Eye and Dental Care for a Bichon

With its rich past dating as far back as the 13th century as dogs traded by Spanish sailors from continent to continent, Bichons eventually made their way to the French royal courts. French royalty then regarded them as favorite companions. Not much has changed over the years. Today, Bichons are still regarded by many as their pet of choice. Bichons are naturally cheerful dogs. They are noticeably gentle dogs, but of course, they are also known for being extremely playful. In fact, Bichons love engaging in various activities that involve exercise.

Nevertheless, perhaps what Bichons are most known for is their white fluffy coat. A thick and curly double coat, earning them the nickname “cottonball”, characterizes their charming appearance. However, despite their picture perfect appearance, Bichons are still prone to various eye and dental problems, just like any other dog.

Bichons require regular dental care in order for them to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Meticuluos dental care also helps prevent other periodontal diseases such as Gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by collective plaque and tartar buildup. If left untreated this condition can eventually lead to various health problems. Some signs to watch out for include reddish-brown discoloration patches on your Bichon’s gum line. Bichons usually have gums with a healthy pink color. However, when tartar builds up in that area, their gums start to get inflamed. Untreated Gingivitis can eventually lead to infections, bone damage, and bad breath. Your best bet would be to get your Bichon used to having their teeth cleaned at an early age.

Apart from dental care, eye care is another important issue when it comes to caring for Bichons. A common problem for Bichons is tear staining. Since Bichons have such light coats, you may have noticed those reddish brown stains around their eye area. To those who don’t know any better, these stains may just seem plain unhygenic. A modest amount of staining is normal, however excessive staing can signal allergies. In such cases, it is always best to get your veterinarian to take care of this as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, there are simple things you can do to help avoid staining, such as regularly cleaning your Bichon’s eyes with a warm damp cloth. Keep the corners of your Bichon’s eyes clean and keep their hair trimmed away from their eyes. Incoporating this into your usual dog grooming routine will certainly make a difference for both you and your beloved Bichon.