Give your Frenchie a full stomach and a cheeky smile with the best food for French Bulldogs. Containing everything they need to retain the right nutrients to live a full, happy and long life, dog food is a marvel. And, it’s no longer limited to stale-looking dog biscuits or leftover meat in a can. The new problem we’re facing is that so many options exist. We’ve got that handled.
Frenchies are a small-to-medium breed with plenty of personalities. They’re relatively independent but still require all of your cuddles and attention. Playful and fun, Frenchies have large ears, a short nose and an adorable wrinkly face. Aren’t they the cutest? Unfortunately, this cute wrinkly face brings some breathing problems for French Bulldogs. So, weight management is essential for this breed. We’ve spoken to Pooch & Mutt’s resident veterinarian, Dr Linda Simon for comment on this breed.
Best dog food for French Bulldogs at a glance
• Best wet dog food for French Bulldog puppies: James Wellbeloved, Grain Free Puppy Turkey in Gravy Pouches – 12 x 100g
• Best dry dog food for French Bulldogs: Royal Canin, Breed Health French Bulldog Dry Adult Dog Food - 3kg
• Best wet dog food for French Bulldogs: Pooch & Mutt, Multipack Wet Food - 12 x 375g
• Best wet dog food for senior French Bulldogs: Lily's Kitchen, Senior Recipe with Turkey Wet Dog Food - 6 x 400g
Whether you opt to feed them dry or wet dog food, your Frenchie will be more than pleased, but there are a few things to consider. Pooch & Mutt’s resident veterinarian, Dr Linda Simon, suggests feeding them dry food for small dogs. After all, French Bulldogs “are prone to periodontal disease,” and kibble can help “prevent plaque build-up when compared to wet food,” says Dr Simon. So, is wet or dry food better for French bulldogs? We’d recommend using a mix of wet and dry for mealtimes – or perhaps, consider only dry dog food.
Also, keep in mind that many Frenchies are prone to allergies – from the environment to their diet. Watch out for the common signs such as “itchy skin, skin infections, vomiting, gas and diarrhoea”. We’ve rounded up the best food for a French Bulldog, including food for Frenchie puppies. Our picks are ideal for dogs with itchy skin or allergies and will ensure your Frenchie feels well.
Best dog food for French Bulldogs
Best dry dog food for French Bulldog puppies
www.petsathome.com
The Royal Canin, Breed Health French Bulldog Puppy Food - 3kg has been tailored to the developmental and growth needs of Frenchie pups. Suitable for French Bulldogs up to 12 months old, it has a patented complex of antioxidants, including vitamin E, this food will help to support your puppy's natural defenses while their immune system gradually develops.
Customer Review: "I have tried a lot of different food for my Frenchies and this one is the best so far. Particularly for their very sensitive tummies."
Pros
- Specially formulated nutrition
- Tailor-made kibble
- Immune system support
Cons
- Some Frenchie puppy owners thought it could be more digestible
Best wet dog food for French Bulldog puppies
James Wellbeloved, Grain Free Puppy Turkey in Gravy Pouches – 12 x 100g are highly digestible but also tasty for your Frenchie pup, too. The pouches are made with natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals that are essential during the first few months of your pup's life. This hypoallergenic wet food is free from artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, so you can be sure of what you're serving your puppy at mealtimes.
Customer Review: "Bought this for my new Frenchie. She absolutely loves it. Good quality food."
Pros
- Full of moisture
- Contains Omega 3 oils for healthy skin and coat
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Could have more food per pack
Best sensitive skin pick
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Next, the vet-recommended, Pooch + Mutt, Soft and Shiny Dry Food - 2kg. If your dog is prone to itchy skin and needs a bit of help for a glossy coat, this food may just be the thing. It’s packed with active ingredients, including herring, which is a digestible, omega-rich protein. Plus, with added supplements such as collagen and with the Omega’s making an appearance, your dog’s skin and coat will be nourished. No more endless scratching.
Customer review: “My really fussy dog loves this food. He doesn’t have the best skin and does seem to help.”
