Food

What’s the Best Food to Feed a Frenchie?

How much protein does my French bulldog need? What percentage of the meal should be carbohydrates. Is lamb or chicken better? These are all questions we are facing right now as we search for the best food to feed a frenchie. What we have learned is that this dog is allergic to everything! Well, at least according to everyone who gives us tips. Based on the book we have been reading; French Bulldogs - A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, our dog needs to have a healthy amount of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and minerals. This is typical amongst all dogs. The key is balance and food selection.

The Perfect French Bulldog Diet

To start off with the basics, frenchies are carnivores but they cannot live on meat alone. Their best diets are meat rich with some vegetable matter. Meat is higher in protein and is easy for French bulldogs to digest. When the food is protein-rich and easy to digest, the Frenchie will have less occurrences of passing gas. (Something they are notorious for doing) A great rule of thumb by Dr. Caroline Colie, Ph.d is 3 of the first 6 ingredients should be animal derived.

Frenchies need a balanced diet just like us.

• Protein - protein is good for building strong bones, healthier muscles, shinier coat and fights antibodies. Eggs, followed by meats, have higher-quality & more digestible proteins than do plant-derived products.

• Fat - Fat provides energy and aids vitamin transport. Plus, it adds flavor to your frenchie’s meal. Too little fat causes scaly skin and dry coats. Too much fat can cause diarrhea, obesity, and reduces the appetite for healthier foods. Your French bulldog’s weight and energy should determine if you should give your dog more or less.

• Carbohydrates - Frenchies are originally low-carb dieters. But, in today’s mass producing world, our food has been bulked up on carbs and contain many more fillers now. French Bulldogs don’t utilize uncooked carbohydrates. Too many carbs can cause diarrhea, flatulence & poor agility. Carbohydrates from rice are best utilized, followed by potato & corn, and then wheat, oats and beans.

• Vitamins & Minerals - Just like us, French bull dogs need many vitamins and minerals. They are necessary for functioning and building the body. Most dog foods have the essential vitamins and minerals your frenchie needs. If not, add vitamin supplements to your dog’s diet/meal. The vitamins required for frenchies are A, D, E, B1, B2, B12, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Pantothenic Acid, Folic Acid and Choline. Vitamins and minerals should never substitute full meals. Too much or not enough vitamins and/or minerals can cause anemia, poor growth, strange appetites, fractures, convulsions, vomiting, weakness, heart problems and other disorders.

The type of French Bulldog you have should determine the diet to use. Growing dogs need protein. Energetic dogs need proteins and fats. Fat dogs need more protein and less fat. Sick dogs need more or less of various ingredients. And remember, what’s good for one Frenchie may not be the best for another.

Always read the labels! If you see any ‘by’ products in the ingredients, don’t buy it. Try to stay organic (not necessary) and make sure your dog’s diet is protein-rich.