The French Bulldog Feeding Guide

The French Bulldog is an adorable and popular dog breed. However, the breed requires top-quality nutrition and a lot of care throughout their lives. This article will give a French Bulldog Feeding guide and explain how to feed the dog.

What to feed French Bulldog?

When it comes to what to feed a French Bulldog feeding, there are no particular guidelines, according to the American French Bulldog club. Ideally, the Frenchie should be on a meat-based diet plan, as dog breeds need meat to stay healthy.

That said, when you compare frozen or fresh meat to other dog food varieties, it is both inconvenient and costly. On its own, meat doesn’t constitute a balanced dog diet, and it is better to feed your French Bulldog high-quality, dry dog food, especially when a nutritionally balanced meat-based diet is unavailable.

Your best option for feeding the Frenchie are homemade meals, raw food, canned food, and kibble (dry food). There are wide varieties of commercial dog foods, and the higher the quality of the dog food, the less your Frenchie will need to eat.

Good quality dog food has more nutrients and protein and contains fewer filler materials. Dry dog food consists of different ingredients such as byproducts, fats, minerals, vitamins, grain, and meat. The Frenchie can easily digest dry dog food, and it is less costly than other varieties of dog food.

How much should I feed my French Bulldog?

When it comes to French Bulldog feeding, dog owners need to have an idea of how much food their dog can eat. Here is what you should feed your Frenchie according to their age:

Old Frenchie

Generally, old Frenchies need less found than younger French Bulldogs. You don’t limit the dog’s food if they are hungry or overweight. Usually, you should feed your dog 0.45 kg (20 to 25 calories per pound) daily to the Frenchie, which is 1 to 1.5 cups in the evening and the morning.

If you feel that the feeding is making your Frenchie obese or overweight, you can reduce the daily intake from five to ten calories per pound. You must keep the quantity low until your doggo returns to normal weight.

Underweight Frenchie

A castrated and sterilized French Bulldog should weigh approximately 28 to 30 pounds at the top and 17 pounds at the bottom. You should not be able to see the bone structure of the Frenchie.

French Bulldogs must have an optimal weight; otherwise, they won’t be happy. You should feed your French Bulldog 30 to 40 calories per pound daily and divide the food into three categories until the dog falls below the required weight range.

If you cannot achieve the desired weight, you may need to take the Frenchie to a vet. The vet will also confirm whether the dog has any more health issues. 

Overweight Frenchie

Overweight French Bulldogs usually suffer from various health issues such as lack of exercise, shortness of breath, and heart illnesses. If feeding your French Bulldog has led to them being overweight, you should check the quantity of food.

You also need to check whether your Frenchie is eating food from other animals. If your French Bulldog is overweight and wants to return to optimal weight, you need to increase the water intake and reduce the daily intake by half a cup. 

How much to feed French Bulldog Puppy?

When Frenchie puppies are first born, they rely on their mother’s milk or a substitute. You should never feed newborn Frenchie puppies solid food for several weeks. However, every dog is different, and here are some general guidelines for what to feed a French puppy:

Week One to Two

Newborn Frenchie Bulldogs cannot see and are born helpless. The dogs weigh around 1 to 2 pounds and should stay close to their mother. The mother will nurse the puppies when needed. However, for most Frenchie owners, it is difficult to observe the amount of milk each puppy consumes.

You should always allow the puppies to nurse as much as they want to. 

If you feel a puppy is not getting enough milk, you can take it to the vet. While the mother’s milk is the best as it contains vital growth factors, minerals, and antibodies, sometimes a replacement formula is better.

Week Three

When the French Bulldog puppies turn three weeks old, they can hear and see and will start to make cute noises. The puppies will want to eat many times daily and start gaining weight. 

The puppies will also begin to discover their feet and display small energy bouts. That said, the puppies will still spend a large portion of their day sleeping and nursing. Frenchie puppies typically start to wean from their mother’s milk when they are three or four weeks old.

Week Four

When a Frenchie puppy is four weeks old, it still has nursing needs. However, the puppy is not ready to consume water. Around this age, you can introduce the puppy to a mushy mixture of water and food. You can feed the puppy good quality kibble soaked in water, and you can feed this to the dog several times a day.

This kibble mixture should largely be water; one part should be food, while the other three should be water. However, there is no need to panic if your dog is not interested in consuming the kibble mixture.

The mother’s milk will give the puppy the necessary nutrients and energy. Some breeders also feed Frenchie puppies a mix of water and raw meat instead of feeding them a mushy mix. To feed your French Bulldog a raw diet, you should consult the vet before taking this step.

Week Five

By this age, the French Bulldog puppy is ready to explore and run on his feet. While the dog still has nursing needs but will show interest in the food you offer him. You should give the dog the Kibble mixture a few times every day but not force him to consume it.

If you haven’t introduced the puppy to solid food, it is best to begin now. Mother dogs can only nurse their puppies for a limited period because it is exhausting and taxing. 

Week Six

When the French Bulldogs are six weeks old, they understand their surroundings. The teeth will begin to appear in the puppies, and they will start to consume sold food. If you feed the dogs kibble at this age, it will give the painful teeth relief and will give them the necessary nutrition they require to grow.