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and supplemented
- Vet recommended
- Omega and antioxidant-rich
Cons
- May not suit all sensitive stomachs
Best dry dog food for French Bulldogs
www.petsathome.com
The Royal Canin, Breed Health French Bulldog Dry Adult Dog Food - 3kg is suitable for adult French Bulldogs over 12 months old. Tailor-made for your Frenchie's small mouths, this kibble contains specific nutrients to maintain the health of their skin, coat, joints, digestion and more. It has all the nutrition that your wrinkle-faced angel requires.
Customer Review: "My Frenchie has always been fussy! tried everything raw meat in the lot… someone then recommended this and thought let's buy a bag and see how we get on and I cannot actually believe it! My Frenchie now eats and loves it and has really helped his coat and stools. Definitely seen a change in him. Would highly recommend it if your Frenchie is fussy and you're struggling. The only thing is it's expensive but a big bag lasted us a while."
Pros
- Tailor-made small kibble
- Maintains health of skin and coat
- Supports digestion and joints
Cons
- We can't think of any!
Best for no additives or colourings
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
What excites your dogs after their walk? This wet dog food, made from organic ingredients like freshly prepared meat, veggies, and herbs, plus essential vitamins and minerals, tempts them home. Lily's Kitchen Organic Chicken Supper is additive-free, offering proper meat, and organic, balanced nutrition for adult dogs, available in larger quantities.
Customer review: "My dog loves it, that's enough for me."
Pros
- Made with organic, natural ingredients
- Additive and colourings free
- Complete for dogs 4 months and up
Cons
- May not be for all dogs
Best wet dog food for French Bulldogs
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
The Pooch & Mutt, Multipack Wet Food - 12 x 375g is a hypoallergenic, grain-free solution for your Frenchie. Coming in 100 per cent recyclable packaging, the Pooch & Mutt multipack has added prebiotics and is bursting with natural, fibrous, fresh vegetables. It's positively brimming with nutrient-dense vitamins and minerals to keep your pup healthy and happy! Grain-free, junk-free and tasty, this complete dog food is a great choice for your little baby.
Customer Review: "Fantastic dog food. The multipack of wet food means our dog gets something different every day and she loves them."
Pros
- 100 per cent recyclable packaging
- Hypoallergenic, grain-free and natural
- Packed with nutrient-dense vitamins
Cons
- Some customers are unsure on how much to give
Best dry dog food for senior French Bulldogs
www.lilyskitchen.co.uk
Made with delicious turkey, trout and white fish, why not choose this grain-free food for your senior Frenchie? The Lily's Kitchen, Turkey and Trout Dry Food for Senior Dogs - 2.5kg packed with the highest levels of joint care supplement to give your doggy support, as well as nutrition. Nourishing, fresh and wholesome, we always recommend Lily’s Kitchen. Don't forget those botanicals for digestion.
Customer Review: “My girl has food allergies and I have been feeding her fresh as could-find dry food without the things she couldn't have until now. I'm happy to say she is doing really well on this mixed with fresh food.”
Pros
- Fresh, nutritious ingredients
- Joint support with glucosamine
- Botanicals for digestive support
Cons
- We can't think of any!
Best wet dog food for senior French Bulldogs
Packed with joint care, this hand-crafted, grain-free recipe from Lily’s Kitchen is perfect for your pooch. Made with fresh turkey, fruit, veg and botanicals, this Lily's Kitchen, Senior Recipe with Turkey Wet Dog Food - 6 x 400g recipe is nourishing and will help support your senior pooch – whether their joints, coat, skin, digestion or brain function.
Customer Review: "We have two very fussy Pomeranians that turn their noses up instantly if their dinner doesn’t have a high meat content and taste delicious. This product was devoured. My conclusion is it must made with quality ingredients. Recommended buy."
