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9 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

french bulldog With their small, muscular bodies and adorable smushed-in faces, French Bulldogs have certain dietary requirements to keep them healthy. Frenchies are prone to obesity, skeletal and joint issues, and breathing problems, so they need high-quality food that’s low in fat and carbohydrates.

There are so many dog food choices on the market that it’s hard to decide which is right for your Frenchie. We’ve researched foods for you and made a list of reviews of the best ones. We’ve also created a buyer’s guide with important considerations when you go shopping for the best food for French Bulldogs.

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A Quick Comparison of our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe
  • High-protein
  • Customizable meals
  • Fresh ingredients
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Purina Savor Formula Purina Savor Formula
  • Real chicken is the first ingredient
  • Made of 25% less fat
  • Contains natural prebiotic fiber
  • Best for Puppies
    Third place
    Royal Canin Puppy Royal Canin Puppy
  • Exclusive kibble made for the short muzzle and brachycephalic jaw
  • Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition
  • Promotes a robust immune system and growth
  • Royal Canin Adult Royal Canin Adult
  • Contains L-carnitine and appropriate protein
  • Helps reduce intestinal fermentation
  • Kibble design
  • Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight
  • Contains essential proteins and carbohydrates
  • Contains no chicken (or poultry) by-products
  • corn
  • wheat
  • or soy
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • The 9 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

    the farmer's dog turkey recipe

    If you aren’t familiar with the best dog food on our list, let us introduce you to The Farmer’s Dog! This meal subscription service for dogs creates customized meal plans for your pets that feature homecooked, freshly made meals. You can choose from turkey, pork, beef, and chicken recipes for your dog. And because this company customizes meal plans to individual dogs, you can let them know if you want meals with fewer calories to keep your French Bulldog at a healthy weight.

    We’re looking at their Chicken Recipe today as the best overall dog food for French Bulldogs. With USDA chicken and chicken liver, there’s a ton of protein here for your pup (11.5% crude), which is wonderful for Frenchies. The recipe also contains fish oil to provide omega fatty acids to keep your Frenchie’s coat silky and smooth, plus a ton of required minerals and vitamins. This meal also includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and bok choy for an extra boost of nutrition and added flavor!

    Pros
    • High-protein
    • Customizable meals
    • Fresh ingredients
    Cons
    • Pricier than other dog foods

    2. Purina Pro Plan Savor Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Purina 38100140289 Pro Plan SAVOR Weight Control

    Purina Pro Plan Savor Formula Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for French Bulldogs for the money because it’s made with 25% less fat. This makes it a great choice for obesity-prone Frenchies. A whole chicken is the first ingredient, and the food is made of crunchy kibbles and shredded chicken pieces. It also contains natural prebiotic fiber sourced from wheat bran, which helps promote your dog’s digestive health. The food also has omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.

    On the downside, this food can cause bad breath in some dogs.

    Pros
    • Real chicken is the first ingredient
    • Made of 25% less fat to support a healthy weight
    • Contains natural prebiotic fiber to help promote digestive health
    • Contains omega-6 fatty acids to help maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat
    Cons
    • Can cause bad breath in some dogs

    3. Royal Canin French Bulldog Dog Food – Best for Puppies

    Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food is made just for your little Frenchie puppy. The kibbles are made with the short muzzle and brachycephalic jaw of French Bulldogs in mind. The food provides complete and balanced nutrition for Frenchies.

    The formula also promotes a strong immune system and growth during your puppy’s first year. Additionally, this food supports your puppy’s digestive health by promoting balanced intestinal flora. It also is easy to digest for complete nutrient absorption.

    Some puppies refuse to eat this food. It’s also on the pricier end of dog food since it’s breed-specific.

