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When choosing food for a Bichon Frisé, there are many factors to consider: Their age, lifestyle, activity level, physiological condition, and health including potential sickness or sensitivities. Food provides energy to cover a dog’s vital functions, and a complete nutritional formula should contain an adjusted balance of nutrients to avoid any deficiency or excess in their diet, both of which could have adverse effects on the dog.

The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your dog has health problems, please consult your veterinarian who will prescribe an exclusive veterinary diet.

Clean and fresh water should be available at all times to support your dog’s urinary health. In hot weather and especially when out exercising, bring water along for your dog’s frequent water breaks.

A Bichon Frisé puppy’s requirements, in terms of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins, are much greater than those of an adult dog. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their body, but also to grow and build it. Until they are 8 months old, a Bichon Frisé puppy's immune system develops gradually. A complex of antioxidants – including vitamin E – can help support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries, and new encounters. Their digestive functions are different from those of an adult Bichon Frisé, too: Their digestive system is not mature yet so it’s important to provide highly-digestible proteins that will be effectively used. A balanced intake of fibres, such as psyllium, can help facilitate intestinal transit and contribute to good stool.

Similarly, a puppy’s teeth – starting with the milk teeth, or first teeth, then the permanent teeth – are an important factor that needs to be taken into account when choosing the size, form, and hardness of kibble. This growth phase also means high energy needs, so the food must have a high energy content (expressed in Kcal/100g of food), while concentrations of all other nutrients will also be higher than normal in a specially-formulated growth food. It is recommended to split the daily allowance into three meals a day until they are six months old, then to switch to two meals per day.

The main nutritional goals for adult Bichon Frisés are:

Maintaining an ideal body weight by using highly-digestible ingredients and keeping the fat content at a sensible level. The Bichon Frisé is essentially an indoor dog and might have a tendency to put on weight. To help maintain an ideal weight and keep their joints healthy, they must have an adapted diet that boosts their muscle tone. They should also be exercised every day. It is important to avoid feeding them human foods or fatty snacks and to strictly follow the feeding guidelines written on the package in order to prevent excessive weight gain. Apart from their indoor lifestyle, neutering is also a factor in the dog becoming overweight.

Helping support a healthy urinary system. Bichons Frisés are predisposed to urinary stones that form in the bladder or urinary tract. The cause is a low volume of urine and an insufficient number of mictions. An optimal mineral content within a balanced diet can help limit this disorder.

Preserving the health and beauty of their skin and coat. Bichon Frisés are known for their sensitive skin, so they need a specific diet that will provide them with nutrients like omega-3 fatty (EPA and DHA) and vitamin A. Their coat grows constantly so requires regular grooming.

Preventing dental issues. By reducing tartar formation on the teeth, which is responsible for dental plaque, the kibble plays an essential role in helping combat oral disorders. A formula that contains calcium chelators will support dental health by reducing the tartar formation. The size of the kibble should be very small and adapted to the miniature jaw of Bichon Frisés in order to avoid problems with picking up food. This may also stimulate their fussy appetite.

After 8 years old, Bichon Frisés start to face the first signs of ageing. A diet enriched with antioxidants helps maintain vitality, and key nutrients, such as taurine, help support good cardiac function. Ageing is also accompanied by the modification of digestive capacities and particular nutritional requirements, so food for ageing Bichon Frisés should have the following characteristics:

Higher vitamin C and E content. These nutrients have antioxidant properties, protecting the body’s cells against the harmful effects of the oxidative stress linked to ageing.

High-quality protein. Contrary to a widely held misconception, lowering the protein content in food brings little benefit in limiting kidney failure because older dogs are less efficient at using dietary protein than younger dogs. Reducing the phosphorus content is the only way of slowing down the gradual deterioration of kidney function.

A higher proportion of the trace elements iron, zinc, and manganese to maintain good condition of the skin and coat.

A higher quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids (borage oil, fish oil) to maintain the quality of the coat. Dogs normally produce these fatty acids, but ageing can affect this physiological process.

As they age, dogs increasingly suffer from teeth problems. To ensure they continue to eat in sufficient quantities, the shape, size, and hardness of their kibble needs to be tailoured to their jaw.