Care For Your Aging Bichon Frise Dog

Aging is a natural process in all animals. However, it does not necessarily mean a loss of quality of life for most dogs. The Bichon Frise is a breed that will stay active, energetic, and happy well into his or her senior years and are often very involved with the daily activities of the family until they are over 15 years of age.

Most aging Bichon Frise will have some temperament and behavior changes as they reach their senior years, just like humans and other animals change and slow down as the mature. Some of the differences you may notice in an aging dog include:

1. Confusion and inability to respond appropriately to commands
2. Hearing and vision loss
3. Decrease in energy levels and ability to do all the things they used to do
4. Stiffness and muscle pains
5. Digestive problems and disorders
6. Incontinence
7. Decrease in appetite
8. Increase in sleeping
9. Increasing need for attention or need for greater isolation
10. Possible temperament changes such as snapping or biting

Each one of these changes can be entirely normal or it may also indicate a greater health problem. Always talk to your vet and communicate any changes in behavior that seem abnormal or have suddenly become apparent.

ARTHRITIS, PAIN AND STIFFNESS
If the Bichon Frise dog has a history of any type of joint or skeletal problem then arthritis is often going to become more problematic as the dog matures.

Arthritis can also strike dogs in their adult years so careful monitoring of any signs of stiffness or joint pain is essential.

The senior Bichon Frise with arthritis can be treated with a variety of treatments such as arthritis drug therapies, steroids, specialized diets, additional food supplements and some all natural products are also effective.

Talk to your vet or breeder for options on pain management for senior dogs with arthritis.

INCREASED WATER CONSUMPTION
Most senior dogs will start to drink more water to cope with kidneys that may not be functioning as well as they did when the dog was younger. Diabetes and chronic kidney failure can also be a concern in the senior Bichon Frise so talk to your vet and be prepared to monitor the actual urine production to see if the dog is urinating excessively or hardly at all.

Increased water consumption in senior dogs can also be a factor of the type of food that they are eating so be careful about switching feeds in senior dogs.

BLINDNESS AND HEARING LOSS
To people, blindness and hearing loss in dogs is very sad and heartbreaking, however for the dog, it is not associated with all the negativity that humans put on the condition. If you notice your senior Bichon Frise is starting to have trouble hearing, start pairing hand signals with commands to cope with the hearing loss. Blind dogs can live healthy and happy lives in environments that they are familiar with so avoid changing the layout of the house or yard.

With senior dogs with hearing or vision problems, great care must be taken to avoid these dogs getting out of the yard without being on a leash. They can be injured by other dogs or even run out into traffic without seeing or hearing the danger. There are many great resources available for families dealing with deaf or blind dogs that can both help owners cope as well as keep the dogs leading high quality lives.

CHANGES IN WEIGHT AND APPETITE
Senior dogs tend to exercise less and gain weight faster as their metabolism slows down. They may also become very minimal eaters, often decreasing their food intake considerably as they exercise and move about less. If the food intake amount decreases significantly or suddenly take the dog to the vet as soon as possible.

If he or she is just leaving a small amount in the dish but is eating over half of the food and having normal bowel movements and showing no signs of pain or discomfort, this is just the aging process. If, however, you notice any weight loss, signs of digestive problems, abdominal pain or discomfort after eating immediately consult with the vet.

Many vets and breeders recommend switching a senior dog, especially a Bichon Frise with dental problems or significant tooth loss to a specialty diet particularly designed for senior small dog breeds. These diets can be recommended by the vet or breeder and will be specially formulated to add nutrients to the diet.

MEMORY OR COGNITIVE LOSS
A Bichon Frise is a very intelligent breed that is not known for having cognitive loss as they get older, but you may notice they have trouble remembering or responding appropriately to commands you may not have used in a long time. Try to keep commands simple and basic rather than teaching new tricks if the dog seems to have trouble in remembering what you are asking.

Often, a senior dog is still very mentally capable of working on training routines, but be sure that the physical demands are appropriate for his or her age and condition.

EXERCISE
It is important to continue to provide daily, appropriate exercise for your senior Bichon Frise. They still love to go for a walk although a long jog may be too demanding and they will still love to play fetch or tag, but maybe only for five minutes instead of fifteen.

Finding the right balance of providing exercise without over taxing the senior Bichon Frise is sometimes a challenge. Carefully monitor the dog and call a break or take a rest before you notice he or she seems to be struggling to keep up or is falling behind.

Most dogs are so willing to stay with their owners on runs, walks or play times that they will keep on going long after they are exhausted. This will lead to increased stiffness and movement problems the next day or even for the next few days. Exercise is important for overall health and body functioning, so even if the dog is just given two short five or ten minutes walks at a moderate or slow pace a day this can be ever effective in stimulating the senior dog both mentally and physically.

