Last Updated: 16/06/2025
Our vets compare their food picks for keeping French Bulldogs in top form.
Author: Dr Kim Chainey BVSc
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
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Being the ultimate lap dog, Frenchies make wonderful companions, particularly for those pet parents who enjoy short strolls and outings to the local cafe for puppuccinos. While they require moderate exercise to help maintain a lean body condition, their unique conformation means short walks during the cooler parts of the day are safest. Equally important is the selection of a good quality diet, with close attention paid to the daily feeding amount as extra calories can quickly become a recipe for obesity and breathing complications.
Adult French Bulldogs require a high-quality, small-breed specific diet, ideally with at least 25% protein and 5% fat to support their muscle mass and energy needs. Given their higher metabolism; this calorie-dense food should be divided into two daily meals, and supplemented with omega fatty acids for skin health, plus digestible fiber and prebiotics to minimize digestive issues. Avoiding excessive treats will help them to maintain a healthy body weight, and diets with dental benefits are recommended to support oral health.
Frenchie puppies need a diet rich in protein (minimum 22%) and fat (minimum 8%) to support their growth, along with a carefully balanced calcium and phosphorus ratio (1.2% and 1% respectively, 1:1 ratio). Ideal nutrition should incorporate omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids aids to support skin health, it should also be highly digestible and contain prebiotic fibres to minimise digestive upsets.
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
In conclusion, selecting the optimal food for your French Bulldog involves careful consideration of their unique nutritional requirements at different life stages. A well-balanced diet, rich in protein and fat, and supplemented with essential nutrients, is crucial for their overall health. This article has presented top food choices for both adult Frenchies and puppies, taking into account factors such as kibble size, ingredients, and potential sensitivities. Ultimately, the most suitable diet for your French Bulldog is one that aligns with their individual needs and contributes to their overall wellbeing.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Contributing Author, BVSc
Kimberley graduated from James Cook University in 2012 and initially worked in a mixed animal practice on the Atherton Tablelands for two years. Her interest in small animal medicine led her to undertake a rotating internship at Veterinary Specialist Services in Brisbane. Since then, she has worked in small animal clinics throughout south east QLD and NSW! She is passionate about providing the best quality of care to all animals that walk through the door
