Pomeranians are cute, little balls of fluff. They have happy personalities, love to play, and they’re even quite trainable. While this may be the case, it helps to know how long these dogs live, especially if you plan on purchasing or adopting one.
So, how long does a Pomeranian live for? The short answer is that they tend to live for 12 to 16 years. However, there are some ways to improve their longevity.
Read our guide to learn more.
Understanding Pomeranians
Pomeranians are small dogs that weigh around five pounds and reach around seven inches at the shoulder. They’re known for being little balls of fluff with fox-like faces that feature small black eyes, long snouts, and pointy ears. Color-wise, Pomeranians tend to be tan or fawn, but hints of red and other colors may enter the fold.
Pomeranians also tend to be fun dogs to have, so we get why you may want them to stick around for a long while. Pomeranians are known for their fun personalities, trainability, and loving nature. Plus, they’re not half bad around small children and other pets.
When you pair their small size and playful personality with their trainability and cuteness, Pomeranians are a good fit for most families.
How Long Does a Pomeranian Live?
Pomeranians tend to live for around 12 to 16 years. This is their average lifespan, and there is a big range. It’s not entirely surprising if they don’t reach 12 years old, nor is it surprising when they live past 18, 19, or even 20! Ultimately, how long a Pomeranian lives varies based on how you care for them, their general health, and several other factors.
Factors That Influence a Pomeranian’s Lifespan
Knowing that a Pomeranian lives around 12 to 16 years is helpful, but it doesn’t tell you the full story. You also need to understand the various factors that influence how long Pomeranians can live for. In other words, it helps to understand what can help them live longer.
We’ll cover these factors in detail below.
The Health of the Pomeranian
The most important factor that determines how long a Pomeranian lives is the health of the dog. If you plan on purchasing a Pomeranian from a breeder, make sure you verify their medical and genetic records. This helps you check for any signs that your Pomeranian may develop cancers or other conditions later on.
For these reasons, it’s important to choose a healthy Pomeranian and care for them properly to avoid any issues. Thankfully, if you want to adopt a healthy Pomeranian, Dog Academy can help you connect with adoptable dogs.
We also recommend bringing your Pomeranian to the veterinarian annually for the best results.
Activity Level
How active your Pomeranian is plays a big role in how long they’ll live. You need to keep them at a healthy weight, which can be tough once they start pushing 10, 11, and 12. If they end up becoming obese, your Pomeranian might not last much longer due to the health problems that it causes.
For this reason, you should aim for 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity. To keep them happy, we recommend mixing in walks, playtime, and training sessions. This stimulates them physically, sure, but also mentally.
Diet
Last but not least, a healthy diet is critical for the health and longevity of your Pomeranian. The diet should have a large amount of protein from healthy sources, like chicken and beef, but you should also sprinkle in some fish or fish oil when you can. Veggies, like carrots, green beans, and broccoli, can also protect their joints and help them maintain their energy levels.
For the best results, it’s a good idea to mix dry food and wet food. If you’re going the raw route, make sure you choose brands that stand behind the quality of their food.
How Long Does a Pomeranian Live For? Our Final Thoughts
So, how long does a Pomeranian live for? Ultimately, they tend to live for around 12 to 16 years, and sometimes even longer. How long they live varies based on their health, activity level, diet, and other factors.
The good news is that if you understand the factors we covered in this guide, you’ll have no problem enjoying your Pomeranian for many years to come.