If your dog has allergies, especially dog skin allergies, they are the most common health issue affecting the Bichon Frise dog or puppy.
Bichon Frise skin is normally pink under all that fluffy white hair. The more pink the skin, more sensitive it will be.
The pink color of a Bichon’s skin is a result of low pigmentation found in the skin. It is commonly believed that this low pigmentation is what causes the vulnerably to skin irritations.
Good Dog Breeding Helps
To minimize dog allergies as much as possible, you should seriously consider purchasing a Bichon Frise puppy from one of the many responsible, reputable Bichon Frise breeders.
These breeders are focused on improving the standard for the Bichon Frise breed, and one of the major standards is health.
A Bichon with severe or even moderate allergies won’t be bred, thus eliminating that weakness from the gene pool.
However, even with responsible breeding, Bichon Frises are still susceptible to canine allergies. However the risks are greatly reduced.
There are four kinds of canine allergies that affect the Bichon Frise: food, flea, airborne and contact dermatitis.
Dog Food Allergies
Food allergies are usually the result of feeding your dog a cheap or inferior dog food that contains an ingredient or ingredients that your Bichon is allergic to.
Cheap dog foods are generally unhealthy and contain by-products and fillers.
Also be careful what “handouts” you feed your dog as well. Foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, mushrooms and dairy products should be avoided as these can be triggers for dog allergies, or worse .
Aside from allergy issues, these foods can be foods toxic to dogs, which can cause serious health problems or even death.
Dog Flea Allergies
Flea allergies are generally hereditary and are the result of flea bites. It can take just one flea and one flea bite to cause havoc on a Bichon Frise that suffers from flea allergies.
The flea bite causes a very itchy sore on the skin. As a result of this itch, the Bichon may start scratching, biting or licking the irritation to get some relief.
Some Bichon Frises are more sensitive to dog fleas than others. If this condition seems to get worse and does not improve in a few days, please seek medical attention from your vet.
Because of the Bichon’s sensitive skin, it’s important to choose a safe,
Natural Flea Shampoo
Pet Alive’s Flea Allergy Relief can also help.
Dog Seasonal Allergies
Airborne dog allergies are the most common. These can be very difficult to pinpoint.
Pollen and dust are the main culprits. Since these are pretty much seasonal problems common in the Spring and Fall.
Your best safeguard is to keep your Bichon Frise inside during this time as much as possible.
Dog Skin Allergies
Contact dog allergies are basically things that touch the skin on your dog that it is allergic to. This would include things such as grass, dust mites, shampoo and pest control chemicals. Contact allergies are also very hard to pinpoint.
The most effective treatment for Bichon allergies is prevention.
You need to reduce as many indoor and outdoor triggers as possible.
In addition to using a safe natural dog shampoo, you might consider a skin and hair tonic to improve your Bichon’s health and a topical itch relief product like Allergy Itch Ease Spray to stop the itching. It also comes in granules, but the spray is so easy to use!
Interestingly enough, another very popular dog that suffers from skin and allergy conditions is the English Bulldog.
Prevent Bichon Frise Allergies
Here are some recommended actions that we suggest to prevent allergies in your Bichon:
- Bath your Bichon Frise about once a month using a high quality oatmeal shampoo. Remember to rinse very thoroughly several times.
- Brush your Bichon Frise daily.
- Vacuum your carpet frequently with a HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaner.
- Steam clean your carpets every 2 to 3 months.
- Dust your home on a weekly basis.
- Keep the windows in your home closed especially during the Spring and Fall months.
- Finally, feed your dog a good quality dog diet such as that found in a premium holistic dog food.
If you suspect that your Bichon Frise is suffering from severe dog allergies, please consult with your vet immediately or better yet, contact a canine skin specialist who can perform specific tests on your Bichon Frise and give you the recommended options and treatments that are available.
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