One of the most important parts of being a Frenchie parent is providing your furry family member with a top-notch diet.
You likely want to know the best food for French Bulldogs to ensure yours is healthy and happy.
The best food for French Bulldogs is different per dog and age. Opinions vary among dog lovers and experts about what food is the highest rank.
It is up to each pet owner to decide what food to buy and have your Frenchie try. The good news is that you can always change their diet up as needed.
Below you will get some information, tips, and tricks for buying five-star food for French Bulldogs to foster a happy, healthy, and energetic life.
Types of French Bulldog Food
There are quite a few different types of food for French Bulldogs. Good nutrition is just as important for a young Frenchie puppy as it is for an older Frenchie.
The food that best suits your dog depends on your dog itself. It may be that your French Bulldog is a picky eater or has food allergies.
For these reasons, it is important that you observe how your Frenchie reacts to other dog food. However, that’s not as easy as it looks because it takes time to find the perfect dog food for your Frenchie.
Below are several types of dog food for French Bulldogs.
Dry Food
Dry food is the most popular kind of dog food. It is bagged kibble with a very small percentage of water.
Pros:
- Keep the teeth strong
- A long shelf life
- A cheaper option for dog food
- Contains proper nutrients: carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, fiber, and minerals
- Many flavor options
- Options for dogs with allergies (for example, grain-free foods, limited-ingredients foods, etc.)
Special note: Foods with fewer ingredients can be a great choice of food for French Bulldogs with a sensitive stomach; check dry food labels for these when shopping. Here is a popular grain-free food and limited-ingredient food.
Cons:
- Some are low quality
- May include ingredients that can harm the digestive tracts
- Low moisture content can result in dry, itchy skin (provide extra water for pup during mealtime)
- Not common, but recalls do occur due to contamination
Wet Food
Wet food is packaged in a can. This food consists largely of water, so it is very soft food.
Pros:
- Furry-friends love it; even the pickiest of eaters
- Easy to eat for pets with missing teeth or other mouth problems (also good for a sick pup)
- Good for pets experiencing limited kidney function
- Long shelf life
Cons:
- Dogs can’t chew it, so teeth are less healthy (more frequent teeth cleanings can help this)
- More pricey than dry food
- Sometimes causes loose stools
- Like dry food, can be prone to contamination
Home-Prepared Food
More and more pet owners are taking the time to prepare food at home for their beloved pets. I think this is an excellent food option for French Bulldogs since you can be certain of all ingredients and make changes as needed.
Pros:
- Being freshly made ensure the highest nutritional value
- You can eliminate ingredients as needed if your Frenchie has food allergies
- The ability to eliminate unnecessary ingredients often found in foods sold at the store (such as artificial preservatives and dyes)
- Can cater to a picky eater
Cons:
- It can be tricky to make sure home-made meals are balanced
- Shorter shelf-life than store-bought food
- It can be more expensive than buying already-made foods
- A lot of research is required to ensure your dog is getting all the proper nutrients
Puppy Food
Puppy food is the food for French Bulldog puppies until he is about six months old. Puppies need more protein and calories to grow. Store-bought foods mentioned will be labeled as puppy food.
Senior Dog Food
Senior dog food is given when food is for French Bulldogs older than about six years. From this age, Frenchies are often less active and less mobile.
Since older dogs don’t move around as much, weight gain can occur. Specified senior dog food has fewer calories, fiber, and good fat and protein.
Again, like puppy dog food, store-bought foods will be labeled senior dog food.
Choosing the Best Food for French Bulldogs
It is just as important for your Frenchie to eat well as it is for you. As a loving pet owner, you probably already knew this! But what is important with regards to good nutrition for your dog?
- Nutrients: Make sure your Frenchie gets the proper variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Fats are essential for an appropriate energy level. Minerals are needed for good muscle movement. Vitamins give your pet healthy skin, coat, teeth, and bones.
- Ingredients: Read the list of ingredients. Protein, fat, fiber and water are the most important. Most dog foods that say they are balanced are probably quality foods. There can certainly be ingredients that are not favorable for our pets in dog foods, but the bottom line is that the food must be FDA-approved or recognized as safe to be on the shelf.
- Allergies: Again, take note of your pet’s allergies and know what foods to look for.
- Activity: If you have an active French Bulldog, take this into consideration as they may need a food higher in protein.
- Age: Again, the type of dog food you choose depends on age and other factors. In any case, the food should consist of six food groups.
- These are:
- water (the transport for nutrients)
- carbohydrates (provide energy)
- proteins (ensure the build-up and repair of tissues)
- fats (provide energy and ensure good condition of coat and skin)
- minerals (ensure bones, teeth, and metabolism)
- vitamins (responsible for the biochemical processes)
Changing Foods
I don’t know about you, but I like to change up what I eat. Your Frenchie may get bored with their food, become sensitive to their food, or develop an allergy.
The good news is that one food option doesn’t have to remain the only option. When it does come time to change food, do it carefully.
This is to ensure that they don’t have an adverse reaction (like an upset tummy). To do this, switch their food over gradually.
Over the course of a week or so, reduce their old food little by little, by mixing it into the new food. As you decrease their old food, increase their new food. If they show signs of an upset stomach, you can take a little longer to make the full transition to the new food.
Dog Food and Allergies or Food Intolerances
When choosing dog food, there are various aspects that you should pay attention to. When you know that your French Bulldog has an allergy or food intolerance (diagnosed by a vet), it is important to see which ingredients are present in the food.
Some dogs are sensitive to grains and corn, for example. Again, you can read about French Bulldog food allergies here.
Tips and Tricks for Feeding Your Dog
Now that you are in the know when it comes to food for French Bulldogs, it’s time for tips and tricks.
- A feeding bowl and drinking bowl at height make it easier for your dog to eat and swallow.
- A slow-feeding bowl can ensure that your Frenchie isn’t eating too fast (resulting in an upset stomach). When eating from a slow feed bowl, your dog has to work longer for his food, and it provides a challenge – great for a Frenchie with energy!
- Be sure to provide adequate water for your dog, especially when eating. Keep in mind that dry dog food contains little water, so a significant amount of drinking water is especially needed. It is not recommended to withhold water from your dog.
- It is important your Frenchie rests after eating to avoid any stomach upset. An hour to an hour and a half is recommended. If your dog is one to need to relieve itself soon after eating, a quick potty break is perfectly fine.
- How often you feed your French Bulldog daily depends on your routine and how your Frenchie reacts to eating time. Oftentimes, a puppy will need to eat more times in a day than an adult dog. Feeding times and frequency are at the pet owners’ discretion according to the dog’s reaction and your schedule.
- Typically, you will use the advised amount of dog food on the package. However, you can adjust the amount of dog food according to your dog’s needs. If you have an active Frenchie, you may give him a little more to eat than when he has a calmer day. Trust your judgment; parents usually know best!
- Who doesn’t like convenience? You can also order food online at your leisure. Pay close attention to the description of the food you buy. Check the packaging for which dogs the food is suitable for, which breed and size, for what age, and the amount of food per bag. Some brands are available in large and small quantities. Larger bags are often cheaper per amount. Ordering online gives you a large number of benefits, such as same-day delivery.
In Conclusion
Diets are directly related to health, so your four-legged friend’s diet should be five-star. The better the diet, the better the health.
There’s a lot to know about providing the best food for your Frenchie.
While there is quite a bit to the ins and outs of dog food and many options when it comes to food for French Bulldogs, knowing what’s out there is half of the work.
“Eat good, feel good.”
