Hair on the sofa, on your clothes, tufts rolling down the hallway: a shedding Pomeranian is almost always normal. Almost.
This guide helps you tell the difference between ordinary shedding, which good brushing is enough to manage, and hair loss that deserves a visit to the vet.
Why Pomeranians shed so much
Pomeranians wear a double coat: a long topcoat and a very dense undercoat. This undercoat renews itself constantly, and at certain times it renews all at once. That's shedding season.
Dead hair doesn't fall out by itself. It stays trapped in the coat until a brush, rubbing or a shake releases it. Hence the impression that the dog is "losing everything" the day you finally start brushing it.
Normal hair loss
Seasonal shedding
Often in spring and autumn, with big variations between dogs and their lifestyle (a dog living in a heated home can shed a little all year round). For a few weeks, the undercoat comes out by the handful. The coat looks flatter, less fluffy.
After a season or giving birth
In unspayed females, heavy shedding often follows a season. After a litter, it can be spectacular: some females lose almost all their undercoat. The coat then gradually comes back.
Puppy coat change (the "puppy uglies")
Between about 4 and 7 months, puppies lose their soft, fluffy baby coat to make way for the adult coat. During this period, they can look patchy, with an uneven coat and a head that looks bigger than the body. Breeders call it the puppy uglies. It's temporary: the adult coat gradually sets in up to one year of age, sometimes longer.
After a shave
A Pomeranian shaved short may have a coat that grows back very slowly or unevenly. It isn't hair loss as such, but it's a common cause of a "thin" coat. We cover it in should you shave a Pomeranian?
Signs that should alert you
Shedding is diffuse and the coat still covers the body. See your vet if you notice:
- hairless areas where you can see the skin, especially if they're symmetrical (both sides of the body, both thighs);
- hair loss that often starts on the back of the thighs, the tail or the back and slowly spreads;
- skin that darkens, turning grey or black on the bare areas;
- hair that doesn't grow back several months after shedding or a shave;
- itching, redness, scabs, dandruff, an unusual smell;
- hair loss along with other changes: tiredness, weight gain, increased thirst.
These signs can match several causes that only a vet can tell apart: parasites (fleas, mange), allergies, skin infections, hormonal disorders (hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease), or alopecia X, a condition seen particularly in Spitz breeds. We have an article on it: alopecia X in Pomeranians.
Managing shedding: the method that works
During shedding, the goal is simple: remove the dead undercoat with the brush instead of letting it fall everywhere, or pack down into knots.
- Brush every day during shedding, even for five minutes.
- Use the dematting rake all over the body, area by area: it brings out dead undercoat in whole tufts.
- Finish with the slicker brush, brushing in lines down to the skin.
- Check with the comb: if it glides through everywhere, the dead hair is gone.
- A bath in the middle of shedding can help loosen the undercoat, as long as you brush before and dry completely down to the skin.
The full brushing method is in our guide how to brush a Pomeranian.
What doesn't help (or not much)
- Shaving to have less hair: your dog will shed shorter hairs, and you risk difficult regrowth.
- Grooming gloves alone: they remove the surface, not the undercoat.
- Waiting for it to pass: dead undercoat that isn't removed turns into knots, especially behind the ears and on the "trousers".
What about diet?
Coat quality also depends on what your dog eats. A complete diet suited to a small dog contributes to healthy hair. If the coat looks dull or brittle despite good brushing, talk to your vet before adding supplements: they can check there isn't another cause.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pomeranian shedding last?
Usually two to four weeks of heavy shedding, with daily brushing. It can seem to last longer if the dead undercoat isn't removed regularly.
My Pomeranian puppy is losing hair, is that normal?
Between about 4 and 7 months, yes: it's the change from puppy coat to adult coat. The puppy may look patchy for a few weeks. If there are completely bare areas, redness or itching, see your vet.
My Pomeranian is losing hair on the back of its thighs and tail, what should I do?
If the loss is localised, symmetrical and the hair doesn't grow back, make an appointment with your vet. This pattern is one of the signs that can point to a hormonal disorder or alopecia X.
Are Pomeranians hypoallergenic?
No. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, and Pomeranians shed a lot during shedding season. Regular brushing does, however, limit the amount of hair around the house.
The size S dematting rake: the shedding tool, designed for a small dog. Or the complete Pom Routine Kit.
This article is for information only and does not replace a vet's advice.