How much should a French Bulldog eat?
French Bulldogs are very good at getting what they want from their people, and that includes some extra food. However, over-feeding your French Bulldog can be very dangerous, resulting in health problems. Here's what you need to know about how much to feed your French Bulldog to keep them healthy and happy.
How much to feed French Bulldogs?
How much your French Bulldog should eat depends on their size when they are at a healthy weight and how energetic they are. In general, French Bulldogs aren’t considered particularly energetic dogs.Â
That means that you won't feed your French Bulldog as much as you would feed more energetic small dogs of the same healthy weight, such as a Jack Russell Terrier. Of course, if you have an unusually energetic French Bulldog, you may need to feed them more.Â
To determine how much food to give a healthy French Bulldog, take their weight in kilograms and raise it to the ¾ power by 70. For instance, an average French Bulldog of about 22 lb would have the following formula: 70(10kg)3/4 ≈ 400 Calories/day. However, a number of factors go into this formula:
While you’re cooking, suddenly, your dog looks at you. You want to give them a little treat but wonder if they can eat the food you are holding in your hand.
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- Fixed vs. not fixed. An intact French Bulldog requires slightly more calories than one that is fixed.
- Underweight vs. overweight. An underweight French Bulldog needs more than a healthy French Bulldog, whereas an overweight Frenchie needs less food.
- Activity level. Very active Frenchies need more calories every day than those that tend to be couch potatoes.
- Age. French bulldog puppies need more calories than older dogs. A puppy that is under four months needs considerably more, while a puppy that is four months to an adult needs slightly more.
How many cups of food should I feed my French Bulldog?
Just how many cups of food your French Bulldog actually needs depends on how many calories are in the food. Because French Bulldogs have a fairly low body weight and low energy level, it is best to choose a food without many calories per cup.
Lower than 350 calories per cup is a good idea. This way, your 22 pound French Bulldog will be able to eat at least a cup of food a day. Any less than that, and your French Bulldog may still feel hungry even when they have had as many calories per pound as they are supposed to.
How to stretch out French Bulldog feeding?
Most French Bulldogs have a seemingly natural hunger that is almost insatiable. You are very likely to find that your French Bulldog tries to eat other pet’s food or begs even after they have been given their meal. Here are a few tips to help keep your Frenchie satisfied:
- Divide meals up. Your French Bulldog is much more likely to be satisfied if they get multiple meals a day. About half a cup twice a day will be a more satisfying eating routine than one cup in the morning or evening. Three meals is even better for most French Bulldogs.
- Include healthy treats. A few treats can really impact your dog's overall calorie consumption if you are using high-calorie commercially available treats. However, by giving your French Bulldog green beans and other low-calorie vegetables, you can fill their bellies without exceeding their calorie limitations.
- Provide food for training treats. Offering your French Bulldog’s daily food allotment as a training treat is a great way to make the food seem more valuable to them at the same time as you provide awesome training for your dog.
- Choose dry dog food. Dry dog food will seem to go much further than raw food or wet food.
Give your French Bulldog a healthy amount of food
It can be very tempting to give your French Bulldog as much food as they want. After all, this breed is a master of the mournful puppy eyes. However, feeding your dog too much can result in serious consequences for their health, so it is very important to stick to the rules and only give your French Bulldog as much as they should have. Remember that healthy and filling treats like green beans are a great way to round out their diet.
My experience as the liaison of integrative medicine, neurology, and zoo medicine at UF Small Animal Hospital gave me valuable insight into the challenges faced by pet owners with animals who have medical conditions. My time there also gave me the opportunity to care for a disabled dog and write a book about the experience.
As manager of a dog daycare, I learned about how dogs play and interact, warning signs for aggression, and how to rehabilitate dog-reactive dogs. During my time there I was under the mentorship of two groomers, from whom I learned grooming essentials.
I currently work with high-risk shelter dogs and manage a blog to help other volunteers and foster families. I have two dogs of my own, a Maltese and a Standard Poodle.