    Pros
    • Exclusive kibble made for the short muzzle and brachycephalic jaw of Frenchies
    • Provides 100% complete and balanced nutrition for purebred French Bulldog puppies
    • Promotes a robust immune system and growth during the first year
    • Supports digestive health, promotes balanced intestinal flora, and allows complete nutrient absorption
    Cons
    • Some puppies will not eat this formula
    • Expensive

    4. Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult Dry Dog Food is specifically designed for French Bulldogs over twelve months old. It contains L-carnitine and plenty of high-quality protein to maintain good muscle mass. It has probiotics to reduce intestinal fermentation which can cause digestive disorders. It also has a kibble design that’s easy for your Frenchie to eat and encourages chewing.

    Some dogs refuse to eat this food. It’s also expensive, so be sure to buy the smallest bag first to see if your Frenchie likes it.

    Pros
    • Contains L-carnitine and appropriate protein content to maintain muscle mass
    • Helps reduce intestinal fermentation
    • Kibble design is easy to eat and encourages chewing
    Cons
    • Some dogs will not eat this formula
    • Expensive

    5. Blue Buffalo Life Formula Dry Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

     

    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food is a great choice because it provides your Frenchie with high-quality protein from a whole chicken. The food contains no by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, which is good for dogs who suffer from allergies. It also has no artificial flavors or preservatives. The essential proteins and carbohydrates help keep your pup healthy and strong. It also contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin.

    In some dogs, this food can cause loose stools.

    Pros
    • High-quality protein from real chicken is the first ingredient
    • Contains essential proteins and carbohydrates
    • Contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin
    • Contains no chicken (or poultry) by-products, corn, wheat, or soy
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    Cons
    • Can cause loose stools

    6. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food

    CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food

    CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food contains chicken as the first ingredient for a high-quality protein source. It has probiotics and antioxidants to support your pup’s healthy digestion and immune system.

    This food also has omega-6 and 3 fatty acids to keep your Frenchie’s skin healthy and coat shiny. What’s more, it has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. This is especially helpful for French Bulldogs, who can sometimes have skeletal or joint issues.

    This food can cause intestinal upset in some dogs. It’s also grain-free, which may be problematic. The FDA is currently investigating all grain-free dog food as a potential cause of heart conditions in dogs.

    Pros
    • Chicken is the first ingredient, no corn wheat, or soy
    • Contains probiotics and antioxidants
    • Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
    • Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
    Cons
    • Can cause intestinal upset
    • Grain-free dog food is being investigated by the FDA

    7. Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food

    Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food

    Nutro Ultra Weight Management Dry Dog Food has high-quality protein from farm-raised chicken, pasture-fed lamb, and salmon. The high-quality protein gives the food plenty of taurine, which acts as a natural antioxidant for your dog. It also has whole grains for a healthy digestive system.

    To support your Frenchie’s joints, the food contains glucosamine and chondroitin. It’s free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives that may cause an allergic reaction.

    Some dogs won’t eat this food. It could be because of the strong, fishy odor. This odor also seems to cause bad breath in some dogs.

    Pros
    • Proteins from farm-raised chicken, pasture-fed lamb, and salmon
    • Whole grains for a healthy digestive system
    • Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
    • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
    Cons
    • Some dogs will not eat this formula
    • Strong fishy odor
    • Can cause bad breath

    8. Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food

    Merrick 35302 Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food

    Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food has deboned chicken listed as the first ingredient. This gives your pup a high-quality protein to keep it active and strong. This is a potato-free recipe for a lower glycemic option. For Frenchies who are prone to weight gain, foods with a lower glycemic option help them stay in shape.

    This food is also pea-free and lentil-free, which are two legumes that may be linked to heart problems in dogs. This formula is also free of by-products and artificial preservatives that might cause allergic reactions in dogs.

    However, this product is not a home run. For some dogs, this food can cause digestive problems. It can also cause skin irritation and itching. The kibble is very dry. Some dogs refuse to eat this food, so be sure to get a small bag to try at first.

