Like other breeds, French Bulldogs are known to have sensitivities to allergens triggered by certain foods and the environment around them. It is crucial to recognize certain signs of allergic reactions. You must know typical food allergens to avoid and purchase the best food for French Bulldogs with allergies.
| PRODUCT | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | BLUE BUFFALO WILDERNESS GRAIN-FREE SALMON DOG FOOD |  | Check Price |
 | Hill's Science Diet |  | Check Price |
 | Wild-Caught Salmon Dog Food | | Check Price |
French Bulldog Allergies
Food Allergies
French Bulldogs have numerous foods they are sensitive to, similar to other dog breeds.
Food allergies in dogs are a result of antibodies within the intestine. It interacts with allergens in the food. When this occurs, dogs have a histaminic response. Similar to humans, their body responds with observable symptoms.
The most typical food allergy is related to protein sources. This means you need to provide your Frenchie leaner meat.
Foods listed below cause allergic reactions in Frenchies as well as other dogs. It can irritate their immune system:
- Dairy Products
- Chicken
- Beef
- Some types of fish
- Wheat
- Lamb
- Corn
- Soy
- Chicken eggs
Environmental Allergies
Aside from food allergies, Frenchies and other dogs can be allergic to environmental factors. Allergens in the environment will produce similar results to food allergens. The antibodies of dogs can become extremely sensitive when it comes in contact with the allergens. It does not mix well with their makeup.
When this occurs, the oversensitive antibodies produce excessive amounts of histamine, which create an allergic reaction.
The environmental factors below typically result in allergic reactions:
- Dust mites
- Dander
- Pollen
- Spores
What Are the Signs of French Bulldogs With Allergies?
Food Allergy Symptoms
Food allergies in Frenchies, as well as other dogs, can appear anytime similar to humans. These symptoms will have various effects depending on how severe the allergy is.
Once your dog is exposed to food allergens, they will exhibit the following signs and symptoms:
Gastrointestinal response
The most typical abdominal reaction to food allergy is diarrhea. It will also result in vomiting as well as flatulence. Dogs may also not digest their meal well and have pancreatitis. They may also have dehydration and other harmful medical issues.
Skin conditions
Similar to humans, dogs can suffer from skin conditions due to their food allergies. Their skin will have eruptions and have itchy and painful hives, rashes, as well as sores. They will suffer from hyperpigmentation and more. Open skin sores are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. It must be tended to mitigate the open wounds from developing infections.
Environmental Allergy Symptoms
Dogs typically develop a genetic predisposition to environmental allergens between the ages of three and six. Like humans, these environmental factors can produce atopic dermatitis causing the skin to be extremely sensitive to allergies. Symptoms show as hay fever, asthma, as well as irritated scabbed skin. Rashes may also develop.
Environmental allergies are long-term and have no known cure. However, they can be managed with medication.
Once Frenchies contract environmental allergies, they will excessively scratch affected areas. Body parts susceptible to become extremely inflamed are the following:
- Groin area or stomach
- Toes and feet
- Ears
- Eyes, nose or face
note:
You should be extremely cautious if the face of your French Bulldog becomes irritated. They have skin folds that can conceal painful allergies and rashes.
Treating Allergies Affecting French Bulldogs
Food Allergy Treatment
To determine if your Frenchie is allergic to a food, the simplest way to discover what is harming them is through an elimination diet. Eradicate potential food allergens from your dog’s diet for 7 to 10 days. Observe if the symptoms mitigate. Once it does, slowly add back items into their diet until you find the trigger.
If it doesn’t work and symptoms persist, your pup may need to be examined by a vet. Your pet will undergo blood and urine tests. If a disease is not discovered, the vet will recommend prescription food probiotics as well as medication.
Unfortunately, this process can be tough for dogs who are used to getting treats.
If you are in doubt, always consult a vet since they will guide you in the right direction.
Environmental Allergy Treatment
To treat environmental allergies, a vet will usually recommend corticosteroids as well as antihistamines to mitigate your Frenchie from scratching itchy areas. Depending on the seriousness of the allergic symptoms, the potency of the medication will be determined by your vet.
Additionally, topical ointments, as well as OTC, will help ease the scabs and open wounds on your dog’s skin and mitigate the irritation. This can be a tricky process if your dog excessively licks these areas. Make sure you put the treatment on the affected area when your Frenchie is sleepy. You can also try to distract them for several minutes and apply the ointment.
What Are Healthy Foods for French Bulldogs?
The weight of your French Bulldog is crucial to their health. Typically, a French bulldog will weigh around 25 pounds. They must have a calorie intake of up to 600 kcal a day. But when it comes to senior Frenchies, you may need to cut down this number. You may need to provide the extra calories for extremely active bullies and puppies because they will need them for energy.
