What’s the Best Dog Food for a French Bulldog?

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

All dogs have similar nutritional requirements for protein, fat, and carbohydrates—but it can still be beneficial to consider your pup’s breed-specific characteristics while comparing dog foods. Some formulas may cater to certain health and behavioral needs, making them more suitable for your French Bulldog than others.

Frenchies are prone to obesity and stomach issues, so they need a digestible food that helps them maintain an ideal weight. In addition, this breed walks the line between small and medium dogs, so their food should be suitably sized to prevent choking.

Today’s pet food market is filled with an abundance of quality options. This means finding the right food for your bat-eared charmer is certainly doable—but it also means pet parents have an overwhelming stack of foods to sort through. To that end, we’ve put together a list of dog foods that comply with AAFCO standards and speak to the specific dietary needs of French Bulldogs. 

Keep in mind that your veterinarian is an excellent resource when it comes to choosing a food for your lovable Frenchie. They’ll be familiar with your dog’s health background, and they can help steer you in the right direction.

Best for French Bulldog Puppies: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Puppy Food

As a puppy, your Frenchie needs more calories and balanced calcium levels to support their growth and active lifestyle.

With a limited list of ingredients and turkey as its sole animal protein, this Blue Buffalo recipe is a gut-friendly choice. This gentle formula should keep your puppy’s digestion system on track with easily digestible carbs like oatmeal and brown rice. Probiotics and fiber-rich ingredients like peas and pumpkin keep sensitive tums happy.

This recipe includes the brand’s signature “LifeSource Bits”: a precise blend of antioxidants that bolster your puppy’s developing immune system. You’ll also find fish oil and flaxseed—two excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain and eye development. 

This puppy formula is thoughtfully crafted in smaller kibble sizes to prevent choking.

Key Nutrients: 

• 394 kcal/cup
• Protein: 28.89%
• Fat: 16.67%
• Crude Fiber: 5.56%
• Calcium: 1.3%

Best for Young French Bulldogs: Iams Proactive Health Minichunks

Once your Frenchie is fully grown, usually around 12-14 months, it’s time to switch them over to adult food. Minichunks are sized “just right” for smaller dogs (about ½” in diameter). They feature moderate fat and caloric density—enough to fuel your young Frenchie without leading to weight gain. 

This recipe contains prebiotics and natural fiber from whole-grain sorghum, carrots, and flaxseed to support your Frenchie’s intestinal health. It’s also enriched with antioxidants, which keep your pup’s immune system strong. Finally, omega-6 fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and a soft coat.

Key Nutrients: 

• 380 kcal/cup
• Protein: 27.78%
• Fat: 15.56%
• Crude Fiber: 4.44%
• Calcium: 1.17%

Best for Senior French Bulldogs: JustFoodForDogs Joint & Skin Support

Fresh food is on the pricier side, but it has some advantages that will benefit your French Bulldog as they enter their senior years. For one, it helps dogs stay hydrated. It also tends to be higher in protein, which can help dogs maintain muscle mass as they age. 

This fresh recipe from JustFoodForDogs packs an impressive 40.91% protein on a dry matter basis. It also has lower fat content than most fresh foods, fewer carbs, and a decent amount of fiber, all of which could help your aging Frenchie stay fit and trim. 

This food is also formulated to support joint health. It contains Type II Collagen and anti-inflammatory ingredients like kale and fish oil to alleviate joint pain.

Like most fresh foods, this formula contains a pared-down list of ingredients. Pork is the single animal protein, which will come as welcome news for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. This food is also softer to chew, which is ideal for senior Frenchies with dental pain.

Key Nutrients: 

• 1143 kcal ME/kg; 32 kcal ME/oz
• Protein: 40.91%
• Fat: 11.36%
• Crude Fiber: 9.09%

Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Iams Advanced Health: Healthy Digestion

Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are prone to digestive issues. This recipe contains clinically proven live probiotics to keep your Frenchie regular. Ingredients like beet pulp and barley provide natural sources of fiber. A moderate fat content also contributes to better digestibility while preventing obesity. 

This kibble is the same size as the brand’s Minichunks—approximately ½” in diameter—so your Frenchie can chew it safely.

Key Nutrients: 

• 380 kcal/cup
• Protein: 28.89%
• Fat: 15.56%
• Crude Fiber: 4.44%
• Calcium: 1.1%

Best for Food Allergies: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Brown Rice

While food allergies in dogs are generally rare, they occur more commonly in French Bulldogs. The majority of cases are related to common proteins like chicken or beef, so affected dogs can usually avoid a flare-up by switching to a novel protein.

This formula features duck as its sole animal protein source and includes fiber-rich brown rice. Limited ingredients make it gentle on your dog’s GI tract. And moderate levels of fat and calories prevent excessive weight gain. 

