Irish Owned
French Bulldogs have skyrocketed in popularity over recent years, melting the hearts of dog lovers with their distinctive bat-like ears, adorable wrinkled faces, and endearing personalities. These pint-sized pups are joyful and cherished companions to their owners. However, behind their charming facade lies a crucial aspect of their care that’s often overlooked: their nutritional needs.
Whether you’re a seasoned Frenchie owner looking to fine-tune your pup’s diet or a prospective owner preparing to welcome one of these lovable companions into your home, this article aims to be your go-to resource for all things related to French Bulldog nutrition. From understanding their unique dietary sensitivities to selecting the best foods to support their overall health and well-being, we’ll talk about the essential elements that contribute to a happy, healthy life for your beloved French Bulldog.
Understanding French Bulldog Dietary Needs
Understanding French Bulldog dietary needs is essential for providing the best care possible and ensuring they’re happy and healthy throughout every stage of life. These adorable yet unique canines have specific nutritional requirements due to their compact size, muscular build, and predisposition to certain health issues.
With a propensity for obesity and digestive sensitivities, all French Bulldog owners should tailor their diet to meet their individual needs. Additionally, French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, particularly to common ingredients like grains and poultry. This means you can’t just pick any dog food you think is best and give it to your Frenchie.
French Bulldog Life Stages
First things first – you need to realise that your Frenchie is going to have different dietary needs, depending on their life stage. Now, dog breeds age at different rates, so here’s a cheat sheet for all the current and future French Bulldog owners:
| Life stage | Age |
| Puppy | Under 12 months |
| Adult | Over 12 months |
| Senior | 10+ years |
French Bulldog Puppies
French Bulldog puppies thrive on a diet rich in high-quality protein for muscle development and balanced nutrients for overall health and cognitive function. They also need adequate calories to fuel their active lifestyle and encourage healthy weight gain.
You need to provide them with puppy dog food tailored to their size and breed to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for healthy bone growth, strong immune function, and sharp cognitive development. Moreover, monitoring their food intake and adjusting portion sizes as they grow is essential to prevent overfeeding and maintain a healthy weight throughout their puppyhood.
French Bulldog Adults
When it comes to feeding adult French Bulldogs, they need protein-rich foods to keep those muscles strong and their energy levels up. But it’s not just about protein – they also require a mix of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids for a robust immune system and healthy skin and coat. Again, you need to pay attention to their food and calorie intake, so serving up a well-balanced diet specifically designed for their size and activity level is key.
French Bulldog Seniors
As French Bulldogs age, their nutritional needs shift, calling for a diet that’s higher in protein and lower in calories than what they needed in their younger years. This adjustment is essential as older dogs, much like humans, experience muscle tissue loss over time. If you’re caring for a Frenchie who’s reached the ripe age of 10 or more, opt for a diet rich in protein and lower in calories to support their ageing bodies adequately.
Addressing Common Health Concerns Through Diet
Just like in the case of humans, French Bulldogs’ dietary choices are going to have an effect on their health and well-being. However, it’s on you to provide your Frenchie with the best food suited for their needs.
Although this adorable breed has its fair share of health concerns, you can address them through the right dietary choices. In case you’re not familiar with the challenges many Frenchies are facing, we rounded them up below.
Maintaining Healthy Weight
When looking after a pup like a French Bulldog, known affectionately as one of the “couch potato” breeds, you need to keep an eye on their weight. Frenchies have a knack for packing on the pounds quickly, and letting them become overweight can lead to numerous health complications down the line.
Determining the appropriate food portion for your French Bulldog depends on several factors like their age, weight, activity level, and overall health. Typically, adult Frenchies thrive on 1 to 2 small meals a day, with their daily intake ranging from 1 to 2.5 cups of the best food for French Bulldog breeds, adjusted according to their specific requirements. Puppies and senior dogs might need a different amount of food. For overweight or less active pups, a smaller portion may be necessary, while more energetic dogs may benefit from a slightly larger serving.
Digestive Issues
Due to their sensitive gastrointestinal systems and predisposition to flatulence, diarrhoea, and vomiting, French Bulldogs are prone to digestive issues. These issues can be triggered by many factors, including food sensitivities and underlying gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis.
If you want to minimise the risk of food sensitivities, opt for novel protein sources, such as duck, venison, or salmon. Additionally, look for foods with easily digestible carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, oats, rice, or peas – these can further support your Frenchie’s digestive health and immune system.
It’s also wise to stay clear of ingredients known to commonly trigger digestive issues, like grains, artificial additives, and fillers, to keep your Frenchie feeling their best. Additionally, feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can help prevent digestive upset and reduce the risk of bloating and gas.
