What Foods Are Best for French Bulldogs & Thier Puppies
French bulldogs are people's favorite for so many reasons – they're cute, they're loyal, and they're quite playful too. Having a French bulldog puppy at home can be an even more exciting experience. However, to continue enjoying the company of your French bulldog, you need to feed them the right stuff. What food is best for a French bulldog? There are many options available and they all have their pros and cons. You can even try homemade dog food if you know a bit about the nutrition your French bulldog needs. Here are some good options for you to consider if you're looking for the best food for a French bulldog:
The Best Food for French Bulldogs: Our Top Picks
American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
BEST in price
Rated by: Amber
Taste of the Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food for French Bulldogs
BEST OVERALL
Rated by: Amber
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dog Food for French Bulldog Puppy
Best wet food
Rated by: Amber
1. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for a reasonably good food option for an adult or French bull puppy, you can surely give it a try. This premium French bulldog pu food is highly nutritious and targets your pets eye, skin, and heart health. All these nutrients come from the lamb present in this Frenches dog food.
What makes it the best food for your French bulldog is that it's a human-grade food for dogs. Your French bulldog is going to like the taste because it also contains sweet potatoes, which are quite nutritious and deliver a solid percentage of dietary fiber to your pet. This French bulldog food also contains peas, which serves as a good source of lutein. Similarly, the addition of blueberries to the formula means your Frenchie puppy will have a stronger immune system, which supports his health in the long-run.
Many dog owners call it the best dog food because it's minimally processed. The presence of dietary fiber means it will be suitable for your French bulldog puppy with a sensitive stomach. It's grain free, and doesn't contain any corn, soy, or wheat, so there's no need to worry about your bulldog puppy developing an allergy.
Overall, it seems like a great dog food with good nutritional profile, but unlike some high-end dog foods, it may not be that suitable for adult dogs. It works great for your French bulldog puppies though.
PROS
CONS
2. Taste of the Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food for French Bulldogs
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Taste of the Wild High Prairie is one of the best dog food options for young bulldogs. This dry dog food for French bulldogs is extremely nutritious, thanks to its amazing recipe. Not only is this dry dog food packed with vitamins and minerals, it's also loaded omega 3 fatty acids, protein, and a reasonably good number of calories per serving.
The grain free nature of this dog food is another reason why it's suitable for French bulldog puppies. Experts believe French bulldogs are quite prone to allergies, so it's important to choose grain free dry dog food that contains no fillers or artificial ingredients, and that's exactly what they get from Taste of the Wild dog food for French bulldogs.
Overall, it's a high quality dog food containing real fruits, roasted meats, and vegetables to provide enough calories per serving. Its protein content ensures supports growth and helps build muscle. This dog food is also a good choice in terms of price because you'll be paying less per day as compared to other high-end dry dog foods. The only downside is that you can't find the same recipe in wet dog food format.
PROS
CONS
3. Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dog Food for French Bulldog Puppy
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
It's yet another option to consider if you're looking for the best food for French bulldog puppy. This premium quality dog food packs a solid nutritional punch and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals to give your growing bulldogs support to stay healthy. This grain-free dog food is rich in protein, which is essential for the overall growth of French bulldogs.
It's suitable for dog owners who believe that a French bulldog puppy should get wet dog food. Wellness Core offers best dog foods because their products are easily digestible and highly palatable. It's free from artificial ingredients or fillers, and offers enough calories per servings to keep your French bulldog puppy growing in a healthy way.
It gets its calories as well as protein content from its amazing formula, which contains chicken liver, turkey, turkey broth, fish oil, sweet potatoes, alfalfa meal, blueberries, and much more. As it contains fish oil, this dog food will serve as a good source of omega 3 fatty acids.
So, overall, it's a good dog food for French bulldogs and puppies, but keep in mind that it's a great choice only if you're willing to pay the premium price, as it's going to cost you a bit more than many other high quality dog foods.
PROS
CONS
FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
What is the Best Dry Food for French Bulldog?
With a variety of options available, it's naturally confusing to find the best dog food for French bulldog puppies and adult dogs. French Bulldogs require the same nutritious diet as any other breed. In order for them to have a proper and healthy growth, carbs, good fats and proteins are required to be a part of their diet. Whether you buy dry foods or you opt for wet food, you should pay attention to the following pointers first.
Moderate protein
While they may look small, the French Bulldogs are no different than other bulldogs in terms of their well-built, sturdy and muscular body. Moderate protein intake is required by your French Bulldog to reach their full potential sturdiness and strength. In order to provide easily digestible solution, you should always opt for animal-based protein. The plant based proteins are also available in the market, but they do not fulfill the required amount of amino-acid your Frenchie requires for a healthy growth. French dogs are naturally more prone to getting allergies and since proteins are usually one of the main reasons of these allergies, it is always a good idea to avoid a protein rich diet.
