What is the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for French Bulldogs?

Before getting into the subject, it is essential that you know the diet of the French bulldog and how it affects him. For this reason, we have summarized several things you need to know to get to know your furry friend better and understand him better.

You already know that they are not the typical dog, so when it comes to food, they are somewhat different from other dog breeds. We explain the details:

This has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is the fact that it prepares them to deal with the pathogenic microorganisms that are present in raw meat, and they can even face the risks of eating spoiled raw meat, as is common among scavengers, a group to which the dog in times of bad hunting, like the wolf or other canids.

The disadvantage of this type of digestive system is the short time the food is in digestion before expulsing through defecation. This means that foods that are long or complicated to digest cannot be used correctly, causing a poor supply of nutrients and an excessive volume of feces. This is part of the problem dogs have in assimilating certain types of food.

As omnivores, we have amylase in our saliva, an enzyme that predigests complex carbohydrates in the mouth before passing to the stomach. But dogs lack them. And for this reason, foods such as cereals (rice, wheat, corn…) are not entirely digested, being expelled in large volumes through the feces. 

This does not mean they cannot consume cereals since most feeds include them, but rather that they have to be quality and well-labeled. Some feed only indicates cereals without detailing which cereals are used in the formula.

Not all French bulldogs have problems with cereals, so you must know how well your French bulldog digests them and that they do not have any food allergies to this ingredient.

Like any other carnivore, they have small and pointed incisors, enormous fangs about the other teeth, and molars with jagged edges. It is a denture prepared to tear but not to grind food (such as vegetables) because, in addition, their mouths have minimal lateral movement.

This gives them an advantage over us when treating meat but not for treating other foods that require grinding before digestion, such as vegetables. Added to this is the lack of amylase in saliva, which further complicates the digestion of certain vegetables.

The French bulldog is a small to medium-sized dog with a strong, muscular build. His cheerful and active character delights all members of the family. However, it is a delicate breed and must be cared for with great care as health problems are frequent. Before choosing the best feed for your French bulldog, you should know very well what these diseases or needs may be:

Joints: Their legs are relatively thin and have small joints for their body size and weight, so that they can suffer from bone and mobility problems. Additionally, they are prone to herniated discs and lameness.

Digestive sensitivity: Malabsorption syndromes and fermentations in the intestine that can generate flatulence and a bad smell are frequent.
Skin sensitivity: Skin pathologies such as atopic dermatitis and various allergies abound, so paying attention to the ingredients is very important.

Respiratory problems: The French bulldog has a unique brachycephalic head morphology, which prevents the air from passing correctly through the respiratory tract, making it difficult for the body to oxygenate properly.

All feed or food given to our French bulldog must have the necessary nutrients for proper nutrition and energy needs. As a general rule, they need those that I will describe later, but you have to consider that the percentage varies depending on the breed or age of the dog. A puppy’s diet is not the same as an adult or senior dog’s (as we explain briefly).

They provide energy and keep hair and skin healthy. In addition, they make meals tasty and help in the absorption of some vitamins. In food for French bulldogs, the fats can be of animal origin, typically stabilized with vitamin E or vegetables, such as sunflower oil. However, the contribution of these acids must be monitored in obese dogs when we are giving them a hypocaloric diet or in dogs Adults.

Humans provide immediate energy, and fiber helps digestion and good intestinal function by dragging the waste eliminated in the stool, favoring a good consistency. The contribution of carbohydrates in pet diets is based on rice, corn, and wheat in grains and flour.

They have regulatory and structural functions and are involved in the formation of bone tissue, such as calcium, in neuromuscular transmissions, such as magnesium, in blood coagulation, in numerous enzymatic and metabolic processes, and although in very small proportions, they are necessary for the proper functioning of the body in general. 

The sources of minerals are meat, liver, fish, dairy, cereals, and marrow, and they also add magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and copper supplements.

Necessary for the growth and formation of all tissues. They are made up of chains of amino acids, some of which are made by the body, and others must be obtained through food. They can come from meat, fish, bones, eggs, and dairy, transformed into flour and dry products.

Lately, manufacturers have incorporated some elements that work as antioxidants, especially those aimed at older dogs, delaying aging, generating free radicals in the body, and increasing defenses. The most common is taurine, an amino acid that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to the proper functioning of the heart.

Bioflavonoids delay cell aging and trace elements such as selenium, copper, manganese, and zinc, essential minerals in the antioxidant process.

Necessary as catalysts for different chemical reactions, they perform numerous functions, including keeping skin, hair, eyesight, bones, etc., healthy.

They are obtained from dairy, vegetables, yeast, liver, kidney, and grains. They are often added as supplements (A, D, E, K, biotin, B12, riboflavin, thiamin, etc.) to pet food to achieve a balanced vitamin intake.

We want to emphasize that although there are products for human consumption that our Frenchie likes very much, they are not suitable for his health, such as leftover food, since they provide extra salt that can favor hypertension or sugar that is already We have seen how harmful it is in our French bulldogs, as well as the sauces that we like so much in our diets and that mostly contain onion, which can cause anemia and intoxication, leading to death in the most severe cases.

The correct percentage of the foods above will be 21% protein, 5% fat, 5% fiber, 50% carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, and taurine. Puppies need a more excellent supply of nutrients and have to eat more often; their diet will have to be wet in the first 2 or 3 weeks and gradually dry. 

In senior French bulldogs, you should mainly consider the contribution of antioxidants and foods that help strengthen the immune system.

