Is My Pomeranian Fat

Pomeranians are so fluffy it can be hard to tell if they are overweight. Is my Pomeranian fat?

A Pomeranians ideal weight is between 3 to 20 pounds, with the dog’s overall size and stature determining its healthy weight. Some signs that your dog is overweight include extra fat around its abdomen and hips and lack of energy.

In this article, I discuss the ideal weight for Pomeranians, why there is such a range, how to determine if your dog is overweight, health concerns with being overweight, and what to do when your dog is overweight. Let’s dig in.

What Is The Ideal Weight For A Pomeranian

According to the AKC breed standard, Pomeranians should weigh between 3 and 7 pounds.

Although, this is the standard for show dogs Pomeranians can be larger than this standard and still be at a healthy weight.

Depending on your dog’s genetics and stature its ideal weight can range from 3 to 20 lbs.

We have a 4.5 pound Pomeranian and a 10 pound Pomeranian that are both at their ideal weight.

Is My Dog Fat Or Fluffy

It can be hard to tell with Pomeranians if they are fat or just fluffy.

When you give a fluffy dog a bath you are able to see its true size and shape.

When you pick up your dog does it feel a little too round and plump?

Have you weighed your dog lately?

Why Are Some Pomeranians Fluffier Than Others?

How Can I Tell If My Pomeranian Is Overweight

There are a variety of ways to determine if your Pomeranian is overweight.

Consult the ideal weight for the Pomeranian breed
Check your dogs body shape
Feel for your dogs ribs
Evaluate your dog from the side
Inspect your dog for fat pads
Observe your dogs behavior
Consult Your Vet

what is the ideal weight for a pomeranian

Ideal Pomeranian Weight Range

A Pomeranians ideal weight will be between 3 and 20 pounds.

The dog’s specific size and stature will determine how much it should weigh.

Pomeranians are such small dogs it’s very easy for one extra pound or two to be too much.

How To Check Your Dogs Body Shape

One of the easiest ways to see if your dog is overweight is to look at its body shape from above.

When looking down over your dog if it looks round and oval-shaped in the middle instead of having a defined waist it may be overweight.

This is a much easier method when you have a dog with very sort fur.

Our Pomeranians on the other hand are very fluffy and would be extremely difficult to judge using this method.

I suggest skipping this method if you have a fluffy dog and use other ways to determine if your dog is overweight.

How To Feel For Your Dogs Ribs

Feel your dog’s sides and chest are where its ribs are.

If you can feel your dog’s ribs without having to push too hard and search for them, most likely your dog is at a healthy weight.

If you can’t feel your dog’s ribs or really need to push around to feel them your dog may be carrying too much weight.

How To Evaluate Your Dog From It’s Side

This is another challenging method to use for extremely fluffy dogs like Pomeranians. It is a much better method for short-haired dogs.

View your dog while it’s standing from the side, if it has a distinct belly that’s hanging or not tucked up your dog may be overweight.

A dog’s abdomen should not be at the same level as its chest it should be tucked up.

How To Inspect Your Dog For Fat Pads

Your dog shouldn’t have extra little places of fat on their bodies.

Check between your dog’s legs and the top of its hips for extra fat pads.

How To Check Your Dogs Behavior

Overweight and obese dogs tend to be more tired and lazy.

If your dog isn’t as active as it used to be and has a harder time moving around and breathing it may be overweight.

Talking To Your Vet About Your Dogs Weight

One of the best ways to determine if your dog has a weight problem is to bring your fluffy friend to the vet for a visit.

The vet will be able to evaluate your dog and let you know if they are concerned.

The last time my dog Murphy was at the vet I was told that he is currently at a healthy weight but, if he were to gain weight it could affect his mild luxating patella and possibly cause damage that could require future surgery to repair.

Keeping Murphy at a healthy weight is extremely important.

Is My Puppy Overweight

Puppies grow at such a rapid rate and are constantly changing in size and weight.

I would not be overly concerned with your puppy’s weight until it is fully grown.

That said, you obviously don’t want a puppy to become obese make sure your puppy is being fed the correct amount of food and gets plenty of exercise.

Some signs of problems would be a lethargic puppy that doesn’t have much energy, if your puppy has a hard time breathing, getting up, or walking around.

Health Concerns For An Overweight Dog

Unfortunately being overweight can cause many serious health problems for your dog.