FOOD, WATER AND BEDDING
Provide fresh water and food in easy to reach areas that do not require the senior dog go up or down stairs, especially if hips or elbows are a problem.

Always provide appropriate types of food such as pre-soaked small dog premium kibble or balance senior formula canned food if the dog is not longer able to eat the kibble.

Bedding can be extra thick or even designed especially for senior dogs. Some manufactures now make insulated bedding that holds the dog's heat providing a self-generating-type heating pad to help with muscle relaxation and prevent stiffness. Take care to keep the senior dog's bedding in a warm, draft free area of the house where the dog feels comfortable and safe.

JUMPING UP
A Bichon Frise that is used to sleeping on the bed or cuddling on the couch with your can seriously hurt his or her legs or back in trying to jump up or down off high areas. There are very safe, simple, lightweight portable stair steps for dogs that can be used to help your Bichon Frise safely step up and down off of furniture.

With a few rewards for using the two or three step stairs you will quickly have your Bichon Frise trained to use this device. In senior dogs where stairs are too difficult, there are also ramps that can be purchased that are ideal for smooth incline for going up or down off of furniture.

MANAGING INCONTINENCE
Incontinence is more prevalent in female Bichon Frise dogs but can occur in males as well. Typically, this will be most problematic with females that have had several litters of puppies or females that have been spayed and have had little estrogen production over the years. In both situations, there are estrogen supplements or medications that can be given to cause the muscles of the bladder to tighten, preventing leakage.

There are also diapers and pads that can be used to absorb any leakage or moisture. Since most incontinence will occur when the dog is sleeping or very relaxed, often pads are just placed on the bedding and changed in the morning. Depending on the severity of the problem, the vet may have other options that can help manage or control incontinence.

ATTENTION
A senior Bichon Frise will need to have just as much attention and love as a puppy or adult. As a breed the Bichon Frise becomes more attached to his or her family as he or she ages, but they still remain happy, friendly and willing to meet new people and animals throughout their lives.

If you have a senior Bichon Frise, be sure to monitor his or her interactions with other, younger dogs to avoid any possible injury or over-exertion by the senior dog. Also remember to play with your senior Bichon Frise and make him or her feel a part of the family.

Travelling With Your Bichon Frise

On the road with your Bichon Frise: As a Bichon Frise owner, you should take special care to see that even if your Bichon Frise is excited to be in the great outdoors, yet it should not lean out of the window or be injured by being flung around the car.. To prevent such an occurrence, you could do the following:
Before setting out, give your Bichon Frise a small snack, roughly 1/3 of his normal diet. When you reach your destination, you can give him the rest Use a seat belt or a harness made specially for dogs so that they remain firmly in one place

Of course, there are those pet carriers that double up as safety harnesses which you could safely use. But these days, you could also opt for safety sitters that join up with the shoulder seat belt of your car so that it keeps your Bichon Frise from being thrown, in case the car lurches forward rudely. This, as you perhaps know, can easily connect with any front or rear seatbelt. It comes with a handy buckle that can be fixed to your Bichon Frise’s leash.

If not this, perhaps your Bichon Frise would be more comfortable with a back seat mesh that could also be useful as a car barrier which will prevent your excited Bichon Frise from leaping into the front seat. The market today has many types of car barriers, but this soft cloth mesh car barrier is perfect for your pet if you have its safety and convenience in mind. Besides, this is more humane for your Bichon Frise since it will not indulge in either scratching or rattling. In addition, it is also simpler to install.

Give him a pair of goggles. Your Bichon Frise too needs to be protected from the harsh sun. So, get him a pair of sunglasses that will protect his eyes both from the elements and from harmful ultraviolet rays, while also giving him a cute look.

And just in case, you have a misadventure while driving, and your Bichon Frise is under stress, make him inhale a mixture of flower essences. This will calm his nerves if he has undergone shock, fear or stress. You could also make him inhale this just before you set out on your journey with your Bichon Frise.

You could also fit a car booster seat that comes with a safety collar strap for dogs as small as your Bichon Frise. Since it has a cushioned and adjustable height, it proves advantageous for pets up to 20lbs. It can easily be attached to almost all passenger seats of cars. Besides, if your Bichon Frise is attracted to all that’s happening outside the car, it can easily look out of the car window while you drive.

Don’t leave your pet unattended in the car at all. If you do this in summer, your car will soon become overheated, making your Bichon Frise very uncomfortable. He could also be stolen from the car

Have your pet vaccinated
Flying with your Bichon Frise: Dog owners usually like to fly with their pets for three main reasons. First, they want to holiday with their pets. Second, dog owners may want to show their dogs in large nationwide dog shows or events. Third, if you are moving house, naturally, your dog goes with you.

