Pomeranians pack an enormous personality into a tiny frame — confident, fluffy and hugely popular across the UAE. But toy breeds have their own distinct health profile, quite different from the big-dog risks, and knowing it helps you keep your Pom healthy for a long time. Encouragingly, several of the breed's most common problems are preventable or very manageable with the right routine. Here's what matters.
Pomeranians are long-lived for a dog — typically around 12–16 years — so preventive care pays off over many years.
The most overlooked risk: dental disease
Small breeds like Pomeranians are highly prone to dental disease, because a lot of teeth are crowded into a small mouth, encouraging plaque, tartar and gum disease [1]. Left unmanaged, it's painful, causes tooth loss, and fuels body-wide inflammation. It's also one of the most preventable problems there is: brush daily (or as often as you can), use VOHC-approved dental products, and have your vet check the teeth at every visit with professional cleaning as advised. For a Pom, dental care isn't cosmetic — it's core health care.
The knees: luxating patella
Luxating patella — a kneecap that slips out of place — is common in the breed, causing an intermittent skip or hop, or holding a back leg up for a few steps [2]. Mild cases are managed conservatively (keeping lean is important, as extra weight strains the joint); more severe cases may need surgery. Mention any skipping gait to your vet so it can be graded and monitored.
The airway: collapsing trachea
Toy breeds are prone to a collapsing trachea, where the windpipe's cartilage weakens, causing a characteristic honking cough — often triggered by excitement, pulling on a collar, or heat [3]. Protect the airway: use a harness, never a neck collar, keep your Pom lean, avoid smoke and irritants, and have a persistent cough investigated. Most dogs are managed well medically.
Coat, skin and other conditions
- Alopecia X ("black skin disease") — a coat-loss condition seen in the breed; usually cosmetic but worth a vet check to rule out hormonal causes.
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) in puppies and very small adults — tiny dogs can crash quickly if they don't eat regularly; feed small, frequent meals and know the signs (weakness, wobbliness).
- Heart conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus (congenital) and valve disease with age.
- Eye problems and tracheal/dental interactions — all reasons for regular checks.
Life-stage and preventive priorities
Make dental care the daily cornerstone; use a harness to protect the airway; keep your Pom lean for knees and heart; feed small, regular meals (especially as a puppy); check the coat and eyes; and follow core preventive habits, with veterinary exams and screening that increase as they age. Given their long lifespan, senior screening from around age eight or nine is well worth it.
Caring for a Pomeranian in the UAE heat
Don't be fooled by their size — that thick double coat makes Pomeranians prone to overheating. Don't shave the double coat (it insulates and protects against sun); instead, keep walks to the cool of early morning and evening, provide constant shade, water and air-conditioning, and watch for heat stroke, remembering that heat and excitement can also trigger the tracheal cough. Regular brushing keeps the coat healthy and doing its job.
The bottom line
A Pomeranian's health hinges on small-breed essentials that are easy to get right once you know them: brush those crowded teeth, use a harness to protect the windpipe, keep the knees and heart light with a lean weight, and feed little tinies regularly. Add heat-smart coat care, and this spirited, long-lived breed can stay bright and healthy well into its teens.
Frequently asked questions
What health problems are Pomeranians prone to? Most commonly dental disease (crowded small mouths), luxating patella (slipping kneecaps), collapsing trachea (a honking cough), and coat conditions like alopecia X. Puppies can also suffer low blood sugar, and heart conditions occur with age [1][2][3].
Why does my Pomeranian make a honking cough? That distinctive honk is often a sign of a collapsing trachea, common in toy breeds, frequently triggered by excitement, pulling on a collar, or heat [3]. Use a harness instead of a neck collar, keep your Pom lean, and have a persistent cough checked — most cases are well managed medically.
How long do Pomeranians live? They're long-lived, typically around 12–16 years. Diligent dental care, a lean weight, airway protection and senior screening help them thrive across those years.
Do I need to brush my Pomeranian's teeth? Yes — dental disease is one of the breed's biggest and most preventable problems because so many teeth crowd a small mouth. Daily brushing, VOHC-approved dental products, and regular veterinary dental care are essential, not optional.
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Important note
This article is decision-support information, not veterinary advice, and does not diagnose your individual pet. Breed predispositions are tendencies, not certainties; your veterinarian will advise on your individual dog.
References
- American Veterinary Dental College. Periodontal disease and small-breed dental health. https://afd.avdc.org/
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Patellar luxation in toy breeds. https://www.ofa.org/
- Merck Veterinary Manual (MSD). Tracheal collapse and toy-breed disorders. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/