The Best Dog Food For French Bulldogs — Frenchie Approved!

French Bulldogs can charm the socks off anyone they meet. Think bulldog but smaller — with bat ears. Love those ears.

They’re good apartment dwellers — they don’t bark much, they don’t need a ton of exercise, and they’re very social! They LOVE to be with their humans, be it a party of one or a family of five.

Frenchies give so much to their people, it’s only appropriate we give back by feeding them well. That’s why we’ve put together this Frenchie approved guide to the best dog food for French Bulldogs!

The Best Foods For French Bulldogs Are:

Product	Details
1. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed	Top Pick	Formulated for small-breeds Intended for adult dogs Dry kibble texture, smaller for little doggies Chicken flavor This food also comes in a grain-free variety, check with your vet to make sure a grain-free food is right for your dog	Check Current Price
2. Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food		Formulated specifically for French Bulldogs For puppies under 12 mos old Dry kibble consistency Chicken flavor	Check Current Price
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed		Formulated for adult dogs Blend is specifically designed for the needs of small breeds Chicken and brown rice formula Dry kibble consistency	Check Current Price
4. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health		Formulated for adult dogs Intended for small-breed dogs Dry kibble formula Turkey and brown rice flavor Designed to promote weight management	Check Current Price
5. Natural Balance Fat Dogs		Formulated specifically for weight maintenance Chicken and salmon flavor Dry kibble food Intended for adult dogs, all sizes	Check Current Price
6. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Toy & Small Breed		Designed for small-breed dogs Dry kibble formula Chicken, Chickpea and pumpkin flavor This is a grain-free formula, be sure to check with your vet to make sure grain-free options are okay for your dog.	Check Current Price
7. Hill's Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food		Formulated for adult dogs 1-6 years Intended for adult dogs up to 35 pounds Chicken and barley recipe Dry kibble texture	Check Current Price
8. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult		Intended for adult dogs Formulated for small-breed dogs Chicken and rice flavor Dry kibble/shredded blend formula	Check Current Price
9. Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites		Formulated for small-breed dogs Chicken and Veggie flavor Dry kibble consistency Formulated for adult dogs	Check Current Price
10. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food		Intended for adult dogs Turkey and chicken recipe Dry kibble consistency Grain-free formula — be sure to consult your vet to make sure grain-free is a good option for your French Bulldog.	Check Current Price

1. Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed

Complete with quality sources of protein like fish, chicken, and poultry, this food also contains healthy whole grains to support healthy digestion. A blend of fruits and vegetables provides the nutrients and antioxidants your Frenchie needs for overall health and immune support.

Omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids support healthy skin and a sleek coat. Her little joints benefit from the inclusion of chondroitin and glucosamine, so she can go trotting around town with you pain-free.

Merrick is careful to choose the best suppliers, cultivating relationships of trust with ranchers and farmers who are committed to providing the very best ingredients. They manufacture their foods with the same care in mind.

This food contains no preservatives fillers, wheat, corn, soy, or gluten.

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2. Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food — Best Food For French Bulldog Puppies

A team of vets, breeders, and nutritionists collaborated to customize the formula for Royal Canin French Bulldog puppy food to meet the specific needs of age and the breed.

Frenchies have a trademark short snout, and a brachycephalic jaw, making it more difficult for them to pick up kibble and chew it appropriately — so the experts at Royal Canin designed this food specifically for the needs of a Frenchie puppies’ mouth.

This formula also takes into consideration that your baby needs extra support for skin health in the form of omega fatty acids to give your beautiful baby a beautiful coat, and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help promote healthy immunity and all-around health.

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3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed

Blue Buffalo is another company that’s conscientious about what they put into their pet foods, They’re careful about the purity of the ingredients which go into their products, and they formulate their dog foods keeping in mind, not all dogs are alike.

Real meats, whole grains, fruit, and veggies are included in the recipe, plus Blue Buffalo offers an added feature called LifeSource bits to their formulas.

These bits are “cold-formed” to retain the potency of the antioxidant-rich ingredients they contain in order to support a healthy immune system and maintain overall health.

This means the food has had minimized exposure to heat, preserving those nutrients that are heat-sensitive, delivering optimal vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants straight to your French Bulldog’s belly.

This formula contains no meat by-products, corn, wheat, or soy.

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4. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health

French Bulldogs can be right on the border between small-breed and medium-sized dogs depending upon how much they weigh.

Many Frenchie owners say they prefer to feed their dogs a small-breed blend because they have a tendency to be picky eaters, and small-breed formulas are tailored for that.

Being a weight-management formula, this food contains L-Carnitine, an amino acid that contributes to healthy weight management, as well as pea fiber, which helps your bully feel fuller longer.

