Raw Diet for Pomeranians: Benefits, Risks and How to Start

If you’ve been wondering whether switching your Pomeranian to raw food is worth the hype, the short answer is: it can be — but it’s not as simple as tossing a chicken leg in the bowl and calling it done. A raw diet done right offers real benefits for Pomeranians, including better coat condition, improved digestion, and healthier teeth. Done wrong, it carries genuine risks. Here’s what you actually need to know before you start.

What Is a Raw Diet for Dogs?

A raw diet — often called a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or raw meat-based diet — consists of uncooked meat, edible bones, organs, and sometimes raw fruit and vegetables. The idea is to feed dogs something closer to what their ancestors ate before kibble existed. For Pomeranians specifically, this needs to be carefully scaled and balanced because of their small size and particular nutritional needs.

There are two main approaches raw feeders use:

• BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food): Includes raw meaty bones, muscle meat, organs, raw eggs, vegetables, and fruit.
• Prey Model Raw (PMR): Mimics a whole prey animal — roughly 80% muscle meat, 10% raw edible bone, 10% organ (with half of that being liver). No vegetables or fruit.

Most Pomeranian owners I’ve spoken to, and my own experience with Sash, land somewhere between the two — using the PMR ratios as a foundation but adding in some veg and the occasional egg.

Benefits of a Raw Diet for Pomeranians

Coat and Skin Condition

This was the first thing I noticed with Sash. Within about six weeks of transitioning her to raw, her double coat became noticeably softer and shinier. The dry, slightly flaky skin she’d had on processed food largely disappeared. Raw diets are rich in natural fats, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from sources like oily fish and grass-fed meat, which directly support skin and coat health. For a breed known for its spectacular fur, this benefit alone is worth considering.

Dental Health

Pomeranians are notorious for dental problems. The American Kennel Club highlights dental disease as one of the most common health issues in the breed. Chewing raw meaty bones acts as a natural toothbrush, reducing plaque and tartar buildup far more effectively than dry kibble, which despite the marketing claims does very little for teeth. Sash’s vet commented on the improvement in her gum health at her check-up after we switched — unprompted, which I took as a solid endorsement.

Digestion and Stool Quality

One of the less glamorous but very real benefits: smaller, firmer stools. Raw-fed dogs produce significantly less waste because they’re absorbing more of what they eat. Kibble is packed with fillers — grains, starches, additives — much of which passes straight through. With raw, you’re feeding bioavailable protein and fat with minimal filler. Sash also had far less gas, which anyone who has sat next to a gassy Pomeranian on the sofa will appreciate enormously.

Energy and Weight Management

Pomeranians can be prone to weight gain, particularly as they get older or after spaying/neutering. Raw diets are typically lower in carbohydrates than commercial kibble and higher in protein, which supports lean muscle mass and helps maintain a healthy weight. Sash is more energetic and leaner now than she was on premium dry food, and her portion control is easier to manage because I’m feeding to her actual caloric needs rather than a bag’s generic guidelines.

Risks of a Raw Diet for Pomeranians

Here’s where I’ll be straight with you: raw feeding is not risk-free, and anyone telling you otherwise is glossing over the difficult parts.

Bacterial Contamination

Raw meat carries bacteria — Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria. Healthy adult dogs can handle low levels of these pathogens reasonably well, but there are real implications for humans in the household, particularly young children, elderly people, or immunocompromised family members who handle the food or come into contact with the dog’s bowls and environment. Strict hygiene is non-negotiable: separate prep surfaces, thorough handwashing, and regular disinfection of food bowls are non-negotiable.

Nutritional Imbalance

This is the biggest risk and the one most raw feeders underestimate early on. Feeding random cuts of meat without following a balanced ratio leads to deficiencies or excesses over time. Too much liver causes vitamin A toxicity. Not enough calcium-to-phosphorus balance from bone leads to skeletal problems. For Pomeranians — a breed already prone to luxating patellas and other joint issues — getting the nutritional balance wrong isn’t just inconvenient, it’s damaging. If you’re new to raw, using a pre-formulated commercial raw food or consulting a veterinary nutritionist before going DIY is genuinely important.

Bone Hazards

Raw bones are generally considered safe; cooked bones are not — cooking makes them brittle and prone to splintering, which can cause internal damage. But even raw bones carry risks for small dogs. Weight-bearing bones from large animals (beef femur, for example) are too hard for Pomeranian teeth and can cause fractures. Stick to appropriately sized raw meaty bones — chicken necks, chicken wings, duck necks — that a small dog can actually manage safely.

