By the mid-nineteenth century, French Bulldogs originated in Paris due to cross-breeding of Toy Bulldogs (England) and local Parisian Ratters. Very soon the dog breed was imported to England and became one of the most popular pets worldwide.
Even today, a major chunk of dog lovers adopt French Bulldogs as pets due to their adorable appearances and friendly behaviour. However, owners often struggle to find the best dog foods for French bulldogs.
There are many sources on the internet you’ll find about this topic but only very few of them explain exactly how you choose the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, what should be the qualification, and what must be ignored.
In this article, we discuss the best dog foods for French Bulldogs alongside many tips that will help you find the best product for your pet. Also, we will analyze what you need to avoid if your Frenchy has a very sensitive stomach. Let’s start:
Table of Contents
Are French Bulldogs Good Pets?
French Bulldogs are one of the most popular pets around the world due to their physical description, characteristics, and adaptability. Frenchies are neither too big nor too small, muscular, with short hair and soft, silky, and loose coat forming wrinkles.
According to The American Kennel Club, French Bulldogs are flat-faced, square-headed dog breeds with bat ears. According to AKC, the maximum weight of Frenchies must be below 28 lbs or 13 kg. Such physical descriptions make Frenchies very charming and adorable to dog lovers.
Temperament:
French Bulldogs are very fun-loving, outgoing, and human-friendly dogs who prefer to spend lots of time with their owners and other known members. Hence, being the owner, you must ensure you have enough time for your Frenchies, otherwise they might feel very sad and lonely.
With proper socialization since birth, French bulldogs can be extremely well-accommodated with other people and pets such as cats, birds, rabbits, etc. Frenchies are quirky and energetic, but rarely bark (when they meet strangers).
Frenchies don’t prefer to stay away from their families for long. They love to enjoy games and also enjoy being the centre of attention. In a new environment, they might feel a little suspicious or uneasy but proper training helps them to adjust to it.
Training:
French Bulldogs love training in a positive environment. They always enjoy fun-loving training and show their disinterest when the training is monotonous and not playful at all.
Frenchies love obedience and light agility training but you must ensure your Frenchy is not overheated or exhausted after the training. Since childhood, it is very important to teach them how to recall to keep them safe when out and about.
Sometimes training can be very challenging as Frenchies may show arrogant moods. In the beginning days, you may use food as a motivator but try to use it as little as possible to prevent your Frenchy from obesity.
French Bulldogs require 45 mins- 1 hour of exercise every day with plenty of play, cuddle, and mental stimulation. Frenchies tend to overheat and hence during summer try to exercise them during the coldest part of the day.
You can try some fun activities like short walks, obedience and agility training, tug of war, hide-and-seek games, etc. But always ensure your pet is happy while playing. If the pet is not enjoying the training, you must stop and take some rest and try some other activities with your Frenchy.
You can use some beautiful toys to play with your Frenchy as they love aesthetically beautiful toys. It also controls their movements and running as Frenchies sit in one place and play with the toys.
But always ensure the toy is not harmful to the dogs otherwise there may be dangerous consequences. Here is our recommendation for a perfect toy for your French Bulldog.
We have tried this toy and our Frenchy is very happy and satisfied. You can click the link below and view or purchase the toy for your Frenchy.
Our Recommendation For ToysGrooming:
French Bulldogs have short hair and shed minimally. Hence, weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush or rubber grooming mitt helps to remove shed hair and promote new hair growth. The nails must be trimmed as soon as they grow long or it can be very painful for the dog.
Skin Care:
French Bulldogs have square-shaped flat-faced heads with lots of wrinkles. The skin of the face must be kept clean and dry. Always ensure no food or drool is stuck on that fold. Otherwise, it may promote fungal or bacterial growth. Always wipe their mouth with damp soft clothes after eating.
Frenchies are very prone to skin allergies and they must bathe once a week with medicated shampoo if they develop skin allergies. However, it is advised to consult a veterinarian before buying any shampoo. Otherwise, bathing once a month is enough for a healthy French Bulldog.
Eye and Ear Care:
The eyes of French Bulldogs must be cleared very often to prevent moisture from accumulating in the skin fold between their eyes and nose.
