The 11 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs

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Known for their bat-like ears and bow-legged gait, French Bulldogs are little charmers. They come in a variety of colors and have endearing qualities including a characteristic snore, a goofy personality, and a gruff bark. In terms of size, they fall between a small and medium breed, which raises the question: What’s the best dog food for French Bulldogs?

The Frenchie is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to coat care and exercise requirements. But when it comes to food, your little guy needs a high-quality and balanced diet to maintain healthy body weight. The right food will also reduce his risk of certain health conditions like obesity, skeletal issues, and breathing problems.

In this article, we take a closer look at the nutritional needs of French Bulldogs and provide tips for choosing the best dog food to keep your Frenchie in top form. Plus, we’ve found 11 great dog foods well-suited for French Bulldog puppies, adults, and seniors.

Your Frenchie’s Nutritional Needs

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, adult dogs require a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat in their diet. These needs are higher for growing puppies, but protein remains the most important nutrient, followed by healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals.

Protein gives Frenchies the building blocks they need for healthy muscle and lean mass. Your French Bulldog’s diet should include high-quality animal protein from poultry, meat, and fish. Fat provides a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories as well as omega fatty acids for skin and coat support. It, too, should come from animal sources to ensure digestibility.

As a small-breed dog, your French Bulldog has a naturally fast metabolism. This means he needs more calories per pound of bodyweight than a larger breed. On the other hand, Frenchies are a fairly low-energy breed and at risk for obesity. Experts suggest feeding your Frenchie somewhere between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight per day.

What to Look for in the Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs

When it comes to the best dog food for Frenchies, you need to make sure your dog’s basic needs are met without going overboard on calories. French Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so a gain of a few pounds could be a health problem.

Here are some key elements to look for when selecting dog food for your French Bulldogs:

• Wholesome ingredients with no byproducts, fillers, or artificial additives
• Lean protein from high-quality animal sources like poultry and fish
• Low-to-moderate fat content, including omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin
• Moderate calorie content for healthy weight maintenance
• Complete and nutritionally balanced in line with AAFCO nutrient profiles

The best way to ensure that your Frenchie’s basic needs for calories and nutrition are met is to choose a high-quality dog food formulated for small breeds. Keep a close eye on your dog’s body weight and condition and make adjustments to his diet if he starts to gain too much weight.

What About Grain-Free Dog Food?

The French Bulldog is known for being a little gassy at times, and certain food ingredients can exacerbate this issue. Building your dog’s diet around whole-food ingredients to increase digestibility will help, but be sure to consult a veterinarian if your dog has frequent digestive issues.

Some French Bulldog owners choose to feed their dog grain-free food out of a concern for food allergies, but you should do your own research to determine what’s best for your dog. The idea that grain-free dog food is inherently healthier is a common misconception. According to the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, food allergies in dogs are fairly uncommon and grains are less likely to be an issue than common proteins like chicken or beef.

A 2018 investigation by the FDA, which has since been updated, suggested a link between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and grain-free diets. There is no conclusive evidence, however, and small breeds like the Frenchie are less prone to DCM than larger breeds. The bottom line is that unless your veterinarian tests your dog and confirms there is a grain allergy or sensitivity, there’s no need for a grain-free diet.

The Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs

Choosing a dog food for French Bulldogs can be tricky because they are on the large side for small breed, but on the small side for a medium breed. If your dog weighs more than 20 pounds as an adult, and your vet feels that weight is healthy for him, an all-breed formula with moderate fat and calorie content may be more appropriate.

To help you pick the best food for your Frenchie, we’ve compiled a list of small-breed and all-breed formulas. Here are our top picks for the best dog food for French Bulldogs, from puppy food and adult food to special formulas for your senior dog.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials All-Breed Dog Food for French Bulldog Puppies

Here’s another good choice for your French Bulldog puppy: Nutro’s Wholesome Essentials, for puppies of all breeds. It includes farm-raised chicken for lean protein and optimal levels of fatty acids for skin and coat. It’s available in 5- and 15-pound bags.

American Journey Healthy Weight Dog Food for French Bulldogs

If your Frenchie is on the higher end of the weight range for their breed, an all-breed formula like this healthy weight variety from Chewy’s house brand might be a good choice. It leads with real deboned chicken, along with chicken meal and turkey, as a lean source of protein and adds natural sources of fiber to help your Frenchie feel full on more limited calories.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Small-Breed Puppies

Want to start your French Bulldog puppy off right? Check out this protein-rich recipe from Blue Buffalo’s Blue Life Protection line. It includes meat, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit for a healthy source of balanced nutrition. Kibble is “puppy-sized” for smaller jaws.

Farmina Natural and Delicious Grain-Free Mini Breed Puppy Formula

This recipe could be the perfect fit for a smaller Frenchie puppy. It features 70% protein from animal sources, with the main ingredient being lamb. The small kibble size makes it perfect for your puppy.

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Grain-Free Adult Dog Food

Loaded with premium proteins like venison, lamb, and duck, this recipe also contains fresh fruits and veggies for a boost of quality nutrition and probiotics for healthy digestion. This grain-free recipe is formulated to provide the right nutrition for small breed dogs like your Frenchie. You can get it in 5-, 14-, and 25-pound bags.

Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dry Food for French Bulldogs

With 54% proteins and healthy fats and 46% whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, this formula provides wholesome nutrition and plenty of natural flavor your Frenchie will love. This small-dog formula includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy skin, coat, and joints.

Canidae Pure Grain-Free L.I.D. Recipe for Small-Breed Dogs

If your French Bulldog has food allergies or sensitivities, this limited-ingredient diet (L.I.D.) might be the way to go. It’s made with grain-free but fiber-rich carbohydrates including flaxseed and a single source of premium animal protein: salmon. The kibble is also coated with freeze-dried raw salmon to make it extra-appealing to even the finickiest doggy diner. Available in 4- or 10-pound bags.

AvoDerm Natural Small-Breed Dog Food for French Bulldogs

Formulated for breeds weighing under 20 pounds at maturity, this recipe features chicken meal as a source of lean protein and contains 450 calories per cup. As the name suggests, avocado and avocado oil are included for healthy fats, promoting healthy skin and coat. It’s available in 3.5- and 7-pound bags.

Wellness Core Grain-Free Reduced-Fat Formula

If you’re concerned about your French Bulldog gaining weight, particularly as he ages, this reduced-fat food may be a good choice. The turkey and chicken formula is rich in protein but low in fat and calories, at 360 calories per cup. Choose from 4-, 12-, or 26-pound bags.

Nutro Natural Choice Small-Breed Senior Food for French Bulldogs

An affordable option in small-breed senior dog food, this formula features chicken for lean protein plus chicken meal as a natural source of joint-supporting glucosamine and chondroitin. A blend of fruits and vegetables in the recipe creates a balanced meal that includes antioxidants.

Now Fresh Small-Breed Senior Dog Weight Management Recipe

Formulated both for small breed dogs and to manage weight, this recipe features a combination of protein and healthy fats from turkey, salmon, and duck. This grain-free formula is designed for senior dogs 9 years or older and up to 25 pounds—likely ideal for your senior Frenchie. In 6-, 12-, and 25-pound bags.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Frenchie Pup

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

Further French Bulldog Reading

• French Bulldog Grooming: Bathing, Shedding, and Why They Don’t Need Trims
• The Best Dog Beds for French Bulldogs
• 12 Best Dog Toys for French Bulldogs