The best dog food for French Bulldogs will have low carbohydrates, high quantities of quality protein, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Before getting into the specific nutritional needs and what is the best French Bulldog food, let's go back in history to discover more about this beloved breed.
About French Bulldogs
Listed as the 2nd most popular dog in the U.K. and 4th most popular breed in the United States, French Bulldogs are in high demand. This is understandable as their friendly, loyal, and mild-mannered temperaments make them compatible companions. Plus, their stocky yet compact figure makes them suitable for many living styles, including apartments, and they are generally compatible with other dogs and cats.
A French Bulldog has moderate exercise needs. While this breed is easily entertained indoors with chew toys and small games of fetch, they do require at least one walk a day to ensure they do not gain excess weight and to keep their heart strong.
History
Descriptions of a French Bulldog date back to Ancient Greece. They are believed to be a descendant of the Molossians. There are written accounts of these dogs being distributed around the world by traders, on boats. Worldwide there are many dog breeds that can be traced back as relatives of the Molossian breed, including English Mastiffs.
The French Bulldog, as we know it today, was officially named in 1912, and is a cross between an English Toy Bulldog and a French “Ratter” (a kind of dog that was bred to catch rodents). In French, this breed is called “bouledogue française.” Boule translates to ball, referring to their compact shape, and dogue translates to Mastiff, the French Bulldog’s ancestors. The breed was very popular among English and American society ladies and was commonly associated with wealthy families, such as the Rockefellers.
Physical Appearance
An adult French Bulldog typically measures between 11 and 13 inches tall and weighs between 16 and 28 pounds. Their large head is square and is topped with pointy, alert, triangular ears. Don’t let the excess skin fool you, they have strong muscles that are covered by soft, loose wrinkles.
This breed is considered a brachycephalic, or more commonly referred to as a flat-faced breed, which makes it dangerous for them to travel on planes. Most airlines have banned brachycephalic breeds.
French Bulldogs can be found in a variety of colors, including brindle, red, fawn, cream, and white. They can be blue but it is considered a genetic fault and it is not an American Kennel Club approved color. Their hair is short, fine, and silky. While their coat requires low-maintenance grooming, it is really important to pay special attention to the wrinkles. Every crease and skin fold needs to be properly cleaned and dried.
Demeanor
Overall, this breed of dogs are friendly, bright, agreeable dogs. They were bred to be companions, and it is common for them to experience separation anxiety when away from their humans. Despite their people-pleasing nature, French Bulldogs are known to develop a stubborn streak early without the proper training. It is also important to expose them to other puppies early to ensure they become well-adjusted to other dogs.
Because of their flat-face, it can be difficult for this breed to breathe in hot temperatures. Plus, they aren’t well-suited to cold weather because they have only one layer of hair. French Bulldogs are suited to temperature-regulated homes and moderate outdoor climates. They are not excessive barkers, but their alertness makes them a good, loyal watchdog.
It is important to note that a French Bulldog cannot swim because of their stocky shoulders, wide neck, and relatively thin withers. Also, this breed is prone to drooling and flatulence.
French Bulldogs are sometimes referred to as a “Frog Dog” because they like to lay on their stomach, splay out their back legs behind them, and have a big smile on their face, resembling a sunbathing frog.
Nutritional Needs - How Much To Feed a Frenchie?
The best dog foods for French Bulldogs must contain high-quality ingredients for you to have a healthy and happy pet. French Bulldogs are prone to obesity and food-based allergies are common. It is important to carefully monitor their food and nutrition, including mealtimes and treats. It is also best to skip the table scraps and human food so that your pet is receiving the most nutrition directly from their dog food. While a raw diet for French Bulldogs is very popular, dry dog foods for this breed provide a more well-rounded meal.
Adult
There are large variances in the recommended amount of calories to feed a French Bulldog. This is because this breed can be very different sizes and have very different energy levels. The general rule of feeding a French Bulldog is 30 calories per kilogram of weight.
On average, French Bulldogs need between 550 and 700 calories per day. Extremely active adults may need up to 800 calories, but be sure to consult your vet before giving them that much food. It is highly recommended that you feed French Bulldogs at least twice a day. Because of their smaller size, they are prone to experiencing dramatic drops in blood sugar.
