Best French Bulldog Puppy Food 2025: Vet Recommended Best Dog Food for a Healthy Start

• Overview of Top Vet-Recommended French Bulldog Puppy Food
• Food Requirements – Understanding Your French Bulldog Puppy’s Nutritional Needs
• Other Components of Puppy Foods
• Tips on Choosing a Dog Food and Evaluating Dog Food Brands
• Commercial Dog Food Ingredients To Look for and Avoid
• Wet Food vs. Dry (Kibble) vs. Fresh
• Grain-free, Raw Food, or Home-Cooked
• Other Considerations to find the best food
• Special Considerations for the Needs of French Bulldog Puppies
• Feeding Schedules and Portion Control
• Treats and Supplements
• Top Vet-Recommended French Bulldog Puppy Food
• What About Water?
• Special Situations and Handling Common Nutrition-Related Problems
• Frenchie Dog Breed Flatulence and Digestive Upset
• Monitoring Your French Bulldog’s Health Through Nutrition
• The Best Food for Your French Bulldog Puppy as it Grows
• FAQ

Bringing a new French Bulldog puppy into your family is an exciting and joyous time. But caring for a puppy is also a lot of work! From housetraining and puppy classes to vaccines and deworming, you want to do all you can to set your puppy up for a happy and healthy life. This includes deciding what to feed them, and the choices may seem endless and overwhelming. Whether you’re a seasoned Frenchie owner or new to the breed, we will guide you through the nutritional needs of French Bulldogs, how to find the best vet-approved and science-backed diet to promote optimal growth, navigate breed-specific challenges like allergies and digestive upset, and ultimately support their health from the inside out.  

If you are researching options for adult dogs, check out our guide to the best dog food for Frenchies.

Overview of Top Vet-Recommended French Bulldog Puppy Food

Food Requirements – Understanding Your French Bulldog Puppy’s Nutritional Needs

 An appropriate diet can have a big impact on your dog’s overall health, and it starts in puppyhood. Diets made for puppies help them: 

• Grow at an optimal pace
• Prevent developmental orthopedic disease and nutritional deficiencies
• Fuel brain development
• Promote immune function
• Establish a routine to prevent obesity later in life

To provide these crucial benefits, French Bulldog puppy foods are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of puppies, containing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in specific amounts.

Protein

Protein is a key energy source and also provides the amino acid building blocks needed to make muscle and perform important body functions. Puppies require more protein than adult dogs (22.5% vs.18% on a dry matter basis per AAFCO) to help support their rapid growth. Requirements are highest immediately after weaning and then gradually decrease. Protein sources should be high-quality and easily digestible. 

Fats

Fat is a highly concentrated source of energy critical for growing puppies. It also provides essential fatty acids, like omega-6 and omega-3 (DHA and EPA), which have important roles in maintaining a healthy skin and fur coat, nervous system health, cognitive development, regulation of inflammation, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Puppy food has higher fat content than adult food (a minimum of 8.5% vs. 5.5%).  

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are critical for many key bodily processes, including fluid balance, blood clotting, vision, antioxidant effects, immune and nervous system function, bone and muscle health, and more. Of specific importance to puppies (large and giant breeds especially) is a diet with the correct balance of calcium and phosphorus for optimal rate of growth. 

Other Components of French Bulldog Puppy Foods

In addition to containing the essential nutrients listed above, puppy food is also highly digestible and may contain prebiotics and probiotics to support gastrointestinal health. Puppy foods are also more energy-dense than adult diets to support growth and development. As carbohydrates are not considered an “essential nutrient,” AAFCO does not specify a minimum amount; however, they are important as a source of energy and fiber. Most puppy foods contain 20-60% on a dry matter basis, with dry dog food containing more than wet. 

Tips on Choosing a French Bulldog Puppy Food and Evaluating Dog Food Brands

WSAVA and AAFCO Guidelines 

There are several ways to make sure that your puppy’s diet is complete and balanced, meaning it will contain all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for growth and optimal health, in the correct amounts. 