Pros
- Fresh, nutritious ingredients
- Joint support with glucosamine
- Botanicals for digestive support
Cons
- More jelly in tin than expected
Best dry dog food for small breeds
For the smaller breeds, we recommend James Wellbeloved's dry food, containing tasty turkey - which has been made into smaller kibble, perfect for smaller mouths. Coming with Green Tea and Cranberry extract for antioxidants and organic acids, and prebiotics for gut health, as well as immune support, this is a winner for your perfectly tiny pooch. James Wellbeloved, Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Adult Dog Food, 7.5kg could be a tasty alternative to our top pick.
Customer Review: "My Yorkies have always been fussy eaters, but this kibble is always well received. My older dog in particular can get an upset stomach, but since giving her this food, she's been fine. Love it!"
Pros
- Smaller kibble for smaller mouths
- Green tea and cranberry for antioxidants
- Natural, hypoallergenic UK-sourced ingredients
Cons
- A little hard for some teeth
Best weight management dog food for Frenchies
www.poochandmutt.co.uk
Grain-free, junk-free complete dry food for weight management, the Pooch + Mutt, Slim and Slender Dry Food - 2kg is made for dogs who are overweight. Keeping an eye on your Frenchie's weight is paramount to their breathing, as well as their overall health. The food is packed with a low-fat protein source rich in l-carnitine, a natural fat burner that helps to speed up metabolism. It is high in fibre to aid satiety and is packed with additional essential supplements.
Customer Review: "The vet is always telling me to get a couple of kilos off my food-obsessed scavenging Springer. Trying this as a diet option, so far 10 days into the bag and although the portion looks really measly it keeps her satisfied. She sits and sings in anticipation and the bowl is absolutely licked clean. I have noticed her motions are a bit drier, especially the first one in the morning She loves this kibble, and at the end of the day that's the most important thing."
Pros
- Vet-recommended and premium
- Speeds up their metabolism
- Aids all essential health issues
Cons
- Only for overweight dogs
VERDICT: What is the best dog food for French Bulldogs?
What is the best food to give a French Bulldog?
Feeding your French Bulldog has never been easier. We've picked Royal Canin's French Bulldog Dry Adult Dog Food as our top pick. As mentioned by Dr Linda Simon, small bite-sized kibble works best for a Frenchie's plaque-prone teeth. This dry food is tailored for smaller breeds and comes complete with breed-specific nutrition. This was a tough choice.
Alternatively, James Wellbeloved's budget-friendly Small Breed Dry Adult Dog Food makes a fantastic runner-up.
FAQs
Is it best for a French Bulldog to be on a hypoallergenic diet?
If your Frenchie is prone to allergies, perhaps a hypoallergenic doggie diet is best, says Dr Linda Simon. She recommends trialing this for “eight weeks to see if it helps resolves signs” and ideally not feed your French Bulldog anything else. This way, your French Bulldog won’t require regular trips to the vet.
Luckily, brands such as James Wellbeloved, Lily's Kitchen and Pooch & Mutt have launched hypoallergenic and grain free dog food for your allergic pooch. We must say, it's heartening to see dog food brands recognise that all dogs are different. For example, Pooch & Mutt’s hypoallergenic, grain-free range is rich in fatty acids to support the skin barrier and is made with a novel mono-protein (salmon), absent of any of the usual culprits, such as soy and wheat.
What are Frenchies allergic to?
Allergies are a common problem for French Bulldogs, according to NomNomNow. Not only are they susceptible to developing canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), alongside genetic and food-based allergies make their lives a little trickier.
French Bulldogs with a food allergy will show the common canine symptoms, such as itchy skin, obsessive liking, biting of the pas, tummy issues, weight loss, redness of the skin and crusty sores year-round. Plus, recurring ear infections could be a sign of food sensitivity - not to mention the pesky pollen - which requires a doggie hayfever remedy.
What foods should French Bulldogs not eat? Well, work with a veterinarian to figure out which foods are affecting your Frenchie - cutting allergens out - and slowly reintroducing, them so you can eliminate any. Common food allergens can include dairy products, chicken - and their eggs, lamb, beef, fish, wheat- and gluten, soy, corn, additives and even colourings. So, watch out for the ingredients on the back of your dog food can.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.