Pomeranians are vibrant, high-energy pups who love being the center of attention and playing with anyone who will give them the time of day. They run around constantly and seem to be vibrating with excitement at any given moment. But what does this level of energy mean when it comes to exercise and playtime with your pooch? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about your Pomeranian and how much exercise they need every day.
Understanding Your Pomeranian’s Exercise Needs
Pomeranians are vibrant pooches famous for their puffball exterior. These dogs are tiny, but despite their small size, they have a lot of energy that needs to be managed throughout the day, which is why exercise should be a big part of your Pom’s daily routine.
However, there are a few important factors to keep in mind before taking your Pomeranian on an early morning jog with you. First of all, be aware that this breed is prone to joint issues and also often struggles with difficulty breathing. Because of this, overly strenuous exercise should be avoided.
It’s also important to remember that your Pom will have different exercise needs during different phases of its life.
Pomeranian Puppies
Baby Poms seem to have endless amounts of energy in their tiny bodies, and they need to let it out!
However, an overexercised Pom puppy can lead to an adult dog with stunted growth as well as joint and mobility issues. This is why your baby Pom should be limited to two 20-minute brisk walks per day - but they’re also allowed some time to run around the garden too.
Playing with your Pomeranian should definitely factor into your daily schedule. This will help you bond with them, as well as make sure you’re managing their energy throughout the day to prevent late-night zoomies when you really need to head to bed. Playtime is also a great opportunity to incorporate training so that you can hit two birds with one stone.
Adult Pomeranians
When your Pomeranian is all grown up, they’ll naturally have less energy than they did when they were a pup - just like you don’t have the same energy you did when you were eight years old.
As an adult, your Pom will need around 50 minutes of exercise per day, on average. Same as with the pups, this can be split between short, brisk walks and playtime at home - either in the yard or even indoors. However, even if you or your children are playing with your dog every day, at least two short walks outdoors are still recommended!
Of course, your dog’s exercise needs will still vary based on some other factors, such as their health and mobility. Keep in mind, too, that each day might look a little different, and that’s okay!
Senior Pomeranians
When your dog reaches their golden years, they will gradually and naturally start to slow down, and it’s important that you’re able to read their cues. They will be more tired and less mobile, which means that their energy levels and interest in exercise might start to wane.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should stop completely! Even older Poms will still benefit from some light activity on a daily basis to maintain their mobility and overall health.
If you start to notice your pooch struggling on their walks, consider reducing the time or distance you walk for or split your usual walks into shorter and more frequent stints instead. If they’re less inclined to play and run around in between walks, instead, just focus on quality time spent with them, even if it’s at a much slower pace.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Activities
Spending as much time outdoors as possible is always going to be beneficial for your Pomeranian’s overall health - not to mention for your own as well! Fresh air and a chance to explore nature will be much more stimulating for your Pom than only playing in the living room. Plus, changing up your walking routes every so often will also be beneficial so they don’t get too bored.
However, the weather might not always permit an outdoor walk or outside play. In these cases, indoor activities will take preference. You can play tug of war with a rope-like toy, chase your pooch around the room, give them a treat toy, teach them new tricks or obedience, or even set up an obstacle course for them to figure out.
Making time for play, even when the weather is bad, is important for both your pup’s health and their sense of routine.
Signs of Overexertion and Adjusting Activities
As mentioned, Poms can struggle with their breathing, so it’s essential to look out for signs of overexertion when you’re exercising them.
They might struggle with symptoms of overexertion if their heart rate gets too high, if they’re too hot, become dehydrated, or simply become too fatigued.
You might notice symptoms like excessive panting or difficulty breathing and coughing, abnormal drooling, a fever, a change in gum color, a lack of urine, a rapid heart rate, vomiting, or diarrhea.
While many of these symptoms could relate to other issues, they might be pointing to overexertion and fatigue. Make sure that you give them enough water, keep them cool, and allow them to rest.
