best dog food for french bulldog with skin allergies uk
The Best Food For French Bulldogs (UK Edition)
French Bulldogs are an amazing dog breed; friendly, sweet, gentle, and the most loving family dog!
They give so much to us, and we want to be sure that were doing the best for them in return and that means giving them the best food.
Sometimes (in fact, very often) the best food definitely isnt the standard supermarket offerings.
With so many different types it can be hard to know where to start, especially as each dog has its own personal likes and dislikes, and French bulldogs can have sensitive skin and stomachs.
Ive put together some food suggestions for your Frenchie whether you want raw, dry or subscription-based food. Ive also answered some commonly asked questions about what they can and cant eat and how much. If you dont have a Frenchie (or you have one with another breed), then heres our general article on the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
This article was written with help from my cousin, who has two French bulldogs, Mavis and Peggy Here they are, waiting for dinner
Best UK Food For French Bulldogs With Allergies
Any French bulldog owner will know that their beloved pet has a sensitive stomach and they need to watch what they eat.
This dried food by James Wellbeloved gets rave reviews its a great dried food choice as its hypoallergenic and made especially for those with digestive and skin issues, which are common in French bulldogs.
There are multiple flavour options and size options too if you just want to trial the food first.
The meat mixed with rice ensures that the food is gentle on your dogs sensitive stomach and contains enough soluble and insoluble fibres to support the digestive system.
The addition of yucca reduces the odour of stools, whilst Omega-3 fatty acid ensures a glossy and healthy coat and natural prebiotics encourage the growth of healthy bacteria within the gut.
One person said that after switching to this dried food, she noticed a change in her dog after the first meal and after a few days her dogs stools were firmer, with a reduced smell and a much happier dog!
Another person said that their pups cant get enough of it! They get excited every time they know that theyre going to be fed and their coats are beautifully shiny, with no skin irritation.
Pros:
- Suitable for Bulldogs sensitive stomachs
- Hypoallergenic and no artificial ingredients
- Multiple flavour combinations
- Supports the digestive system with prebiotics
- Lots of fibre
- Omega-3 fatty acid
- Added yucca to reduce stool odour
- Small kibble size (around 12mm in diameter)
Cons:
- The food itself has quite a strong smell
Best Raw Food For French Bulldogs in the UK
One of the main issues with raw dog food is that you also have to watch out for food recalls. Bacteria can thrive in raw food, but Zenoo have come up with a genius solution and have freeze-dried fresh raw quality ingredients, so its raw food, without the risks. Freeze drying kills the bad bacteria, but saves natural enzymes.
Its said that feeding your bulldog raw food will encourage fresher breath, whiter teeth and a glossier coat, as well as improved digestion, a reduction in allergies and intolerances and improved weight management. Frenchie owners also find less farting a great benefit!
Some people are worried about feeding their bulldog dog raw food because they think itll make the dog aggressive due to the nature of the food.
This isnt true this kind of raw diet actually encourages a more stable temperament in your dog as theyre not lacking in any nutrients!
Zenoos food is human grade, and even though its freeze-dried, you dont do anything special to prep it just pour water on and wait 30 seconds, and its ready. If your dog has food allergies or an upset stomach, its definitely worth a try, as theyve been getting great results.
Pros:
- Freeze-dried to preserve nutrients
- No need to keep it in separate fridge or freezer at home
- Easy to travel with
- Nutritionally formulated from whole foods and without fillers, etc.
Cons:
- A higher price than regular dog food
Best Tailored Food For French Bulldogs
Tails Specifically Tailored Dog Food (Including for French Bulldog Puppies)(Check Current Prices)
I love this subscription service by Tails.com for puppies, as the food is specifically tailored to your dog.
You answer a few questions about your dogs breed, weight, age, etc, and are given a unique food recipe so you can be assured that your pup is getting all the essential nutrients that it needs to grow healthily.
One of my favourite things about this puppy food is that it contains DHA omega-3, which many other foods dont.
This omega-3 supports bulldogs mental development and helps with learning and socialising, decreasing the risk of behavioural issues later in life.
You also never have to worry about food running out and will avoid having to do a mad dash to the shops to pick up whatever you can find possibly upsetting your dogs stomach.
Tails deliver your dogs food straight to your door every 2 weeks until your dog is 14 weeks old, then you get a monthly delivery.