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the minimum standards for a dog food to be considered complete and balanced in the United States. As nutritional requirements change over time, diets must be formulated for a specific lifestage (such as growth, adult, senior, pregnant/nursing, or all lifestages) and labeled as such. Meeting these requirements can be achieved through formulation (simply creating food recipes) or, preferably, through feeding trials (feeding the diet to animals to make sure there are no nutritional deficiencies). 

Veterinary experts often recommend choosing diets that meet WSAVA-approved dog food standards to ensure balanced growth.

What is the WSAVA?
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) offers a set of global guidelines to help pet owners find the right food that’s not only complete and balanced but produced by a company that employs veterinary nutritionists, performs feeding trials, nutritional analysis and quality control testing, and is dedicated to research and transparency, among other things. WSAVA does not have a list of approved or certified brands, but veterinarians widely consider dog foods that meet WSAVA guidelines to include food like Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, and The Farmer’s Dog. Other pet food companies are also currently working towards meeting these guidelines. 

Commercial Dog Food Ingredients To Look for and Avoid 

You may have heard that animals require nutrients, not ingredients. So while the ingredients in commercial dog food brands certainly contribute to and provide information about the quality of a diet, they are not as important as other factors, such as WSAVA compliance, when choosing the best food for your Frenchie. Certain buzzwords, such as grain-free, raw food diets, human-grade, byproducts, and fillers, can be misleading. Avoid toxic human foods and any ingredients that your Frenchie puppy has an allergy or intolerance to.  

Wet Food vs. Dry (Kibble) vs. Fresh

The main difference between dry food and wet dog food is the water content and how the food is processed. Fresh dog food, involving whole ingredients and minimal processing, is a newer option available for pet owners. As long as they are complete and balanced for puppies, wet, dry, and fresh foods can all be appropriate food options; it just comes down to a matter of personal preference. Mixing different types of foods is also possible but should be discussed with your vet to make sure that nutritional needs are being met without overfeeding. 

 Wet dog food typically contains >65% moisture. These soft foods are easier to chew, highly palatable, and can help keep your pet well hydrated (key for those with kidney disease or who don’t drink as much water as they should). Once opened, wet food will spoil quickly. It is also more costly than dry food. 

 French Bulldog puppy kibble (dry food) has <20% moisture, is highly processed, and contains higher carbohydrate content. Some dogs may find kibble less palatable than other options, but the long shelf-life, convenience, and lower cost are often appealing to owners. Contrary to popular belief, kibble is not better for dental health, unless it is a prescription dental diet. 

 Fresh dog food contains high moisture content, whole food ingredients, and is minimally processed. As a result, it is highly palatable and becoming more popular with dog owners. However, the cost is significantly more (often through a subscription service), and the storage and preparation of these foods may be more challenging. 

Grain-free, Raw Food, or Home-Cooked

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of dog food and canine nutrition, which are often perpetuated by certain buzzwords used in marketing, such as grain-free or ancestral. While there may not be a single right food for all dogs, some types of food are known to cause harm and should be avoided, especially in puppies. 

 Most raw and BEG (boutique, exotic, or grain-free) diets do not meet the WSAVA guidelines. While research is ongoing, BEG diets containing high levels of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, dry beans) and potatoes, are most commonly implicated in causing heart disease known as diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy. Raw diets are often unbalanced and have a high risk of contamination with bacteria and parasites, which is especially dangerous for a puppy’s immature immune system, and can also affect humans and other pets in the household. Unless formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, home-cooked diets are also likely to be unbalanced. 

Other Considerations to find the best food

When determining the best food for your French Bulldog puppy, it’s also important to consider factors such as cost, shelf-life, palatability, and individual preference. Lastly, it’s important to monitor your puppy’s body condition, skin and coat health, and bathroom habits to make sure the diet is a good fit, and address any concerns with your vet. 