If you do choose to fly with your Bichon Frise, it could be either that your new home is too far away to drive to. Or that you don’t have the energy or time to do a car drive, and certainly not with your pet. Plus, if you have children, taking along a pet becomes an additional responsibility. Having said that, flying with your Bichon Frise isn’t easy either.

If you’ve already flown with your pet, you would know that on a commercial airline, you are faced with just two options to seat your pet—cabin or cargo. Your small Bichon Frise would be allowed in the cabin with you, as only small dogs are.

But if you do bring in a small pet, say your Bichon Frise, you must be able to fit in a small carrier, about 8-9 inches high, 12-13 inches wide and 15-23 inches long. Of course, carrier measurements vary from airline to airline, just as the charges also do.

Your dog carrier should be such that he should be able to stand and turn in it without any difficulty. Apart from a small size, your pet is fit to travel by air if he is also not under 8 weeks old. In addition, most airlines do not exceed the number of dogs per flight to more than seven.

Further, the size of your Bichon Frise and its weight are also parameters on which airlines decide whether they will let you and your Bichon Frise fly with them or not. During the flight, your pet will not be allowed to get out of its carrier or kennel.

If yours is a medium to large dog or even a dog that won’t fit in the airline’s carrier, then, opt for cargo. This is an entirely different experience for your pet. As you know, this is that section of the plane that is located just below the cabin, and is inaccessible to passengers during the flight.

A plane’s cargo is indeed a very dark place where pets are kept just the same way as baggage is. Though the cargo area is well-ventilated, pressurized, and has heating and cooling facilities required for animal safety, yet there are times when things can go wrong.

For the safety of the pets, airlines usually do not allow them to travel in extremes of temperature or during particular seasons. But if the weather is so changeable that we cannot determine or estimate weather conditions, it can be most stressful for both animals and airline staff.

As an extra precaution, airlines usually ask to see a health certificate issued by your vet, stating that your Bichon Frise is fit to travel. In fact, some airlines suggest you buy insurance for your pets—particularly if they are flying cargo class.

Vets usually disallow owners from doping their pets before a flight because of the effects of the tranquilizers on them when at an altitude. Besides, service or guide dogs are disallowed from travelling with their owners in the cabin, regardless of the former’s size or breed. If pets are being transported from place to place because they are part of a search and rescue team, they are not allowed in the cabin.

So, with so many restrictions, what does the ordinary traveller, like you and me, do? One option is to charter a flight that may allow your dog, regardless of its size or breed, to accompany you in the cabin. All they ask is that your dog be brought in and kept on a leash or car seat during take off and while landing.

During the flight, however, the dog can move around freely and, in fact, even sit right next to you. Other than that, dogs are allowed to ride in the cabin with you, right next to you! However, this is an idea better left in air as it is frightfully expensive and can cost thousands of dollars.

Another alternative involves putting your Bichon Frise in a kennel or crate at the rear of the plane. While on flight, you can see your dog a couple of times.

A third alternative is to let your dog be driven to your new destination while you fly there. If your new destination is too far to drive, let shuttle services for dogs do a professional job of transporting your pet to his new home. Since dog owners are not allowed on this service, you can very easily fly and wait for your Bichon Frise to arrive by road.

Needless to say, this service will also take care of your Bichon Frise’s potty and exercise breaks all along the way, apart from feeding it, giving it water from time to time and even treats and toys! While on the road, each pet is in his or her own carrier or cage. The bus has two or three drivers who each do an eight-hour schedule, which means that the shuttle is on the road for 24 hours non-stop!

However you choose to take your pet across the miles, there are certain tips that you would do well to follow. They are:

• Ensure that distractions on the road or in a different environment don’t make your Bichon Frise fidgety and nervous to the extent of them moving around in the vehicle.
• Keep your Bichon Frise in the cargo areas of cargo areas of station wagons and sportsutility vehicles that are fitted with barriers. Or else, you could keep your pet confined in a harness or in a portable kennel.
• A kennel is good enough, if your Bichon Frise is used to staying in one even while at home.
• Travelling supplies for your pet should include food, water, medicine, can opener, toys, leash and a collar
• Send your dog on the trip accompanied by his identification papers. These papers should be complete with an address, phone number and your vehicle license number.
• When travelling by air, find out in advance about the airline’s rules concerning pets.
• If you decide to fly your Bichon Frise, buy a specialized carrier just for this flight.
• While on the aircraft, freeze some water in a plastic container and put it in the carrier next to him. As the ice melts, your Bichon Frise will be able to lick off the moisture.
• Be sure to provide adequate ventilation if you are travelling over long periods by car.
• A long international flight can be very hard on your Bichon Frise. If you have a stopover, see if you can bring your pet out there and pick it up. Airports in Europe allow you to walk your pet on a leash—something that they will enjoy after being cooped up for so long.