Diabetes
Breathing Problems
Mobility Issues
Skin Problems
High Blood Pressure
Kidney Disease
Cancer
Liver Disease
Arthritis and Joint Problems
Heart Problems
Bladder Stones
Anestheic Complications and Surgical Risk
Ligament Damage
Decreased Endurance and Stamina
Digestive Disorders
Decreased Immune Function

Being overweight can ultimately reduce your dog’s quality of life and shorten their lives.

A lifetime study that was done on Labrador Retrievers determined even moderately overweight dogs lived on average two years less than those who were a healthy weight.

It’s quite shocking to think of our dogs losing two years of their already short lives, due to being overweight.

Luckily, many of these weight-induced health concerns can be avoided or even reversed by getting and keeping your dog at a healthy weight.

Excess weight can dramaticly influence the quality of life and longetivity of your dog

Why Is My Pomeranian Overweight

The majority of the reasons a dog is overweight can be tied back to its lifestyle.

Is Your Dog Being Fed Too Much

The biggest culprit in overweight dogs would be eating too much food.

It seems like an obvious reason but, overeating can happen without you even realizing it.

Portion Size- are your dogs portions sizes to large
Frequency- Is your dog being fed too often
Snacks- It’s very easy for your dog to get too many treats. You can lose track of how many you have given or multiple family members are treating your dog too much
Begging- Does your dog beg for food and get a little extra
Fussy Eating- Is your dog a fussy eater and is often getting fed food other than their dog food to keep him or her satisfied

Is Your Dog Not Getting Enough Exercise

The next obvious reason for being overweight is not getting enough exercise.

Dog’s are so similar to humans in this way.

If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise or enough of a variety of exercise its body will become used to their activity level and not burn as much energy to complete the activity.

If you go for the same walk at the same intensity every day you may actually start to put on weight as your body adapts.

Try mixing it up with your dog to make sure they are still getting the exercise they need.

how can I tell if my pomeranian is overweight

Can Health Issues Cause Your Dog To be Overweight

We know that being overweight or obese can cause your dog to have health problems and shorten its life.

Can health issues cause your dog to become overweight?

A dog’s body weight is not always determined by the amount it eats and the exercise it gets.

There are many health issues that can cause your dog to gain weight. If your dog is overweight it’s best to bring him or her to the vet for an evaluation and to rule out any serious health concerns.

Cushing’s disease causes an overproduction of cortisol and can cause weight gain, increased appetite, thirst, and weakness. Luckily, Cushing’s disease is not common in Pomeranians.

Thyroid Issues can cause a dog to gain weight by slowing its metabolism.

Parasites and other worms can cause a dog to gain weight.

Ascites is a condition that causes the body to retain fluid. A dog with ascites may have a belly that looks

Can A Pomeranian Just Be Bigger

Your dog may be double the size of another dog and not be overweight.

Pomeranians can range in size from a petite 3-pound dog to a big 15-pound throwback Pomeranian.

You really need to look closely at your dog’s body size and stature when determining its ideal weight.

Our petite Pomeranian Willow is only 4.5 pounds if she even gains a half of pound you can feel that her body is more round and plump. Our big boy Murphy is larger in size and weighs 10 pounds at a healthy weight.

Should You Put Your Pomeranian On A Diet

The first step when considering if your dog needs to lose weight and be put on a diet is to consult your vet.

Your vet will be able to evaluate your dog and provide customized suggestions for your dog.

Are Pomeranians Prone To Being Overweight

Pomeranians are prone to being overweight due to their small size.

It doesn’t take a lot of extra food for a Pomeranian to start carrying extra weight.

With small dogs, I recommend measuring their meal portions and feeding dogs separately.

I’ve noticed success in maintaining our dog’s weight when I do this. If I slack and stop measuring their food and feed them together our little Willow will overeat and start to gain weight.

Are Most Pomeranians Overwight

According to the Association For Pet Obesity Prevention over 55.8 percent of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese.

Are Senior Pomeranians More Likely To Be Overweight

Senior dogs between the ages of 5 and 12 have the highest rates of obesity.

It may be the natural reduction in energy and an increased sedentary life that can lead to a senior dog gaining weight.

We also can’t resist those sad puppy dog eyes and indulge our dog with extra treats.

Final Thoughts

It can be hard determining if your Pomeranian is overweight or just extremely fluffy.

With an ideal weight range from 3 pounds to 20 pounds, your dog’s genetics and stature have the biggest role in determining how much your dog should weigh.

It’s unfortunate that the majority of dogs will experience some sort of weight gain in their lives that could impact their quality of life and longevity.

Luckily, we can help our dogs get to and maintain a healthy weight that may reverse some of the negative health effects.

Speaking with your vet about your dog’s weight is the best way to ensure your dog is healthy and the