Along with duck, Natural Balance carries grain-inclusive recipes with lamb and salmon. The brand also makes two grain-free formulas with bison and venison that contain digestible sweet potatoes.

Key Nutrients: 

• 340 kcal/cup
• Protein: 23.33%
• Fat: 15.56%
• Crude Fiber: 5%
• Calcium: 1.1%

Best for Weight Loss: Hill’s Science Diet Light Small Bites

Helping dogs lose weight is a multi-faceted process that involves a combination of portion control, exercise, and hydration. For some dogs, a specifically formulated weight-loss food can also help.

This Hill’s recipe contains 18% fewer calories than the brand’s regular adult kibble. It’s also low in fat, with just 6.15% on a dry matter basis.

This formula has moderate protein content and higher fiber levels—a combination that’s been shown to help dogs feel full longer and make it easier to stick to a weight loss plan. Ingredients like apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, green peas, and beet pulp provide natural sources of fiber.

As the name suggests, small bites are crafted into smaller kibble pieces. They also feature a blend of antioxidants and Vitamins E and C to support the immune system.

Key Nutrients: 

• 271 kcal/cup
• Protein: 22.35%
• Fat: 6.15%
• Crude Fiber: 15.64%

Best for Skin & Coat Health: Blue Buffalo True Solutions Perfect Skin & Coat

If your Frenchie suffers from dry skin or excessive itchiness due to environmental allergies, they may benefit from a diet that promotes healthy skin and fur.

Formulated by a team of veterinarians and nutritionists, this Blue Buffalo recipe delivers a healthful blend of omega fatty acids to support sensitive skin. Salmon heads off the ingredient list and supplies omega-3s. You’ll also find flaxseed, which provides a source of omega-6 fatty acids. Skin receives an extra boost with zinc and biotin.

Like our pick for French Bulldog Puppies, this formula contains Blue’s antioxidant-packed LifeSource Bits. Probiotics are also included for better digestion. 

It’s not just what this food includes that caught our eye—but also what it leaves out. It’s made without chicken, corn, wheat, or soy. 

Key Nutrients: 

• 363 kcal/cup
• Protein: 26.67%
• Fat: 15.56%
• Crude Fiber: 5.56%

Best Fresh: Freshpet Vital Small-Breed Chicken Recipe

Gently cooked fresh food is a win for picky palates. It’s also hydrating and tends to be gentler on sensitive stomachs thanks to its typically shorter ingredient list.

This FreshPet formula is no exception, with a short-and-sweet lineup of digestible ingredients. It features a soft texture and small bite-sized pieces that won’t overwhelm your Frenchie’s tinier jaws. Like most fresh foods, it contains minimal carbs and high protein levels, which may help your pup maintain a healthy weight.

For Frenchies where digestive health is a more pressing issue, the brand also carries a fresh Digestive Health recipe.

Key Nutrients: 

• 261 kcal/cup
• Protein: 43.24%
• Fat: 32.43%
• Crude Fiber: 4.05%

Best Dry: Wellness Simple L.I.D. Lamb & Oatmeal Formula

If you prefer to serve dry food, this highly digestible Wellness recipe is a stomach-friendly option. It features a limited ingredient list with a single animal protein (lamb). It also contains prebiotic fiber and guaranteed levels of live probiotics for balanced gut health.

Omega fatty acids are included to nourish your Frenchie’s skin and coat. And glucosamine keeps their joints in tip-top shape while taurine contributes to a healthy heart.

Key Nutrients: 

• 406 kcal/cup
• Protein: 23.6%
• Fat: 13.48%
• Crude Fiber: 5.34%

Best Raw: Instinct Raw Frozen Bites

Raw food won’t be a good fit for all dogs (especially puppies and immunocompromised dogs), but some stand to benefit. Fans of raw food point to benefits like improved digestion, softer coats, and enhanced energy levels. 

Instinct is one of the leading brands in the raw food space. This formula is comprised of 85% beef and organ meat. Its short list of ingredients includes fiber-rich fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and spinach. Blueberries bring antioxidants to the table. And fish oil and salmon oil supply important fatty acids.

Key Nutrients: 

• 183 kcal/cup
• Protein: 40%
• Fat: 26.67%
• Carbohydrate: 23.33%
• Crude Fiber: 10%

How We Chose

The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. 

We prioritized highly digestible formulas with limited ingredients, probiotics, and fiber-rich ingredients. Additionally, we included foods with moderate calories and fat content to prevent obesity. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Frenchie Pup

Before you bring a new puppy home, make sure you’re fully prepared. Check out our handy guide to Everything You Need to Know About French Bulldog Puppies.

Further Reading

• What Is Dog Food Made Of and Where Does It Come From?
• An Expert Guide on How To Read a Dog Food Label
• How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Tips, Charts & More
• The Best Dog Beds for French Bulldogs and Flat-Faced Breeds