How Do I Remove Fleas From My Bichon Frise?
Can Bichon Frise Get Fleas?
If you have a Bichon frise, you’re likely aware of their long and fluffy coats. This coat is neither soft nor especially attractive to fleas, which is one of the reasons that this breed has such a low incidence of flea infestations.
If your bichon gets along with other pets in your home, they may pick up fleas from the bites that they get from other pets. A Bichon is also susceptible to fleas if they live in an infested household or if they live outside and come into your home because of a flea infestation.
If you have a bichon and you have other pets with them, make sure that the animals that come into contact with the dog are flea-free.
Fleas are not dead easy to get rid of once they get on your pet, so it is important to prevent them from getting on in the first place.
How Do I Remove Fleas From My Bichon Frise?
The long, dense coat of a Bichon frise provides an excellent hiding spot for fleas. To remove fleas from his coat without bathing him, use a flea comb, a type of metal comb with closely spaced teeth that grips fleas rather than passing over them.
Brush your dog’s fur thoroughly. Your Bichon’s coat can easily become tangled, and if you don’t remove all tangles beforehand, you won’t be able to thoroughly comb through his coat with the flea comb, which has extremely close-set teeth.
Place a dish of soapy water in a readily accessible location while working on your dog. Fleas can escape from plain water, but adding soap weakens the surface tension of the water, allowing them to be drowned when dropped into a bowl.
Pass the flea comb through your dog’s fur section by section. Ensure that the comb reaches all the way to his skin, as this is where fleas hide. If the comb does not touch his skin when combing, the majority of fleas will be missed.
Pull the comb out of the dog’s coat at the conclusion of each stroke. It will expel any fleas you’ve sprayed with it. They may be caught between the comb’s teeth, or they may be resting on top of the teeth.
Fleas will fall into the water and drown if you gently shake the comb over the soapy water. If the fleas do not fall off immediately, tapping the comb against the side of the container may assist.
If you want, you may dip the comb into water; however, you will get soapy water on your dog each time you pass the wet comb back through his hair.
Repeat the method until all portions of your dog have been combed. Pay special attention to the regions surrounding his face and ears, his neck, and his back towards his tail.
Where Can I Get A Bichon Frise Dog?
You may acquire a Bichon frise from a show breeder, who raises Bichons to fit a specified standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You may also buy a Bichon Frise from folks who “only breed pets” or “just had one litter.”
The latter are considered to be “backyard breeders” and certainly don’t have the same degree of concern for their dogs that show breeders do.
Most reputable breeders don’t sell their dogs to pet stores, either, because they know the dogs would then be sold to anyone, not just good homes.
Buying a Bichon frise from a quality breeder will usually cost you a little more up front, but this is the best way to ensure that you’re getting the dog with good temperaments, sound health, and good genetics.
Even when buying from a good breeder, though, it’s important to understand that each puppy is an individual and there will be differences in their appearance and personalities.
How Old Is Too Old To Get A Bichon Frise?
You should never breed a Bichon older than eight or nine years old. Even at this age, if your dog has never had a litter, she is too old. The best way to breed your dog is to breed her right after her first heat cycle.
In fact, the initial vet visit for dogs should be at about one year of age. The veterinarian will do a complete health exam and give your dog a clean bill of health before you start breeding her.
This visit will allow the veterinarian to give a prognosis for your dog’s future health and reproductive life.
Bichons don’t live as long as some other breeds, so you must be prepared to deal with potential death soon after you get your Bichon frise.
What Are Potential Problems Associated With Aging Bichon Frise?
As your Bichon ages, it becomes prone to a variety of health issues. You may need to be aware of these potential problems in order to avoid them, provide your dog with correct care, and help it live a long, healthy, and happy life.
Among the health issues he is prone to as ages may include:
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent illnesses associated with tiny breeds.
It is incurable, but it may be manageable if you diagnose your dog and follow the veterinarian’s advice. For instance, if your Bichon is overweight, you should assist it lose weight, administer daily medicine, and adhere to the veterinarian’s dietary and nutritional recommendations.
Diabetes frequently results in pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic. It indicates that the pancreas, an organ that should aid in fat digestion, begins to digest itself. Consequently, your dog can no longer digest dietary lipids.
In the case of acute pancreatitis, you must immediately take your pet to an emergency vet. If not, your dog might suffer from multiple organ failure, which is deadly.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are often linked to pre-existing conditions like diabetes. As your dog fights off other illnesses, its defense against urinary tract infections (UTIs) weakens.
Due to a shorter urethra, female bichons are more susceptible to suffer urinary tract infections. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose your pet since some UTIs lack symptoms.
Can A Bichon Frise Have Straight Hair?
In general, this breed is distinguished by its curly coat, however some dogs may also have straight hair. If your Bichon frise does not develop a curly coat by the time it is two to three years old, it is quite improbable that it will do so in the future.
If you purchase a dog with naturally straight hair, never cut its hair or trim its curls. You cannot force a Bichon frise to develop this coat.
Which Bichon Frise Grooming Tools Do I Need?
When grooming your bichon, you will want to utilize a variety of tools to maintain its coat, clean and protect it, and tidy up afterward. These tools can include:
Brush – Use this tool regularly to clear dead hair from the coat.
While it is important not to brush too much, you should also not brush too little because this can break down your dog’s coat and cause matting. The best way to apply the tool is to brush it into your bichon’s coat along the back and front legs. This will remove dead hair and clean the dog while preserving its natural oils.
Comb – Use it to comb out any mats or tangles in your dog’s coat. The best way to use this tool is by brushing it through your bichon’s fur in small and specific areas such as under its eyes, along its neck, and at the bottom of each ear. This will prevent you from pulling your dog’s hair too much or causing unnecessary pain.
Bathtub – Bathe your dog regularly to keep it clean. Use a shampoo that has been designed for dogs and avoid ones designed for humans because they can irritate your Bichon’s skin.
Gently scrub the shampoo into your dog’s coat and work in a little bit at a time. Afterward, rinse off all of the shampoo and thoroughly towel dry it.
What Age Can Bichon Frise Have Puppies?
For female canines, sexual maturity is attained between ages of six to twelve months. This implies they can get pregnant at barely 6six months of age. For males, it is around eleven months of age. This is when they mature sexually.
Bichons can have their first litter at a young age. Bichons can have puppies “before” they are a year old. However, it is also possible for Bichons to have puppies as young as nine months old.
The breeder should have a contract covering this, health guarantees and other important factors when buying from them.
How Long Does Bichon Frise Pregnancy Last?
All canines, including Bichons frises, are normally pregnant for 63 days following conception. In certain circumstances, this might fluctuate by a few days. However, pinpointing the exact timing of conception is more difficult than it looks.
You should take your dog to the vet for a checkup approximately one month before it is due. By this time, there will be numerous changes in your dog’s body from the hormones that have been released since conception began.
These changes include vaginal discharge and swelling in the area of your dog’s vulva. It also will make itself available for breeding as its internal reproductive organs are already present.
