Month: April 2023

It’s always a good idea to research breeds when you’re looking for the right dog for your family. If you’ve been considering the adorable and fluffy Pomeranian as a possibility but are torn between the standard-sized Pom and the Teacup Pomeranian, you’ve come to the right place!

Both breeds are almost identical, particularly in temperament, but their few differences could impact your choice. So, read on, as we cover the similarities and differences between these dogs, to help make your decision easier.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Teacup Pomeranian Overview

These teensy bundles of fluff are basically the Pomeranian in ultra-small size, and they are not a separate breed and aren’t recognized by the AKC. Teacup Pomeranian is actually the unofficial name for any smaller versions of the standard Pomeranian.

Teacups are bred from two naturally small Poms, but unfortunately, there are unethical breeders out there who have resorted to questionable tactics such as inbreeding, breeding runts, and malnourishment. All these practices can lead to dogs that are sick and inherit genetic health conditions.

When looking for a Teacup Pomeranian, only go through reputable breeders or adopt from an animal shelter. Avoid online ads, always ask the breeder for their dogs’ medical history, and visit the puppy that you’re interested in before purchasing.

Personality / Character

Teacup Pomeranians are sweet and charming little dogs that have that classic small-dog attitude. This means they’re energetic, feisty, and playful. They are devoted to their family and will take to guarding them against strangers. This also means they can be relatively yappy.

As active as Teacups are, they enjoy a good cuddle on a warm lap, though it’s important to note that they would do best with families with older children. They are far too small and fragile to be around very young children.

Training

Training Teacups can be a mixed bag. On the one hand, they are intelligent and loyal, and training can be fairly easy. But on the other hand, they can also be stubborn and independent-minded and are known to be challenging to housetrain.

It’s essential that they are trained and socialized at a young age, which can help with that feistiness, but you should only use positive training methods. A well-trained Teacup will be a well-adjusted and happy companion.

Exercise

You might think that the Teacup wouldn’t need much exercise, but they need at least two walks a day of about 15 minutes each. They are energetic dogs, but a short walk is enough for them because of their tiny legs.

In fact, you should bring a carrier of some kind or be prepared to carry your dog if they get tuckered out. Teacups will also need mental stimulation so they don’t get bored and act out destructively. This means you should provide them with enough toys and chews and playtime to entertain them every day.

Health & Care

Owning a dog the size of the Teacup Pomeranian requires being quite vigilant about looking after them. These tiny dogs are physically fragile, and breaking a few bones is possible if they are accidentally dropped or if they jump from a high surface.

Teacup breeds are also susceptible to certain health conditions, such as heart defects, seizures, hypoglycemia, collapsing trachea, digestive issues, respiratory issues, and blindness.

Follow your vet’s advice for feeding your dog. They can let you know what the best diet is and how much and how often you should feed this breed. You’ll also need to stay on top of a regular feeding schedule. Missing a meal can lead to a dangerous drop in their blood sugar levels.

Grooming requirements entail brushing them about three times a week, except during the fall and spring shedding seasons in which you should brush them daily.

Suitable for:

Teacup Pomeranians are great dogs for owners living in apartments and condos and with older children. If you have many stairs or other, large pets that like to roughhouse, you should opt for a bigger dog. They also need a hyper-vigilant owner who will look after them carefully, as they are so fragile.

But if you’re looking for a playful little dog that will make a wonderful and adorable companion, the Teacup Pom might be for you.

Pomeranian Overview

Pomeranians are descended from the spitz sled dogs of the Arctic and were named after Pomerania, which used to be a part of Poland and west Germany.

The Pom is a well-known toy breed that became popular in the 1800s, when Queen Victoria fell in love with them. She is credited for the small size of today’s Pom, as back then, they were apparently 30 pounds.

Personality / Character

Pomeranians are sweet and energetic dogs that enjoy affection and are usually the center of attention. They make great watchdogs because they are always on high alert, but they are super playful and make great companions for older children.

Like the Teacup, Poms do best with older children because while they are larger than Teacups, they are still a toy breed and can easily get injured. They are social, extroverted dogs devoted to their family and inquisitive about everything.

Training

Training Poms is easy yet challenging. They are intelligent and loyal, so they can learn tricks quickly but can also be stubborn and headstrong. You’ll need to keep training sessions positive, short, and interesting to keep their attention.

Socialization is vital for any dog. Without it, they can become difficult to live with and display many unwanted behaviors, such as separation anxiety, excessive barking, and destructiveness.

Exercise

Pomeranians need more exercise than Teacups because of their larger size. But this still just means two 15-minute walks per day. Poms need to run around and play, but on bad weather days, their exercise can be just running around the house.

Be careful with either breed when going out for walks. These dogs are small enough to escape through small gaps or crevices. Additionally, Poms can easily be mistaken for prey by predator birds and animals like coyotes.

Health & Care

Pomeranians are sturdier than Teacups but can still get injured easily. The health conditions that they are prone to include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, collapsing trachea, cataracts, dry eye, hypoglycemia, tear duct problems, distichiasis, dental disease, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

Grooming requirements are no different than those for the Teacup Pomeranian, except that the routine might take longer, given their bigger size. They have double coats that will require frequent brushing.

Suitable for:

The Pomeranian makes a great companion for families with older children. While they are larger and sturdier than the Teacup, they are still vulnerable to accidental injuries.

That said, they will be a great pet for anyone looking for an affectionate and devoted lapdog that has charm and spunkiness to spare!

Which Breed Is Right for You?

When it comes to temperament, you can’t go wrong with either breed because the Teacup is just a smaller Pomeranian. One of the most significant differences, though, is the potential health problems that the Teacup might encounter. This is why finding a reputable breeder is essential!