Additionally, French Bulldogs are also prone to ear infections and their bat ears must be cleared every 10-12 days with a proper canine ear cleanser.
Clean their ear especially when you bathe them or they are wet due to water. Cleaning the ears ensures that the canals are dry and clean and has a lower chance of being infected.
Concerns And Health Issues:
The sad reality is there are plenty of health issues and concerns associated with French Bulldogs. Due to their huge popularity, many dog breeders conduct irresponsible breeding which results in unhealthy puppies. Hence, while buying a puppy, be very careful and learn everything about it such as its parents and health conditions.
Due to their unhealthy breeding, French Bulldogs are prone to many diseases and that’s why their life expectancies are lower compared to other dog breeds. Here are a few common diseases that a French Bulldog suffers:
Respiratory System Disorders:
Like other flat-faced dog breeds, Frenchies are vulnerable to breathing conditions which is termed as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BAOS). Affected Frenchies often struggle to breathe, especially during exercises and long walks.
Due to the breathing issue, French bulldogs often prefer to breathe out of their mouth rather than their nose, and they get tired easily. Thus, it is very important to keep a close eye on your Frenchy while exercising in hot weather to prevent overheating and exhaustion.
BAOS can be life-threatening to the dog breed and you cannot ignore it as an owner. Keep your pet away from heat and avoid exercise sessions during hot weather or at noon. Additionally, consult a veterinarian to know how serious is the issue for your Frenchy.
Sensitive Skin:
Due to their sensitive skin, French Bulldogs are prone to skin allergies. Sometimes the allergies are mild and can easily managed with a dermatologic diet, medicated shampoo, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Other allergies can be complex and severe which needs consultations from professionals.
There are some signs of skin allergies that might help you to understand your Frenchy is uncomfortable, such as licking or chewing the feet, scratching skin, head shaking, redness and bumps in the body, runny eyes, and sneezing. Remember, skill allergies cannot be cured completely but can be managed.
Ear Infections:
One of the most common health issues of French Bulldogs is ear infections. The potential symptoms of ear infections may be head shaking, odour, scratching skin, and inflammation.
If your Frenchy is suffering from ear infections, don’t waste time visiting your nearby veterinarian. The professional will swab the dog’s ear canal and also examine if there is any other risk related to its ear.
Regular cleaning of Frenchy’s ears with canine ear clear may help you to reduce the frequency of ear infections significantly. If ignored, many cases even require surgery which can be costly.
Back Injuries:
French Bulldogs are very prone to back injuries especially if they are overweight. If your Frenchy is lazy and doesn’t exercise much, then the problem of the back becomes very prominent. Prevent your pet from high jumps and other serious stunts.
Manage their weight carefully and ensure muscle-building exercises to lose fat. The result of back injuries may vary from limping to paralysis which initiates from the back legs. Hence, back injuries of French Bulldogs must not be treated casually, and visit a veterinarian as soon as you figure out the issue.
Birthing Issues:
Frenchies rarely can give birth naturally due to their pelvis and the large size of their head. If you are planning to breed a French Bulldog, visit a certified veterinarian for C-section surgery. Remember, such emergency C-section surgery can be very costly.
Corneal Ulcers:
Due to their flat face and large eyes, French Bulldog’s eyes are more exposed than other dogs which results in more frequent infections in the eye. These eye infections lead to corneal ulcers which can be very serious if treatment is delayed.
Another rare disease of Frenchies is “Cherry Eye” where the eye tissue sticks out of the eye socket and impacts the visibility of the dog heavily.
Life Span:
The lifespan of a French Bulldog is generally 10-12 years. Recently a study has taken place in the United Kingdom where it was found that the average life expectancy of French Bulldogs at birth is 4.53 years which is the lowest among all the dog breeds.
The average life expectancy of the dog breeds is 11.23 years. The study also revealed the reason for such low life expectancy is the increasing number of French Bulldogs in the UK.
Another Japanese study has confirmed that the average lifespan of French Bulldogs is 10.2 years, the lowest of all the dog breeds. Another latest study conducted in the United Kingdom in 2024 has mentioned that the average life expectancy of Frenchies is 9.8 years whereas the average life expectancy for pure breeds is 12.7 years and for cross-breeds is 12 years.