Low to moderate calories
While Frenchies can be a playful breed, they are not extra energetic by nature and therefore don’t need an extensive exercise routine to release any pent up energy. A relaxing walk around the block can be enough exercise for them for the day, and perhaps their favorite activity can be spending the entire day relaxing in the living room with the TV. Considering these factors, their intake of calories should be limited, so that they don’t become obese. 550 to 600 calories are more than enough for an adult French Bulldog, while 400-470 calories are enough for a senior Frenchie. If you by a rare chance have a Hyperactive Frenchie, then their daily calorie intake should be between 750 to 825 calories.
Low fat
The intake of fats for French Bulldogs need to be on the lower side, because of the low calories requirement. Fats are stored in the body in the form of concentrated energy, and since the French Bulldogs do not have a routine that requires extensive exercise, the fats will be stored and lead to health problems such as obesity.
Low carbs
French Bulldogs have a naturally sensitive digestive system, and can easily develop allergies or gas, therefore it is important for them to have their intake of carbs in the form of fiber. Since your dog doesn’t require too much calories, a low intake of carbs should be sufficient for their healthy development.
Micronutrients
Dogs also require proper nutrients to be part of their diet, such as minerals and vitamins as they provide strength and proper growth to the tissues and cells which are pertinent for the health of your Frenchie. There are multiple minerals and vitamins required such as calcium for strong bones, and other nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B, vitamin C, phosphorus, and much more.
Nutraceuticals
Prebiotics and probiotics are required by French dogs incase they develop GI problems while in cases of hip dysplasia chondroitin is a good solution. Frenchies may develop patellar luxation which may require intake of glucosamine, but it is always best to maintain the health of your pup, with regular visits to the pet.
Things to Consider to Buy the Best Dog Food
As discussed above, the needs of French Bulldogs in terms of calories and nutrients may be somewhat precise due to their muscular built, therefore it is good to know what factors to consider when purchasing dog food for your Frenchie.
Weight control
While your French Bulldog will perhaps become even more adorable with a cute round body, and weight gain can easily be achieved with a Frenchie, it is unhealthy for them. The standard weight of the French Bulldog should not exceed 28 pounds as advised by experts. If the current weight of your dog exceeds this weight, then you need to make sure that your dog’s diet is prepared for weight loss. There are dog foods available to provide the required nutrients for their body, while maintaining a diet designed for weight loss.
Calories
It's good to keep an eye on the calorie count in your dog’s food, as the Frenchies are easily susceptible to weight gain. The exact calorie count for your dog’s diet can be determined by the vet based on his examination of the dog’s growth and health. A regular calorie intake for an adult Frenchie would be approx. 780 calories daily, which can be consumed by splitting into meals twice or thrice a day. The calorie intake required will vary from a pup to senior dogs, or if yours is a hyperactive dog, and the best way to go about it is to get your vet’s opinion on the healthy weight your dog should maintain, and subsequently the required calories to consume.
Activity or energy level
The Frenchies are a fun and playful dog to have around, but their energy is limited and these are not the dogs that are always active and ready for outdoorsy or energetic activities. This is mainly due to their respiratory system, which has a limited capacity for an active lifestyle, primarily due to the structure of their noses. Daily walks are enough for them to remain healthy. They require foods with moderate carbs and fats and a higher protein content because proteins are not as easily translated into energy as fats. Besides, fats and carbs have to be burnt off first, before proceeding to proteins. Your dog requires a moderate to low intake of fats, carbs and calories, because of their limited activity and energy, they would end up with an obesity problem.
Developmental age
Even though fundamentally, all dog food must contain a mix of fats, carbs, proteins and nutrients, the puppy formula has its own special balance of each nutrient to facilitate the growth of the pup, and you should not give the adult diet to a pup. Pregnant or lactating dogs or seniors also require their own diets, so its always a best idea to consult with your vet.
What Human Food can a French Bulldog Eat?
You can easily find high quality dog food brands, but in addition to dog food, you can mix in some fruits and vegetables in your dog’s diet, as they aren’t rich in fats and can be healthy for your Frenchie. Be sure to check out which vegetables and fruits are safe for your dog to consume.
Vegetables that dogs can eat
Usually, most of the vegetables can be consumed by your dog in raw form, but it is always good to take extra precautions when choosing which ones to feed your pup.
For example, potatoes and sweet potatoes being part of the immature plant category, contain Solanine, which is a toxin that should not be consumed, and therefore you need to either boil, steam or cook them first in order to not make your pup sick.
