CARE — PUPPY

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Brain Development

  3. Puppy Formulas

  4. Caloric Intake

  5. Growth Chart

  6. Socialization & Desensitization

Nutritional and Developmental Care for Your Puppy

Pomeranian puppies grow rapidly yet possess the metabolic quirks of a toy breed—small stomachs, high energy demands, and a propensity for hypoglycemia. Scientific evidence underscores the importance of tailored nutrition and monitoring to support optimal growth, cognitive development, and long-term health.

Brain Development

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, plays a crucial role in neural and visual maturation. In feeding trials, puppies born to bitches supplemented with DHA during gestation and lactation demonstrated measurable improvements in learning, memory, and maze navigation compared to controls. Further, Purina Institute research found that puppies receiving DHA-enriched diets from 3 to 16 weeks of age completed cognitive tasks over 25 % faster than unsupplemented littermates.

Recommendation: Choose a puppy formula with at least 0.05 % DHA on a dry-matter basis or supplement under veterinary guidance.

WSAVA-Recommended Puppy Formulas

The WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines stress feeding life-stage–specific complete and balanced diets verified by feeding trials. Puppy formulas should provide:

  • High-quality protein (≥25 % of kcal) for lean tissue accretion

  • Balanced Ca:P ratio (~1.2–1.4:1) to support bone growth

  • Antioxidants (e.g., vitamin E ≥500 IU/kg DM) for immune development

  • EPA/DHA for neurologic and visual maturation

When selecting commercial foods, verify that they meet NRC or AAFCO growth standards and have undergone life-stage feeding trials.

Daily Caloric Intake & Feeding Schedule

Growing Pomeranian puppies require approximately 55 kcal per pound (≈121 kcal/kg) of body weight per day, with 3–4 small meals to stabilize glucose and prevent hypoglycemia (petpom.com). Adjust this range by ±20 % based on individual activity:

Puppy Weight Daily Calorie Range 1 lb. (0.45 kg) 50 kcal 2 lb. (0.90 kg) 100 kcal 3 lb. (1.36 kg) 150 kcal 4 lb. (1.81 kg) 200 kcal

Monitor body condition visually and by palpation; aim for a rib “feel” beneath a light fat covering and a visible waist.

Anime-style drawing of a woman squatting and reaching out to four small, fluffy dogs, with a gradient gray background.

Growth Timeline & Weight Chart

Pomeranians typically double their birth weight by 10 days and then follow a predictable growth curve. Full adult coat and body conformation may not mature until 12–18 months. Approximate weight milestones are:

Birth 2.5 oz 2.75 oz 3.0 oz 3.5 oz 4.0 oz 4.25 oz 4.5 oz 5.0 oz 5.5 oz 6.0 oz 6.5 oz
1 wk3.84.05.05.56.57.08.09.09.510.511.0
2 wks5.05.56.57.09.010.011.012.513.514.516.0
3 wks6.07.08.09.011.013.014.016.017.518.520.0
4 wks7.08.09.511.013.015.017.019.521.023.024.0
5 wks8.09.011.013.015.017.019.022.024.026.029.0
6 wks9.011.012.015.017.520.022.024.027.030.032.0
7 wks10.012.014.517.019.522.024.027.030.033.035.0
8 wks11.013.016.019.021.524.027.029.033.036.039.0
9 wks12.015.017.520.023.026.029.032.035.039.042.0
10 wks13.016.019.022.025.028.031.034.038.041.045.0
11 wks14.017.021.024.027.031.034.037.042.045.049.0
12 wks15.019.022.026.030.033.037.041.045.049.053.0
13 wks16.020.024.028.032.036.040.044.049.053.057.0
14 wks17.022.026.030.034.039.043.047.052.056.060.0
15 wks19.023.028.032.037.041.046.051.056.061.066.0
16 wks20.025.030.034.039.044.049.054.059.065.070.0
17 wks21.026.031.036.041.046.051.057.062.067.072.0
18 wks22.028.033.037.043.048.054.060.065.071.076.0
19 wks23.029.034.039.044.050.056.062.067.072.077.0
20 wks24.030.035.041.046.052.058.064.070.076.081.0
21 wks25.031.036.042.048.054.060.066.072.078.084.0
22 wks25.032.037.043.049.056.062.068.074.080.086.0
23 wks26.033.038.044.050.057.064.070.076.082.088.0
24 wks26.033.039.045.051.058.065.071.078.084.090.0
25 wks27.034.040.046.052.059.066.072.079.086.093.0
6 mos27.034.040.047.053.060.067.073.080.087.094.0
Adult2 lb2.5 lb3 lb3.5 lb4 lb4.5 lb5 lb5.5 lb6 lb6.5 lb7 lb

Please note: These figures provide a framework; individual genetics and litter variance apply.

Socialization AND DESENSITIZATION

Early socialization in puppies, specifically between 8 to 16 weeks of age, is crucial for optimal behavioral development and long-term adaptability. During this critical period, exposure to diverse environments, stimuli, species, and social contexts shapes neurological and emotional responses, reducing the likelihood of fear-based reactions in adulthood. Research demonstrates that puppies systematically exposed to controlled, positive interactions within varied contexts display enhanced cognitive flexibility, reduced anxiety, and improved problem-solving abilities compared to socially isolated counterparts.

Desensitization complements socialization by gradually introducing puppies to potentially stressful stimuli at intensities below their fear threshold, incrementally increasing exposure as tolerance builds. Controlled studies have shown that structured desensitization exercises, such as repeated gentle handling, varied auditory stimuli, and controlled interactions with unfamiliar animals; effectively reduce long-term stress responses and increase resilience. Consistent implementation of these evidence-based strategies promotes adaptive behavioral patterns, contributing significantly to the puppy’s lifelong mental well-being and sociability.

    • Heinemann KM, Bauer JE. Docosahexaenoic acid and neurologic development in animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Mar 1;228(5):700–705. doi:10.2460/javma.228.5.700. PMID:16506930 (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

    • Purina Institute. Early Brain Development: Advancing Brain Health. Puppies fed DHA from 3–16 weeks completed maze tests 25 % faster than controls. Accessed 2025. (purinainstitute.com)

    • World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods (Global Nutrition Toolkit). Updated April 2021. (wsava.org)

    • PetPom. Pomeranian Calories Requirements: Guidelines of Calorie Needs Based on Age & Weight. Accessed 2025. (petpom.com)