Pomeranian Health Problems: Symptoms and When to Worry
The most common Pomeranian health problems are tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, and dental disease. Pomeranians typically live 12–16 years. This page is organized by symptom, so you can jump straight to breathing, joint, dental, and hormonal problems, see what each one looks like in a Pomeranian, and know whether it is a vet visit this week, a vet visit today, or an emergency right now.
Quick answer: when to worry about your Pomeranian
Go to an emergency vet now if you see any of these:
- Breathing: Blue or gray gums, open-mouth breathing at rest, gasping, or collapse is an emergency. Go now; do not wait for an appointment.
- Joint, back, and mobility: Sudden inability to use the back legs, dragging the hindquarters, or crying out when touched along the spine is an emergency. A ruptured disc has a window of hours for the best outcome.
- Dental: Refusing food entirely, facial swelling, or a fractured tooth with exposed pulp needs a vet within a day.
- Hormonal and metabolic: Collapse, severe weakness, or vomiting with lethargy in a pet with a known hormonal condition (Addison's, diabetes, insulinoma) is an emergency.
- Any pet: collapse, seizures lasting more than five minutes, uncontrolled bleeding, or an inability to stand.
Book a vet visit this week if you see any of these:
- Breathing: Noisy breathing at rest, a cough lasting more than a few days, or tiring quickly on walks all warrant a visit.
- Joint, back, and mobility: Limping for more than a day or two, stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or a change in gait.
- Dental: Bad breath, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, or red gums.
- Hormonal and metabolic: Weight gain or loss without a diet change, increased thirst, hair loss on the body, a pot-bellied look, or lethargy.
Keep watching if: the change is mild, your Pomeranian is still eating, drinking, and moving normally, and it resolves within a day or two. Write down what you saw and when; a dated list is the most useful thing you can bring to a vet.
Breathing problems in Pomeranians
Tracheal Collapse
Weakening of the windpipe causing breathing difficulties. Common in toy breeds.
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Honking cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Gagging
- Exercise intolerance
- Blue gums during episodes
Outlook: this is one of the conditions that can shorten a Pomeranian's life. Managed early it is often years, not months, but it belongs on the list of things that eventually lead to end-of-life decisions.
When to see a vet: Noisy breathing at rest, a cough lasting more than a few days, or tiring quickly on walks all warrant a visit.
When it is an emergency: Blue or gray gums, open-mouth breathing at rest, gasping, or collapse is an emergency. Go now; do not wait for an appointment.
Joint, back, and mobility problems in Pomeranians
Patellar Luxation
Kneecaps that slip out of place. Very common in Pomeranians.
How common in Pomeranians: One of the most affected breeds
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Skipping gait
- Leg held up
- Sudden lameness
- Reluctance to jump
When to see a vet: Limping for more than a day or two, stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or a change in gait.
When it is an emergency: Sudden inability to use the back legs, dragging the hindquarters, or crying out when touched along the spine is an emergency. A ruptured disc has a window of hours for the best outcome.
Dental and mouth problems in Pomeranians
Dental Disease
Crowded teeth in a tiny mouth lead to severe dental problems.
How common in Pomeranians: Nearly universal without intervention
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Bad breath
- Red gums
- Loose teeth
- Pain eating
When to see a vet: Bad breath, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, or red gums.
When it is an emergency: Refusing food entirely, facial swelling, or a fractured tooth with exposed pulp needs a vet within a day.
Hormonal and metabolic problems in Pomeranians
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar, especially dangerous in puppies and small adults.
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Trembling
- Seizures
- Collapse
Outlook: this is one of the conditions that can shorten a Pomeranian's life. Managed early it is often years, not months, but it belongs on the list of things that eventually lead to end-of-life decisions.
When to see a vet: Weight gain or loss without a diet change, increased thirst, hair loss on the body, a pot-bellied look, or lethargy.
When it is an emergency: Collapse, severe weakness, or vomiting with lethargy in a pet with a known hormonal condition (Addison's, diabetes, insulinoma) is an emergency.
Skin and coat problems in Pomeranians
Alopecia X (Black Skin Disease)
Hair loss condition particularly common in Pomeranians. Cause unknown.
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Hair loss
- Darkening skin
- Usually doesn't affect health otherwise
When to see a vet: Persistent itching, hair or quill loss, hot spots, sores, or a smell that does not go away after a bath.
When it is an emergency: Sudden facial swelling or hives with vomiting or breathing trouble (an allergic reaction), maggots on the skin, or a large burn is an emergency.
Heart problems in Pomeranians
Heart Disease
Valve disease becomes more common as Pomeranians age.
What it looks like in a Pomeranian:
- Coughing
- Exercise intolerance
- Rapid breathing
Outlook: this is one of the conditions that can shorten a Pomeranian's life. Managed early it is often years, not months, but it belongs on the list of things that eventually lead to end-of-life decisions.
When to see a vet: A murmur your vet has heard, coughing at night, tiring on walks, or a resting breathing rate over 30 breaths per minute while asleep.
