Expert: Kaza - 10/5/2009

Question
Hi, We have a lovely 11 week old Bichon pup, we have had her since she was 8 weeks and she is wonderful! She is very good on the house training and tends to sit by the door when she needs the toilet and we rarely have any accidents, she is however itching...mainly after shes had a bath.  Shes been to the vets and hes checked her for fleas and her skin and everything is fine, im just wondering if it could be the shampoo that we are using, the breeder advised us to use johnsons baby shampoo while she is still a pup? Also, she was wormed and treated for fleas last on 1/9/09, how often does this need to be done pls?

thank you

Answer
It is more likely to be her diet.
I would change her food and try to give more real food rather than a dried diet. Bichons can have a variety of symptoms created by the diet they are consuming.

Foods to give  daily are :
oily fish
oatmeal
cucumber
mashed potato
apple
peas
meats like lamb chicken, even beef,chicken
Rice

supplements recommended
lutein
glucosamine and chondratin
cranberry extract tablet not drink

Bichons really do wll on a natural diet, there are many available ready made from all pet stores both in the UK and USA.
www.eurobichons.com