a quick metabolism can also lead to hypoglycemia and have devastating effects.

Pomeranians can differ in size and weight. On average, they will weigh 3–7 lbs. as adults.

The amount of food you feed your pup depends on its weight. Small dogs should eat smaller portions than larger ones.

But the amount of food you give to your furry friend also depends on its energy levels. Energetic and highly active pups need more calories than couch potatoes.

Use the table from the previous paragraph to calculate the caloric intake of your dog.

Also, check the feeding instructions on the dog food, or ask your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist for professional advice about the appropriate quantities of dog food to give to your furry friend.

How Often Should You Feed A Pomeranian?

It is recommended to divide your pup’s food into several smaller portions and spread out the meals twice or more during the day. This will allow your tiny furbaby to digest the food properly and will also help keep its blood sugar levels stable throughout the day.

Young puppies should eat life-stage-appropriate food 3 to 4 times a day, and adults can eat two meals of dog food for adults per day.

Worst Ingredients For Pomeranians

Fillers

As their name suggests, these ingredients are added to help keep the dog feeling full. But at the same time, they have no nutritional value for the pup. Some commonly used fillers include rice or corn bran; oat; soybean; or peanut hulls; wheat mill run; and more.

Meat By-Products

The term “meat by-products” refers to the parts of the animal protein source that are not consumed by humans and are usually thrown away. Some of them can include lungs, kidneys, hearts, eyes, and other animal body parts. They are not as good protein sources as real meat or real fish.

Artificial Additives

Unfortunately, many dog foods contain artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors to help increase the shelf life and improve the look and flavor of the food.

However, many dogs, especially delicate ones like Pomeranians, can have allergies or sensitivities to such artificial ingredients.

Instead, choose dog foods with natural ingredients, preservatives, flavors, and colorings.

Health Issues and Diet

While Pomeranians are pretty healthy dogs with long life expectancies, these cute pups are also prone to specific health issues. Luckily, many of these problems can be managed or treated with an appropriate diet.

Skin Issues And Food Allergies

Pomeranians can suffer from dermatitis, which causes itchy and dry skin and can lead to the loss of their beautiful coats.

Allergies and intolerances to certain foods are common causes of this skin condition.

You should choose dog food with limited ingredients or that does not contain the ingredient to which your pup is sensitive or allergic.

Furthermore, some dog foods are high in antioxidants and omega fatty acids, which help to improve and boost the health of the pup’s skin and coat.

Joint And Bone Issues

Usually, large and giant dog breeds are more often plagued by joint and bone issues. Such problems can occur among Pomeranians as well.

One of the most common joint problems among Poms is patellar luxation. This is a condition that causes the dislocation of the kneecap from the knee.

Other bone problems, such as arthritis, can occur as the dog ages, and its joints get worn out, and it starts feeling pain and having mobility issues.

You can make sure your pup’s joints and bones stay as healthy as possible by giving it food with added glucosamine and chondroitin. These nutrients help keep the cartilage in your pup’s joints lubricated and safe.

Dental Problems

Pomeranians are at a higher risk of dental problems than some other dog breeds. This is because their teeth can quickly get covered with plaque and tartar.

Certain types of dry dog foods for small and toy dog breeds are designed in shape and texture to ensure that the pup cleans its teeth as it chews the kibble.

You can also help keep your furbaby’s teeth healthy by washing them regularly and taking it to the vet for checkups and cleaning.

Eye Problems

Like other aging dogs, senior Pomeranians are prone to developing cataracts. In order to ensure that your furry companion is receiving the vitamin A and other nutrients essential for its eyesight, choose dog foods containing organ meats or other ingredients rich in vitamin A.

Hypoglycemia

Due to the limited muscle mass and fat in their small bodies, which cannot store enough carbohydrates, Pomeranians can easily become hypoglycemic.

Low blood sugar can make your furbaby lethargic and disoriented and can lead to seizures.

This is why it’s important to feed your puppy food with healthy carbs and to give it two or more smaller meals a day. This will keep its blood sugar levels as stable as possible throughout the day.

Conclusion

Pomeranians make excellent companion dogs because they are generally healthy and live a long life. However, in order to keep your pomeranian healthy, well, and happy throughout its life, it is critical to feed it a complete and balanced diet at all stages of development.

Hopefully, we have helped you choose the best dog food for your Pom-Dog and have learned which features to look for when shopping for food for your tiny furbaby.

Of course, as always, we recommend speaking to your veterinarian about any issues you have with your pup’s dietary needs and about switching foods.