If you find that the food isnt lasting long enough, or you have surplus at the end of the month then you can always change the delivery date to suit your needs.
One reviewer mentioned that their bulldog pup who suffered from stomach issues never really enjoyed his food, until they tried him on Tails. Now, his digestion is back to normal and he actually gets excited around mealtime because he enjoys his food so much!
Pros:
- Food is specifically tailored to your dog, and the recipe changes as they age to support their needs
- Supports mental development, immune and digestive system and provides energy for growth
- Delivered straight to your door
- Comes with a portion scoop
- Pause, resume or cancel at any time
Cons:
- Kibble is all a standard size
Best Dry Food for French Bulldogs in the UK
This Royal Canin dog food is made especially for bulldogs over the age of 12 months.
One of my favourite things about this particular food is that the dry kibble itself is ergonomically designed to ensure that your dog chews the food to encourage movement in the jaw, which is great as we all know that bulldogs have a brachycephalic jaw that can cause issues later in life.
This also means that your dog wont be able to eat as fast and swallow food whole (as bulldogs love to do) and give themselves indigestion.
The food is formulated to help reduce odour from stools and flatulence as it contains both fermentable and non-fermentable fibre and the only source of starch is that which naturally occurs in the rice.
It also helps your dog to maintain a healthy weight throughout its life and supports healthy skin and joints as theyre getting ample amounts of nutrients.
Many people have said that this is the only food that doesnt give their bulldogs awful flatulence, and that they always switch back if they ever try anything else.
Pros:
- Ergonomically designed kibble
- Reduces odours
- Naturally occuring starch and fibres
- Helps to maintain a healthy weight
- Supports healthy joints and skin
- Encourages a soft, shiny coat and strong teeth
Cons:
- Only comes in 12kg bag so cant trial the food before making a big purchase
How Much Should I Feed My French Bulldog?
Naturally, each size and breed of dog needs a different amount of food. The amount of food you should feed your bulldog depends on his or her age, too.
French bulldog puppies are still growing and will burn calories faster so need to be fed more regularly than adult dogs.
Its always best to feed your French bulldog 2 to 3 times a day and not all at once they scoff their food down quickly and tend to overeat if you let them!
Its always best to check with your vet the type of food youre feeding your dog and how much is best for your individual Frenchie.
As a general guide, an average adult French bulldog should eat 128 g to 165g every 24 hours. However, this depends on:
- How active they are
- How old they are
- How many treats they tend to have per day
- Whether they are overweight or underweight to begin with
- The calories in the food (wet, dry, mixed are all different)
Most pet food packaging has recommended serving sizes to help you.
You should always ensure that your bulldog has fresh water down to prevent them from becoming dehydrated and if youre switching between food types this should be done gradually to avoid stomach upset.
Ensure that your bulldogs food bowl isnt too high up, since bulldogs have a shorter muzzle, they may struggle to eat if they have to raise their head up high.
Setting it lower down makes it easier for them to swallow their food.
What Human Foods Can French Bulldogs Eat?
Its always nice to treat your pet and give them some of the food were eating, but if were not educated giving them human food can prove to make them very ill, or even be fatal.
Certain human foods that bulldogs CAN eat are:
- Meats
- White and Brown Rice (cooked)
- Dairy Products (in small quantities, and as long as your dog isnt lactose intolerant)
- Fish
- Some Vegetables carrots, peas, broccoli and sweetcorn
- Some Fruits bananas, blueberries and deseeded watermelons
- Natural and unsweetened Peanut Butter
Bulldogs have a sensitive digestive system and just as there are foods that they can eat, there are also foods that they cant:
- Chocolate
- Bacon
- Raw Bread Dough
- Some Fruits Grapes, Avocados, Cherries, Tomatoes and Apple Cores
- Some Vegetables Mushrooms, Onions and Asparagus
- Macadamia Nuts
If youre unsure about feeding a certain food to your dog, its best to do plenty of research beforehand, or ask your vet.
We all want whats best for our dogs, so I hope this advice has helped you on your way to finding a food that they love and is good for them too.
Remember, if youre ever unsure of anything its always best to check with a Vet beforehand theyll be more than happy to help.
French Bulldog Skin Allergies: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Caring for your little Frenchie can come with more than a few anxious moments, especially when it comes to dealing with possible French Bulldog skin allergies.
