
How adorable is a Bichon Frise? Pretty adorable. All that playful energy needs a high quality, nutrition-packed food.
A Bichon Frise can’t consume a large amount of food, so the food you choose has to deliver all the proper nutritional requirements in a smaller package.
- Best Dog Food For Bichon Frise
- 1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
- 2. Nulo Challenger Small Breed Northern Catch Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish
- 3. Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Formula
- 4. ACANA Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe
- 5. Wellness CORE Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe
- 6. Merrick Classic Small Breed Formula
- 7. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Toy & Small Breed
- 8. Merrick Real Texas Beef And Sweet Potato
- 9. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry Puppy Recipe
- 10. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Senior Formula
- Nutrition Requirements
- Feeding Requirements
- Recommended Ingredients
- Potential Health Issues
- Types of Dog Foods for Bichons
- Other Considerations
- Final Thoughts
The earliest record of the modern Bichon Frise was during the 14th century. French sailors brought the breed with them from the Canary Islands.
How the dogs got there is under debate, but general thought is that they developed in Italy and were brought by Phoenician sailors.
They’ve long been a favorite of the nobility, but they did fall out of favor for a while during the 18th century. They became a “commoner’s dog” trained to help the blind or aid street performers.
Today, they’re beloved for their intelligence, beautiful coat, and high energy.
We’ve put together a list of our picks for the best dog food for a Bichon Frise. We’ve also answered some questions you may have about what your Bichon Frise needs. Let’s take a look.
Best Dog Food For Bichon Frise
Now for the good stuff. We’ve chosen these foods based on their dense nutrition offerings and ability to help keep your Bichon lean and healthy.
1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
First 5 ingredients:
Depends on the recipe you choose – See below.
Food Type: Fresh, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, carrots, beef kidneys, potatoes, peas
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, rice, carrots, chicken livers, peas
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 3.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, kale
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
Overall Best Food – Ollie dog food is a brand of premium, fresh, and customized dog food that aims to provide a healthy and balanced diet for dogs.
The company claims to use only high-quality, human-grade ingredients and to tailor the nutrition of each batch of food to the specific needs of each individual dog.
One of the key features of Ollie is its customization. When you sign up for their service, you start by filling out a detailed questionnaire about your dog, including information about their breed, age, weight, activity level, and any health issues they may have.
Based on this information, their team of veterinarians and nutritionists creates a personalized meal plan for your dog, with recommendations for the appropriate portion sizes and frequency of feeding.
With this dog food option, your Frise can enjoy a healthy meal with zero fillers and only the highest quality organic ingredients! Plus, they deliver right to your front door, making it super convenient for you as a busy pet parent.
Pros
- Made with high-quality, fresh & organic ingredients
- Delivered fresh to your front door
- No fillers or artificial flavors
Cons
- Pricier compared to other dog food options on the market
2. Nulo Challenger Small Breed Northern Catch Haddock, Salmon & Acadian Redfish
First 5 ingredients:
Haddock, Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal
Protein: 35.0% min
Fat: 18.0% min
Fiber: 4.5% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Puppy, Small Breeds
This dry dog food is is crafted to support the unique dietary needs of small-breed dogs, from energetic puppies to vibrant adults.
This premium, high-protein formula is packed with sustainably-sourced fish, including haddock, salmon and Acadian redfish along with chicken and turkey meals, providing an irresistible flavor that dogs love.
Rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, this food supports a shiny coat, healthy skin, and cognitive development, making it ideal for growing puppies and maintaining adult dogs’ vitality.
The addition of probiotics supports digestive health, while a balanced mix of essential vitamins and minerals ensures strong bones, healthy muscles, and sustained energy levels.
With a grain-free recipe that avoids fillers like corn, soy, and artificial preservatives, it delivers nutrition in every bite, tailored for smaller jaws and specific metabolic needs of small-breed dogs.
This thoughtfully designed food not only nourishes but also promotes an active, happy lifestyle for your cherished companion.
Pros
- Low glycemic formula
- Boasts top-tier protein sources
- Small kibbles promote proper chewing
- Promotes healthy heart and weight
Cons
- Obvious fishy scent
3. Taste Of The Wild Appalachian Valley Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Venison, Lamb Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Lentils
Protein: 32.0% min
Fat: 18.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra – Small Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This dog food is thematically based on what ancestral dogs from the Appalachian Valley would have eaten in prehistoric times.
This ancestral diet is combined with our modern nutritional knowledge to provide well-balanced dog food that may be the best on the market in this price bracket.
The brand specializes in a high variety and quality of ingredients, that aim to cultivate your dog’s digestive health.
Despite not quite reaching the levels of nutrition provided by pricier gourmet dog food companies like Nom Nom, Taste of the Wild provides a significantly higher proportion of protein and lower proportion of carbohydrates than its direct competitors.