Special Considerations for the Needs of French Bulldog Puppies

French Bulldogs are considered small-breed dogs. They are also a brachycephalic breed, with a short muzzle, wide, flat face, and underbite. French bulldogs are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies, digestive issues, and dental disease, which often have an underlying dietary component. Because of these characteristics, French bulldog needs are specific. Puppies may benefit from a puppy food for small breeds that has smaller kibble size, is soft and easy to chew, or is designed with sensitive skin and stomachs in mind. Small-breed puppies should eat small meals frequently to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

Feeding Schedules and Portion Control

There are many benefits to establishing a consistent feeding routine during puppyhood, including reducing stress and anxiety, preventing obesity later in life, providing opportunities for training and reinforcing basic manners, and easier monitoring of early symptoms of illness such as decreased appetite. Additionally, feeding your puppy daily food at consistent times makes house training much easier, as most puppies poop within 30 minutes of eating. 

 The number of food portions that you feed your puppy depends on their age. Puppies should be introduced to solid foods (wet food or softened kibble) around 3-4 weeks of age and fully weaned by 8-10 weeks. Young small breed puppies (8-12 weeks old) need to eat 3-4 times per day, while those who are 3-6 months can eat 3 meals per day. Puppies and adult dogs over 6 months of age typically eat twice a day. 

 The right amount to feed your Frenchie puppy will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, activity level, spay/neuter status, and the diet that you choose. Different diets have different energy densities (number of calories in a specific amount of food). The best way to determine how much to feed your growing French Bulldog puppy is to look at the feeding table on the back of the dog food label. This is generally a good starting point, and can then be adjusted based on your dog’s body condition score and input from your vet. A healthy puppy eating the correct amount of food should have an ideal body condition, consistent energy levels, a good appetite, normal stools, and a shiny fur coat.  

This is an example feeding chart for a French Bulldog puppy with an ideal adult weight ranging from 18 to 31 pounds; however, due to the significant variabilities discussed above, it should not be used in place of the more specific feeding label on your puppy food.

Treats and Supplements

We all love to spoil our pets with tasty treats. As long as treats are small, healthy, and given in moderation, there is no problem with this! In fact, for many food-motivated puppies, treats are a vital part of training. The key is to make sure that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and to include calories from treats when you are calculating how much to feed your dog. 

Supplements are products added to a dog’s diet with the intent to improve their health. Supplements can be beneficial in helping to manage conditions ranging from anxiety to arthritis; however, they should only be used under veterinary guidance. Certain supplements can be dangerous when given to puppies, negatively impacting their growth and development. 

Top Vet-Recommended French Bulldog Puppy Food

Brand & Product	Protein	Why It’s Great for Allergies	Format	Price Range
Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy	Chicken	WSAVA-compliant and tailored to Frenchie pups to promote healthy growth, immune support, and even reduce gas, this is often considered the best dry food for a Frenchie puppy.	Dry	$$$$$	Try Royal Canin Puppy Food
Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed Dry Food	Chicken	A less expensive but still solid WSAVA-compliant option	Dry	$$	Try Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed Dry Food
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Sensitive Stomach and Skin Salmon and Brown Rice	Salmon, Chicken	WSAVA-compliant and highly-digestible, designed for sensitive stomach and easy stool pickup and added ingredients to promote healthy skin and fur coat.	Wet	$$$	Try Hills Science Diet
Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice Entree Classic Wet Dog Food	Chicken, Liver, Salmon	WSAVA-compliant food ideal for growing puppies and reasonably priced for a canned food. Our best wet food pick.	Dry	$$$$	Try Purina Pro Plan
Just Food For Dogs	Multiple options	Subscription-based fresh food service that meets AAFCO standards for all life stages, and is known for good brand transparency and performing feeding trials.	Mixed	$$$$$	Try Just Food For Dogs

What About Water? 