Our Take:
Analyzing all the pros and cons, we can confirm that French Bulldogs are very family-friendly, attractive, and fun-loving dogs. If you have enough time and energy to invest in dogs, you can definitely buy one.
But also remember about the health issues of French Bulldogs. The dog breeds are more prone to be infected by diseases and their life expectancies are also less compared to others.
If you are a new dog owner, French Bulldogs can be a great pet for you because they are easy to train and groom. You can definitely adopt a Frenchy as your pet but also be prepared for the consequences such as health issues and low life expectancies.
How Do You Choose The Best Dog Foods For French Bulldogs?
Similar to other dog breeds, French Bulldogs require a well-balanced diet as mentioned by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Food quality and nutrients completely depend on their age, health condition, and activity level.
A mature French Bulldog may require more protein but less calcium and calories. Whereas a growing puppy requires less protein but more calcium and calories which is beneficial for their growth.
A Frenchy must be fed with high-quality proteins along with a good source of vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids. It’s better if you can feed your Frenchy with high-quality protein that is not derived from animal sources.
Often protein derived from animal sources uses poor quality meats from various animals and then processes them without caring about nutritional values. Try to feed your pet less processed food as they are unhealthy.
What Food You Can Feed French Bulldogs?
There are plenty of food products available in the market which may confuse you about their qualities and reliabilities. Here we provide you with 5 tips that will help you to find the best dog foods for French Bulldogs:
Read The Ingredient Labels:
First, make a habit of reading the ingredient labels of food products which you choose the best dog foods for French Bulldogs. If you have little to no knowledge about nutrition, you’ll understand most of the ingredients if they are harmful. In case you cannot recognize most of the ingredients, use the internet to check the products.
In most cases, it was observed that those unrecognized ingredients are mostly additives, sweeteners, and preservatives that are not good for your Frenchies’ health.
Check the high-quality protein sources, whole grains, and natural ingredients, and discard products that contain unnecessary high-carb filler, preservatives, by-products, and additives.
A good product clearly mentions high-quality ingredients, such as turkey thigh, chicken heart, and beef liver instead of terminologies such as animal by-products and animal derivatives.
Consider Life Stages:
While choosing the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, you must consider the life stages of Frenchies. Consider if they are puppies, adults, or seniors along with their activity levels and health conditions.
In every stage of their life, the nutritional values of ingredients change. Puppies need foods with more calcium content but senior Frenchies don’t need that. Hence you need to consider every small detail about your French Bulldog.
In case, if your pet has any allergic issues or health problems, consult with a veterinarian first and ask for his opinion about foods.
Prefer Reputed Brands:
If you still need help understanding the ingredients or picking the best product, go for the most reputed and reviewed brands. A well-reputed brand must go through many testing and quality control measures.
Also, check the reviews about the brand on the internet and also consider the negative reviews. Buy the products only from reputed dealers, online platforms, or stores.
Allergies:
If you have already found out that your Frenchy has an allergy to certain ingredients, you must try to avoid them. Each French Bulldog may have issues with different ingredients, and you must also consider that.
Consult Veterinarian:
If your Frenchy suffers from any injury or health issue, consult a veterinarian before giving them any new food product. Even if your pet is healthy, consult a veterinarian before giving any new products to them.
Wet Food vs Dry Food vs Raw Food: Which Is The Best Dog Foods For French Bulldogs?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on various factors such as the dog’s preference, health condition, age, and temperature.
Wet Food:
Providing wet foods to your Frenchy is the smartest way to provide them essential moisture. As wet foods are moisture-rich food, they are highly beneficial to those French Bulldogs who have dental issues or sensitive teeth. The major problem with wet food is probably the lack of nutritional balance.
Dry Food:
Most of the dog owners prefer dry foods due to their availability and longer shelf-life. Quality dry food ensures a balanced diet and Frenchies can receive proper nutrition from a small amount of food (which is a major drawback for wet foods as they require a large amount for similar nutrition).
