The bichon frise is a noble and adorable breed, descended from hunting dogs and later bred by the French to be a lap dog. If you have a young bichon frise puppy, you may be wondering which dog food is best. How do we ensure that our baby bichons enjoy their food while growing strong and healthy? In this article, we’ll help you select the best dog food food for your bichon frise puppy.
What is the Best Food for a Bichon Frise Puppy?
With the huge number of available dog food types and flavors, it can be a difficult task to decide which food to feed your bichon frise puppy. But remember, your bichon does not need constant variety. You may find it easiest to stick with one brand of food and see if your dog adjusts to it. Consider switching foods if your bichon develops health issues or consistently refuses to eat.
How to Select the Best Food for a Bichon Frise Puppy
It’s important for your bichon frise to love the taste of his food. However, you should also consider the food’s nutritional value, especially if your bichon is still a puppy. All of the foods on our list have a healthy balance of taste and nutrition that your dog will love.
Protein
Underneath that adorable fluffy coat, your bichon frise is a little hunter with a taste for chicken, beef, fish, and any other meat. This is a good thing; meat delivers protein, which supports the development of your bichon’s lean muscles, bones, and joints.
Look for foods with real meat listed as the first ingredients. Most manufacturers list the specific protein content as well.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are an essential component of dog food for any breed. This is especially true for the bichon frise.
Bichons need vitamin A for skin and eye health, vitamins D and K for strong bones and teeth, vitamin C to boost their immune system, and more. Required minerals include zinc for the immune system, magnesium for muscle and bone development, and iron to oxygenate red blood cells and provide energy.
Probiotics
Some bichon frises will develop digestive issues. If you choose a food with probiotics, you will help ensure your bichon’s gut health. Probiotics can also boost your dog’s immune system.
Best Bichon Frise Puppy Food: At a Glance
The Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise Puppies
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
Your bichon frise may be a tiny ball of fluff, but he’s still a carnivore, a little hunter who craves the taste of meat.
REAL meat is the first ingredient in this delicious Taste of the Wild puppy food. It’s made primarily from roasted bison and venison, and will support your bichon’s lean muscles, joints and bones with its whopping 28% protein.
No grain, wheat, or anything artificial here. Just vitamins, minerals, probiotics for gut health, and omega fatty acids to maintain your bichon frise’s healthy skin and shiny coat.
Buyer review: “My pups liked Taste of the Wild from the very first feeding. I feel confident that this is a fully nutritious kibble.”
Read more at Chewy.com
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
The bichon frise has earned its reputation as a sweet-natured indoor lap dog, so you may be surprised by your bichon puppy’s boundless energy. Energy requires protein, and the Purina Pro Plan Puppy Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula is packed with it.
The first ingredient is this food is real chicken, but it also contains probiotics to keep your binchon’s tummy healthy and happy. Its DHA (derived from fish oil) will help maintains vision and brain health.
This formula was specially crafted for toy and small breed dogs. This means that the kibble pieces are small enough for your tiny bichon frise puppy to chew.
Buyer review: “My smallest dog can be pretty picky and she loves this food”
Read more at Chewy.com
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy
Your bichon pup will LOVE Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy. Read the reviews to see how quickly the small pups gobble it up.
With farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, it not just tasty; it also delivers the essential protein your energetic bichon frise puppy needs. And it’s good for them too, containing 22 vital nutrients that are normally delivered by the bichon mother’s milk.
This is also a great value. Iams consistently delivers healthy, tasty food for a fairly low price. Your bichon frise will love it!
Buyer review: “Perfect size kibble for small breed dogs. Affordable and seems easy to digest.”
Read more at Chewy.com
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat
Beef is the first ingredient in the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe. Your bichon frise will absolutely lick his dish clean and his lean muscles will benefit from the high protein.
Blue Buffalo has also packed this puppy food with LifeSource Bits, an essential blends of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also contains the fatty acids ARA and DHA to support your bichon’s brain health.
No chicken by-products or artificial stuff in this dog food. Just grain-free, beefy goodness for your bichon frise puppy.
