Freedom
Posted : 1/13/2013 6:33:04 PM
The bichon breed is prone to food allergies. I can share what works for my breed; I learned so much from a breed specific forum, where there are folks who have worked with one breed for generations.
1. use stainless steel bowls for food and water
2. use filtered water, at a minimum. I have a whole house filter in the cellar and still use a Brita pitcher for the dogs' water. I have a friend who'se bichons require distilled water. She does not live in my city, and her city uses a different water source than my city uses; we 'think' her dogs would do fine on my filtered water. It is a different water source.
3. use grain free food and treats. Many times (with bichons), skin infections are a yeast infection, and yeast feeds on carbohydrates.
4. reduce the protein content. Using this site will help: www.dogfoodanalysis.com Use a 4 or 5 star food that is grain free, not a 6 star, those are too high in protein (for bichons) and are meant for working dogs - herding sheep and such.
5. use an alternate protein. Beef, chicken and fish, especially salmon, are common, and an allergic reaction can develop. Look for a venison, elk, bison or rabbit formula.
6. what ever you do, remember to include treats in the restrictions, they can become the sole source of an allergen and if the dog is highly susceptible, that will trigger a reaction, and you will never know you found the 'right' food.
7. Keep a log / jouranl, so you know what day you started which food. Remember, listing a food by brand is not enough. Innova is not enough; you need to specify the formula as well.
If it is an environmental allergy, that will be harder to work on. I did have one dog who suddenly had itchy skin to the point of tearing her hair our and bleeding. After 6 months of trying different foods, one breeder asked me what laundry detergent I use: Tide. Apparently many humans and canines are allergic to Tide. I realized the problem started when I bought my new front loading washer, and switched to Tide HE. I now use a "Free" detergent, which I buy at Whole Foods. Many bichon owners use Soap Nuts as the only natural cleanser which does not give their bichons issues. Once I found the issue, I went on a washing spree, did 65 loads in 2 weeks: all the pet beds, our bedding down to the mattress cover and up, including the pillows, all the sofa and chair throws, all our clothes, and as this happened in Sept, I had to do both our summer and winter things. She was fine, stopped itching and the hair grew back. It was a horrid 6 months thought, trying to sort it all out!
FYI, the 2 foods which work best for bichons are: Taste of the Wild and Earthborn Holisitics, both have grain free formulas based on bison as the protein.
I'm sure others will have suggestions; this is what works for bichons.