How to Groom a Pomeranian: Hair, Ear, Nail, Style, Tools, & More

The Pomeranian is a small yet fluffy dog that’s been popular for years. They started as livestock protectors and their feisty attitude has earned them recognition. But when it comes to taking care of them, how do you groom Pomeranians? What kind of clipping routine should they get?

We’ll answer your Pomeranian grooming questions in this article. All dog breeds need to have proper grooming to make sure that they are kept away from skin infections caused by tangles and mats on their coat. During shedding season, you will have to constantly brush your dog to eliminate mats and tangles. Read more to find out about how to groom your Pomeranian properly.

At what age do you start grooming a Pomeranian grooming?

A Pomeranian is best groomed at 3 weeks when it comes to brushing. However, full clipping should be done at around 10 to 12 weeks of age. Brushing the hair of your Pom is already a good grooming strategy and introducing them to tools beforehand will cause them to feel less anxious with trips to the doggy salon.

When should a Pomeranian puppy get his first grooming?

Poms should be fully clipped at around 10 to 12 weeks old but you can already start brushing their hair as early as 3 to 4 weeks of age.

However, even before that, you can already try to get your Pomeranian puppy’s attention towards grooming by slowly introducing them to grooming tools like scissors, combs, and a hair clipper, if you have one at home. You can run the motor so that they won’t be startled once they start getting groomed for real.

How often to groom a Pomeranian?

A Pomeranian should be groomed 3 times a week due to its fluffy coat. Bathing is best done at least once a month or every 2 to 3 months. Don’t wash them too much because they could be stripped of their body oils, which are responsible for their lively and healthy coat.

How to groom a Pomeranian

When it comes to grooming a Pomeranian, you have to know first that they have a double coat, which means they’ll have a top coat and an undercoat. This also means that you can’t fully shave them to keep their undercoat functioning properly in the winter.

Don’t worry about the summer because they normally shed it during that season. With that said, here’s how to groom your Pomeranian on the different parts of their body:

Face Grooming

A Pomeranian’s face should be groomed properly with scissors not just to be presentable but also to avoid infections and mats.

Shaping the face depends on the kind of look you want to give them (mentioned below in the Pomeranian grooming style). When trimming their face, always use blunt-tipped scissors to reduce the risk of injuries when handling them.

Grooming Ears

Grooming your Pom’s ears should only be done with scissors – and carefully. You should use blunt-tipped scissors for excess hair and then follow up with thinning shears to even out the lines and blend them properly.

When it comes to cleaning your Pom’s ears, use any non-alcohol-based cleaner for a cotton swab. Gently clean the area in question. Don’t use cotton buds as they could cause the dog to get an ear injury if they suddenly move. Instead, stick to cotton swabs or cotton balls.

Eyes

Since the Pom has fluffy hair on their face, they need to have their eyes groomed as well. Clear out any hair that’s blocking your dog’s vision with a pair of dull-pointed scissors to avoid accidents. You can also trim on their nose to make it less thick to not obstruct your dog’s sight.

As for cleaning their eyes and during bathing, a Pomeranian is usually susceptible to tear stains. That’s why you should go for a tear cleanser for the eye area and don’t use soap or other harsh chemicals. Be very gentle with your dog when you wash around the eyes.

Teeth

When it comes to brushing your Pomeranian’s teeth, always use a dog-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste. If your dog doesn’t like getting their teeth brushed, you can train them for a couple of days until they like it. Keep trying until they get used to being brushed and always be gentle.

Dogs do have sensitive gums so don’t brush hard on their teeth. With that said, if your dog sticks to the routine of brushing their teeth, they will be kept away from bad doggy breath and infections.

Body

Before clipping your dog’s body, make sure that they are brushed properly to get rid of most mats and tangles. The best brush to use for a Pom is either a wire-pin or firm bristle brush. Brush your dog at least twice a week, especially during shedding season.

Start from the skin and outwards but be careful not to touch their skin while you are brushing them. This is to avoid getting their skin irritated.

When grooming your Pom’s body, here are recommended blade sizes depending on the situation:

Bottom

When trimming your Pomeranian’s bottom, try hooking them up so that you can raise their rear for easier trimming. Make sure that they are on a non-skid mat or any surface that’s stable to avoid accidents. If you are not that sure about trimming them, it’s best to get their bottom trimmed to the grooming salon for safety.

Nails Clipping

When it comes to clipping your dog’s nails, a Pomeranian should be in a position where their paws are lifted from behind. Finding the quick can be troublesome at first but it should be located at 4 to 5 mm from the base of the nail.

If you aren’t too sure, you can use a nail clipper with a built-in light. Or, you can just slowly but surely trim the nail using the clipper in smaller amounts. For safety, a styptic powder should be kept nearby in case you accidentally cut the quick of your dog’s nails.