French Bullies are also prone to hip and joint problems because of their stature, so this formula contains chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health.

Bonus: If you have Frenchies of all ages in your domain, this particular food is also appropriate for small breed doggos getting up there in years!

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5. Natural Balance Fat Dogs

French Bulldogs do have a tendency toward obesity, so a food formulated for weight management is helpful for keeping that in check.

This food is designed with that in mind. A blend of quality proteins and naturally sourced fiber, this food has lower calories without sacrificing balanced nutrition and great taste.

At least that’s what the dogs of the house have to say about it — this food is satisfying to crunch and sized perfectly so your Frenchie will take his time eating, and will enjoy every bite.

Beginning in 1989, Natural Balance carries the belief that your dog’s food should be suitable and provide all the nutrition he needs for a lifetime. Using nutritional and veterinary sciences, they’re frequently recommended by trainers.

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6. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Toy & Small Breed

This food was blended with your doggos gut health in mind. Delivering 90 million probiotics per pound, not only aiding in trouble-free digestion, but also boosting that immune system so your bestie will stay well. This is especially great for small-breed dogs, as they have a tendency toward tummy troubles.

Omega acids from fish keep your bully’s skin shiny and coat glossy, while a mixture of natural superfoods from sources like broccoli, carrots, cranberry, and pumpkin — just to name a few — maintains overall, balanced health.

Solid Gold blends focus on holistic health for your dog, with a gut-health focus. They use non-GMO ingredients, and have a wide selection of both grain-free, gluten-free, and whole-grain formulas.!

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7. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food

With tons of nutrition packed into tiny-sized kibble, this food contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep your pint-sized bully healthy and energetic.

Omega fatty acids make her coat sleek and shiny, fresh chicken aids to promote lean muscle, and a blend of antioxidants to promote overall health.

Hill’s Science Diet is manufactured in the US, with every ingredient vetted for the highest quality of purity and nutrition.

They make it a point to stay on top of their manufacturing facilities with regularly conducted quality checks to meet the high standards of you and your fur baby. Safety checks are also paramount to pass on safe, wholesome products to your pet.

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8. Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult

Containing both crunchy and tender shredded bits, this food is easy for Frenchies to eat and enjoy. (The real chicken and rice in the recipe don’t hurt, either!)

Optimally formulated for the most balanced fat-to-protein ratio, it’ll promote healthy weight in your French Bulldog.

Healthy skin and glossy coat courtesy of linoleic acid and omega 6 fatty acids, natural wheat bran sourced prebiotic fiber and live probiotics support healthy digestion and immunity.

It’s the perfect combination for keeping your baby healthy so you can show your gorgeous Frenchie off at the park.

Purina manufactures its pet foods in the US and has been formulated from over 85 years of nutritional specialists and veterinarians.

You may have noticed that the Purina Pro Plan name shows up all around the world at prestigious dog shows — this is because competitors and champions trust Purina to feed their special pups.

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9. Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites

Sourced by US farm-raised chicken, this formula is great for maintaining healthy muscle. Rachael Ray foods contain no meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Some dog foods contain fillers whose sole purpose is to keep a dog satiated without providing any nutritional value — luckily this formula contains zero fillers.

Antioxidant-rich cranberries contain anti-inflammatory properties to help prevent oxidative stress in your pup’s cellular function.

A portion of the proceeds helps animals in need by supporting the Rachael Ray Foundation. Rachael Ray began this foundation in 2016, and it’s been helping animals everywhere by providing shelters and pet-rescue organizations with veterinary supplies, food, and more. 

The pint-sized, crunchy kibble is designed to help keep your Frenchie’s teeth and gums clean and healthy while she crunches away.

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10. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

The CORE line of the Wellness brand is all about feeding your dog a meat-forward diet, the concept being that a dog’s primal ancestry is primarily composed of meat.

With no fillers or grains, Wellness takes great care in formulating their pet foods, scrutinizing the quality of every ingredient, and insisting on the very best in quality control within their manufacturing process from beginning to end.

One of the first brands to provide a holistic approach to pet nutrition, Wellness employs a stable of nutritionists, vets, and animal behaviorists to assist in the development of the highest quality, carefully crafted dog foods possible. This particular formula focuses exclusively on the needs of small breed dogs.

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Best Dog Food For French Bulldogs — A Buying Guide

French Bulldogs are a special breed with a few special requirements for optimal nutrition. There may be a few extra things to read up on, but once you’ve had a Frenchie, you know all those snores and doggie kisses are worth all the best you can give them!

What Do I Need To Know Before Choosing The Right Food For My French Bulldog?

When feeding your French Bulldog, begin with things that you’d look for when choosing a food for any breed. There are some basic issues of quality, nutrition, and safety that are applicable to any furry friend.

