Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Pomeranians Live. Pomeranian Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Pomeranian Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Pomeranian, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Pomeranians
- How Old is Your Pomeranian in Human Years
- How Long Do Pomeranians Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Pomeranian Live Long
- Conclusion on Pomeranian Life Expectancy
How Long Pomeranians Live. Pomeranian Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Pomeranian is from 12 to 16 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Pomeranian. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 29 pet Pomeranians lived.
From the study, it was found that Pomeranians have a average lifespan of 9.67 years. Furthermore, the study found that Pomeranians can live for as long as 17.2 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Pomeranians.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Pomeranians are:
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
- Respiratory Disease: Problems with lungs and breathing
- Trauma: Issues involving injury
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Pomeranian to make your Pomeranian live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Pomeranian have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Pomeranian is in human years? Then, check out our Pomeranian age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Pomeranian Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Pomeranian compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Tibetan Spaniel Lifespan | 14.40 |
| Silky Terrier Lifespan | 14.20 |
| Miniature Poodle Lifespan | 13.90 |
| Miniature Pinscher Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Yorkshire Terrier Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Norwegian Buhund Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Tibetan Mastiff Lifespan | 11.90 |
| Afghan Hound Lifespan | 11.90 |
| Affenpinscher Lifespan | 11.40 |
| Pug Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Boston Terrier Lifespan | 10.90 |
| Old English Sheepdog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| German Longhaired Pointer Lifespan | 10.50 |
| Chinese Crested Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Flat-Coated Retriever Lifespan | 9.83 |
| Pomeranian Lifespan | 9.67 |
| Spinone Italiano Lifespan | 9.00 |
| Great Dane Lifespan | 6.50 |
| Miniature Bull Terrier Lifespan | 6.08 |
Common Causes of Death in Pomeranian, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Pomeranian, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Pomeranian.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Pomeranians
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 15.0 percent of all deaths in Pomeranians.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Pomeranian
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Pomeranian eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Pomeranian stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Pomeranian is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Pomeranian has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Pomeranians
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Pomeranian`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Cardiovascular Disease in Pomeranians
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 14.1 percent of all deaths in Pomeranians.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Pomeranian
Heart disease in Pomeranians may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Pomeranians
You can prevent heart problems in your Pomeranian by exercising your Pomeranian regularly and feeding your Pomeranian a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Pomeranian. The supplement is not only good for your Pomeranian`s heart, but it is also good for your Pomeranian`s overall health.
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Respiratory Disease in Pomeranians
Respiratory diseases includes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other conditions. May also be related to left-sided heart failure and other cardiovascular issues.
Respiratory Disease is responsible for 13.6 percent of all deaths in Pomeranians.
Causes of Respiratory Disease in Pomeranian
Some lung conditions can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Other lung conditions, such as asthma, can be related to allergies and genetic conditions. Some breeds (called brachycephalic breeds) are more susceptible to breathing problems. These breeds appear to have their noses and snouts kind of squished into their faces. Although they are very cute, these breeds can have serious breathing problems throughout their lives which may require surgery. Additionally, dogs and cats can often get colds and other upper respiratory infections because of stress. Common causes of stress in dogs include separation anxiety, thunderstorms and other loud noises, the introduction of other animals into the home, and more.
How to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Pomeranians
Respiratory diseases can be prevented by supporting the immune health of your Pomeranian, by making sure you feed your Pomeranian a good, nutritious dog food brand, give them plenty of exercises, and help them live in a stress-free environment. There are several options for supplements and therapies that can help reduce stress in your Pomeranian. Some Pomeranian do really well with thundershirts, which are snug shirts that swaddle the dogs and help them calm down during thunderstorms and other stressful events. Furthermore, Pomeranians that are anxious with loud sounds might also benefit from calming supplements, such as Anxiety TFLN. For general anxiety, the supplement Composure or Composure Pro might help calm your Pomeranian`s nervousness. Some Pomeranians do really well with supplements, but just like with people, supplements do not work for everyone. If you are not seeing results after a few weeks of putting your Pomeranian on a supplement to calm anxiety, you should talk to your veterinarian about behavioral therapy and stronger medications.
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Trauma in Pomeranians
These includes cuts, bites, bruises, broken bones, wounds, scratches, and more.
Trauma is responsible for 13.1 percent of all deaths in Pomeranians.
Causes of Trauma in Pomeranian
One of the most common causes of trauma in Pomeranians is getting hit by cats. Another common cause is bites and scratches from fighting or play with other dogs.
How to Prevent Trauma in Pomeranians
The best way to keep your Pomeranian from getting hit by a car is by having them on a fixed leash. Veterinarians do not recommend retractable leashes for dogs. This is because, oftentimes, dogs on retractable leashes will bolt into the road before their owners can lock the leash and get hit by cars, even though they were technically on a leash. Having a normal, fixed leash is also a good way to prevent your Pomeranian from bolting on walks and getting into fights with other dogs before you can lock the leash.
Here is a good fixed leash that can save your Pomeranian from traumatic accidents.
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Neurologic Disease in Pomeranians
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 12.4 percent of all deaths in Pomeranians.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Pomeranian
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Pomeranians
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Pomeranians
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Pomeranian is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Pomeranian`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Pomeranian`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Pomeranian offsprings by only breeding Pomeranian that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Pomeranian puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Pomeranian breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Pomeranian has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Pomeranian for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Pomeranian a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pomeranians for:
How Old is Your Pomeranian in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Pomeranian. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Pomeranian is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Pomeranian is 9.67 years.
Pomeranians are tiny-sized dogs. Pomeranians weigh 3 to 7 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Pomeranian in converting Pomeranian age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Pomeranian`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Pomeranian`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Pomeranian`s human age. If you do not know your Pomeranian`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Pomeranian is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Pomeranian`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Pomeranian`s up-to-date human age.
Pomeranian Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Pomeranian age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Pomeranian`s human age based on your Pomeranian`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Pomeranian`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Pomeranian Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 18 |
| 3 | 24 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 39 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 51 |
| 10 | 55 |
| 11 | 58 |
| 12 | 62 |
| 13 | 65 |
| 14 | 69 |
| 15 | 73 |
| 16 | 77 |
How Long Do Pomeranians Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Pomeranian is 9.67 years. In human years, the Pomeranian lives for 54 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Pomeranian in Human Years?
A 1-year old Pomeranian is 12 years old in human years.
How Old is 3-year-old Pomeranian in Human Years?
A 3-year old Pomeranian is 24 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Pomeranian in Human Years?
A 5-year old Pomeranian is 35 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Pomeranian in Human Years?
A 8-year old Pomeranian is 48 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Pomeranian Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Pomeranian live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Pomeranian fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Pomeranian does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Pomeranian will have a shorter lifespan than a Pomeranian that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Pomeranian high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Pomeranian. Check out our Pomeranian feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Pomeranian from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Pomeranian existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Pomeranian has access to clean water whenever your Pomeranian needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Pomeranian. See our Pomeranian water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Pomeranian.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Pomeranian might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Pomeranian.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Pomeranian is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Pomeranian’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Pomeranian teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Pomeranian Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Pomeranian`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.