While there are a lot of vegetables safe for dogs to consume, Frenchies are know to enjoy the crunchy carrots, Brussels sprouts, celery, green beans etc. Coincidentally, these vegetables also fulfill the healthy criteria of fiber, vitamins and minerals that your French Bulldog requires as part of a healthy diet.
Consuming raw vegetables may lead to tummy trouble, smelly gas and perhaps an agitated French pup, therefore it is best to get ahead of the situation and boil or steam the vegetables so that it is easy for your dog to digest them.
Fruits that are good for dogs
There are many fruits good for dogs, which means you can choose from a wide variety of healthy fruits to include in your pup’s diet plan. Banana, apple, watermelon without seeds are some of the fruits that can be good for your dog. You can also cut up raspberries and blueberries into small pieces, making them a healthy treat and reward for your dog.
Fruits with seeds such as oranges are also good for your dog, but you will have to peel them off, remove the seeds, cut them into smaller pieces before feeding them to your French Bulldog. For fruits such as peach and cherry, you need to remove the pit before you let your dog eat them, because they could end up choking on them.
Fruits have amazing health benefits and should be included in your pup’s diet, however as fruits also have a lot of sugar, it is safe to use fruits as treats instead of making them a regular meal item in your French Bulldog’s diet plan.
Fruits and vegetables to avoid
There are some vegetables and fruits that may not be as healthy or safe for dogs as they are for humans such as onions, chives and garlic, being part of the allium category can be toxic for them. Your hound can experience upset stomach, or even anemia in some cases if it consumes these vegetables in meal size quantities. The toxin known as Persin, found in Avocados can also mess with your French hound’s digestive system. Steam corn can usually be consumed by dogs and are considered safe, but there may be cases where your pup may show allergic reaction to them, so its better to start with smaller portions first and check for signs of noticeable reaction to skin. Corn should also be consumed without the cob, as dogs may end up choking on them.
Along with vegetables, there are certain fruits that are not suitable for French Bulldogs as well such as grapes because they can lead to kidney failure. Pineapple can be a safe fruit for your dog to consume, provided that the outer part is removed so as to not cause damage to your pup’s mouth or intestines.
There are some food groups that may not be good for the dog in large quantities, or some that would do more harm than good such as potatoes, beans and peas, and it is best to keep your French hound away from them.
There are certain items that are on a strict restrictive list for most dog breeds to not consume and that includes your French Bulldog. These off limit foods for dogs include the following:
- Preservatives and artificial chemicals such as BHT, BHA, ethoxyquin and propylene glycol
- Soy or wheat, grains that can result in allergies
- Concentrated fat
- Fillers
- High count of protein in diet; in moderate quantities protein is good for the pup, but excessive quantities may lead to some allergies
- Caramel, and some food colors and dyes such as Red 40 and Blue 2
Are Bananas Good for French Bulldogs?
Bananas have a positive impact on your Frenchie’s digestive system because of the high fiber count, but they also contain excessive calories, which may not be too good for your dog to consume on a regular basis. Half a banana every three days can be sufficient for your dog’s cravings and can be helpful incase your dog is experiencing diarrhea. However, please consult your vet if your Frenchie is showing any signs of distress or discomfort instead of diagnosing on your own. Bananas are a natural source of numerous nutrients and vitamins such as B6, Vitamin C and fiber and contain lower counts of fat, sodium and cholesterol. The downside is the high amounts of sugar, which may be a good reason to keep your dog’s intake to a minimum.
Instead of focusing on fancy diets or overdoing the calories, what you need to do is to ensure proper calorie count with the right nutrients is being provided to your French Bulldog. Obesity is a common issue amongst French Bulldogs, and your dog’s health can easily be effected by even a slight increase in weight.
Check out some nutrients and ingredients you need to consider when purchasing dog food for your Frenchie.
- Avoid artificial flavors, additives and by-products by focusing on natural and organic food
- Protein rich food, but protein should be from animal sources such as fish or chicken
- The count of fats should be limited, and some Omega-3 fatty acids should be included in diet for better skin
- Calorie content should be reasonable enough for healthy weight
- Balanced nutritional diet
Offer a balanced diet to your dog, you can use the formulation done for puppies and small puppies to provide the basic nutrition, and monitor he weight so that you can adjust the diet as your pup grows. There is literally nothing more to fuss about.
The Best Dog Food to Buy for French Bulldogs
For French bulldogs, you have to be very careful about their diet, as they're prone to food allergies. The best dog food for Frenchies will be grain free, have good calories per serving, and be rich in protein. If you're confused, you can try Taste of the Wild Grain Free, which is the best dog food with high protein and no grain. Give it a try!
About the Author Steven
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