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What’s the best food for a French bulldog?
The answer to that crucial question depends on the age of your Frenchie.
That’s because…
French bulldog puppies, adults and seniors EACH have different nutritional requirements.
Which is why…
A dog food that’s right for an adult Frenchie may contain too little calcium for a growing puppy… and too many calories for an inactive older dog.
And there are other important age-related differences, too.
Like the amount of phosphorus, iron… and 6 other minerals needed by the breed to achieve and maintain optimal long-term health.
What’s more…
An older Frenchie requires more protein… and fewer calories… than a younger animal.
Here’s the point…
Since there are no official nutrient guidelines for ANY specific breed…
It’s super critical to choose a dog food that’s designed to meet the science-based nutrient needs… based on the life stage of YOUR particular Frenchie.
What Are the Three Life Stages of a French Bulldog?
Since dog breeds age at different rates, the life stages below and can be used as a guide to help you find the best possible food for your Frenchie.1 2
| Life Stage | Age |
|---|---|
| Puppy | Under 12 months |
| Adult | Over 12 months |
| Senior | 10+ years |
Our Top Recommendations
On this page…
We’ll share the Dog Food Advisor’s safest and most recommended brands for your French bulldog, to suit their food preferences – wet, dry, fresh – as well as their pet parent’s budget.
We also answer the 6 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding this medium-size breed.
Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs December 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for French Bulldogs for December 2024.
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1. Best Overall Food for French Bulldogs: Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult
Adult Salmon and Peas is one of nine dry recipes rated in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This Nulo Freestyle formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh salmon and turkey meal as well as menhaden fish meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 18% fat and 41% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Contains ample proprietary probiotics for easy digestion and chelated minerals for superior nutrition. A top choice for those looking for a top level, grain-free formula. Readily recommended.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Contains probiotics
- Chelated minerals
- Easily digestible ingredients
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, whole peas, sweet potato Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Frenchies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog has been on this food for a while now and she does great on it! I love and trust this brand! No recalls, high protein, no chicken ingredients, no artificial fillers or flavors and great quality ingredients!"
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2. Best Fresh Dog Food for French Bulldogs: The Farmer's Dog Turkey recipe
This Turkey Recipe is one of four fresh formulas covered in our review of the The Farmer’s Dog product line.
The formula draws the lion’s share of its animal protein from fresh USDA turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33% protein, 19% fat and 40% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
If you’ve ever wished you could prepare a fresh, home-cooked meal for your Frenchie… without all the fuss… then The Farmer’s Dog may be the perfect fit.
An exceptional dog food made with human-grade ingredients. Worthy of its slightly higher price. Recommended with confidence.
For more choices: See our Best Fresh Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here
Things we like
- Human-grade ingredients
- Customized meal plan
- As close to home-cooked food but without the fuss
Main Ingredients USDA Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, parsnip Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 33% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For French Bulldog adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at The Farmer's Dog"This is the first time in a LONG time that Finnegan has been excited about dinner. We’ve gone through countless brands of canned food. I decided to switch… and am so glad I did. For the same amount of money, I have fresh food delivered that I know he is going to eat. Thank you for such a wonderful product!"
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3. Best Dry Dog Food for French Bulldogs: Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Real Beef & Brown Rice
Merrick Classic Real Beef + Brown Rice is one of 15 dry recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic Healthy Ancient Grains product line.
This Merrick formula gets the major part of its animal protein from a combination of fresh beef and pork meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
A classic, grain-inclusive design with no peas, lentils or other plant-based protein boosters. Ideal for French Bulldogs who prefer a traditional, grain-based recipe. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
For more choices: See our Best Dry Dog Food page.
Read our review of the full Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned beef, pork meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Frenchies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our rescue dog became a picky eater after 10 months; we started him on Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Beef & Brown Rice Recipe, he his eating it well and enjoys when we add in the freeze-dried beef by Merrick too. When our vet asked what we were feeding our dog, he said this is great dog food, high-quality and good ingredients for the dog; I couldn't recommend anything better. That was great to hear from our vet."