Since French Bulldogs develop quickly, make sure the food they are consuming is good for their health and weight and height. The food they consume must have a whole spectrum of nutrients. Steer clear from foods that have preservatives and fillers. It can be harmful to dogs and result in weight gain. Be aware that foods that contain wheat are a top culprit of flatulence in French Bulldogs.
Examine ingredients before purchasing to ensure that every protein utilized in your Frenchie’s food is from meat and not plants. The best protein source is whole meat such as chicken, fish and lamb. Dogs cannot easily absorb protein from plants, so meat protein is the best option to ensure they won’t have digestive issues later on.
Other ideal ingredients to look for are foods with sufficient amounts of fat, especially chicken fat or fish oil. It helps keep their fur and skin healthy. Besides, puppies should have optimal levels of DHA, which helps in eye and brain development. Senior dogs should take additional amounts of medium-chain triglycerides. It keeps your French Bulldog young and active.
Hypoallergenic Diet Options for Your French Bulldog
Novel protein
These are protein sources that are not typically found in Bulldog diets. It is a protein source that your Frenchie has never consumed before.
Hydrolyzed protein
This is a prescription protein diet that is processed from an assembly line. It has a clean and sterilized protein. The hydrolyzation of the proteins changes them in ways that make them less likely to be detected by the immune system of your French Bulldog. It is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Tips and Warnings About Food Allergies of French Bulldogs
Grain-free food products
If you are concerned about allergens present in your French Bulldog’s food and are suspicious that your Bulldog is allergic to grains, you should opt for a grain-free dietary trial. Please provide them with a grain-free diet for 2 to 3 weeks.
Isolate your French Bulldog’s food from the food of other pets
While you are putting your French Bulldog on a hypoallergenic trial, make sure that your Bulldog is not consuming food items other than what’s on their food bowl. If you can’t be certain that your French Bulldog will not eat from other food bowls, it is recommended you have all your pets undergo the hypoallergenic diet.
Testing for allergies
The optimum diagnostic test for food allergies will be a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks of diet trial. It is ideal if only digestive issues are suspected. When it comes to skin allergies, the trial should last 8 to 10 weeks.
Top 3 Best Food for French Bulldogs With Allergies
OUR TOP PICK!
[wp-review id=”986″]Runners Up
Hill's Science Diet
Health science diet is a dog food specifically designed for dogs with stomach sensitivities and skin issues. What sets it apart from other brands is the rice is utilized as the first ingredient. Chicken meal is the second protein source. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is easily digestible and absorbed. It might be the optimum choice for your dog.
As the top carbohydrate source, this dog food will have sorghum instead of traditional grains such as corn and wheat. It may be the ideal choice since sorghum is a whole-grain with zero gluten and has high antioxidants levels.
This dog food also contains flaxseed, which is digestible and an excellent source of Omega six fatty acids. It helps boost the immune system. Flaxseed is also beneficial for digestive health. All these ingredients make this best food for French bulldogs with allergies an excellent choice for your dog with digestive issues.
The formulation is entirely free from corn and preservatives. It is enhanced with various crucial vitamins and minerals.
If you have a dog that tends to gain weight easily, it may not be a good choice because the high carbohydrate content can store excess fat if you are not cautious with portions. Besides, the manufacturer stated that this dog food is not entirely zero gluten. It might not be the best food for French Bulldogs with allergies to gluten.
Wild-Caught Salmon Dog Food
Castor and Pollux best food for French bulldogs with allergies distinguished from other brands by its quality ingredients. It is chock-full of healthy meat, proteins, and carbohydrates. This dog food has very few ingredients, making it one of the ideal choices for French Bulldogs suffering from allergies.
Salmon is the main ingredient in this food. It is believed that the manufacturer’s decision to utilize salmon instead of farm fish is crucial because it mitigates the concerns about antibiotics that might have been utilized for feeding farmed salmon.
It is also infused with high-quality carbohydrates such as chickpeas, apples, and blueberries. These vegetables and fruits are organic and guaranteed fresh and nutritious.
Final Thoughts – Best Food for French Bulldogs With Allergies
You probably purchased your French Bulldog because of their awesome look. Without a doubt, a Frenchie is one unique furball. But your beautiful French Bulldog can suffer skin allergies from food, which can impact their appearance. It is crucial to feed your French Bulldog a high-quality best food for French bulldogs with allergies. In many cases, prevention is better than cure. Please consult with your vet about the best nutrition plan for your Frenchy to maintain their skin and coat.