When it is an emergency: Collapse, fainting, blue gums, labored breathing, or sudden hind-leg paralysis with cold legs (a clot) is an emergency.
Warning signs to watch for in a Pomeranian
These are the early signals owners most often miss, or dismiss as age:
- Honking cough (tracheal collapse)
- Weakness or confusion (hypoglycemia)
- Limping or skipping (patellar luxation)
- Hair loss
- Breathing difficulty
Pomeranian lifespan: what is normal
Pomeranians typically live 12-16 years, often reaching the upper range. Their small size generally contributes to longevity. If your Pom lived into their mid-teens, that's a full, spirited life.
Genetic factors
As a toy breed, Pomeranians face issues common to very small dogs: dental problems, collapsing trachea, and joint issues. Their double coat can also hide health problems.
What Pomeranians usually die from
Knowing what typically ends a Pomeranian's life is not morbid. It tells you which of the symptoms above deserve the fastest response.
- Heart disease (about 25%): Valve disease and heart failure in older dogs.
- Trauma (about 20%): Their tiny size makes them vulnerable to injury.
- Age-related decline (about 25%): General organ failure in senior dogs.
- Tracheal collapse complications (about 15%): Progressive respiratory failure.
- Cancer (about 10%): Various cancers.
When it may be time: from managing symptoms to saying goodbye
Some of the conditions above (tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia, and heart disease) are managed for years. Each one, though, has a point where treatment prolongs the decline rather than the life. If you are reading this page because your Pomeranian is older and the bad days are starting to outnumber the good, that is worth saying plainly: you may not be looking for a diagnosis anymore. You may be looking for permission.
Signs the balance has shifted in a Pomeranian:
- Increased breathing difficulty
- Loss of appetite
- Withdrawal from family
- Decreased energy even for a senior
The when to say goodbye to your Pomeranian guide walks through the quality-of-life scale vets use, what euthanasia actually involves, and how to prepare. If you are weighing costs and options, the pet end-of-life services guides by city cover in-home euthanasia and cremation prices, and the coping with losing a Pomeranian guide is there for afterward.
Preventive care for Pomeranians
- Use a harness, never a collar (trachea protection)
- Regular dental care - they need it
- Protect from larger dogs and accidents
- Small frequent meals to prevent hypoglycemia
- Maintain healthy weight
- Keep their coat groomed - it can hide skin issues
Sources
This page is compiled from veterinary references and breed-specific health studies. It is general information, not a diagnosis; your vet knows your Pomeranian.
- https://www.americanpomeranianclub.org/health.html
- https://www.ofa.org/diseases/breed-statistics
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tracheal-collapse-in-dogs
If this has stopped being about symptoms
Many people land here when their Pomeranian is old or ill and they are trying to work out whether what they are seeing is the end. If that is you, the health details above matter less than the question underneath them.
Pomeranian Health FAQs
- What are the most common health problems in Pomeranians?
- The conditions most often seen in Pomeranians are tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, dental disease, and hypoglycemia. Weakening of the windpipe causing breathing difficulties. Common in toy breeds.
- What do Pomeranians usually die from?
- The leading causes of death in Pomeranians are heart disease, trauma, and age-related decline. Valve disease and heart failure in older dogs. Pomeranians typically live 12–16 years.
- Do Pomeranians have breathing problems?
- Yes. The breathing conditions seen in Pomeranians are tracheal collapse. Noisy breathing at rest, a cough lasting more than a few days, or tiring quickly on walks all warrant a visit. Blue or gray gums, open-mouth breathing at rest, gasping, or collapse is an emergency. Go now; do not wait for an appointment.
- Do Pomeranians have joint problems?
- Yes. The joint conditions seen in Pomeranians are patellar luxation. Limping for more than a day or two, stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or a change in gait. Sudden inability to use the back legs, dragging the hindquarters, or crying out when touched along the spine is an emergency. A ruptured disc has a window of hours for the best outcome.
- At what age do Pomeranians start having health problems?
- Inherited conditions can show up in the first few years. Age-related problems like arthritis, kidney decline, and cancer cluster in the last third of a Pomeranian's 12–16 years lifespan, so twice-yearly checkups from about 7 years old catch most things early.
- What are the signs a Pomeranian is dying?
- The signs that a Pomeranian is nearing the end are refusing food and water, being unable to stand or get to the bathroom without help, pain that medication no longer reaches, withdrawing from the family, and more bad days than good over two weeks. Our when-to-say-goodbye guide for the Pomeranian walks through the quality-of-life scale vets use and what euthanasia involves.
- What's the best diet for a Pomeranian?
- Pomeranians do best on high-quality dog food appropriate for their life stage (puppy/kitten, adult, senior). Breed-specific health concerns may warrant specialized diets. Consult your vet rather than following general advice online.
- How often should I take my Pomeranian to the vet?
- Annual wellness exams for adult Pomeranians, twice yearly for seniors (typically 7+ for dogs). More frequent visits if your Pomeranian has known health conditions. Preventive care catches issues before they become emergencies.
Keep their memory close
If you're facing a difficult time, these may bring comfort.