Small dog, smaller margin for missed meals
A Bichon Frise is a small dog with a cheerful, treat-motivated appetite, and her size changes the maths of refusal. Where a large dog can skip a day of food with little consequence, a Bichon who eats nothing for a full day, or picks at a fraction of her meals across two days, should see a vet, and a puppy or elderly Bichon belongs there sooner. Watch her energy alongside the bowl: a bright Bichon who skips breakfast during a noisy morning may simply be distracted, while one who refuses food and also curls up, trembles, or skips her usual greeting is showing a combination that needs checking.
Refusal that comes with other signs
Appetite loss in a Bichon Frise should move from watching to booking when other signs join it. Vomiting more than once, diarrhoea that continues, drooling, lip smacking, or eating grass then being sick suggest stomach discomfort. Refusal paired with drinking and urinating noticeably more, a dull or thinning coat, or bad breath with food dropping from her mouth points the vet toward different checks entirely. Bichons are known for dental sensitivity as they age, so a Bichon who approaches the bowl eagerly, takes one mouthful, and backs away chewing on one side may be telling you her mouth hurts rather than that she dislikes the food.
When a Bichon suddenly wants food all the time
A sharp rise in appetite deserves the same attention as a fall in a Bichon Frise. A dog who was content on her portions but now begs constantly, wakes for food at night, steals from plates, and raids bins, yet loses weight or stays bony along the back, should be examined rather than fed more. Increased hunger alongside increased thirst, more frequent urination, restlessness, or a coat that loses its usual bounce is a pattern to describe fully at the visit. Because Bichons are small and cuddly, extra feeding in response to begging can hide weight trends, so weigh her rather than judging by feel through her coat.
Everyday causes to rule out first
Some Bichon appetite dips have household explanations worth eliminating before the appointment. Kibble that has sat open and gone stale, a bowl moved beside a rattling appliance, a new pet or baby changing the feeding atmosphere, or grandchildren supplying unrecorded snacks can all leave a Bichon apparently off her set meals. Test with a small serving of fresh food from a new bag, in her usual spot, at her usual time, offered once without coaxing. A Bichon who eats that happily has a logistics problem. A Bichon who refuses even a favourite treat during the test has given you a clearer reason to book.
What to bring to a Bichon appetite appointment
Bring a few days of specifics: meals offered and eaten, treats accepted or refused, water and urination changes, stools, vomiting episodes, and her weight if you have a recent figure to compare. Note any recent change at home, from building work to a new pet, and anything she may have scavenged, because a small dog is affected by amounts a bigger dog would shrug off. Photographs of portion sizes help where several family members share feeding. Keeping that record with her health history in KinsLe Pet Passport means her vet can judge this appetite change against her normal pattern, not a guess.