Old age is a natural part of any living being's life, and bichons are no exception. No matter how much you wish for your dog to stay young forever, you won't be able to wish away the aging process. Thus, instead of dreading or attempting to ignore the fact that your bichon is approaching his geriatric stage, do everything you can for him to ensure he remains healthy and happy throughout all of the days of his life - whether young or old.

At what age do bichons become elderly? There is no set age. It varies between dogs and depends on their general condition and genes. This breed has an average lifespan of 14 - 15 years, but some can live past 20 years of age! Hence, dogs over the age of 10 may start exhibiting signs of old age, while 14 year-old frises may still act quite youthful.

Nevertheless, regardless of when your bichon may begin to show signs of aging, once he reaches ten, you may want to consider speaking to your vet about changing his diet and other senior related issues. Thus, the following is what you need to keep in mind when you have a geriatric pooch:

Diet - Older dogs have different nutritional needs. Since they don't exercise as much, they need to be fed differently than adult bichons that are in their prime. Speak to your veterinarian about different senior food plans that would be best suited to your pet. Also, avoid giving your dog excessive treats or human food, as this will only fatten him up, and obesity can dramatically shorten his life and make him susceptible to illness.

Health - Older canines still require heartworm prevention, and vaccines. However, while vaccinations should be done according to law, find out from your vet if annual inoculations are still necessary. You may discover that shots every 3 years is better for your pooch. Furthermore, unless fleas are a real problem, there is no need to put your dog on preventative medication for this parasite, or any other preemptive drug, as it can cause stress on their immune system.

Additionally, poor dental hygiene can also be a problem among older canines. You may need to have your bichon's teeth professionally cleaned once a year, especially if he sufferers from periodontal disease or gingivitis, as this can affect his other organs and kill him if not treated properly.

Exercise - Bichons still require exercise when they are older, but just like people, they can develop arthritis, aching joints, and their weekend body is more prone to fractures and other ailments. Therefore, take your dog for daily walks as usual, but take care not to exhaust him.

Prevent an elder pooch from having to jump unnecessarily - Pick up your pet as often as you can to place him on, or to take him off any furniture he is allowed on. Carry him up and down stairs when possible. This will help prevent injuries, as well as his joints from becoming stressed or sore.

Common ailments - As bichons grow old, their bodies change. The following are some common illnesses to watch for:

• Cataracts

• Gingivitis

• Heart murmurs

• Collapsing trachea

• Skin growths (cysts that are often not harmful or life threatening)

• Vestibular disease

The best thing you can do for old bichons is continue to love them, provide them with a comfortable and happy home, and make sure their physical condition is regularly monitored, and health problems treated.