This post was most recently updated on February 14th, 2021
Those bat ears, cute folded facial skin, and small, stocky bodies can be spotted even from a mile. Truly, French Bulldogs are adorable pooches. Although they are little doggos, they are hefty-eaters with a pretty high risk to allergies. This is the reason why we have to start with the best puppy food for French Bulldogs.
| FRENCH BULLDOG FOOD | PRODUCT NAME | EXPERT RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food | 
| Check Price |
| WELLNESS CORE Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food | 
| Check Price |
Frenchies have very different nutritional requirements than other dog breeds. You first have to understand their dietary needs before you can find the best meal.
They may be cute, but they can also give you a hard time when their tummies get pissed. Gastric torsion is just one of the common health problems associated with Frenchies. But it can be prevented with the right diet. Here’s what you need to know:
French Bulldog diet
Frenchies are small yet highly active puppies. With that, their energy level and activities will affect their needed calories per day. But one thing is for sure, they should consume dog food made for small to medium breeds. That’s what the best puppy food for French bulldogs is.
Remember that French Bulldogs are flat-nosed breeds. When they get overweight, there’s a chance that obesity will directly impose a threat to their mortality. But aside from portioning, it’s important that you provide food that’s packed with balanced nutrition. Here are some of the staples for French Bulldogs:
Meat protein. Frenchies might be small, but their bodies are stocky. The fact that they are growing fast means you have to give them ample protein supply. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that you give pups around 22% protein for their meals. This is higher than what’s recommended for adult dogs.
Carbs. Carbohydrates are one of the main energy sources for your puppy. With the energetic nature of French Bulldogs, it’s best to give them low-glycemic carb sources. The likes of sweet potatoes are unbeatable. As much as you want to give enough supply of carbs, make sure that it won’t impact the blood sugar level too much.
Fat. For the best dog food for French bulldog, the AAFCO recommends 8% fat. This fat can come from chicken, flaxseed, canola oil, and other healthy sources. Avoid any heavily processed fat sources that reek with excessive artificial substances.
Omega fatty acids. With their very thin coat, French Bulldog puppies are prone to skin issues. Make sure that their diet has the right balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3.
Things to watch out for
Like what I said, as much as we want to give everything to our Frenchies, we have to watch out for some pitfalls. Remember that the above list is just a general recommendation. Each puppy will have its own unique dietary needs that are likely to fall within the given range. With that, the best puppy food for French bulldogs is always subjective.
Avoid giving too much protein. Yes, growing Bulldogs need high protein, but not to the point that there will be a surplus.
Excess protein will be flushed out of the body via urine. If there’s too much to dispose of, the protein will tax the kidney too much. This will lead to complications, especially at this point of puppyhood where the organs are still developing.
Next, check if your Bulldog has food allergies. For some reason, flat-nosed breeds have a hypersensitive immune system that attacks harmless substances. Once you introduce the new food, observe if there will be harsh changes on your pup’s body. Is his coat growing poorly? Is he vomiting or experiencing diarrhea? If so, it’s time to go to the vet.
Why proper feeding is important
Overfeeding and underfeeding are two lethal mistakes of some Frenchie owners. Although these puppies look cute when they are fat, it’s also very harmful to their health. Remember that these dogs are deep-chested. With too much weight, their body’s structure will be compromised, their gait would adjust abnormally. That can happen if you feed the best puppy food for French bulldogs haphazardly.
Also, poor nutrition will shorten the lifespan of your Frenchie.
A French Bulldog can live up to 12 years, but if you introduce poor nutrition at puppyhood, that will be cut massively.
There’s no specific formula to proper feeding since each dog food product is made differently. Always follow the feeding guide on the label as well as the advice of your veterinarian. You can feed both dry and wet food as long as it suits your puppy.
Remember, giving extra food doesn’t mean giving extra love. When it comes to Frenchies, excess food hurts more than it helps.
Characteristics of the best dog food for French Bulldog
When it comes to commercial dog food, we always have to check the calories, protein source, grain content, and the presence of artificial substances. Here’s everything in a nutshell:
➕Calories
Most French bulldogs will need around 750 to 800 calories per day. The older the doggo gets, the lower the calorie intake should be. It should always be in line with the physical activity of the pooch. Generally, puppies need more calories but it should always be proportional to their size. The good news is that a lot of commercial foods are made to suit Frenchies.
➕Protein
The make-or-break part of a French Bulldog’s diet is the protein source. Don’t just focus on the amount; make sure that you’re giving your puppy quality meat. Avoid food with meat by-products and fillers. These are difficult to digest and it’s packed with artificial chemicals. Try lamb, beef, venison, chicken, duck, and other wild animal sources.
However, you should know that protein is usually the carrier of allergens. As much as it’s needed for your French bulldog’s body, you should observe possible signs of allergic reactions.
