Wheat-free kibble for sensitive Bichon Frise

Sensitive stomach issues in dogs usually fall into a few categories — food intolerance, ingredient sensitivity, or a gut that just needs a simpler diet — and identifying which applies is the key to finding the right food. It sounds like you may already have a lead with wheat being involved, which is a good starting point. To make sure I point you in the right direction, could you tell me your dog's breed and age, what symptoms you're seeing (loose stools, vomiting, gas, or something else), and what foods you've already tried or ruled out?

That's a really useful distinction — wheat-free rather than fully grain-free opens up a lot more affordable options, and your vet's instinct makes sense. Wheat is one of the more common triggers for loose stools and gas in smaller dogs, and Bichons in particular can have sensitive digestion. Since she responded better without wheat, the goal is finding a clean, simple recipe that avoids it without the premium grain-free price tag. Can I ask what kibble she's currently on, and roughly what you'd consider a comfortable monthly spend on food for her?

At 80–90g a day, a 2kg bag lasts her roughly three weeks, so you're looking at one bag a month comfortably, which puts you well within your budget. My recommendation is Harringtons Salmon & Potato Adult Dry Dog Food. It's wheat-free, uses potato as the carbohydrate source instead, and salmon as the primary protein — both are gentle on sensitive stomachs and less likely to cause reactions than common allergens like chicken or wheat. The ingredient list is straightforward with no unnecessary fillers, and a 2kg bag typically comes in around £7–9 on Amazon UK, so you'd be well under your monthly limit even if you went up to a larger bag size. It's a solid, no-fuss food that works well for small breeds with digestive sensitivity and won't strain the budget.

Salmon is genuinely one of the better proteins for sensitive dogs — it's a novel protein for most dogs who've been on chicken-based foods, which means fewer existing intolerances to it, and it's naturally high in omega-3s which also support skin and coat health, something Bichons benefit from. On the transition: yes, definitely go gradually. A common approach is 75% old food, 25% new food for a few days, then 50/50, then 75% new, then fully switched over about 10–14 days. It gives her gut time to adjust and means if there are any loose stools early on, you'll know it's the transition rather than a reaction to the new food. Once she's fully on it, give it four to six weeks to see the full benefit on her digestion.

Great choice — it's one of those foods that quietly does a good job without a lot of marketing noise around it. If her stools firm up and the gas settles after a few weeks, that's a good sign the wheat was the issue. If you're still seeing problems after six weeks on it, it might be worth revisiting with your vet to check for other intolerances, but many dogs with wheat sensitivity do really well on this kind of switch. Hope she starts feeling more comfortable soon.