By this age, the puppies are typically weaned from their mothers. Now, the mother will do her nursing duties and will not be interested in her puppies again.

Week Seven

You should take the seven-week-old French Bulldog puppies to the vet frequently. These dogs will consume puppy food; owners can also give them wet dog food daily. Puppies at this age will eat several meals during the day. 

French Bulldog pups exert a lot of energy and need regular replenishment. It is best to distribute food after eight hours. 

Week Eight

When the puppies are eight-weeks-old, they eat 1 ½ cups of food daily, and you should divide the food into 4 meals. While this may not look like a lot of food, it is easy to overfeed the puppies. In French Bulldog puppies, obesity is a big problem, and it can put excess pressure on the body systems and frames.

You can periodically offer treats if you feel your puppy is not getting enough food. If you have concerns about the puppy’s appetite and growth, the best thing to do is consult a vet. 

French bulldog puppy feeding chart by weight age

Should your French Bulldog eat Slowly?

Changing the food bowls is one way to ensure your French Bulldog eats slowly. Many types of food bowls are available in the market; each comes with specific benefits and functions. 

The slow feeder for French Bulldogs can significantly impact the dog. However, it won’t be impactful if your dog suffers from behavioral disorders. Here are the best slow feeders that you can get for your Frenchie:

Outward Hound Fun Feeder

 

 

 

This is undoubtedly one of the best slow feeders in the market and is the most recommended slow feeder by Frenchie owners. This feeder comes in two sizes and four styles, which no other company offers. 

All four feeder styles have performed well and increased the amount of time your dog needs to consume food. It will quickly become apparent to you the solid construction of this product.

This slow feeder is made from food-safe plastic with no phthalates, PVC or BPA. This product is also easy to clean, so once your Frenchie has done eating, you can clean the bowl and put it aside.

Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Bowl

 

 

 

Dogit has produced one of the best slow feeders, and it comes in a single design. This product is available in four sizes. This is a strong product; holding it can make you feel its sturdiness. That said, the ridges and edges of the bowl can make it tough for some dogs.

The base is non-skid, which means it will work perfectly in both indoor and outdoor settings. Unfortunately, since the base has an opening, the dog can easily slide their in it and flip the bowl.

The biggest advantage that this slow feeder has over other feeders is that it can sustain both liquids and wet food. This slow feeder, made of plastic, is perfect for all types of dog food. 

For wet dog food, the less complicated design of the Dogit slow feeder will enable you to spread the food evenly around the dog bowl. 

With water the open spaces in the bowl made it easier for the dogs to scoop water with minimal spills and splashes. 

 

Peanut’s Stainless Steel Slow Feeder

 

 

 

If you don’t feel comfortable using plastic dog slow feeders, maybe it is time to try out a stainless steel one. There are many reasons why Frenchie owners will go for stainless steel bowls rather than plastic ones. 

The first thing is that stainless-steel bowls are easier to clean than their plastic counterparts. Not only are these bowls easier to clean, but due to their sturdiness, they look indestructible. 

These bowls are perfect for French Bulldogs who cannot stop eating. The only drawback of this stainless steel bowl is that metal is harder than plastic, so some dogs may struggle to eat food from this bowl.

That said, when this bowl was put through a test by dog owners, they passed with flying colors. While this bowl has a simple design, there is plenty of gap between the bowl sides and the hump.

Other Options

If you don’t want to spend money on a slow feeder, there are other techniques you can use to slow down the pace at which your dog eats food:

Muffin Tin

 

 

One of the most practical and best tricks is the muffin tin, which will make your dog slower. This tin will also enable you to serve a small quantity of food in every cup. The muffin tin will force the canine to pause between servings. Also, the Frenchie will stop gulping, a trait found in dogs that eat quickly.

Elevated Dog Bowl

 

 

 

Another method that you can use is the elevated dog bowl. This tool will reduce tension on the back and neck of the canine. This bowl will give your dog a proper posture while feeding from the bowl.

Make a bunch of small meals

While this method is a little time-consuming, you can offer the dog food in small portions and provide it at intervals during the meals throughout the day. If you utilize this technique, it will slow down the eating procedure. However, if you have a busy schedule, then it would be better to use other techniques.

Cookie Sheet

This technique is creative but useful in slowing down the dog’s eating pace. Since the surface of the cookie sheet is flat, you can easily spread the dog food, forcing the dog to lick the food rather than gulp it. 

Hand feeding

The last technique you can use is hand-feeding the dog. However, this trick is time-consuming and will require you to hold your dog. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Precautions are necessary for French Bulldog Feeding?

When it comes to French Bulldog feeding, there are many precautions you need to remember. Many wheat dog products are on the market, and you should avoid giving them to your furry friend. In some French Bulldogs, wheat products can cause many illnesses, such as rashes or skin irritation.

If your French Bulldog has allergies, it is mandatory to consult a vet before changing his diet.

Are there feeding technicalities?

The number of calories your Frenchie requires will depend on their size, metabolism, activity level, and age. To determine the amount of food your dog should eat, you should read the label on the dog food.

Conclusion

In this article, we gave the complete guide for French Bulldog feeding. We explained how you could feed Frenchies at different ages. Toward the end, we covered the importance of slow feeding and listed the best slow feeders available in the market. However, before you change the dog’s diet, please consult your vet.