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4. Best Wet Dog Food for French Bulldogs: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Pate
Harvest Chicken Pate is one of five wet foods in our review of the canned Open Farm range
This recipe derives most of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 23% fat and 33% estimated carbs… which yields a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Pate is made with ethically sourced chicken, which provides a high-quality, lean source of protein. French Bulldogs, being a muscular breed, benefit from good protein to support muscle mass and overall health.
The texture of pâté is easier to digest for many dogs compared to dry kibble, which can be especially helpful for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomachs or dental issues.
For more choices: See our Best Wet Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full Open Farm Pate Dog Food (Canned) range here
Things we like
- Ethically-sourced ingredients
- Smooth pate texture
- Lean protein source
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, potatoes, chicken liver, sweet potatoes Texture Pate Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs and senior dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews"The quality ingredients made feeding our pup Open Farm a no brainer. Thee is hands-down no other food I'd feed after comparing the ingredients going into his meals."
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5. Best Grain-Inclusive Dog Food for French Bulldogs: Eukanuba Medium Breed Adult Chicken
This Medium Breed Chicken formula is one of 14 dry recipes contained in our review of the Eukanuba product line.
Eukanuba Medium Breed Chicken receives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken by-product meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals a recipe containing 28% protein, 18% fat and 46% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) of about 64%.
Offers complete, fully balanced nutrition for medium breed dogs over 12 months old. A classic mix of animal protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin… to support lean muscle development and joint health. Easily recommended.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Foods with Grain page.
Read our review of the full Eukanuba Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Complete & balanced
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin
- Lean protein source
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 28% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult Frenchies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I was feeding Pro Plan and dogs were doing great on it but I discovered that they use Ethoxyquin in most of their pet foods. It was very disappointing. I found Eukanuba which has similar ingredients minus Ethoxyquin. The ingredients are even better than PP. Less corn and no Menadione. I wish I'd found Eukanuba first. I'm surprised it's not more popular than it is. The ingredients are really good. My dogs are doing just as well on it. No issues changing over. Dogs love the taste, the unique kibble shape is easy to chew, and solid stool a plus. I highly recommend this product."
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6. Best Grain-Free Dog Food for French Bulldogs: Orijen Original
Orijen Original is one of nine dry recipes covered in our review of the Orijen Dog Food product line.
This Orijen formula derives the better part of its animal protein from fresh chicken, turkey and flounder as well as whole Atlantic mackerel. Dry matter label analysis reveals a recipe containing 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
A biologically appropriate design made with fresh, regional ingredients. And it’s 100% preservative free. A top level, fully balanced dog food. Recommended with confidence.
For more choices: See our Best Grain-Free Dog Foods page.
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Made from regional ingredients
- 100% preservative free
- Fully balanced
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For French Bulldog puppies and adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Don't let the price change your mind about feeding Orijen! You feed very little because it is a high protein food and it is more concentrated than others that are full of fillers. My dog loves the food and has a perfect coat, loads of energy, and maintains a perfect body condition. I would highly recommend this food to anyone."
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7. Best Food for French Bulldog Puppies: Wellness Complete Health Puppy
Wellness Puppy is one of 13 dry recipes contained in our review of the Wellness Complete product line.
Wellness Complete Health Puppy acquires much of its meat protein from deboned chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 20% fat and 40% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.
Containing omega-6 fatty acids at 3.8% and omega-3s at 1.0%, this recipe delivers an optimal fatty acid ratio of 4 to 1. Ideal for supporting vision and brain development in young puppies. And a superior design for French bulldog puppies. Highly recommended.