    Pros
    • The number one ingredient is deboned chicken
    • Potato-free recipe for a lower glycemic option
    • Pea-free, lentil-free, no by-products or artificial preservatives
    Cons
    • Can cause digestive problems
    • Can cause skin irritation and itching
    • Kibble is too dry
    • Some dogs will not eat this formula

    9. Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dog Food

    Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food

     

    Nulo Adult Grain Free Dog Food is made with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from deboned salmon. This helps keep your Frenchie’s coat shiny and healthy. It also helps support lean muscles and a healthy heart. This food has no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives that can act as fillers in your dog’s food.

    On the downside, this food is on the more expensive end. And because it’s a grain-free food, it could potentially be problematic to your dog’s health. The FDA is currently investigating the link between grain-free food and heart problems in dogs. This food can also cause digestive problems and allergic reactions in some dogs. Some dogs also refuse to eat this food.

    Pros
    • Omega-3 fatty acids from deboned salmon
    • No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Grain-free could be problematic
    • Can cause digestive problems
    • Some dogs will not eat this formula
    • Can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs

    There are many things to consider when you’re shopping for the best dog food for your French Bulldog. Frenchies are small dogs that are prone to obesity, breathing problems, and skeletal issues. Because of this, Frenchies need high-quality food that’s low in fat and has plenty of protein. To help you in your search, we’ve created a buyer’s guide. Here’s how to find the best dog food for French Bulldogs:

    High-Quality Protein

    Whole meat should be the primary source of high-quality protein for your French Bulldog. When you look at the label, you shouldn’t see meat meal or by-products as the first ingredients. They often contain unhealthy parts of animal carcasses, such as hooves and hair.

    By-products are not all bad, though. They may include organ meats, which can be a great source of iron. You just don’t want it to be the first ingredient.

    Whole Grains

    Whole grains are generally lower in carbohydrates. Since your Frenchie is prone to obesity, you want to avoid food filled with extra carbohydrates. It’s best to choose food without corn products for this reason.

    Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids

    To keep your Frenchie’s immune system healthy, keep their skin in good shape, and give them a shiny coat, your pup needs fatty acids. The best source of the most common omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil. You may also see flaxseed listed as an ingredient.

    French Bulldog
    Image Credit: ElfinFox, Pixabay

    Avoid Artificial Ingredients

    Some dog foods use fillers like corn and wheat to add calories without any real health benefit. It’s also best to look for dog food that does not include artificial flavors or preservatives. Artificial ingredients are known to cause allergic reactions and gastrointestinal problems in some dogs.

    Vitamins, Minerals, & Supplements

    Dogs are omnivores, which means they eat fruits and vegetables just like we do. Dog food that contains fruits and vegetables to provide vitamins and minerals is especially healthful for French Bulldogs because they are a great source of fiber. This is good for maintaining a healthy weight, but it’s also good for your dog’s digestion.

    Food that includes glucosamine and chondroitin is ideal because they support healthy joints and cartilage. It’s also best to find a food that includes probiotics for overall digestive health.

    Low-Calorie Option 

    Because French Bulldogs are prone to weight gain and obesity, foods that are made for weight management are a great choice. These foods provide a low-calorie option with plenty of protein, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to give your pup the nutrition it needs.

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    Final Verdict

    And there you have it, our list of the best dog foods for French Bulldogs. To summarize, our best overall choice is The Farmer’s Dog! This meal subscription service for dogs creates custom, high-quality, dog food to keep your 4-legged friend happy and healthy.

    Our best value choice is the Purina Pro Plan Savor Formula Dry Dog Food because it’s formulated with 25% less fat, which is good for Frenchies who are prone to weight gain. It contains prebiotic fiber to support a healthy digestive system. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat.

    Because French Bulldogs are a small breed with certain health considerations like obesity, they need dog food tailored to their unique body type. With so many different dog foods on the market today, it’s hard to know which is the best one for your Frenchie. We hope our list of reviews and buyer’s guide has helped you find the best one for you.


    Featured Image: Mylene2401 from Pixabay

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