Senior
A senior French Bulldog can easily become underweight or overweight. It is important to always review your dog’s activity level and daily calories. Senior French Bulldogs will need between 470 and 520 daily calories. Depending on your lifestyle and dog’s activity level, you might consider feeding 3 times a day to ensure your pet’s constant blood sugar levels. If you decide to stick with two meals per day, ensure the timing is consistent every day (i.e. 7 AM and 7 PM, Monday through Sunday.)
How to Feed a French Bulldog Puppy
French Bulldog puppies should be fed at least three times per day to avoid gastric dilation. 400 to 450 calories per day is enough for a French Bulldog puppy, although very active pups might need more. You can begin to transition your puppy to adult food once they reach the age of 9 months old, and should be fully transitioned to adult food by the time they are one year old.
A Frenchie puppy will never stop eating on their own, they love food! It is important you monitor their calories and energy levels. The best food for French Bulldog puppies will emphasize nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This is important in the best dog food for French Bulldog puppies can build up their immune systems and develop at a balanced pace.
Macronutrients: Proteins, Carbs, and Fats in dog food
The smartest way to keep your French Bulldog healthy is to monitor their food, including calories, ingredients, and macronutrients. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) determines the appropriate percentages of macronutrients that should be found in dog food. The recommended macronutrient levels for food for French Bulldogs are:
It is important to remember that high-quality food is of the utmost importance for your dog. While Royal Canin does produce a line of breed-specific dry dog food for French Bulldogs, one should be cautious when purchasing this product, especially for a French Bulldog puppy. The first five ingredients are rice, wheat, chicken by-product meal, and chicken fat.
So wondering what to feed a French Bulldog? The best food for Frenchies will have a whole protein, like chicken, salmon, or beef, listed as the number one ingredients. This breed is also known to have a sensitive stomach so it is best to not feed them rice and wheat if possible. Choosing the best French Bulldog dog food, and keeping track of ingredients and macronutrients is an important part of ensuring the healthy lifestyle of your French Bulldog.
Common Health Problems
Typically this breed has a fulsome life for between 10-12 years. However, as a result of selective breeding, French Bulldogs can experience many health problems. If you are purchasing a dog from a breeder, it is very important to get the health history of the parents. If you're adopting, you and your vet will need to keep an eye out for common health problems this breed experiences. In all cases, food can help remedy some of the common health problems.
Hip Dysplasia and Patellar Luxation
Hip Dysplasia occurs when the hip joint and femur don't fit properly together. Dogs will experience pain or lameness on one or both rear legs. If you notice your dog hobbling, it is time to visit the vet.
Patellar Luxation is a condition when the thigh, knee, and calf of a dog don't line up properly, causing pain. It is present at birth but typically the dog doesn't show signs until later in life. If you notice your dog unable to put weight on a specific leg or has problems jumping, seek veterinary attention.
There are some ingredients found in dog food that can help combat both hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. The best dog food will include chondroitin and glucosamine, both of which contribute to strong bones and healthy joints. Plus, omega-3 and omega-6 reduce joint inflammation, which can be painful. Lastly, it is important to keep your pet at a healthy weight and not give them too much food.
Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome
As a result of being flat-faced, French Bulldogs can experience Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome. This common health problem occurs because of their narrow nostrils and tracheas, and long palate. This syndrome can cause your dog to experience respiratory blockages and even can be as serious as a collapsed airway. Sometimes, a dog needs to have surgery to widen their nostrils, by removing some of the palate.
It is important to monitor your French Bulldog in extreme weather conditions when they get very excited and experience high energy, as well as during allergy season. Also, controlling your dog’s weight will help reduce respiratory difficulties. Make sure your dry dog food has complex carbohydrates and
Recommendations for the Best Dry Dog Foods for French Bulldogs
1. Premium Dry Dog Food, Pacific Stream Recipe by Taste of the Wild
Made with sustainably sourced smoked salmon, your French Bulldog will love the flavors of Taste of the Wild’s Pacific Stream Recipe dry dog food. The fish is a high-quality protein and is filled with omega fatty acids that will help produce shiny and healthy fur. This product also contains extraordinary amounts of fruits and vegetables, such as raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes. These nutrient-dense ingredients will provide your dog with antioxidants and strengthen their immune system.
