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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a tiny, high-spirited companion in a cloud of curly white coat — and that small frame is exactly why every bite counts. With so few calories needed each day, there is no room for filler if you want bright eyes, clean teeth, and a coat that stays soft and white.

Here is exactly how to feed a Bichon Frise on freeze-dried raw: small, precise portions of real meat that protect their teeth, urinary tract, and that signature coat without overfeeding a dog who tips the scales at barely a dozen pounds.

  • Adult weight12–18 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan14–15 years
  • CoatCurly white double coat — minimal shedder, high grooming
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A healthy Bichon Frise
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Bichon Frise's body needs

Every Bichon Frise trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Tiny body, fast metabolism

    Needs: Nutrient-dense, small portions

    A Bichon needs only a few ounces a day, so every bite must earn its place. Calorie-dense freeze-dried raw delivers complete nutrition in portions sized for a small dog — no fillers padding the bowl.

  • Prone to dental disease

    Needs: Low-sugar, low-starch whole food

    Small mouths crowd teeth and trap plaque. A diet free of the starchy carbs and sugars that feed oral bacteria keeps a Bichon's teeth cleaner between brushings.

  • Curly white double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, helping keep that fluffy coat soft, bright, and less prone to the dryness and tear-staining Bichons are known for.

  • Risk of bladder stones

    Needs: High moisture, gentle minerals

    Rehydrated freeze-dried raw adds water at every meal, and minimally processed whole-food protein avoids the excess mineral load that can feed certain urinary stones — keeping things flushed and dilute.

  • Playful but easy to overfeed

    Needs: Measured, lean protein

    A few extra treats go a long way on a 15-pound dog. Weighing freeze-dried raw makes portion control simple and keeps a Bichon trim and bouncy.

How much to feed a Bichon Frise

Quick answer: a healthy adult Bichon Frise (12–18 lb) needs about 1.8–2.7 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
12 lb 1.8 oz 0.9 oz
14 lb typical Bichon Frise 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 oz
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Bichon Frise

For a Bichon Frise we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs, and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition. Just add water to rehydrate and serve.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod are gentle and easy to portion for a small dog; Wild-Caught Salmon adds skin-and-coat omega-3s for that signature white coat. Rotate to keep mealtime interesting.

Recipes for Bichon Frises

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Daily support for Bichon Frises

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Treats Bichon Frises love

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Feeding a Bichon Frise by life stage

  • Puppy: Bichon puppies are tiny and burn energy fast, so feed roughly 5–7% of current body weight split across 3–4 small meals a day to keep blood sugar steady. Always rehydrate fully and never let a small puppy go too long between meals.
  • Adult: Feed to a trim, easy-to-feel waistline split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, remembering that treats count toward the daily total.
  • Senior: Older Bichons slow down but still need high-quality protein to hold lean muscle. Trim portions slightly, keep meals moisture-rich for urinary and kidney health, and watch the teeth and eyes closely.

Common Bichon Frise concerns — and the diet connection

  • Dental diseaseCommon in small breeds with crowded teeth. A low-starch, low-sugar whole-food diet gives oral bacteria less to feed on, supporting cleaner teeth alongside regular brushing and vet cleanings.
  • Bladder stonesBichons can be predisposed to urinary stones. Rehydrated freeze-dried raw adds moisture at every meal to keep urine dilute, and whole-food protein avoids excess mineral load — supportive of urinary health, not a treatment.
  • Eye conditions (cataracts, corneal issues)Largely hereditary, but antioxidant-rich whole foods and omega-3 fatty acids support overall eye and tissue health as part of a balanced diet.
  • Skin & coat upkeepThat white double coat shows every flake and stain. Omega-rich, low-filler whole food feeds the skin barrier, supporting a soft, bright coat and easing dryness.
  • Weight & blood-sugar balanceSmall dogs gain weight on very little. Measured, lean raw feeding keeps a Bichon trim and supports steady energy without the carb spikes of starchy diets.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Bichon Frise: what to know

On a dog this small, a couple of extra bites is a meaningful share of the day's calories. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing them, and count treats as part of the total — a Bichon's waistline disappears fast under all that fluff.

Bichons are active and not naturally prone to obesity, so small, frequent meals suit them well. Always rehydrate freeze-dried raw with water to add the moisture that supports their urinary health.

Bichon Frise feeding questions

How much should I feed my Bichon Frise?
A healthy adult Bichon (12–18 lb) needs roughly 2–3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — weigh portions and feed to a trim waistline, counting treats in the total.
What is the best food for a Bichon Frise's teeth?
A low-starch, low-sugar whole-food diet like freeze-dried raw gives plaque-causing bacteria far less to feed on than starchy kibble. Pair it with regular brushing and dental treats for the best results.
How do I switch my Bichon to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Always rehydrate with water, and start at the lower end of the range since freeze-dried raw is rich and a Bichon is small.
Is freeze-dried raw good for a Bichon prone to bladder stones?
The added moisture from rehydrating freeze-dried raw helps keep urine dilute, and minimally processed whole-food protein avoids excess mineral load. It supports urinary health, but if your Bichon has a history of stones, follow your veterinarian's dietary guidance.
Will raw food help my Bichon's white coat?
Whole-food animal and fish fats deliver the omega-3s that feed the skin barrier, helping keep that curly white coat soft and bright. Our Wild-Caught Salmon recipe is especially rich in skin-and-coat omegas.
How often should I feed my Bichon Frise?
Two measured meals a day suits most adult Bichons; puppies do best on 3–4 small meals to keep blood sugar steady. Always rehydrate freeze-dried raw before serving.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.