Updated: April 25, 2022
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for French Bulldogs.
We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money to give you our top recommendations below.
Breed Advisor only recommends products that we've tested, or significantly researched . This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for the site. Find out more here.
Each breed has its quirks that help to make it individual, and the French bulldog is no different! Most Frenchie owners fall in love with their fun personalities and robust nature but this breed does have some things you should take into account when choosing the best possible diet. French bulldogs are sadly very prone to allergies which can cause itchy skin with the risk of secondary infections. They are also a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed which means it’s important to keep them at a healthy weight to keep pressure off their airways. Here’s what to look out for when choosing the perfect diet for your Frenchie.
French bulldogs are brachycephalic which means they have flattened faces, narrowed airways and an excess amount of soft tissue in the back of their throats. This can make them more prone to choking, so it’s important to feed them kibble that is not too large.
Diets rich in omega 3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, plus omega 6 fatty acids, will help with skin and coat conditions. This will improve your Frenchie’s defences against external allergens and could help to reduce itchiness.
Exploring hypoallergenic diets can be helpful for some dogs if they are showing marked symptoms of allergies such as inflamed skin, licking at their paws excessively or ear infections. It may be good to discuss this one with your veterinarian as a strict dietary trial may be advised.
If your French bulldog is overweight, then you should look for a diet with reduced calories to help shift those excess pounds. A lighter dog will be able to breathe and exercise more freely, which is particularly important in brachycephalic breeds. Speak to your vet for advice on your dog’s ideal weight.
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an excellent quality diet for the adult French Bulldog to enjoy. Designed to be free from grains, this diet’s primary ingredient is venison, a novel protein source that is unlikely to cause stomach distress.
Taste of the Wild is rich in protein content from high-quality sources, ensuring the French Bulldog receives the nutrition it needs and remains satiated throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables provide the carbohydrates necessary to help this food to be well-rounded and easily digestible.
This food, consistently rated among the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, is free from grains, corn, wheat, fillers, artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives. It is also enriched with probiotics to promote fluid digestive processes.
Castor & Pollux Organix Small Breed Recipe is a fan favorite food for its combination of excellent quality organic ingredients and its delicious taste that French Bulldogs love. A diet whose main ingredient is free-range chicken, this food also includes organic vegetables as powerhouse carbohydrate sources.
Both probiotics and prebiotics are added to this formulation to promote excellent digestion, earning it a high position on the list of best dog foods for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomachs.
To make this diet easy for the French Bulldog to chew, it is formulated in bite-sized pieces.
The main drawback to this food is its high price tag.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food is specifically designed to help small breed dogs maintain a proper body weight. This formulation is lower fat than other foods produced by this company but is high in flavor to maintain the French Bulldog’s interest.
Wellness CORE is grain-free and derives its protein from turkey and chicken. This diet is enriched with fish oils to encourage healthy skin and coat.
This food is free from wheat, corn, soy, by-products, artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives, placing it squarely on the list of the best foods for French Bulldogs.
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Recipe Dry Dog Food earns high marks for being a high-performance food that is well-suited to the needs of the French Bulldog. A diet that is grain-free, Nulo’s formulation also excludes chicken and eggs, two ingredients which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
This formulation, one of the best dog foods for French Bulldogs, is composed of 80 percent protein derived from animal origins. Probiotics have been added to the food to ensure excellent digestion.
Nulo has a high calorie count per cup, making it an excellent value in spite of its moderately high price tag. The main disadvantage to this food is its reliance on peas as a source of carbohydrates as peas have been known to contribute to fertility problems in breeding dogs.
A diet crafted with the needs of small breeds in mind, Avoderm’s high-quality kibble is created in little pieces to make it easier for the French Bulldog to chew. Avoderm’s main protein source is chicken meal.
This diet is quite heavy in grains which can be problematic for some dogs that are known for skin or stomach sensitivities.
Avoderm’s food formulation is free from corn, wheat, and artificial colors.
Both avocado and avocado oil are included to assist with optimal coat and skin health.
One of the main benefits of this diet is its excellent price point.
With so many nutritional benefits to offer, it is not difficult to see why Avoderm is among the best dog foods for French Bulldogs.
The comical French Bulldog is a delightful addition to any home. A breed known for its clown-like ways and adorable bat-ears, the French Bulldog, often affectionately referred to as a Frenchie, makes friends wherever it goes.
A breed with low activity requirements and that can suffer from a number of health issues including breathing problems and skin conditions, the Frenchie requires a high-quality diet fed in correct proportions to encourage a healthy body weight and prevent weight gain. The best dog foods for French Bulldogs are nutritionally balanced to support optimal canine health and wellness.
Because the French Bulldog can easily become overweight, it is very important to measure this dog’s food very carefully and monitor all intake. The average adult French Bulldog typically requires 400-550 calories per day. This will vary depending on activity level and whether the dog is spayed or neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information. To keep the French Bulldog feeling satisfied, these calories should be divided out over two meals with one feeding in the morning and the other at night.
400-550 calories is equivalent to approximately 1-1 ½ cups of the best dog food for French Bulldogs, though this will vary depending on the formulation.
As a general rule of thumb, French Bulldogs benefit from a diet that consists of a minimum of 18 percent lean protein and 5 percent fat. Whole proteins are the preferred choice, but meat meals are equally as acceptable and can pack a powerhouse punch of nutrition. Lean sources of protein are best such as poultry or fish.
The correct amount of fat is critical to ensure the French Bulldog’s body has the fuel to keep up with its development and daily routine. Healthy fats from animal sources such as chicken fat or fish oils are best and can help assist with digestion.
Frenchies can be prone to gas problems, meaning carbohydrates should come from sources that are easy for the dog to digest. The French Bulldog does well on a diet that includes whole grains or that is based on fruits and vegetables. The Frenchie can experience skin and stomach sensitivities to both proteins and carbohydrates and certain individuals may benefit from a hypoallergenic hydrolyzed protein or novel protein/carbohydrate diet.
The best dog foods for French Bulldogs place a high emphasis on ingredients that are easy to digest.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a French Bulldog:
Protein is the foundation of any diet appropriate for the French Bulldog’s needs. Lean proteins in whole form are the ideal choice; however, meat meals are also a good addition to any high-quality food for this breed.
The addition of supplements to a high-quality food can help promote optimal health in the French Bulldog. Glucosamine and chondroitin strengthen joint functionality.
Since the French Bulldog can suffer from a sensitive stomach, a diet that includes probiotics and prebiotics is an excellent idea as both aid digestion.
All foods appropriate for the French Bulldog should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