Taste of the Wild includes their special K9 Strain Probiotics, or commonly referred to as species-specific probiotics. Because this breed frequently experiences flatulence and sensitive stomachs, the best dog food for French Bulldogs with gas should have a presence of probiotics, as found in this food. In addition, the natural ingredient of dried chicory root aids digestion.
This product is grain-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Plus, the Pacific Stream Recipe contains no eggs, which makes it the best food for French Bulldogs with allergies. The crude protein level of this food is 25%, which is at an excellent level to ensure your dog maintains strong muscle mass and receives enough energy to sustain them throughout the day.
Whole Earth Farms’ Pork, Beef, and Lamb Recipe is the best dog food for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomachs and food allergies. It is a dry dog food that is grain-free, poultry-free, and contains no wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, or colors.
With sweet potatoes listed as the third ingredient, this product provides a low-sugar carbohydrate alternative to grains. This is a great ingredient to feed French Bulldogs since they tend to struggle with being overweight. Plus, sweet potatoes have high levels of Vitamin A, which helps with healthy muscle development and strong eyesight.
The three different proteins will help sustain your dog with energy throughout the day. The amino acids from the protein will keep your French Bulldog’s muscles lean, while also ensuring their loose coat is shiny and their heart stays healthy. Also, Whole Earth Farms’ Pork, Beef, and Lamb Recipe contains excellent levels of vitamins and minerals to ensure your pet’s overall health remains in the best shape possible.
The best food for a French Bulldog puppy is produced by Blue Wilderness and packed full of high-quality deboned chicken. Plus, this food is packed full of healthy complex carbohydrates, like peas and sweet potatoes, and lots of antioxidants, found in carrots, cranberries, and blueberries. Overall, this dry dog food is the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber for a growing French Bulldog puppy.
Blue Wilderness’s products always include their important LifeSource Bits, which are filled with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to protect your young pup. These important elements will help protect their bones, joints, and cardiac system.
In addition to being grain-free, Nature’s Evolutionary Diet is the best puppy food for French Bulldogs because it contains Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) which encourages the healthy development of a puppy’s brain and eyesight. This is the best dog food for Frenchies with sensitive teeth, as it will force your pup to exercise their jaw and use their back teeth, reducing the amount of plaque and tartar build-up.
Keep your senior French Bulldog strong and healthy by feeding them Diamond Naturals’ Chicken, Egg, and Oatmeal Recipe. The first ingredient in this dog food is real cage-free chicken, which will provide them much-needed protein. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been added to help ensure healthy joints and prevent common health problems like Patellar Luxation.
Diamond Naturals is the best dry food for French Bulldogs, especially older ones. It contains chia seeds, kelp, coconut, and pumpkin, all of which contribute to a healthy digestive system. In addition, these fruits and vegetables help boost your dog’s overall immune system.
The Chicken, Egg, and Oatmeal Recipe will ensure your senior dog’s muscles remain strong, despite a decrease in their activity. This product contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors, and is free of filler ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy. The fatty acid blend in this dog food will ensure your senior dog’s coat will stay shiny and smooth, even if they have skin allergies.
Conclusion
When choosing dog foods for French Bulldogs, Pacific Stream Recipe by Taste of the Wild is the best for adults. Its simple ingredient list means that it is the best dry dog food for French Bulldogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs. It’s also filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will contribute to your dog’s overall health.
The best puppy food for French Bulldog puppies is made by Blue Wilderness. Nature’s Evolutionary Diet with Chicken contains a perfect balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals.
The best dog food for a French Bulldog seniors is Diamond Naturals' Special Formula for older adults. The fatty acid content will help keep their coat from turning brittle and the protein will help them maintain muscle mass.
French Bulldogs are friendly, loyal pets that are compact in size and great for many living situations. While they don't need a lot of exercise, they do need to have their dog food monitored carefully to ensure a healthy lifestyle. The best dog food for French Bulldogs will contain lots of fruits and vegetables, with high-quality protein, and low-sugar carbohydrates. And don't forget, treats should be included in their daily calorie allowance. Don't let their big, cute eyes guilt you into giving them extra snacks!