What Things Should I Look For When I Read The Label?

• Avoid foods with artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. These foods aren’t healthy for any dog (or human, for that matter), and have been linked to allergies and gastrointestinal problems.
• DO NOT feed your Frenchie anything containing meat by-products and/or added fillers. These usually don’t serve much to nourish your dog’s health, and they have a tendency to be pretty tough on digestion.
• Don’t feed your dog food if you can’t figure out where it’s made — a quick search on the label or the company’s website should disclose where the food is manufactured, and where the ingredients are sourced. Believe me, it matters.
• Make sure the food is appropriate to the dog’s age, weight, and nutritional needs. This means consulting with your vet to lay out a plan for feeding your baby optimally!

Health Issues To Consider When Choosing The Best Food For French Bulldog

Frenchies are prone to a few medical issues which influence how to choose their food and what their dietary needs are.

Prone to Obesity

Because of their stout, short-legged physical structure, it’s important for your bully to stay trim. French Bulldogs can become overweight quite easily, which puts stress on their bodies that contribute to some of the breed’s typical health issues.

Look for foods with clean sources of protein, and natural fiber to help keep that weight healthy. Depending on what the vet says, it might not be a bad idea to consider a healthy-weight formula.

Flat-Faced Breed

This leaves them vulnerable to breathing problems (which is why their snore is so adorable), but it is quite uncomfortable if they’re eating the wrong foods.

Pay attention to the shape and size of her food’s kibble. If it says specifically on the bag it’s formulated for easy pick-up and contributes to slow, thoughtful chewing, you’re headed in the right direction!

Prone to Eye Issues

Look for signs of juvenile cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion, to name a few. Foods containing vitamins A and D, and a variety of antioxidants are good options.

Allergies and Autoimmune Skin Problems

These are also conditions to watch for in your Frenchie. In some cases, diet can really contribute to easing the symptoms, and in some, it won’t make too much difference.

Ingredients with omega fatty acids, linoleic acids, and other ingredients specifically targeted for your Frenchie’s skin health should be on her foods’ label.

Joint Problems

Like many other breeds, French Bulldogs are prone to joint issues, particularly as they age.

This is partly because if they’re at all overweight, the shape of their body (think sausage) puts a strain on their joints when supporting that extra girth.

Foods with chondroitin and glucosamine are a must for joint health, so make sure it’s in the bag.

Tummy Troubles

Small-breed dogs, in general, are prone to gastrointestinal distress, and French Bulldogs are no different.

This is why it’s important to look for foods that contain gut-healthy probiotics to help regulate their systems, as well as sources of natural fibers to keep them regular. Their bellies will thank you, and so will your nose…

Here Are Some Health Tests Recommended by the National Breed Club for Your Frenchie

• Ophthalmologist Evaluation
• Hip Evaluation
• Cardiac Exam
• Patella Evaluation

How Much Should I Feed My French Bulldog?

Now that we know a thing or two about what to avoid and what to look for when looking for the right food for your French Bulldog, we need to know how much to feed them!

Keep in mind, Frenchies love to eat (don’t we all?), and since they’re prone to obesity that leads to a whole laundry list of other health problems, it’s just as important to pay attention to how much they eat and when they eat as it is to monitor what they eat.

When devising a schedule by which to feed your Frenchie, it’s best to measure by pounds vs. exclusively age. Considering both is a good idea, of course, but usually, your vet will tell you to gauge it by how much she weighs.

Here’s a quick guide to how what your bully’s meal schedule should look:

• 17 lbs = 1 to 1 and 4/8 cups divided over two meals a day
• 19 lbs = 1 and 4/8 to 1 and ⅝ cups divided over two meals a day
• 22 lbs = 1 and ⅝ to 1 and 6/8 cups divided over two meals a day
• 24 lbs = 1 and ⅝ to 2 cups divided over two meals a day
• 26 lbs = 2 to 2 ⅛ cups divided over two meals per day
• 30 lbs = 2 ⅛ to 2 ⅜ cups over two meals per day

Of course, this is a loose guide, how much you need to feed your fur baby depends upon what your vet says and how his or her weight fluctuates. Revisit their food schedule during her regular checkups and in between if you’ve got questions.

Final Thoughts

Your French Bulldog will bring you and your family years of delight. Trips to the park, playing tug of war with his favorite rope, and snoring snuggles on the couch are just a few of the things you’ll do together that makes your bond special.

We’ve picked Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed dog food as our favorite for keeping your sofa wing-man (or girl) healthier longer.

You’ll find sources of whole protein, natural sources of fiber, healthy whole grains, and tons of antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies.

Top it off with some joint-support courtesy of chondroitin and glucosamine, and some omega fatty acids, and you’ve got a well-rounded food your bully will love.