Skin and allergy problems are the primary health issues associated with the Bichon Frise, and many of these issues can be directly related to the quality of the dog's diet. Food is a serious issue for this breed. To begin with, the health conditions mentioned above must be taken into consideration. Also, your dog's own preferences can make finding the right food even harder. You may find the perfect food that contains no allergens and is reasonably priced, but if your dog will not eat it then you are out of luck.

The aim of this article is to provide you with information about how to select the right food for your bichon and give you options so you can hopefully find one that satisfies both you and your dog.

Your Three Choices

When it comes down to it, you have three basic choices from which to choose. These are: processed dry or wet foods, homemade foods, or raw foods. All three have their pros and cons, which will be discussed here.

Many people are very particular about the food they feed their bichons, and they have a right to be this way. In recent years there have been dog food recalls that have put many owners on edge. When shopping for processed foods it is important that you try to find foods that are manufactured in factories that are owned and controlled by the company itself. Many companies outsource their food processing and simply re-label the food and sell it to you. Avoid possible contamination and future recalls by buying food from smaller, breed specific food suppliers.

Homemade and raw foods are very similar, with some minor differences. Both are generally prepared by you, the owner, but homemade foods can be cooked while raw foods are just that: raw. With this method, you have much more control over the contents and nutrient value of your dog's meal. There are many wonderful websites full of recipes for dog food. However, this approach takes a good deal of time. You must personally prepare the food, and many times you will have to supplement your dog's diet with vitamins that are not found in what you prepare.

In all cases, it is best to buy top quality, organic food from pet food stores. Do not buy food from a grocery store. Human food will not meet your dog's needs, and store brand processed food is a high risk for this breed of dog.

What to Look For

When you are shopping for food it is important to read labels and understand what can be harmful to your bichon.

Many artificial additives and preservatives can be poisonous to your dog. These can cause allergic reactions, skin diseases, or cancer. Specifically, be on the lookout for BHA/BHT, food coloring, ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol.

Here are a few other ingredients to look for:

Complex carbs (like corn meal, wheat gluten, and soy flour) cannot be fully digested.

Sweeteners lead to a likelihood of diabetes.

Too many meat sources, especially poultry meal, tend to be poor quality. Look for the first listed ingredients to be chicken, chicken meal, beef, or beef meal.

Corn or wheat can cause allergies.

The Bottom Line

These are a few guidelines to follow when choosing your bichon's diet. It will certainly take time and effort for you to find the right food for your dog, but when you do find it both you and your dog will be happy.

You can view our full range of Dog Food Recipe and Dog Nutrition eBooks here ...