Etiquette for the Travelling Dog
Wherever you may be:
Before you set out of home on your journey, ring and find out if your hosts allow dogs in or not.

If your dog is hostile to people, particularly strangers, don’t travel with him. If he is good with children, for instance, that’s a good sign. In case he’s moody or not comfortable with others, you should initiate him into an obedience training class or hire a trainer to socialize him.

Keep your Bichon Frise on a leash. Not only do most hoteliers, restaurant managers and festival coordinators require your dog to be on a leash, but those who are afraid of dogs will appreciate the gesture.

Always clean up after your dog. Pet stores sell pooper scooper bags. You can also buy sandwich bags from your local grocery store. They work quite well and are cheap!

Ask your vet if your pet needs to be vaccinated before going on your journey. If he needs to be sedated before the journey, give an appropriate dosage under your vet’s instructions

Festivals and outdoor events:
Before you enter a festival or event celebrations, let your Bichon Frise relieve itself. Usually, festival managers don’t allow pets in because they sometimes use the washrooms meant for people.

Hotel lobby:
Ask the receptionist at the hotel desk if you can bring in your pet dog

Hotel rooms:
Since all hotels have their own set of rules regarding allowing in pets, you need to obey them. In fact, you could practice good etiquette by carrying along with you an extra sheet,if your Bichon Frise is in the habit of sleeping on a bed.

When you reach a rest stop, keep your Bichon Frise on a leash for the safety’s sake. In the presence of other people, your Bichon Frise can easily turn unpredictable.

Does the hotel you live in allow you to leave your pet unattended? Check it out. If they do, leave your Bichon Frise with toys to amuse himself with.

Don’t leave your Bichon Frise in your hotel room all by himself. He can damage hotel property, bark continuously or scare the hotel staff.

When you are in your hotel room with your Bichon Frise, hang up a Do Not Disturb sign on the door or keep it locked. By doing this, housekeeping staff will not be scared to see a pet when they enter your room.

Don’t allow your Bichon Frise to use your bathroom. Instead, take him to the bushes near the parking lot, usually designated for pet walks.

Lay his food and water out in the bathroom or on a tiled floor. Pets usually eat messily, as you know, so you have to be careful.

Stores: Before you enter a store, find out if your pet can enter it with you. If your Bichon Frise can go in with you, see that he doesn’t head for the bathroom. If your dog uses the bathroom here, offer to clean up after him.

Pet requirements:

• Your Bichon Frise must be at least 8 weeks old and be weaned before flying out. His kennel must meet the standards in terms of size, strength, sanitation and ventilation.
• Your Bichon Frise’s kennel must be enclosed, allowing sufficient room for it to stand, sit and lie down in a natural position. It must be easy to open, strong enough to withstand transportation problems, and be free of harmful objects.
• Your Bichon Frise needs to have a solid, leak proof floor with a covering of absorbent lining. Though sub-floors of wire are allowed, pegboard flooring is not. This allows for cleanliness while travelling.
• Give your Bichon Frise an airy kennel whose openings are about 14 percent of the total wall space. About five of these openings must be located on the top half of the kennel. In addition, it must have rims that will prevent the openings for air from being blocked by other cargo.
• Your Bichon Frise’s kennel must have either grips or handles to lift it without cargo personnel putting their hands inside the kennel. If they do this, they run the risk of having their hands bitten by your Bichon Frise.

Mark your kennel with the words “live animal” on the top and on one side, with lettering size being one inch high.


Feeding your Bichon Frise on your journey: Before you send your pet into its kennel, you need to attach a list of feeding and watering instructions, valid for a 24-hour period. If you are travelling by air, the airline staff can carry out your instructions. Since you are the owner, you will have to provide a document that states that your Bichon Frise was last fed four hours before you began your journey.

You will have to attach food and water dishes too and must be easy to remove without the airhostesses having to open the kennel. You will have to ensure that food and water is given to your Bichon Frise every 12 hours if they are 8-16 weeks old. If you are travelling with an adult dog, allow him to be fed once every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours.

What to do if your pet gets lost: You’ve got your luggage off the plane, but your pet hasn’t arrived. What do you do? First, speak to the airline staff. With efficient computer tracking systems, your Bichon Frise can easily be located. Despite this, if you cannot find your Bichon Frise, do the following:

• Get in touch with animal control agencies and humane societies in your areas, ask if they know of your Bichon Frise.
• Give the airline staff a description and photos of your Bichon Frise.
• Be in daily touch with all animal and pet organizations

We hope you always enjoy yourself with your Bichon Frise—whether at home or on holiday. If you’ve done so much to travel with your pet, you deserve a holiday. Now, go out and have fun. What else are pets and holidays for, anyway?