For lavishing and attention-giving dogs, french bulldogs are pretty famous for their food intolerances and weak stomachs.
French bulldogs are among the many canine breeds sensitive to common allergens found in the food they eat, the environment around them, or immune system overreactions.
If left unattended, food allergy cases often vary from mild to severe (such as inflammatory bowel diseases and anaphylactic shock).
It is important to know what causes your dog's allergy to remove it from their diet while maintaining ultimate nutrition standards.
Sometimes, your dog's discomfort may not be a food allergy but food intolerance!
Do French Bulldogs get allergies?
French bulldogs(Frenchies) are a small dog breed famously known for their bulldog resemblance, playfulness, alertness, and very charming personalities.
They have erect bat-like ears, large square heads, short noses with wrinkles rolled above them, and smooth muscular, compact coats. They also come in a variety of colours.
Frenchies are more sensitive to many things than other dogs. Hypersensitivity to food may trigger critical reactions that require immediate medical attention.
Food sensitivities occur when the immune system responds negatively to substances it normally tolerates by producing antibodies against a particular food ingredient or compound.
Frenchies are a short-hair dog breed but shed a lot of hair and can be a problem for people with dog hair allergies; they are still not hypoallergenic.
No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. Frenchies are bad for allergy sufferers and can arouse extreme reactions.
When do French Bulldogs develop allergies?
It is common for Frenchies to be liable to allergens in their food or environment.
The ages of one and three years are when most French Bulldogs are most exposed to allergies, but they can develop at any age and get worse.
There are three French Bulldog allergies: food intolerance, skin, and environmental.
Food Allergies or Intolerance: When antibodies in a dog's intestine negatively react to a particular allergen in the food, the interaction causes food allergy. This results in a histamine response from the dog, provoking visible signs.
Allergies usually develop gradually, meaning a Frenchie can eat the same food for a while before its sensitivity appears.
Most food allergens are related to proteins such as; corn, beef, chicken, dairy products (such as milk, cheese, and eggs), some fish, wheat, pork, lamb, soy, and rice.
Environmental and Seasonal Allergies: Genetics is the main determinant of whether a dog will experience allergic reactions. Environmental allergies are pretty much like food allergies. The dog's antibodies become hypersensitive when they contact allergens that react with their makeup, and touching or inhaling the allergen triggers the dog's allergy.
These allergens include; grass, cleaning products, mould spores, dust mites, pollen, bugs, animal dander, trees, grass, pollen, flea bites, and environmental pollutants.
Skin Allergies: Frenchies are prone to developing hives due to food allergies. They may develop skin allergies such as dry, flaky skin, allergic dermatitis, hot spots, lesions, mange impetigo, ringworm, yeast infections, and scabby and crusty sores.
How do you know if your Frenchie has an allergy?
The main cause of allergies in Frenchies is atopy, which is based on environmental factors.
Food intolerance occurs when dogs have problems digesting particular food types. Occasionally, food allergies may be caused by an ingredient instead of a food type and may result in gastrointestinal issues, skin allergies, or respiratory problems.
Symptoms of dog allergies are similar to common dog conditions such as pyoderma and dermatitis, making it difficult to diagnose the allergy trigger.
Below are common symptoms French Bulldogs may show:
(Food Allergies)
- Itching and scratching around the ears, butt, stomach, and paws
- Red and inflamed lumps occur as spots and hives
- Bald patches from hair loss around the itchy areas
- Paw licking from sometimes infections
- Swollen face, including lips, ears, and eyelids.
- Personality changes such as aggression
- Persistent upset stomach
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lack of appetite and weight loss
- Flatulence and a rumbling belly
- Hyperactivity
(Environmental Allergies)
- Excessive licking of paws
- Raw or scaly patches
- Head shaking
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Sneezing and watery eyes
- Chronic paw and ear infection
- Itching and scratching
- Infected and inflamed skin
- Excessive shedding
How can I help my French Bulldog with allergies?
Diagnosing food allergies is often done through food elimination. The vet recommends the removal of any potential food allergens in the dog's diet for about 2-3 weeks.
If the symptoms start subsiding, the foods are added back to the dog's diet until the causative one is found. Hypoallergenic food can often be prescribed after, and a raw diet with whole ingredients is a good choice for the elimination process.
On the other hand, diagnosing environmental allergies may involve a vet offering blood or urine tests to indicate the cause of the allergy.
