Dog Allergies
The Bichon FriseDog allergies are the most prevalent health issue affecting the Bichon Frise. Ironically, these dogs are very well suited and recommended for individuals who suffer with allergies. Bichon Frise skin is normally pink under all that fluffy white hair. The more pink it is, the more sensitive it will be. The pink color is a result of low pigmentation found in the skin. It is believed that this low pigmentation is what causes the vulnerably to skin irritations. To minimize dog allergies as much as possible, you should seriously consider purchasing a Bichon Frise puppy from the many responsible, reputable Bichon Frise breeders. These breeders are focused on improving the standard and one of the major standards is health. A Bichon with severe or even moderate allergies won't be bred, thus eliminating that weakness. However, even with responsible breeding, Bichon Frises are still susceptible to canine allergies but the risks are greatly reduced.
There are four kinds of canine allergies that affect the Bichon Frise: food, flea, airborne and contact. Dog Food AllergiesFood 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. Read more about this all important topic on the Bichon Frise diet page. 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. As well as allergy issues, these foods can be
foods toxic to dogs
, which can cause serious health problems or even death. Does your Bichon have canine allergies? What works to help her and what doesn't? Share your dog allergy stories now... Dog Flea AllergiesFlea 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 Dog Seasonal AllergiesAirborne 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 AllergiesContact 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, you might consider buying a natural pet shampoo Interestingly enough, another very popular dog that suffers from skin and allergy conditions is the
English Bulldog.
Prevent Bichon Frise AllergiesHere are some recommended actions that we suggest to prevent allergies in your Bichon:1) Bath your Bichon Frise about once a month using a high quality oatmeal shampoo. Remember to rinse very thoroughly several times. 2) Brush your Bichon Frise daily. 3) Vacuum your carpet frequently with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner. 4) Steam clean your carpets every 2 to 3 months. 5) Dust your home on a weekly basis. 6) Keep the windows in your home closed especially during the Spring and Fall months. Finally, feed your dog a good quality
Bichon Frise Diet,
such as that found in a premium
holistic dog food.
 Dog Allergies to Common Dog Health Problems Dog Allergies to Bichon Frise
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