Mochi Pomeranian

increasing the amount of the new brand until the switch is made. Promptly treat any signs of loose bowels (which can be a sign that the new food is not being tolerated well) in the manner recommended by your vet. If you choose to switch to a different brand make sure and READ THE INGREDIENTS LABEL!!! Many inferior and some high end dog foods are loaded with ingredients you don't want your dog eating! Make sure you know what the ingredients are on the ingredient list. Dogs are omnivores and are designed to eat a balanced diet which can include corn or vegetable produces but their main diet should be meat based. Also know what kind of meat you are getting, if they don't tell you what kind of animal the meat came from it could be anything. High quality food will typically have lamb, chicken or beef as their main ingredient. Chicken or lamb tends to be easier to digest, but the others are ok too. Most low end and even name brand dog food is mostly corn and other bi-products your new Pomeranian needs the maximum nutrition available. Never feed a generic brand food or one that does not bear the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) seal of approval.

Provide your Pomeranian with high quality food and water at all times. Also make sure they are actually EATING their food! Your Pom should eat small amounts of food throughout the day and take frequent rest periods. It is also important to provide a quiet, out of the way place where your Pomeranian can rest. Make sure not to overtire a small dog and watch your Pomeranian closely if it has not been eating like it should. Do not give your Pom too many treats as this could cause it to go off its food. An occasional tidbit is ok, but do not make it a habit of feeding people food or treats. Treats and table scraps are not formulated for optimum nutrition. Table scraps usually contain way too much salt, sugar and preservatives to be healthy for a dog. An entire diet of canned food is also not recommended because it can have detrimental effects on the health of the teeth. Toy breeds are known to have a high incidence of dental disease. If you must feed a soft food, make sure your Pom has regular veterinary dental care and brush its teeth daily and provide plenty of chew toys. Toys are also very necessary for puppies when they are teething. If they don't have toys to chew on they will find something else! Long skinny rawhide chews are great for toy breeds with small mouths. These seem to be the only ones that small dogs can get all the way to their back teeth.

If your puppy has been eating a specialized diet while in our care we will provide you with more detailed information on the care of your new puppy.

Hypoglycemia

(low blood sugar)

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. A Hypoglycemic attack is somewhat similar to human diabetic low blood sugar attack. Because of the Pomeranians small size and high-energy requirements, the Pom just like all toy breeds is predisposed to episodes of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This is especially a concern in the very small, tea-cup or pocket Pomeranians especially during times of illness or stress. Stress can be caused by entering a new environment (such as changing homes), during excessive traveling, change of diet or any major change in the Poms daily routine. Hypoglycemia tends to occur at night or very early morning hours, however, it can occur at any time. Hypoglycemia can be recognized by a dog or puppy suddenly becoming weak, listless, and confused or unaware of its surroundings. The Pomeranian may be unable to walk without stumbling or may not be able to stand up at all. The gums will appear pale and the eyes will look dazed. As symptoms progress untreated, the Pom may go into convulsions, seizures, and coma followed by death. Repetitive late stage hypoglycemia episodes can lead to brain damage or sudden death. Hypoglycemia progresses quickly so it is vital that all toy breed owners be familiar with it symptoms. At the first signs of Hypoglycemia, you MUST administer some form of glucose. Nutri-Cal or Karo syrup are the most popular form of glucose used. Nutri-Cal in very inexpensive (less than $10 a tube) and can be found at all major pet retail stores such as Petsmart. We recommend that ALL new Pomeranian owners buy a tube of Nutri-Cal to have in case of emergencies. THIS COULD SAVE YOUR POMERANIANS LIFE!!! If you find your Pom in a Hypoglycemic attack administer Nutri-Cal IMEDIATELY DO NOT TAKE THE TIME TO CALL THE VET FIRST!!! If the Pom is unconscious, immediately rub the glucose (Nutri-cal, Karo syrup, even pancake syrup) on it gums and under it’s tongue. Let us repeat DO NOT TAKE THE TIME TO CALL YOUR VET UNTIL AFTER administering some form of glucose. The Pomeranian should respond quickly to treatment, especially when glucose is administered in the early stages of an attack. Even if your Pom appears fine after receiving the glucose, it is important that you contact your vet as complications can occur. After your dog has sufficiently recovered from the attack it is important to offer your Pom some high protein food. Such as beef (human) baby food, banana yogurt baby food, or some other easily digested high protein food. We recommend monitoring your puppy for at least 30 minutes after a hypoglycemic attack. Hypoglycemia is usually preventable. Provide your Pomeranian with high quality food and water at all times. Also make sure they are actually EATING their food! We highly recommend Purina ONE healthy puppy dry dog food. Your Pom should eat small amounts of food throughout the day and take frequent rest periods. It is also important to provide a quiet, out of the way place where your Pomeranian can rest. Make sure not to overtire a small dog and watch your Pomeranian closely if it has not been eating like it should. DO NOT change your brand of food abruptly. If a change of food is required, mix the old brand with the new for at least a week, gradually increasing to amount of the new brand until the switch is made. Promptly treat any signs of loose bowels (which can be a sign that the new food is not being tolerated well) in the manner recommended by your vet. Do not give your Pom too many treats as this could cause it to go off its high protein food.