After trimming, filing the nails will make them smooth to avoid causing injury to your dog (and to their surroundings).

Bathing

On bathing your Pomeranian, it’s best to bathe them only every 2 to 3 months to avoid stripping them of their natural oils. Bathing is usually done before clipping your Pom. Here’s how to bathe your Pomeranian:

1. Place them in a tub with warm water
2. Gently pour the water onto your dog, avoid the ears and eyes
3. Use dog shampoo and lather the entire body, except the eyes and ears
4. Scrub the various parts of the dog such as the tail, paws, legs, and belly
5. Rinse your Pom thoroughly to avoid any leftover shampoo that can cause skin irritation
6. Blow-dry your Pomeranian after bathing to avoid parasite infection

Pomeranian Grooming Styles

So, what are the most common grooming styles for your Pom? Ask your grooming salon and they’ll give you these suggestions:

1. Simple cut

This type of cut is also known as the traditional cut, which is just to trim the coat to the default shape of your Pom. If you’re new to keeping a Pomeranian then we suggest just going for this cut.

As with all cuts, it needs proper brushing for your dog. This will keep tangles and mats away.

2. Teddy bear cut

This Pomeranian cut allows you to clip your dog’s body either long or short. The head has a more rounded appearance for this look which makes it more like a teddy bear. If you aren’t too sure about clipping the face and the ears in this way, you can ask a professional groomer to do this for you.

3. Lion cut

This is perhaps one of the most famous Pomeranian styles. It resembles a lion with its mane. The cut is a close shave on everything except the fur on the dog’s head, which acts as the lion’s mane. In some cases, a small ball of fur is left on the tail to give it a classic lion look.

A small little consideration for this kind of cut is that you need to make sure that your Pom is very protected against the elements. It does look cute and all but because they have a shorter coat underneath the lion’s mane, they’ll become more susceptible to the cold.

To maintain the lion’s mane, make sure to brush them regularly. If you do end up being in a cold place with your Pom, make sure to wrap them with a towel to avoid getting too cold – the same is true during the summer to avoid skin inflammation.

4. Show cut

If your Pom dreams of being a show dog, this is the cut to go for. It requires a lot of time and dedication so only go for this cut if you truly want your Pomeranian to be a regular in the competition. You’ll need to make research about this cut and get an expert groomer to maintain it.

The show cut is very gorgeous but also time-consuming. It requires the groomer to make specific and delicate trims on various parts of their body, which makes it tedious for the average pet owner.

5. Puppy cut

The puppy cut is similar to the Teddy cut but only differs with the length of their coat. They still have a rounded face, however. If you live in a warm climate, this kind of Pomeranian cut is ideal for you. Moreover, it is less of a hassle to maintain, especially if you just want to DIY clip your pet.

What grooming tools will you need for your Pomeranian?

To groom your Pomeranian properly, you will need grooming tools and equipment that are not only safe but also effective. Here are our suggestions just for you:

Brush

For a Pomeranian, the PETPAWJOY Slicker Brush is a good grooming tool to consider since it is made for small dog breeds. It will remove loose undercoat, mats, and tangles from your dog’s body and it will also take out dirt and other debris.

Since it has a rotatable pin shape, you can use it in two ways: for massaging and for de-shedding. In this way, you can enhance your dog’s blood circulation even while just brushing. The brush measures 6.3 x 2.36 inches and has a rectangular shape. It also has an ergonomic handle that’s easy to hold with less likelihood of slipping to avoid user fatigue.

Shears & Scissors

For trimming your pet, the Gimars Dog Grooming Scissors Kit is a great choice for Pomeranians. This scissor kit contains straight and curved scissors (7.3 inches), as well as thinning shears (6.7 inches), and a stainless steel comb. 3CR stainless steel is used for durability and rust resistance.

Aside from the contoured design for comfort, it also has plastic finger rings. We also like that the scissors have special silicone stoppers to avoid creating metal sounds that would scare off your Pomeranian. All of the tools are kept in a leather zippered pouch.

Hair Clippers

As a USB-rechargeable cordless unit, the AUSHEN Dog Clippers is a travel-friendly Pomeranian hair clipper. It has an adjustable blade size for different needs plus it has low noise and low vibration level so it won’t scare your Pomeranian (it only runs at 50 dB).

The grooming clipper is powered by a lithium-ion battery and there’s also an LCD power display so you’ll know when to charge. There are 4 guard combs included, with sizes 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm to suit your different clipping needs. It also comes with a stainless steel comb, cleaning brush, and scissors as extras.

Clipper Blades

To clip a Pomeranian with a matted coat, the Furzone Detachable Blade is a great choice since it has a 7F size, which will cut up to 1/8 inch long. It will fit most major hair clipper brands for dogs, such as Oster, Wahl, Andis, Conair, and the like, aside from Furzone Sarge 610 and Thor A5.