For treatments, antihistamines and corticosteroids are prescribed to help with Frenchie's itching and scratching. If there are secondary infections, oral antibiotics may be required.
Alternatively, probiotics help reduce inflammation caused by allergic reactions and strengthen the dog's gut and immune system. Safe Guard's soil-based pre+probiotics is an allergy support supplement that can help.
However, most vets prefer not to treat the dog's itching or other symptoms before gauging the results of the elimination method. Still, if there are infection risks or other conditions, the vet will provide medication for relief.
Prescribed or over-the-counter topical ointments may help with the dog's skin allergies. Try applying the lotions when the dog is sleepy or distracted to avoid them licking the wounds.
Frenchies experiencing mild allergies can be given Benadryl, but for advanced situations, they should be taken for vet checkups.
Oatmeal bath and paste, apple cider vinegar water spray, chamomile, and herbal tea soaks are some home remedy equipment one can use on their dog's skin.
It is important to notify a vet of slight allergic signs to help in early diagnosis and treatment.
Should French Bulldogs eat wet or dry food?
Both wet and dry food is good for Frenchies as wet food gives them easier eating time while the latter helps them keep their teeth clean.
French bulldogs are commonly sensitive and prone to allergies necessitating a lot of care in what they are fed. The foods must be nutritious and safe before feeding them to your dog.
Here are some of the best dog foods for your French Bulldog
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dog Food: They are dedicated to manufacturing top-grade pet foods of high-quality natural ingredients. Their first ingredient is real meat, including real chicken, and primary ingredients such as whole grains, brown rice, veggies, and fruits. Antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins blend perfectly in each kibble to ensure your Frenchie's wellness.
- Taste of The Wild Premium Dry Dog Food: They focus on high protein and easily digested ingredients. It has buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken as its first ingredients and includes fruits, veggies, fish meal, and eggs. In addition, it has blends of probiotics that help the dog's gut and immune system.
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry: Its first ingredients are chicken, dried peas, chicken meal, soybean meal, and whole ground corn, with primary ingredients of brown rice, beet pulp, and corn which are rich in fibre.
- Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult: Their bulk protein is derived from fresh salmon and turkey meals and is grain free. Its first ingredients are deboned salmon, menhaden fish meal, turkey meal, sweet potato, and whole peas. It has chelated minerals for good nutrition and proprietary probiotics for strengthened immunity.
- Wellness Core Grain-Free Reduced-Fat Formula: Concerns about your Frenchie gaining weight, particularly as they age, can be remedied by this protein-rich but low in calories and fat dog food. Its first ingredients are turkey and chicken.
- AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support Dog Food: It is preservative-free, grain-free, and filler-free with fibre to help digestion. Its first ingredient is duck meat, peas, beans, tomatoes, chicken fat, and avocados, which are great for dogs with sensitive skins and intestines.
- Farmina N & D Prime Adult Formula: Its best meat is derived from fresh and dehydrated chicken fully balanced. It has the first ingredients of chicken, chicken fat and dehydrated chicken, sweet potatoes, and dried whole eggs. The omega fatty acids help promote skin coat health, and berries provide antioxidants to fight damaging free radicals.
- CANIDAE Pure Limited Ingredient Premium Dog Food: It is solid with high-quality dog food with zero fillers. It has real lamb as its first ingredient, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and peas. In addition, it is infused with probiotics, antioxidants, and nutrients for heart health, healthy digestion, healthy immune system, and healthy skin and joints.
- Origen Original: It is preservative free with an appropriate biological design made up of fresh regional ingredients, including; chicken, chicken liver, whole mackerel, turkey, and flounder.
- Blue Buffalo Grain Free Basics Dry Dog Food: the recipe is a blend of turkey and potato suitable for dogs with sensitive intestines. Pumpkins, potatoes, and peas incorporate gentle digestion further. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which helps with the dog's joints.
Final Thought
French Bulldogs are unique in their way in addition to their sensitivity to foods and their environment.
However, their appearances can be impacted by skin allergies from food denting their awesome looks. This makes it necessary for Frenchie owners to look out for their health and safety and prioritise giving the dog's the best dog foods on the market.
If allergies are not attended to during their onset, they can turn into gastrointestinal problems and secondary skin conditions. The dog can fall ill from bacteria that will enter its body.
Ensure to keep up with regular vet checkups for your dog's health.
Add probiotics and immunity ingredients to the dog's diet to help their gut's overall health and immune system.