For more choices: See our Best Puppy Foods page.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Supports vision and brain development
- High protein
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards Growth Best For French Bulldog puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I can tell a lot from a dogs BM’s, so I will just say that I love the ingredients in this puppy food. I feed the adult version to our adult dogs and figured I would give the puppy version a shot given the ingredients are of such high-quality. The puppy likes the food which is awesome. The pieces are really small, about 3/8” diameter. But what I REALLY like is that her poops are the perfect consistency. That tells me her body is getting all the right nutrients and fiber while being gentle on her digestive system. Also makes clean up a cinch! I have used other popular brands in the past and had to deal with runny poops so I am a convert to the Wellness brand."
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8. Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Allergies: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet, Salmon & Brown Rice
This Salmon & Brown Rice formula is one of 26 Limited Ingredient Diet recipes in our review of this dry dog food range made by Natural Balance.
This particular formula uses a small number of ingredients, reducing the likelihood of exposure to common allergens. It derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh salmon and fish meal, a less common protein compared to chicken or beef, making it a good option if your French Bulldog has shown sensitivities to more typical proteins.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 17% fat and 49% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
For more choices: See our Best Dog Food for Allergies page.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Dry) range here
Things we like
- No soy, gluten or artificial flavors
- Limited ingredients
- Novel protein
Main Ingredients Salmon, menhaden fish meal, brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs, not puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews"For years, on an off, my dog would chew his paws excessively during the day until bed time. During the last year and a half it has been going non-stop chewing. I decided to cautiously switch food and brand to see if my dog had an allergy. After ONE month the paw chewing was reduced to a few moments during the day. It was such a relief. His red paws are now a nice pale skin color."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Here are the most frequently asked questions we get about feeding French Bulldogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to switch to a new food... without getting your Frenchie sick?
In the video below…
You’ll learn a simple feeding trick that can lower your Frenchie’s risk of getting sick when you switch to a new dog food.
Do French Bulldogs need to eat special dog food?
No… AAFCO3 and the FDA have established no official nutrient standards unique for French Bulldogs. Yet it’s still important to select a dog food that’s designed to meet the pet food industry’s guidelines that best match the life stage (puppy, adult or senior) of YOUR particular Frenchie.
How much food should you feed a French Bulldog to maintain ideal weight?
A landmark university study found that dogs fed an amount of food to keep them at ideal body condition lived nearly 2 years longer… than other dogs.4
So, to help your Frenchie live a longer life…
Begin with the feeding instructions printed on the bag or can. Then, adjust that amount up or down… to keep your Frenchie at ideal body condition.
In the video below…
You’ll learn the same science-based secret used by vets to determine exactly how much food it takes…
To help your French Bulldog achieve this healthy weight goal.
Do older Frenchies need more protein... or less?
Contrary to popular opinion…
Older French bulldogs tend to need more protein and fewer calories than younger dogs. That’s because (like humans) seniors must replace wasting muscle tissue as they age.
Although adult dog foods can legally contain as little as 18%, all our recommended brands for Frenchies contain at least 28% protein… which should be suitable for seniors, too.
However…
If you’re feeding a French Bulldog whose age is 10 years or more…
It’s best to consider feeding a diet that contains…
Above-average protein… and below-average calories.
Click here to see a list of The Dog Food Advisor’s top 10 best senior dog foods.
What's the best food for a French Bulldog puppy?
Since they’re considered medium breed dogs, Frenchie puppies benefit from eating foods that contain the right balance of calcium and other nutrients specifically designed for puppies. So, until your puppy reaches 9 to 12 months, your Frenchie should be fed a diet that meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines… and is clearly marked “for Growth” or “for All Life Stages”.
In addition to the 3 puppy and 3 all life stages listed above, you’ll find a complete list of The Dog Food Advisor’s Best Puppy Foods here.
When can I safely switch my French bulldog puppy to adult dog food?
Adult dog foods can contain be low in protein and other essential nutrients. So, it’s crucial to keep in mind that French Bulldog puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready to eat an adult dog food until they reach 9 to 12 months of age.
Final word
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