A small dog whose coat is a comfort issue
For a senior Bichon, grooming is not about looks; a matted coat pulls on thinner, more sensitive older skin and traps moisture that irritates it. Keep him on a gentle, regular grooming rhythm, brushing little and often rather than wrestling through a neglected coat in one long session he must stand for. Many owners find a shorter, practical cut far kinder at this age, because it dries faster after wet walks, shows the skin clearly for checks, and cuts the daily work for both of you. Feel as you brush for lumps, warts and sore spots, which are common in older small dogs and easy to miss inside the fluff.
Eyes, tear stains and seeing his way around
Bichons are known for tear staining, and in a senior dog those damp tracks under the eyes need daily gentle wiping and drying so the skin beneath does not stay sore. Watch how he moves in dim rooms and on the evening toilet trip: hesitating at steps, missing a treat dropped at his feet, or startling when a hand approaches from one side can all point to fading vision and deserve a mention at his vet check. Keep furniture, his bed and his bowls in their familiar places, because a small dog with cloudier eyes navigates home largely from memory.
Teeth that quietly decide whether eating is pleasant
Small breeds carry crowded teeth, and by senior age many Bichons have sore gums or loose teeth that make chewing a misery they hide well. Lift his lip weekly and look for redness, build-up or a tooth that looks different, and notice softer signs too: eating on one side, dropping kibble, new bad breath, or choosing soft food he once ignored. Mention what you find at his vet visits rather than attempting home treatment, and if the vet advises dental work, that conversation is worth having properly, because a comfortable mouth changes a little dog's whole appetite for life.
Bladder habits, water and warmth
Older Bichons often need the toilet more often, and comfort means access, not endurance: more frequent garden trips, one last thing at night, and washable protection under his favourite resting spots if occasional leaks have started, handled without scolding, which he cannot help. Note any real change in how much he drinks or how often he asks to go out, because in a senior small dog those shifts are useful information for the vet. Keep his bed warm and out of draughts at floor level, where small bodies feel the cold first, and consider a light jumper on winter walks if he shivers.
Little joints, low furniture, safe floors
His exercise should be short, frequent and interesting rather than long: a gentle potter with sniffing time, on pavements and grass that are kind under small paws, avoiding ice, grit and very hot surfaces. At home, add steps or a ramp to any sofa he is allowed on, because repeated jumping down lands hard through ageing wrists and elbows, and put a runner where he lands from his bed. Play should be floor-level and brief, letting him set the pace and stop when he chooses.
The twice-yearly rhythm for a long-lived breed
Bichons often live well into their teens, so senior care is a long partnership of small observations. Vet checks about twice a year, with weight, teeth, eyes, heart and blood work reviewed, catch the gradual changes early. Bring a short note of what you have seen at home, since with a dog this size the trends matter more than any single day.
Sharing grooming sessions, eye wipes and walks keeps those small jobs from slipping, and KinsLe helps through Care Teams, where each task for your Bichon can be assigned to a family member and marked done with a timestamp.