So how can you tell when your French Bulldog is suffering with skin allergies? What causes skin allergies in Frenchies? What are the signs and symptoms to look for? What treatment options do you have to help your dog feel better fast? You will find the answers you need here.
What Causes Skin Allergies In French Bulldogs
There are three main causes for skin allergies in the French Bulldog breed. As you are about to learn, two out of the three of these causes are well within your control. And all three causes can benefit from the knowledge you will gain from reading this article.
Genetic Causes of Skin Allergies in French Bulldogs
The first and most distressing cause of skin allergies in Frenchies is poor genetics. What does this mean exactly? The truth is, these little dogs have become so popular that constant demand for puppies has led to increasingly questionable breeding practices.
One side effect, as French Bulldog Club of America explains, is a rise in the Frenchies genetic predisposition towards atopic skin disease, skin fold dermatitis and related skin conditions.
Environmental Causes of Skin Allergies in French Bulldogs
The French Bulldogs short, neat coat may give these dogs a clean and dapper appearance, but it doesnt do much to protect them from contact with environmental toxins.
Frenchie skin allergies like otitis externa are often triggered by environmental pathogens like viruses, bacteria and fungal spores.
Other examples of French Bulldog environmental skin allergies include common pollens, landscape pesticides and herbicides, toxins and poisons, foreign bodies and exposure to heat and humidity.
Food Causes of Skin Allergies in French Bulldogs
Finally, French Bulldogs, with their notoriously sensitive tummies, are more apt than most other purebred dog breeds to suffer from skin allergies related to dietary intolerances or allergies.
Symptoms Of French Bulldog Skin Allergies
In the introduction to this article, we mentioned how it can often be tricky to spot French Bulldog skin allergies.
Here, what you need is a cheat sheet of common Frenchie skin allergy symptoms. The following list isnt meant to replace the guidance of your canine veterinarian. However, it will help you spot early warning signs of Frenchie skin allergies!
Common symptoms of French Bulldog skin allergies include but are not limited to the following warning signs:
- Pruritis (itching)
- Erythema (redness)
- Skin pimples, blisters, pustules
- Inflammation and swelling
- Seborrhea (dandruff)
- Crusts or scabs or scaly appearance/feel on the skin surface
- Alopecia (patchy coat or hair loss)
- Skin discoloration or coat staining
- Scooting (rubbing the hindquarters on the ground)
- Shaking the head or rubbing or pawing at the ears
- Chewing on the skin or paws
- Odor coming from the paws, ears or hindquarters
- Symptoms of pain including whining, dislike of being touched or petted
- Pyotraumatic dermatitis (sores or hot spots)
- Other symptoms include respiratory distress, vomiting, diarrhea, depression/anxiety
Most Common Types Of French Bulldog Skin Allergies
Diagnosing French Bulldog skin allergies isnt always a straightforward process. Why is this? The main reason is that Frenchies may also have an inherited genetic sensitivity to certain allergens.
For instance, French Bulldogs are predisposed to inherit autoimmune disorders, which can trigger the immune system to over-react to contact with allergens.
And because Frenchies are bred to develop deeper skin folds in certain areas on their body, the heat and humidity in these areas may exacerbate the allergic response still further.
Unfortunately, recent research indicates all of these well-documented and common types of Frenchie skin allergies are increasing throughout the breed, so it is wise to familiarize yourself with each.
Otitis externa in French Bulldogs
Researchers now know that up to half of French Bulldogs suffering from food-related allergies may also develop otitis externa. Otitis externa is an inflammation of the external canal of the ears.
As with many French Bulldog skin allergies, researchers now know that an acute case of otitis externa may over time turn chronic due to how the disease changes the skin of the external ear canal.
Atopic dermatitis in French Bulldogs
Atopic dermatitis, or canine allergic skin disease, is often one of the first allergic responses to affect a Frenchies skin. It is caused by a hyper-sensitive immune system response.
If youve ever had a sensitivity to household allergens like dust mites, you know all too well the level of misery an outbreak of atopic dermatitis can cause your dog.
Skin fold dermatitis in French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs genetics can cause the skin to fold more deeply in some areas such as the face, tail, lips, arm pits and private areas. These deeper areas of skin folding, with their retained body heat and humidity, can then act like magnets for skin infection.
Skin fold infections are often triggered by Frenchie allergies to certain types of yeast, bacteria or food ingredients. The presence of the deeper skin folds then makes the allergic reaction worse and the symptoms more severe for French Bulldogs than for many other dog breeds.