Cost and Convenience

Raw feeding costs more than mid-range kibble and requires more planning. You’ll need freezer space, reliable sourcing, and the time to portion and prepare meals. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth being realistic. I source Sash’s food from a local raw pet food supplier and supplement occasionally with quality commercial raw patties for convenience. You can explore the full picture of Pomeranian nutrition to understand how raw fits into the broader feeding picture.

How to Start a Raw Diet for Your Pomeranian

Step 1: Do the Maths

Adult Pomeranians typically eat around 2–3% of their body weight per day in raw food, adjusted for activity level and metabolism. A 3kg Pomeranian needs approximately 60–90g of food daily. Puppies need more — around 5–10% of their body weight, fed in multiple small meals. These are starting points, not rigid rules — monitor your dog’s weight and adjust accordingly.

Step 2: Start Simple

Don’t begin with a complex multi-protein rotation. Start with a single protein source — chicken is easiest and most digestible — for at least two to three weeks. This lets your dog’s gut adjust and makes it easier to identify any reactions. Sash started on chicken mince and chicken necks, and we didn’t introduce other proteins until she was clearly settled.

Step 3: Follow a Balanced Ratio

Use the PMR framework as your guide:

Step 4: Transition Gradually

Cold turkey switching (no pun intended) works for some dogs; others need a slower transition. For Pomeranians with sensitive stomachs, a gradual approach — replacing 25% of current food with raw, increasing every few days — reduces the risk of digestive upset during the adjustment period.

Step 5: Monitor and Adjust

Watch your dog’s weight, coat, energy, stool consistency, and overall demeanour. These are your real indicators of whether the diet is working. If something seems off — persistent loose stools, lethargy, weight loss — review the balance and consult your vet. For a broader view of how to feed your Pom well at every life stage, the best food choices for Pomeranians guide covers options across kibble, raw, and mixed feeding approaches.

Commercial Raw vs. DIY Raw

If DIY raw sounds overwhelming, commercial raw is a perfectly valid starting point. Pre-made raw patties, nuggets, and mince from reputable brands are formulated to AAFCO nutritional standards (the Association of American Feed Control Officials) and take the guesswork out of balance. The trade-off is cost — commercial raw is more expensive per gram than DIY — and you have less control over sourcing. That said, for owners new to raw feeding, starting with a commercial product and learning as you go is far safer than diving into DIY raw without a solid understanding of nutritional requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a raw diet safe for Pomeranian puppies?

Raw feeding can be appropriate for Pomeranian puppies, but it requires more careful management than feeding adults. Puppies have higher calcium and phosphorus needs for bone development, and the ratios must be adjusted accordingly — typically around 5–10% of body weight daily, divided into multiple meals. Consulting a vet or veterinary nutritionist before starting a puppy on raw is strongly recommended to avoid developmental issues.

How much raw food does a Pomeranian need per day?

Most adult Pomeranians do well on 2–3% of their body weight in raw food per day. For a 3kg Pomeranian, that’s roughly 60–90g daily. Adjust based on your individual dog’s activity level, age, and body condition — a dog gaining weight needs less, and a very active dog may need slightly more. Always monitor body condition rather than relying solely on percentage calculations.

Can I mix raw food with kibble?

Mixing raw and kibble is a common practice and generally safe for most dogs, though some raw feeding purists argue that different digestion rates can cause issues. The evidence on this is not conclusive, and many Pomeranian owners — myself included at times — feed a mixed approach without problems. If you’re transitioning, a temporary mix is a practical way to ease your dog into raw feeding gradually.

What raw bones are safe for Pomeranians?

Appropriate raw bones for Pomeranians are small, soft, and raw — never cooked. Good options include chicken necks, chicken wings (the tip section), and duck necks. Avoid large weight-bearing bones from cattle or pigs, which are too dense and can fracture small dog teeth. Always supervise your Pomeranian when they’re eating any bone, regardless of size.

How do I know if the raw diet is working for my Pomeranian?

Positive signs include firmer, smaller stools, improved coat condition, better breath, healthy teeth and gums, stable energy levels, and a lean, healthy body weight. Most owners notice changes within four to eight weeks of consistent raw feeding. If you’re seeing persistent digestive upset, unusual lethargy, or weight changes in the wrong direction, review the nutritional balance of the diet and speak to your vet.