Additionally, the crunchy nature of kibble works as a natural and easy tooth cleaner. While you purchase dry foods, read the instructions and guidelines of the product. For various brands, the guidelines and quantities differ.
Raw Foods:
Raw foods or Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) mostly consist of uncooked meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables. Many argue that it has the most nutritional value as dogs consume the same in the wild.
However, such raw foods also enhance the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Also, raw foods don’t ensure a balanced diet.
Our Take:
We believe, if your dog is healthy and doesn’t have any dental issues, you need to give it dry foods. Otherwise, you can provide your Frenchy with wet foods as well, but consider its nutritional value as well as calories.
We don’t recommend you provide your French Bulldog with raw foods because it increases the risks of diseases. Hence, either go for dry or wet food depends on health conditions and comfort.
What Should You Not Feed To Your French Bulldog?
There are certain products or ingredients that can be dangerous for Your Frenchy. Most of them contain high amounts of unnecessary carbs, preservatives, and poor-quality proteins and other nutrients.
Here is a list of products that you must avoid or your Frenchy may suffer stomach infections:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Raisin
- Grapes
- Chocolate
- Sour Fruits
- Spicy Foods
- Dairy Products
- Chive
- Leeks
- Cherries
- Corns
- Cereals with high sugar contents
- Glutens
- Wheat
- Salted Contents
- Cheese or Curds
Are Vegetables Safe For French Bulldogs?
Yes, vegetables are safe for French Bulldogs but those veggies must be well-cleaned or boiled. Vegetables add extra nutritional value to their diets. Here are a few vegetables that you can easily feed to your Frenchy:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Celery
- Spinach
- Pumpkin
- Small Amount of Kelp
- Spearmint
- Beets.
There are certain grains, cereals, and animal protein sources are safe for Frenchies. Let’s have a look:
- Cooked Rice, Oats, Barley, Quinoa.
- Cooked Chicken Breast
- Cooked Turkey
- Cooked Lean Beef
- Cooked and Boneless Fish and Eggs.
Our Recommendations:
Our recommendations for the best dog foods for Frech dogs include the proper amount of nutrition such as vitamins and minerals along with less amount of calories. You can provide Frenchy with homemade food as well.
We have already tried this product on your French Bulldog and received satisfactory results and thus we suggest it to you. However, our Frenchy is adult and fit but if your Frenchy has any health issues, we recommend you consult a veterinary surgeon before.
You can click the link below and check our recommendation for the best dog foods for French Bulldogs.
View Our RecommendationSupplements:
You’ll need a good-quality omega-3 supplement that will support the skin’s natural ability to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and fungi (yeast).
Additionally, omega-3 supplements help in reducing inflammation and itching and promoting healthy joints. DHA, a component in omega-3 fatty acids is essential for the development of the brain and eyes of puppies.
Here we provide you the omega-3 supplement we have used for our French Bulldog for one year and we noticed a good result from it. You can click the link below and view our recommendations for omega-3 supplements.
View Our Recommendation7 Tips To Remember Before Feeding French Bulldogs:
Despite having the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, many owners make mistakes and thus their Bulldogs become overweight and injury-prone. Here are 7 tips that will help you to maintain a healthy Frenchy:
Nutritional Needs:
French Bulldogs require highly nutritious foods with good quality proteins, healthy fats, and omega-3. In some cases, Frenchies may have some nutritional deficiencies and you have to address them before picking the right food for them.
Weight Management:
Despite having the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, you need to monitor their weights every day. If your Frenchy crossed the weight of 28 lbs, you must be very careful.
Being overweight causes obesity which results in injuries and paralysis. Hence, give them food that has low calories but high nutrition and focus on muscle building and weight loss exercises.
Allergies:
French Bulldogs are known for having allergies to certain foods and sensitive stomachs.
The common allergens may include whole grains such as wheat, certain pulses, soy, and certain proteins.
Try to pick grain-free or limited ingredient options as they are safer for French Bulldogs.
Joint Health:
French Bulldogs are prone to joint health and bone problems including hip dysplasia.
In such a scenario calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin content foods can be very beneficial for Frenchies.
Proper weight management will reduce the stress on joints and protect them from injuries.