Pemphigus in French Bulldogs
In other words, inherited autoimmune hypersensitivity leads to chronic allergic response triggered by contact with everything from pollen to human skin dander to pesticides and food ingredients.
Pemphigus is one of several French Bulldog skin conditions that is linked to this breeds genome.
For Frenchies, pemphigus is most likely to manifest is pemphigus foliaceous, where lesions show up on the dogs face, then ears, then paws, then body and finally the private areas.
Treatments For French Bulldog Skin Allergies
Once you have a confirmed diagnosis of French Bulldog skin allergies in hand, you have several options for pursuing treatment.
Natural Remedies For French Bulldog Skin Allergies
If you are brand new to dealing with French Bulldog skin allergies, you may quite naturally be drawn to prevention as the best medicine. This is a great strategy when it works!
However, dogs will be dogs, and so it is also good to have a working knowledge of natural remedies for French Bulldog skin allergies in your pawrent toolkit.
You may also want to consider taking a naturopathic approach by consulting a holistic veterinary practitioner who works with herbs, essential oils, mushrooms, homeopathy, household staples like white vinegar and baking soda and bodywork such as chiropractic and acupuncture/acupressure.
Basic canine hygiene with appropriate shampoo and skin care products.
One thing many first-time dog carers do not know is that canine skin pH is quite different from human skin pH. This is why you should not use human shampoos or skin care products on your dog. Even products formulated for human babies may be irritating to your Frenchies skin.
Your best approach is likely to come from finding an organic, sulfate-free, hypoallergenic shampoo made specifically for the canine skin pH.
Natural supplements for French Bulldog health
Probiotics are basically food for the good gut bacteria that help your dogs stomach break down, metabolize and make use of their food.
Probiotics may or may not be able to prevent French Bulldog food-related skin allergies, but they can definitely boost overall health and give your dogs immune system an edge in fighting off allergy symptoms.
Allergy supplements for French Bulldogs
French Bulldog allergy supplements often make sense on multiple levels, especially because it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify whether the allergy symptoms are arising from food or environmental triggers.
Change of French Bulldog diet
Because French Bulldog skin allergies are often linked to known breed food intolerances or outright food allergies, you may find that treating your Frenchies allergies requires adjusting your dogs diet.
Dietary adjustment can be a major component of successfully treating French Bulldog skin allergies. Switching to a fresh or raw food diet or using hybrid reconstituted complete and balanced dog food mixed together with fresh food can help limit exposure to food allergens.
This may include adding back nutrients in the form of vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs or other ingredients, changing the food you serve entirely or some combination thereof.
Veterinary treatments For French Bulldogs With Skin Allergies
It is always smart to begin your dogs healing journey by visiting your canine veterinarian.
The reason being, without an accurate diagnosis of what is triggering your French Bulldogs skin allergies, it will be an uphill battle to identify the most beneficial treatment!
From the point of diagnosis, western veterinary medicine typically treats skin allergies with medications such as steroids, antihistamines, prescription kibble food, medicated shampoos and topical medicines.
Whether you turn to veterinary treatment for Frenchie skin allergies first or regard it as your last resort, this is the process you are likely to experience.
Diagnostic tests
Before your canine veterinarian can prescribe a medication, they will need to perform diagnostic tests to determine the source of your dogs allergic response.
Diagnostic testing may require skin scraping, blood work, skin allergy tests, limited ingredient diet trials and other standard protocols.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are medications that reduce inflammation by mediating the bodys own response to the presence of allergens.
Your veterinarian may prescribe topical corticosteroids in the form of medicated shampoos or rinses or oral medications to be taken with food.
Antihistamines
You will probably already be quite familiar with the antihistamines most commonly used for French Bulldog skin allergies. Why? Because these medicines are also used for people.
Anti-histamines basically block the histamines your dogs immune system produces to fight off a recognized threat. Since histamines cause allergy symptoms, these medications block the symptoms by blocking the production of histamines.
Resolving French Bulldog Skin Allergies (in summary)
You now have the information you need to spot the early warning signs of developing skin allergies in your French Bulldog. You also have a big-picture overview of different treatment options.
With this information in your pawrent toolkit, you can feel empowered to take proactive control of your Frenchies diet, environment and overall skin health.
Veterinary advice reviewed by Dr. Majid Tanveer (Licensed Veterinarian & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