Teacup Poms are more likely to become injured accidentally because of their tininess. But neither breed is recommended for families with very small children, as an injury can happen in an instant. Teacups are also not recommended for homes with many stairs.

Ultimately, the Teacup Pomeranian and the standard Pomeranian are wonderful dogs that will provide the right family with a fun and loving friend.

Featured Image Credit: Top – Teacup Pomeranian (BLACK – PIG, Shutterstock) | Bottom – Pomeranian (Anna Gorina, Shutterstock)

The post Teacup Pomeranian vs. Pomeranian: The Differences (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.

You’re probably familiar with the most common eating disorders in humans, such as anorexia and bulimia. You might not know that dogs can also have eating disorders, but they do not have the same complex mental concerns that plague these issues in people, so we actually refer to them as eating problems. In this article, we’ll discuss six eating problems that can affect dogs and what to do if you suspect your pup has a problem.

The 6 Eating Problems That Can Affect Dogs

1. Megaesophagus

This eating disorder is a physical condition that impacts the dog’s esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. Dogs with this condition develop an abnormally large esophagus that loses the ability to transport food and water to the stomach properly. Because of this, food and water build up in the esophagus, often causing the dog to vomit or regurgitate¹.

A common and severe complication of megaesophagus is aspiration pneumonia. This occurs when the dog breathes some of the trapped food or water into its lungs. Megaesophagus is an inherited condition in some breeds. Dogs can be born with megaesophagus or acquire it later in life as a side effect of another condition. Megaesophagus is relatively easy to diagnose but can be complicated to treat because of the risk of complications.

2. Coprophagia

Coprophagia is the official term for eating poop. Dogs with this eating disorder may snack on their own or another dog’s poop. This eating disorder is tricky because it typically has a behavioral cause but can also be triggered by medical issues.

Dogs with nutritional deficiencies caused by a poor diet or digestive problems absorbing nutrients may eat poop to make up for it. Intestinal parasites are another potential cause. Any disease or medication that causes increased appetite, such as diabetes or Cushing’s syndrome, can also cause coprophagia. If medical causes are ruled out, it likely has a behavioral root, such as poor housetraining.

3. Anorexia

In dogs, anorexia refers to a loss or decrease in appetite. Unlike humans, it is typically caused by a physical illness or ailment. Dogs may suffer from either “true” or “pseudo” anorexia. Pseudo-anorexia means that the dog still desires to eat but can’t because of some physical issue.

Dental or mouth issues, tumors, or chronic pain anywhere in the body may all cause pseudo-anorexia. True anorexia may be caused by stress or changes in the environment. More commonly, it occurs as the result of disease, nausea, cancer, loss of smell, pain, or as the side effect of certain medications. Successfully treating this eating disorder requires correctly diagnosing the underlying cause. In dogs, anorexia is a sign rather than a disease.

4. Gorging

Gorging is an eating disorder where your dog constantly tries to consume any food item it can get its mouth on, whether or not it’s hungry. They’ll eat all their dinner and ask for more. If given the chance, they’ll target your dinner. If your dog’s food and treats aren’t securely locked away, a dog with this eating disorder will overindulge to the point that they suffer from food bloat².

Often, gorging happens due to boredom or a compulsive behavior issue. Try increasing your dog’s daily physical and mental stimulation. Medications may be required if the gorging is a true compulsive behavior, meaning the dog can’t help itself.

5. Bolting

Bolting is an eating disorder that can cause severe complications in dogs. Dogs with this condition consume their food so quickly that it isn’t chewed properly, nor does it have time to digest. You may notice your dog vomiting what looks like the whole, undigested kibble right after eating.

Large, deep-chested dogs with this eating disorder may swallow large quantities of air while bolting food. This may cause GDV or bloat, a life-threatening emergency in dogs. Slow feeders can help in decreasing bolting behavior. You can also try feeding small, frequent meals to lower your dog’s bloating risk.

6. Pica

Pica is an unusual eating disorder where dogs regularly consume non-food items. While dogs of any age may chew on and sometimes ingest parts of items like sticks or plastic toys, those with pica may compulsively chew or eat strange objects. This eating disorder is dangerous because the dog may eat poisonous or large items that cause a blockage in the intestines.

Pica can have behavioral and medical causes, and dogs with nutritional deficiencies may develop pica. Anxiety and boredom can also cause the disease. In rare cases, pica may be a compulsive behavior, although this is more common in cats.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has an Eating Disorder

As we’ve learned, eating disorders in dogs can have medical and behavioral causes. The first step if you suspect your dog has an eating disorder is determining what is causing it. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to diagnose or rule out medical conditions first.

Keep in mind that diagnosing the medical cause of an eating disorder like anorexia can be complicated because there are so many potential culprits. Your regular veterinarian may need to run blood work and imaging or refer you to an internal medicine specialist for more advanced tests.

If medical conditions are ruled out, your vet can help you get to the bottom of your dog’s behavioral issues. Some behavior issues can be solved by simple changes like increased exercise or spending more time with your dog. Others may be more complex and require medication or the expertise of a certified dog behaviorist.

Conclusion

Eating disorders in dogs may not be as emotionally complex as in humans, but they can still be difficult to diagnose and treat. If your dog is suffering from any of these eating disorders, work closely with your veterinarian as you diagnose and treat them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek additional help during the process. Dealing with a sick dog is an emotional situation, and you’ll want as much support as possible.

Featured Image Credit: Daria Lixovetckay, Shutterstock

The post 6 Eating Problems That Can Affect Dogs : What You Need to Know appeared first on Pet Keen.