Buyer review: “My two dogs are pretty picky eaters, but they will eat Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat. So glad I found something they will both eat.”
Read more at Chewy.com
American Journey Active Life Formula Puppy – Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables
Many bichon frises love fishy foods, maybe because their breed has descended from water dogs! Whatever the reason, your bichon puppy is sure to love this salmon-based American Journey Active Live Formula food.
The first ingredient here is real salmon. Some bichons develop bone problems as they grow and age, so American Journey was sure to also include a carefully balanced mix of phosphorous and calcium.
It also contains kelp, cranberries, sweet potatoes and blueberries to provide the nutrients your bichon frise needs. Your fluffy pup will gobble this food up.
Buyer review: “Augie really enjoys her new food. She loves anything with a fishy taste or smell. This is right up her alley and she digs in.”
Read more at Chewy.com
Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food
Your bichon frise puppy may prefer something softer than kibble, or maybe you want to mix wet and dry dog food for your bichon. If that’s the case, the Royal Canin Puppy Canned Dog Food is perfect. It’s pate style, so just open the lid and mix as needed.
Royal Canin knows that some bichon frises have weak immune systems, so they packed this delicious wet food with plenty of taurine and vitamins C and E. Does your bichon puppy have tummy problems? Fish oil and beet pulp have also been added to help with gastro-intestinal development.
This food is recommended for smaller breeds up to 10 months old, so don’t forget to switch when your bichon is old enough.
Buyer review: “My puppy LOVES this wet food. He gets wet and dry but this is his favorite part. He always sticks his nose in and eats the eat food first.”
Read more at Chewy.com
Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Entree
Wet dog food is versatile. You can serve a can directly to your puppy or use it as a delicious topper on kibble. Whatever method you use, your bichon pup will love you for serving Purina Pro Plan Development Puppy Chicken & Rice Entree.
The first ingredient is real chicken, which delivers more than enough protein to support your bichon puppy’s lean muscle development. It’s also brimming with essential vitamins and minerals. Your pup’s coat will be soft and shiny and his skin will be healthy.
It’s recommended for any breed up to one year old, which makes it perfect for a young bichon frise.
Buyer review: “My now 7 month old puppy loves this mushy food and gobbles it up! Same with the Turkey flavor too.”
Read more at Chewy.com
FAQ
What can a bichon frise puppy not eat?
The bichon frise has the same diet restrictions as most other breeds. Do not give your bichon chocolate or any food or drink that contains caffeine. Avoid giving your pup anything derived from grapes, such as raisins, since they are toxic and may lead to kidney failure. Also be aware that bones may cause choking and can damage your bichon’s digestive system if they splinter.
For a more complete list of harmful foods, consult your bichon frise’s veterinarian.
How much should a bichon frise puppy eat daily?
Your bichon frise puppy will likely need between 0.5 and 1 cups of kibble daily, depending on weight and age. Similarly, bichon puppies eat between 0.5 and 1.5 cans of wet food daily. Consult the manufacturer recommendations for specific amounts and instructions.
Do bichon frises have food allergies?
Like all breeds, the bichon frise is susceptible to food allergies. Wheat, dairy, beef and corn may trigger an allergic reaction in some bichons. Keep an eye out for digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting after meals. Itchy skin can also be an indicator that your dog is allergic to his food.
Consult with your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms. The best solution may be to gradually adjust your bichon frise’s diet.
When should you switch a bichon frise to adult dog food?
Your bichon frise may be considered an adult when he is 6 months old. However, they may continue growing and developing throughout the remainder of their first year.
Monitor your bichon’s weight and activity level and consult with your veterinarian if you have concerns about when to switch your bichon frise to adult dog food.
Conclusion
We know you love your little bichon frise puppy. As we have shown in this article, it’s important to choose a dog food that will give your bichon a resilient immune system, a shiny coat, healthy bones and muscles, and plenty of energy. Always read the manufacturer’s recommendations and check with your veterinarian to ensure that you have chosen the best dog food for your bichon frise puppy.