Buying food for a French Bulldog is a little more complicated than for most dogs since they are small, and have different dietary needs.
Frenchies tend to gain weight easily so food portions need to be controlled.
They also tend to have sensitive stomachs so certain food types will cause them to have more gas and skin allergies.
For this reason, it is important to choose macronutrients that help protect their joints and maintain the lean muscle mass, such as protein.
To protect your dog’s joints and help build his muscle while also decreasing allergy related gas, a diet of high quality protein with fish, chicken, lamb, or poultry would be ideal.
Avoid pet food that contains corn or soy products. Plant based protein is not good for pets, since they contain no amino acids.
Whole meat, such as chicken, as the first ingredient is a good source of quality protein that contributes to overall health of your dog.
Balancing Fat and Carbohydrates in a Dog’s Diet
Fat contains lots of energy, however too much leads to obesity.
Keeping the fat content between 12-16% is adequate for adult dogs. Increase this if your dog has a lot of energy and activity.
Carbs have quick energy release and help with fiber digestion in the gut.
In lower quality food, some carbs can lead to a lot of gas and an upset tummy.
Wheat and corn are higher quality, but rice and pumpkin and sweet potatoes are easier to digest.
Fiber is important to help with digestion. Add a little pumpkin to their food, and it will help their digestion and help them self control.
Dealing With Food Allergies
French Bulldogs tend to have a lot of itchy paws and skin that is inflamed and infected ears.
Some of the main sources of food allergies are beef, chicken, dairy, and wheat.
If you notice excessive paw licking and ear scratching then you should strongly consider talking to your vet and giving the dog an elimination diet.
Skin allergies will clear once a different protein source like venison, duck, or salmon is introduced.
New food should never be given in large quantities and be given over a long period of time to avoid diarrhea and cramping.
Portion Control and Feeding Schedules
Free feeding French Bulldogs results in canine obesity, pretty quickly.
To avoid that, divide your dog’s daily intake into two equal daily portions and feed them in the morning and evening.
Use your digital kitchen scale to weigh their food instead of measuring cups.
For aids, like treats, during training, keep track of those as well.
Smaller breaks or sessions are a good opportunity to add treat training, but if you're doing something that requires multiple treats, break them down into small pea-sized treats.
Hydration and Water Quality
Like food, the water quality is important too. Being a Brachycephalic breed, Frenchies drool a lot and for good reason being that they need a constant supply of clean water to prevent dehydration, especially after outdoor play.
Remove their water bowls everyday for a thorough clean with soap and hot water.
The rim of the bowl grows pink slime and gets slimy due to bacterial build up from residue.
Ditch cheap bowls that harbor bacteria (and chin acne) in favor of solid, stainless steel or ceramic bowls.
Joint and Gut Supplements with Long Term Benefits
Certain multi-structural support supplements help with longevity even with balanced commercial diets.
With short legs and heavy chests, French Bulldogs put a lot of stress on their joints.
Glucosamine and chondroitin help keep cartilage healthy and maintain joint mobility as dogs age.
With itchy, inflamed skin, fish oil is also good for reducing inflammation across the entire body and gives your dog a shiny coat.
Probiotics help with digestive health and help bring down smelly gas.
Before introducing any new supplement consider getting advice from a veterinarian.
Analyzing the Quality of Food and Labels
Marketing terms have their way with pet food packaging. For example, the term ‘premium’ or ‘gourmet’ may simply be a marketing ploy.
Disregard that and go to the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list and see what you are actually paying for.
When choosing quality foods, look for foods that have the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) stamp of approval to ensure that the food is complete and balanced.
While quality nutrition and food may seem expensive, this investment can be considered preventative care as it can help save on costly veterinary visits for the treatment of skin issues and joint care.
Other aspects of health and preventions of unnecessary strain can be found through the guide we have available on Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Explained: What Every Owner Needs to Know.
Purposeful nutrition will help your dog have a long and happy life.
Feeding your dog right builds the foundation for a long, happy life.