➕Grains
Not all grains are evil here. Whole grains like brown rice often do well as an ingredient of the best puppy food for French bulldogs. However, avoid soy, corn, and wheat as these are food bombs that will wreak havoc on your pet’s digestive system. Sure, your Frenchie puppy will be more than happy to eat wheat, but it’s on you when things start to go nasty.
Also, wheat is notorious for inducing flatulence. With flat-chested dogs like Frenchies, reducing flatulence is an important task. Too much gas on their tummies can lead to gastric torsion, a condition that can take a deathly turn in a matter of hours.
The no-gos
First, never purchase a puppy food with artificial preservatives. The fact that these substances are artificial means it’s not meant to be ingested. It may not show any signs of trouble during the first month, but it can accumulate into a bigger health problem in the future.
Take note that Frenchies are known to have adverse reactions to artificial substances.
Besides, if you won’t eat any artificial food, why give it to your Frenchie? This is the reason why you should purchase only the best dog food for French bulldog.
Your vet will further advice about the ingredients you should avoid. Make sure that you hear the side of the experts before introducing a new food to your pet.
How to feed a Frenchie puppy
Since they are prone to flatulence and too much food accumulation, it’s best to feed a Frenchie puppy four times a day. Spread the day’s serving in smaller portions so they can digest it faster and easier. Take note that this breed is a hefty-eater. If the pup tries to cutely beg for more, don’t yield to his mushy face.
Always use measuring cups to serve the proper quantity. Measuring the amount with your bare eyes is a recipe for dog obesity.
Once your puppy enters adolescence, you can reduce the meal frequency to three times a day and a cut on the food amount.
A Frenchie puppy with medium activity level should be served with a maximum of 150 grams of food for the whole day. This should be portioned in four servings as indicated earlier.
Should you opt for grain-free?
If your puppy has a bad case of allergies, I can say yes, you should stir clear of grains. But like what I mentioned earlier, grains aren’t always banes to the diet. Whole grains can be a good source of carbs and other minerals. But to be sure, limit it to the safest amount.
Aside from the meat choice, grains are also common carriers of allergens. A lot of dogs have suffered from intense stomach and skin issues related to the said food ingredient.
Dry or wet food?
If you’d ask me, wet food is always the best choice for puppies, especially those who had just been weaned. But this isn’t a black and white concept. Both dry and wet food has nutritional variations which may or may not be good for pups.
But if we’re going to be practical, wet food is easier to chew and digest.
Frenchie puppies have smaller mouth and stomach which makes total sense to give wet food. Also, this best puppy food for French bulldogs is packed with added hydration which their growing bodies need.
As for the dry food, it might have an edge with its easier grip. Flat-nosed breeds like Frenchies have a hard time picking food due to their flat muzzle.
If you can’t decide, you can always ask the help of a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist. They will advise about the best puppy food for French bulldogs.a
Best dog food for French bulldog puppies
Royal Canin Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food
The protein on this food is highly digestible while the overall energy level is formulated to prevent obesity. Also, this has chondroitin and glucosamine that aid the joints of growing Frenchies.
This Royal Canin food isn’t just the usual meals you’ll find in the market. This is specifically formulated for Bulldogs age 8 weeks up to 12 months.
The best part here is that the people behind Royal Canin designed each kibble to be easy to bite. They shaped each bit to be easy to gobble even with the muzzle as flat as the Frenchies have.
Overall, this helps to reduce stool odor, promotes better digestion, and increase coat health. The best puppy food for French bulldogs, indeed!
✔️Unique wave-shaped kibble that’s easy to gobble
✔️Nutritionally-balanced based on AAFCO standards
✔️Packed with joint health nutrients
✔️Perfect for newly weaned Frenchies
❌It’s dry which could be difficult to digest by dogs that have sensitive stomachs.
❌It has a small amount of wheat so proceed with caution.
WELLNESS CORE Grain-Free Wet Puppy Food
This WELLNESS CORE food doesn’t have any filler, artificial ingredients, and wheat that may piss your puppy’s stomach. In fact, this is a powerhouse puppy food that supports dental, gut, coat, and immune system health.
Unlike other foods, this is also rich in live cultures that limit the production of gas inside the pup’s tummy. As the best dog food for French bulldog, it also has antioxidants and Omega fatty acids that both support heart health.
Personally, I love this puppy food since it’s wet. My Frenchie isn’t much of a water drinker so I have to find ways to give him the necessary hydration. Although this isn’t specifically made of French Bulldog puppies, I have peace of mind that my dog went great while on this best puppy food for French bulldogs.
✔️Wet food that provides added hydration
✔️Packed with the veggies and fruits
✔️Rich in antioxidants, probiotics, and Omega fatty acids
✔️Free of fillers, meat by-products, and grains
✔️All natural and safe for all breeds
❌The protein may not be as high as the first dog food but you can always compensate through treats.
Serving the best puppy food for French bulldogs is an important aspect of raising a Frenchie puppy. Make sure that it suits your pet’s nutritional requirements. Remember, skimping on food quality is like skimping on love for your pet.