Every French bulldog is unique. Each one has its character, its tastes, and its needs. Just like humans, French bulldogs have particular nutritional needs. Many of these needs depend on your age, lifestyle, and state of health. 

Not surprisingly, an energetic, growing puppy needs to eat a different balanced diet than an older, less active dog. Most French bulldog food brands offer a growing range of specially formulated varieties to meet this breed’s specific needs.

As they are small dogs, they have nutritional needs that are very different from those of large breeds. Their faster metabolism means they burn energy faster and need more calories daily.

Feed for small breeds contains more good quality protein and is rich in fat and carbohydrates to give small dogs the extra energy they require. 

In addition, these foods are presented in small pieces to fit their little mouths and encourage chewing for better digestion.

Energetic, healthy puppies burn two to three times more calories per day than an adult French bulldog. It is not surprising to consider how playful and mischievous they are. They must also develop their muscles, bones, skin, fur, and teeth and build a mature immune system, all surprisingly quickly.

A commercial diet specially formulated for puppies provides concentrated food in a reasonable amount so as not to overload the still immature digestive system of the puppy. 

Puppy formulations contain many proteins to maintain healthy tissues and help develop organs. They also provide essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, and vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth.

To stay healthy and have the body in good physical condition, an adult French bulldog must receive a balanced mixture of the six main groups of nutrients: proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and water.

French bulldog food sold in stores is designed to ensure this balance and, if consumed regularly, should provide your dog with everything it needs during its adult stage. Whether you offer the food in a can, kibble, or a mixture of both, carefully follow the dietary advice on the back of the package. 

Do not forget that the amount necessary to maintain the ideal physical condition varies slightly depending on each dog.

Due to their slower metabolism and becoming less active, older French bulldogs burn less energy and require fewer calories. Instead, a source of good quality, easily digestible protein is more important than ever as it helps the dog stay in good overall physical condition and maintain muscle mass.

An adequate diet for an older French bulldog should provide concentrated protein of good quality, little fat, and easy-to-digest carbohydrates to provide energy. The main minerals maintain aging joints, and the vitamins associated with proteins help fight infections to which the body may be more vulnerable due to a weakened immune system.

You already know what type of feed you want to give your French bulldog and what energy values ​​it should have. There are many food brands for French bulldogs on the market but do not despair. Let’s see them individually to see if we can help you decide.

Today we are very concerned about our physique and our eating quality. For this reason, we are concerned about the quality of the feed we give to those of us who appreciate our pets and want the best for them so that they have a whole life and as long as possible.

Indeed, a higher product price does not imply that it is of higher quality, or at least of the quality we expect compared to the price. The first problem you come across in the French bulldog feed market is how complicated it is to find out the composition of the feed since, by law, the manufacturers are not obliged, or all the components are fully listed.

This includes both ingredients and additives. Another of the “irregularities” is that each manufacturer presents the composition as it sees fit, so depending on the brand, the information will be seen differently. Yes, indeed, they are usually listed from highest to lowest in quantity and percentage.

Some label the ingredients using generic terms such as “meat derivatives” and “chicken flour,” making these concepts a disaster box where you can include chicken, lamb, veal… and any other part of the animal such as liver, kidneys, and even bird feathers. 

The same happens with “vegetable derivatives,” which include wheat, corn, etc., of good or poor quality if they use the remains of the baking industry, as is done in many cases. Among the additives to sign, which may or may not appear in the composition, are:

When the food contains BHA (E-320), BHT (E-321), or ethoxyquin: These chemicals are used as preservatives, but several studies have shown that they are related to the development of cancer when they are ingested for a long time (study carried out in rats). In Spain, the maximum authorized doses always consider the total sum of these antioxidants.

When the food contains menadione or any synthetic form of vitamin K: It has been proven that this ingredient causes severe allergic reactions in dogs, contributes to irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, promotes anemia, causes imbalances in calcium levels in the body and, most importantly, gradually damages liver cells. Synthetic vs. accumulates in that organ, making the body unable to excrete it (it is prohibited for human consumption because it is carcinogenic).

When it contains animal digestion (teeth, hair, nails, beaks, feathers, etc.), by-products, meat concentrates, and bone meal: These ingredients are deficient and are the waste of the human food industry. With animal digest ingredients and by-products, there is a risk that they include meat from sick animals  (from already decomposed carcasses).

When the first ingredient on the label is not meat: It’s easy. If the first ingredient in French bulldog food is not meat, forget about buying it. It should even be to have the highest % of all the ingredients in the bag.
When it contains corn in a very high %:

Corn is not bad, but in high doses (they eat it every day), it can give the dog digestion problems. For this reason, it does not happen because it has, but it never exceeds 20% of the total.

When choosing a good feed for your French bulldog, it is essential to consider age, as a puppy or young French bulldog will not have the exact nutritional needs of an adult French bulldog, as we have seen before. 

For puppies or young French bulldogs, that is, between 2 and 12 months, you need to buy a specific feed for this breed or one that covers all its nutritional requirements and guarantees proper growth. Look for these benefits:

Highly digestible proteins to prevent digestive disorders.
That favors the intestinal flora thanks to its content in beet pulp and prebiotics (MOS and FOS).

Contains exclusive components to take care of skin function, thus maintaining adequate skin health.

That it reinforces the natural defenses, which, as you know, is necessary to fill the immunological gap between dogs’ young and adult ages.

Its croquette is adapted to the brachycephalic jaw, facilitating grasping and stimulating chewing.