Water Requirement:
French Bulldogs are susceptible to overheating and hence they require lots of water to cool them down.
Always ensure there is enough fresh water available for your Frenchy. Water helps in dehydration as well as controlling body temperature.
Mixing Food:
If you plan to introduce your Frenchy with new products or brands, mix 20% of the new product with the existing food and check the results.
If the results are favorable then gradually increase the amount of new product in the mixture.
Avoid Dairy Products:
Many experienced dog owners feed their Frenchy with dairy products in moderation.
If you are a beginner, it is advised not to feed them any dairy products such as cheese, curd, milk, etc or it might cause stomach problems.
7 Advice To Follow If Your French Bulldog Has Sensitive Stomach:
Having a sensitive stomach is a sign of weak digestion and hence you need to improve their nutritional value and focus on foods that boost the digestion system. Here are 7 advice you can follow if your French Bulldog has a sensitive stomach:
Avoid Food With Common Allergens:
If your Frenchy has a sensitive stomach then you must avoid foods with common allergens such as corn, wheat, soy, and dairy products as they trigger allergic reactions and digestive problems.
Try to opt for grain-free and limited-ingredient foods for your Frenchy. Also, consider foods that contain very few unfamiliar ingredients.
Avoid High Fat and Sodium Content Foods:
You must avoid high-fat foods because they are difficult for French bulldogs to digest and cause stomach problems. Also, high sodium contents lead to dehydration and gastronomical discomfort.
Use low-fat foods and less sodium foods as they are healthier options for your Bulldog. Having foods with low sodium content will also prevent heart disease.
Avoid Glutens and Dairy products:
If your French bulldog has a sensitive stomach, it is advised to ignore glutens such as cornstarch, wheat, etc., in their diets and also avoid dairy products.
Dairy products and glutens are naturally difficult to digest for most of the carnivorous animals. Hence, try to find gluten-free products for your Frenchy.
Avoid Rich and Spicy Foods:
Like human beings, if your dog has a sensitive stomach avoid rich and spicy foods from the diet. Rich foods always trigger stomach problems on a large scale.
Avoid Low-Quality Proteins:
Another big reason for having a sensitive stomach to your French Bulldog is probably consuming very cheap and low-quality proteins. Low-quality proteins often show adverse effects on Frenchies.
Hence, try to feed them high-quality proteins such as chicken, turkey, lean beef, etc. You can also add commercial packaged foods but choose that one contains fewer preservatives.
Avoid Foods With Artificial Additives:
Any food containing artificial colors and flavors can irritate Frenchy’s digestive system which may result in weak digestion and loose motion.
Avoid Foods With Unfamiliar Ingredients:
If you are not aware of the ingredients of any food product, it’s better to avoid that product. If you have little knowledge of food ingredients, you can understand most of the products.
If you cannot recognize most of the ingredients then most probably they are preservatives, artificial additives, and sweeteners that are unhealthy for French Bulldog’s digestive system.
Finding the best dog foods for French Bulldogs is not enough if you don’t know how to feed them and what you must be aware of. Here we tried to provide a glimpse of how to choose the best dog foods for French Bulldogs and we hope this will help you to find the perfect food for your pet.
Homemade vs Commercial Foods: Which One Is Better For French Bulldogs?
Depending on the preference, availability, and health condition of French Bulldogs both are suitable options. It is recommended to provide Frenchy with a well-balanced diet with proper nutrition.
According to us, commercial dog foods are better for French Bulldogs but it doesn’t mean you should avoid homemade foods. Here is a proper analysis of this topic, click the link and read in detail:
Homemade vs Commercial Pet Foods: Which One Is Better?
Is It Important To Have Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs?
Yes, having pet insurance will reduce the expenses related to their health care. French Bulldogs are very disease-prone and hence if you have pet insurance, it’ll provide you sort of relief.
You can click the link below and read why you need to buy pet insurance and how to choose the best insurance for your pets.
6 Tips To Choose The Best Insurance For Your Pets
Colours and Prices of French Bulldogs:
Like any other dog breed, the price of French Bulldogs depends on their colour and variety. Here you can read more about it:
