French Bulldogs
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IMPORTANT FRENCH BULLDOG NUTRITION FACTSCANNED vs. DRY FOOD
DRINK! French bulldogs should drink about an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, and of course have fresh, clean water available several times per day. Most French bulldogs regulate their own intake; if you notice changes in your Frenchie's drinking habits, see your vet, as this could indicate health problems. Doggie sports drinks are available, and while it might be cute to share a post-workout quaff with your Frenchie, dogs don’t need specialty drinks (French bulldogs don’t sweat out electrolytes as humans do). FISH Fish is an excellent source of occurring Omega 3 and levels of EPA and DHA , and can be a lifesaver for French bulldogs with meat allergies. However because of the small parasite or salmonella risk I cook fish before I add it to my Frenchie's food. We also use canned cooked pink salmon. GRAINS The gluten in wheat is a noted allergen for some French bulldogs — these symptoms include itchy skin and ear inflammation (a Frenchie may shake their heads in discomfort) — so foods containing oats and barley may work better. If you suspect food allergies in your French bulldog, see your vet. HOW MUCH AND OFTEN TO FEED
COMPANION FOR LIFE DOG CHEWABLE The #1 supplement I use for my French bulldogs is COMPANION for Life dog Chewable order user ID #1006930. This supplement has worked wonders for Frenchie joints, hips, skin problems...fantastic product! Legacy For Life (800) 557-8477 Ester C Vitamin Ester-C is good for immune system support and immune system building and great for good joint development (see http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm). Hip dysplasia is one of the largest health issues faced by the French Bulldog breed. OFA ranks French Bulldogs #2 for hip dysplasia, yikes! It's best to begin taking preventative measures as early on as possible for the rest of your French bulldog's life. A French Bulldog puppy's hips and joints start growing at conception and continue to develop until your French Bulldog reaches 18 months of age (for this reason we put all of our pregnant and nursing French Bulldog mother's on 1000mg of Ester C each day). We recommend that every French Bulldog puppy be on 500mg of Ester Vit C every day. For adult French Bulldogs we also recommend 1000mg of Ester Vit C daily. Most local pharmacies carry Ester C. Dasuquin Another great hip/joint supplement is called Dasuquin. This supplement is HIGHLY recommended. I have heard of many amazing success stories! It is a Glucosamine and Chondroitin type supplement but better!
They don't call it the incredible, edible egg for nothing :) Eggs are really the best source of nutrition for a French Bulldog as they are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and they contain needed vitamins in a natural form. About 100% of the nutrition in every egg is used by your dog's body unlike processed supplements and dog foods. COD LIVER OIL I love cod liver oil ! Cod liver oil has extremely high levels of Vit A & Vit D ! Cod liver oil has been clinically proven to have a positive effect on the heart, bones, as well as helping to nourish your bulldog's teeth, skin, coat, and ears! Cod liver oil makes your French bulldog's coat look very shiny and healthy. Cod liver oil also helps ease pain and joint stiffness associated with arthritic changes.French Bulldogs go through many arthritic changes when growing up till 18 mos of age and also later in life. I also find giving cod liver oil to my dogs extremely easy. I buy a gallon of it from Revival Animal Health and pour some on each of my dogs / puppies food every morning and they love it :) BONES
JERKY The FDA has cautioned against feeding dogs chicken jerky from China, and some U.S. companies issued voluntary recalls of jerky treats because of fears of melamine-tainted gluten, also from China. But there are lots of safe jerkies, and French bulldogs go wild for it, making a nice treat for training. And you could also try making your own: Recipes abound online. HOME-MADE KIBBLE Now if you have the energy making your own dog food kibble (a.k.a., dry food) is a great way to monitor ingredients for fillers, preservatives, and other additives, and to tailor your French bulldog’s food to his or her specific likes and needs (Taffy has a gluten allergy? Use rice flour). Recipes are all over the internet, it’s easy and economical (if you are a smart shopper) to make (buy supplies in bulk), and kibble lasts a long time in the freezer. Remember, though, that French dogs have specific nutritional needs, so keep them in mind when looking up recipes for your French bulldog. LABELS...and how to read them If you want to be sure you’re feeding your dog the best canned or dried food for your French bulldog, you need to carefully read the label. Terms like "gourmet," "super-premium," or "natural" don’t really tell you anything about what’s in the dog food. In the USA, pet food labeling is regulated on a federal (FDA) and state-by-state basis, with guidance from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). However, AAFCO provides only minimum requirements. The reality is that dog food producers very commonly use terms that are undefined by the regulations, in order to improve their product's image in the market. The AAFCO warns on their website that "it is not rare at all that labeling and marketing information is designed to appeal to the latest trend in marketing human products." In other words, the focus tends to be more on appealing to our preferences than on whether or not the food is suitable for your French bulldog. For this reason, learn to look behind the marketing hype and to find the real substance of the nutrition status within the dog food brands. On that note French bulldogs should have a lower protein diet, under %25. NUTS Never give your French bulldog walnuts or macadamia nuts! Both are extremely poisonous for dogs (a toxin in macadamias can lead to tremors and hind-quarter paralysis). Cashews and peanuts are better, but nuts in general are high in calories and phosphorous (which can lead to bladder stones in dogs), and they’re often salty. And none of that is good for Bowser. I will give my Frenchies peanut butter in a kong toy at times to give them a game to play (trying to get it out) if I will be away all day. But that's as far as I would go and if you notice any reaction I would discontinue all together. ORGANIC FOOD
PUMPKIN This festive gourd is a miracle food for most French bulldogs. Good for both diarrhea and constipation, canned pumpkin (not raw, not the sugary, spicy pie filling) is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Don’t give your French bulldog a lot of it, too much A isn't good (need the right balance), but a couple of teaspoons a day for little Frenchie, or a couple of tablespoons for an adult French bulldog, should keep them right on track. RAW MEAT And so the raw food debate rages on. One thing all parties would agree on, though, is that pristine raw meat would be a marvelous source of quality protein for dogs. However (and this is a BIG however) the meat most of us have access to just isn’t pristine. Salmonella and parasites are a major concern, especially in raw poultry (not to mention the danger posed by chicken bones), all raw meat carries the risk of microbes and parasites, including E. coli. And we’re not just talking about dogs being at risk here; humans are also vulnerable, through handling the meat and also through cross-contaminated surfaces. While many do feed their French bulldogs raw meat to no ill effect (yet), take care to purchase the highest quality available! If you go this route (and you will not be alone, as the raw movement is gaining more and more adherents), be sure your ingredients are absolutely fresh, watch out for bones, and keep a close eye on your French bulldog's total needs. TREATS Who’s a good dog? Every single French bulldog, deserves a treat now and again. And that’s the key: now and again. A cornerstone of many training methods, treats provide almost as much joy to the giver as to the recipient. But unfortunately, like most wonderful things in life, they come with a catch: even healthy snacks have calories, so make sure you count your French bulldogs daily intake. And remember that sometimes the things that make treats so tasty are salt and fat—another reason for moderation (and they often cause the runs). When choosing snacks, keep your French bulldog’s particular nutritional needs and dietary restrictions in mind, along with his flavor preferences. A quick online search will turn up lots of easy, healthy recipes for homemade dog treats, many customizable to various dietary restrictions.
APPLES All the stuff in apples that makes them nutritional powerhouses for humans (fiber, vitamins A and C, omega-3 and -6, antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols) works wonders for French bulldogs also, IF YOU CAN GET THEM TO EAT THEM! Try it giving them to your French bulldog just leave the seeds out! X: AS IN BAD!!! This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are some common people foods that should never be fed to your French bulldog! foods: avocados, alcohol, baking soda and powder, caffeine, chives, chocolate, corn cobs, fruit pits and seeds, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts and walnuts (see "Nuts"), milk and milk-based products, mushrooms, nutmeg (and other spices), onions, raisins, rhubarb leaves, tomatoes (especially stems and leaves), xylitol (found in many candies and gums), gum, mints and type of mushrooms growing in your yard or yeast dough. PLEASE CONTACT:
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As for canned vs dry food, it's a personal choice; however, a few things you should consider when making a plan for your French bulldogs diet. On one hand, canned dog foods tend to have higher-quality and fewer preservatives and fillers for your Frenchie. On the other hand, the dry dog foods sold by reputable dog food companies can be just as nutritionally balanced as their wet counterparts. Dry foods often have more meat by-products. Kibble will let your Frenchie satisfy his or her urge to chew, and it helps knock tartar off of your French bulldog's teeth. When using wet/canned dog food you should schedule in much more "tooth brushing" time! But also if you have an older French bulldog with delicate gums, or is missing teeth, wet food might be the way to go way to go. Dry food tends to be less expensive and is easier to store. Also if you start with canned/wet food remember that your Frenchie will likely become spoiled, making it hard to go back to dry food. Always pick nutritionally balanced food, the highest quality! Remember, cancer is the leading cause for death in dogs.
Of course in the wild, Canines would eat open 24 hours a day (or when they could catch food). Most French bulldogs love to eat, and eat, and eat... It is tempting when your Frenchie looks up at you with those cute, sweet puppy dog eyes, or by making food available all day. 
EGGS
Despite popular images, most bones can be harmful to your for your French bulldog. The worse are easily-splintered poultry bones which are particularly dangerous for Frenchies. But also improperly prepared beef and pork bones can be just as harmful. The safest bones for your French bulldog are specially prepared to be near rock-hard and virtually "shatterproof." NO CHICKEN BONES AT ALL!
Thinking of going organic with your French bulldog’s diet? I would always go organic when possible. But here are a few things to keep in mind: organic dog foods often use human-grade protein sources and generally have fewer fillers (corn and wheat and their by-products) and no synthetic preservatives, pesticides, food coloring, or other additives, thereby reducing the number of potential allergens in your Frenchie's diet. They typically contain whole grains instead of bulk fillers, which aid in weight control and digestive health, and boast superior nutritional quality, which can reduce skin irritation and boost coat sheen of your French bulldog. So what’s the downside? Well, apart from the expense of organic dog foods, as of this writing, dog foods are certified as organic according to guidelines established for human organic foods. Read food labels closely to make sure your French bulldog is getting all his essential nutrients. Plans are in the works to bring organic dog food standards in line with dogs’ needs, but until that happens, be sure you scrutinize the small print. You can follow the progress on the Association of American Feed Control Officials website (
Alas, humans aren’t the only animals getting wider, and obesity in dogs leads to the same kinds of problems that it does in us: diabetes, increased cancer risk, and liver disease — to say nothing of the toll it takes on a French bulldogs joints. One solution, along with lots of exercise, is strict food portion control. Don’t eyeball—as one expert noted, your eyes are bigger than your dog’s stomach — use a measuring cup. And serving sizes recommended on packaging are just guidelines. If your French bulldog is packing on the pounds while eating the recommended amount, use a smaller measuring cup! Obesity is the most serious medical problem facing dogs in the U.S. today (as with humans). Scientists delicately advise owners to look for things like a slight increase in the fat over the rib cage, an unusually rounded abdomen, or subtly jiggling flank folds as signs that a dog is moderately overweight. But of course what they’re saying, in essence, is that deciding whether your Frenchie is headed for maximum density comes down to a commonsense assessment and followed up with the ability to be strong when he looks at you with those cute puppy dog eyes! PLEASE SEE