Puppies should have access to fresh water at all times. The amount that your puppy drinks may depend on their age, size, activity level, diet, and environmental factors (such as temperature). As a general rule of thumb, most dogs drink approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. 

Special Situations and Handling Common Nutrition-Related Problems 

Changing Your Dog’s Diet 

When you first bring your puppy home, it’s best to find out what diet they have been eating and purchase a small amount. Abrupt diet change can lead to gastrointestinal upset, so it is recommended to take about one week over which you gradually decrease the amount of old food and increase the amount of new food (by mixing them together), until your new puppy has fully transitioned onto their new diet. 

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Because Frenchie puppies are prone to skin issues and tummy troubles, it’s worth learning about common French Bulldog allergies and how food plays a role.

Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system identifies a harmless substance as a threat and mounts an inflammatory response. The foods your pet eats every day can sometimes be the source of the problem. It is usually that your dog is allergic to the protein source in the diet (not the grains) that triggers the reaction, with beef, chicken, and dairy being the most common in dogs. Food allergies are less common than environmental allergies, but often have a genetic component and can develop even in dogs who have eaten the same diet long-term without issue. Symptoms are similar to other types of allergies, including itchy skin issues, redness, hair loss, and recurrent ear and skin infections. Some dogs with food allergies also have signs of gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

 Food allergies are diagnosed and treated with an elimination diet trial. This involves feeding a novel protein (that your dog has never eaten before) or hydrolyzed protein diet (in which the protein source is broken down into pieces so small that the body won’t recognize or react to them). This can pose a challenge in puppies because not all of these prescription diets are approved for growth, so it is critical to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the best option. 

Frenchie Dog Breed Flatulence and Digestive Upset

Gas is common in Frenchie puppies, and may be normal or associated with abrupt diet change, food intolerance or allergy, or intestinal parasites. Be sure to see your vet if your puppy develops diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or is failing to grow and thrive, as this could indicate a more serious medical issue. Intestinal parasites are extremely common in puppies, and deworming plus broad-spectrum parasite prevention should be discussed at your first puppy visit with your vet.  

Picky Eating

While some puppies can be picky eaters, it is important to rule out any possible medical causes of decreased appetite by scheduling a visit with your vet. As well as a thorough physical exam, this may include fecal, blood testing, and imaging. If your puppy is healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and feeding routine and avoiding toppers, human food, and treats may be necessary. 

Obesity Prevention

Establishing a consistent meal feeding routine in puppyhood is key for preventing obesity later in life. By frequently monitoring your puppy’s growth and body condition, you can help keep them at an ideal weight, adjusting feeding amounts as needed. While treats are an important part of training, use smaller or healthier options, and never let treats or human food exceed more than 10% of their daily calories. 

 The other side of obesity prevention is consistent daily exercise. As a brachycephalic small breed dog, Frenchies have minimal exercise needs. They require roughly 30 minutes of light exercise per day for adults, less for puppies. They are prone to respiratory issues and heat stroke, so should be monitored closely, avoid outdoor exercise during the hottest part of the day, and have fresh water and shade readily available. Focusing on indoor play and mental stimulation is also extremely beneficial. 

Underweight Puppies or Puppies Recovering from Illness

It is best to consult your veterinarian for these cases. If a puppy is underweight or recovering from illness, they may need additional feedings of easily digestible, high-calorie puppy food. 

Multi-dog Households

While it may be tempting to feed all the dogs in your household the same diet, it’s important to understand that dogs of different breeds, life stages, and health status have different nutritional needs. If you choose to feed your puppy and adult dogs the same food, make sure it is AAFCO-certified for all life stages.  

Nutrition for Show Puppies 

Like other puppies, show puppies require the same balance of essential nutrients to support their growth. Special attention should be paid to the amount fed to maintain an optimal body condition. Look for a WSAVA-compliant small breed puppy food and beware of adding supplements without discussing with your vet.