It has an anti-corrosion coating for durability and it is made with Japanese high carbon steel. On the Rockwell hardness scale, it has a value of 62 degrees, which means it will run cooler than most blades out there.

Nail Clipper

For a safe nail grooming activity, we recommend the Pawsibility 2021 Reinvented Pet Nail Clippers for your Pomeranian. Aside from being sharp, it has a bright LED light so you can see the quick right away, which lessens the likelihood of accidents.

It is also made with high-grade stainless steel for durability. Aside from that, it comes with a built-in nail file so it is a multi-purpose tool.

Tables

If you want a good grooming table for your Pomeranian, we suggest the Master Equipment Adjustable Height Grooming Table, which measures 36 x 24 inches. To make you feel comfortable, it is also adjustable from 24 to 34 1/2 inches with its height. Pebbled vinyl with a non-slip design makes it safe for your pet to sit and stand to keep them where they are while being groomed.

Beneath the vinyl surface is high-grade plywood that’s durable. Aside from that, this table is foldable so you can take it with you anywhere.

Dryers

To dry your dog’s hair after a bath, we recommend the Pecute Dog Dryer, which is powered at 2,800 watts with a 3.2-HP motor. Because it has a step-less adjustable speed, you can customize just how much drying speed you want for your Pomeranian, which is important since it is a small dog breed.

It has 3 nozzles to choose from to fine-tune your dog hair drying experience. It also produces low noise so as not to scare your dog. Made with a durable stainless steel body with an all-copper motor, it will reduce overheating when you run it. The noise level is lower than 60 dB so it won’t be jarring to the ears.

Aside from that, it has non-slip rubberized feet to keep the dryer in place. The pet dryer horse has a flexible length of 2.62 to 9.35 feet to match your needs.

Shampoo

For a Pomeranian, the Healthy Breeds Chamomile Dog Shampoo & Conditioner is a great bath time companion. It is formulated with oatmeal and aloe, which will help smoothen their coat. This formula is also ideal for Poms with dry, sensitive, and itchy skin.

Aside from the above-mentioned ingredients, it also has a plethora of healthy, natural, and organic shampoo and conditioner ingredients, such as cactus, calendula, chamomile, and fir needle oil. What’s more, it is safe to use with tick and flea topical applications.

Pomeranian Grooming Tips

So, how do you improve your Pomeranian grooming? Here are some helpful tips with regards to bathing, nail clipping, cleaning, and overall grooming:

1. Holding your dog’s nails with your thumb and pointing finger will help firmly keep your dog in position. This will help in case your dog suddenly jumps. Look for a translucent white or black dot to avoid cutting the quick.
2. You can also apply flea and tick preventive after bathing your pet. This will keep these pesky little critters away and maintain your dog’s skin and coat health. Fortunately, many shampoos in the market today do have flea treatments in the formula.
3. It’s best to brush your Pom’s hair while it’s wet or damp. Dry hair usually creates static and causes split ends on your Pomeranian. If your dog hasn’t been bathed yet but you want to brush them, you can use a leave-in conditioner that’s dog-friendly.
4. Getting your dog out for a walk or any physical activity will make them feel more pampered during grooming. That’s because they’ll feel more tired and won’t be able to move as much. This makes it easier for you to handle your dog during the grooming process, which leads to less likelihood of accidents with sharp objects.

Q&A

Do you have any questions about Pomeranian grooming? We’ll cover some of the most common ones below:

How do I make my Pomeranian’s coat shiny?

When it comes to bathing, a Pom’s coat can be kept shiny if you use special shampoos, such as dandruff control shampoos made for dogs (especially Poms). After that, brush their coat and turn the blow dryer to cool. That’s because hot temperatures could make the hair look dull.

My Pomeranian licks paws after grooming! What should I do?

Licking paws can be a sign of razor burn, which is usually due to accidentally touching the skin during clipping. Either your dog is very sensitive to their skin or improper clipping happened. Talk to your vet on the best way to soothe your Pom’s skin from itching and constant licking, if that’s the case.

Is it okay to use a muzzle when grooming your Pomeranian?

If your Pom is simply too difficult to handle, putting a muzzle is okay in the worst-case scenario. However, you should still start by giving them treats as a reward through positive reinforcement. Only use a muzzle if you simply cannot handle their tough behavior (and if they are dangerous).

How do I groom a very anxious Pomeranian?

If you have an anxious Pom that’s not very keen on getting groomed, here are ways to calm them down:

1. Give your dog a full-body massage before getting groomed. This will help them feel less anxious about the coming activity.
2. Introduce them to the grooming tools. You can give them the tools and present them so that they won’t feel scared about them. Training them constantly with the sights and sounds of the tools will make them feel less nervous when you take them to the grooming salon.
3. Find an approachable groomer. If your dog tends to get scared of grooming staff, look for an approachable groomer who has proper training when handling scared dogs.