Taste of the Wild uses high-quality pasture-raised venison in its formula, which is what gives it such a healthy protein and fat ratio. This does, however, mean that the Omega 3 fatty acid levels are lower than dog foods that use fish products.
Their formula is thankfully grain-free and reduced into small-size kibble, helping to ease the digestive load from your dog and making them less prone to suffering from bloat.
Digestion is also helped by the formula’s probiotic and prebiotic fiber. Taste of the Wild does, unfortunately, use Pea Protein to increase the total amount of protein.
Pros
- High protein and fat Levels
- Uses high-quality meat ingredients
- Doesn’t require refrigeration
- No grains
- Good value
Cons
- Low level of Omega 3
- Some dogs may not enjoy the taste at first (if transitioning from canned dog food)
4. ACANA Wholesome Grains Small Breed Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Sorghum, Whole Millet
Protein: 27.0% min
Fat: 17.0% min
Fiber: 6.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra Small – Small Breeds
This is a premium dry dog food formulated specifically for small breed dogs. It is crafted by ACANA, a renowned pet food manufacturer known for its high-quality, biologically appropriate recipes.
This particular recipe features a carefully selected blend of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to provide a wholesome and nutritious meal for small breed dogs.
It is packed with high-quality animal protein from sources like free-run chicken, turkey, and eggs, which are essential for small breed dogs’ muscle development and overall health.
It also contains a variety of nutrient-dense grains, such as oats and millet, which provide carbohydrates for energy and fiber for healthy digestion. The inclusion of vegetables like butternut squash and pumpkin adds essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support the immune system.
Furthermore, this recipe is made with fresh, regional ingredients sourced from trusted farmers and fishermen, and it does not contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
It is also grain-inclusive, making it a great option for small breed dogs that tolerate grains well or have specific dietary requirements. Overall, this is a top-quality dog food that promotes optimal health and well-being in small breed dogs.
Pros
- Made from high-quality ingredients
- Mimics the natural diet of dogs
- No artificial additives
- Formulated specifically for small breed dogs
Cons
- Expensive
- Has grains (may trigger allergies)
5. Wellness CORE Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Peas
Protein: 36.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 5.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Adult, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Wellness CORE’s small breed formula packs a nutritional punch. The company formulates their dog food options based on research into the history of dogs and their dietary requirements. The recipe is mostly meat with several vegetables and healthy oils for better skin and coat.
It uses high-quality protein so that the caloric needs of smaller dogs are met. The first ingredient is Turkey, which is a lean source of protein without too much fat.
This formula is grain free, so if your Bichon has allergies, it might be a suitable alternative to many grocery store brands. Omega acids come from fish oils while probiotics help with overall digestion.
The company also added glucosamine to their formula, which can help keep joints healthy. Bichons are subject to hip and back issues, so maintaining bone and joint health can keep your dog more mobile into their later years.
Pros
- No grains might be a better solution for dogs with allergies
- Turkey is a lean protein
- Glucosamine helps a Bichon’s delicate bones and joints, notably later in life
- Probiotics improve overall digestion, helping with the nutrition versus weight-control balance
Cons
- At 36% crude protein, it might be too high for inactive or elderly dogs
- It’s a rich food which could encourage your dog to overeat if you aren’t careful about portion control
6. Merrick Classic Small Breed Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oat Meal
Protein: 27.0% min
Fat: 16.0% min
Fiber: 3.5% max
Moisture: 11.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra Small – Small Breeds
Another brand included here in the top dog foods for Bichon Frise is Merrick.
Merrick’s classic formula is a less expensive alternative to some of the choices above. It uses deboned chicken as the first ingredient, providing a source of high quality, lean protein. It doesn’t use potatoes for a lower glycemic option (excellent for Bichon’s in danger of developing diabetes).
The rest of the ingredients include veggies for critical vitamins and minerals and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for coat and skin health.
Protein levels are 30% while fat remains at 15%. Moisture levels are 11%. These should help your dog maintain weight and urinary health. Probiotics make Merrick easier to digest and reduce stomach issues overall.
Merrick is located in Texas and uses locally grown and sourced ingredients to create dog food. No imported ingredients to worry about and you’re supporting a US-based company.
The best part is that a four-pound bag costs about $5 on average than some of the other brands, so if you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll still be able to give your Bichon high-quality food.
Remember that spending money on the dietary health of your Bichon will reduce your veterinarian costs in the long run, but this should be a good start.
Pros
- More affordable than some of the options on the list
- High quality, lean proteins as the first ingredient (not common with many budget alternatives)
- No potato formula for lower glycemic index
- Locally grown and sourced ingredients
Cons
- Chicken may irritate poultry-sensitive dogs
- Only four-pound bag size is available