Orthopaedic Issues
Orthopaedic issues, such as hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease, are significant concerns for French Bulldogs due to their unique body structure and genetic predispositions. Hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis as your Frenchie ages. Intervertebral disc disease involves the deterioration or herniation of discs in the spine, potentially causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis.
incorporating joint-supporting nutrients into your French Bulldog’s diet can help maintain good joint health and mobility. Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce joint inflammation and alleviate discomfort. Let’s not forget about glucosamine and chondroitin – natural compounds that support joint health by promoting cartilage repair and preventing further degeneration.
You can add these supplements to your Frenchie’s diet through specialised dog foods or as standalone supplements recommended by a veterinarian.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergies are a common concern for French Bulldogs, often manifesting as itching, redness, inflammation, and recurrent infections. These allergies can be triggered by various factors, including environmental allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mould, as well as food sensitivities to certain ingredients in their diet.
To keep your Frenchie allergy-free, the best thing you can do is provide them with a nutritionally balanced and hypoallergenic diet. One approach is to transition the Frenchie to a limited-ingredient diet in order to reduce the likelihood of triggering allergic reactions. Common allergens in dog food, such as grains (e.g., wheat, corn, soy), poultry, beef, and dairy, are often excluded from these diets.
Again, omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial not only for orthopaedics but also for skin-related issues, as they can help alleviate skin inflammation, promote a healthy skin barrier, and improve the condition of skin and coat in dogs with allergies.
Mutz Nutz Top Picks for French Bulldogs
Below, you’ll find Mutz Nutz top picks for the best dog food for French Bulldogs, depending on their life stage.
Puppy Food
1. Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: poultry
Key ingredients: poultry, rice, hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), marigold extract (source of lutein), hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin)
Type: grain-inclusive (rice)
Best for: French Bulldog puppies
Why we love it:
- High-quality protein promotes muscle growth and cognitive development
- Balanced formula supports skin health, digestive and immune system
- Kibble size and shape are tailored to fit your puppy’s jaw for effortless picking up and chewing
2. Return To The Wild – Grain Free Puppy Small Breed – Turkey, Duck, Sweet Potato, Dill And Camomile
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: turkey, duck
Key ingredients: Turkey and duck (60%), vegetables, seeds and supplements (40%)
Type: grain-free
Best for: French Bulldog puppies
Why we love it:
- Protein-rich formula supports healthy muscle growth
- Vitamins and minerals help maintain a strong immune system
- Prebiotics MOS and FOS support digestive health
- Hypoallergenic formula – no grains or cereals
Adult Food
1. Royal Canin Adult French Bulldog
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: poultry
Key ingredients: poultry, fish oil, rice, wheat
Type: grain-inclusive (rice, wheat)
Best for: adult French Bulldog
Why we love it:
- Easily digestible mix of ingredients promotes digestive health
- Unique complex of EPA and DHA supports healthy skin and coat
- Balanced formula of protein and fats supports energy needs
2. Return To The Wild – Grain Free Adult – Salmon, Trout, Sweet Potato & Asparagus
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: salmon, trout
Key ingredients: 50% fish, 50% vegetables, seeds and supplements
Type: grain-free
Best for: adult French Bulldog
Why we love it:
- Fish-based formula supports digestibility, palatability, and immune system
- Omega-3 supplements promote healthy skin and coat
- Hypoallergenic formula – no grains or cereals
Senior Food
1. Burns Sensitive Adult & Senior Pork & Potato
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: pork
Key ingredients: potato, maize, pork, vitamins and minerals
Type: grain-free
Best for: French bulldog senior
Why we love it:
- High-quality protein and low-fat formula support healthy weight with consideration to decreased activity level
- Novel protein sources (pork and potato) are ideal for senior dogs with food sensitivities
- Hypoallergenic formula and natural ingredients promote optimal digestion
2. Canagan Light / Senior For Dogs Free Range Chicken
Our rating: 5/5
Main protein source: chicken
Key ingredients: chicken, sweet potato, seaweed, vegetables, vitamins and minerals
Type: grain-free
Best for: French Bulldog senior
Why we love it:
- High-quality protein source helps maintain healthy muscle mass
- Joint health compounds (glucosamine, MSM and chondroitin) support joint health
- Lower fat and calorie content promotes optimal weight maintenance
Final Thoughts
Feeding our French Bulldogs isn’t just about filling their bowls – it’s about nourishing their bodies and nurturing their well-being. By understanding their unique nutritional needs and making thoughtful dietary choices, we can ensure our adorable four-legged companions live their best (and longest!) lives. Remember, a well-fed Frenchie is a happy Frenchie, ready to fill your life with endless joy and companionship for years to come.
Visit Mutz Nutz today to explore our range of French Bulldog-approved products!