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Best Dog Foods For French Bulldogs: Puppies, Adults & Seniors

Looking for the perfect dog food for your French Bulldog puppy, adult, or senior? We analyze our favorite foods by comparing quality, ingredients, cost, and more!

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Last Updated: January 12, 2023 | 15 min read

Best Dog Food For French Bulldogs

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Recently adopt a French Bulldog Puppy, adult or senior pup? Are you now in the position of scouring the internet looking for the best food for your French Bulldog? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! The Frenchie is playful and bursting with sassy energy, and though he is small, Frenchies are very energetic for their size. This breed does have health concerns that cannot be helped by the nutritional choices that you make. However, their skin issues and flatulence that can clear a room are often remedied through diet.

The most important decision that you can make for your pup is to choose natural foods that are high-quality. This will provide your Frenchie’s muscular body with all the nutrition they need. It will also help avoid nasty ingredients such as preservatives and unnecessary fillers that might cause further health concerns and skin reactions. You’ll also want to make sure you are considering how their age and nutritional needs for your French Bulldog will change over time.  The dog food your senior eats, won’t be the same as a 5-month-old puppy.

In the article below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide about the French Bulldog and their nutritional needs. We walk through each of his life stages and what nutrients he needs during each. From our research, we have also scoured the market for our favorite kibbles suited to the French Bulldog. There’s something here for every Frenchie and his owner in every budget range. So, let’s take a closer look at what nutrition your spunky little Frenchie needs.

At a Glance: Our Favorite Foods for French Bulldogs

Small Breed Puppy Food Diamond Naturals
Our Rating

Best For Puppies

Diamond Naturals Puppy

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Adult
Our Rating

Best For Adults

Blue Buffalo Adult

Science Diet Small Breed Senior
Our Rating

Best For Seniors

Science Diet Senior

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French Bulldog Puppy Nutrient Needs

The MSD Veterinary Manual and AAFCO both recommended that small breed puppies should be fed a kibble that contains a minimum protein content of 22% and a minimum fat content of 8%. These optimum levels will help his body to grow into a healthy adult. They will also ensure that he has enough energy to sustain his bouncy personality throughout the day. All kibbles specifically formulated for small breed puppies will have these optimum levels, so do not feed him anything but these.

Up until the age of 6 months, many canine nutritionists suggest that small breed puppies should be fed 3 to 4 meals a day. At between 6 months and adulthood they should be fed 2 to 3 meals a day. Be sure to check out the nutritional instructions on your chosen kibble. They will explain how much to feed according to age and weight. You can also visit our French Bulldog feeding chart article.

In addition to the protein and fat levels, omega fatty acids contribute to nourished and healthy skin and coat. This is important for Frenchies and their propensity to sensitive skin. A blend of vitamins and minerals, either in the form of supplements or fruits and vegetables should also be listed in the ingredients. They will help to strengthen his developing immune system. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Arachidonic acid (ARA) are also crucial to his development. These nutrients support healthy brain and eye development, and most high-quality kibbles will contain this.

Adult French Bulldog Nutrient Needs

At around the age of 12 months, you should begin to transition your French Bulldog to an adult formula. Your food selection should be tailored to the needs of adult small breeds. As the Frenchie is known to suffer from a sensitive stomach it is particularly important to gradually transition him between puppy and adult kibbles as to not upset his stomach further.

According to the MSD Veterinary Manual adult small breed formulas should provide your pup with a minimum protein content of 18% and a minimum fat content of 5%. It should also contain an overall balance of omega fatty acids for his skin and coat health. A precise blend of natural wholesome fibers will help to soothe his sensitive stomach. It should also reduce flatulence and ensure his stools remain healthy.

Senior French Bulldog Nutrient Needs

Between the ages of 7 and 8 years old your Frenchie will soon be considered a senior dog. As such, you should look to slowly transition him to a specific senior kibble. As with all of the other life stages, you should feed him a senior kibble that is specifically designed with a small dogs in mind. It is important to find a recipe that is full of vitamins and minerals as this will help strengthen his weakening immune system too.

While protein is still the focus of his diet, his new kibble should provide far fewer calories and energy. Otherwise, he’ll soon start piling on the pounds as he is much less active than he used to be. The fat content also needs to be much lower as his slowing metabolism cannot digest it as well as it used to.

His new diet should also have food with higher glucosamine and chondroitin levels. These help to support his bones and weakening joints. Be sure to look for these added supplements or ingredients such as meat and fish meals.

Best Food for French Bulldog Puppies

French Bulldog Puppy Eating
French Bulldog puppies should stay on a puppy based formula until they reach at least 12 months in age.

Your puppy needs a kibble that’s packed with nutrients. It should be specifically formulated for the early years of their life as they grow. This will ensure your Frenchie builds a strong immune system, strong bones, and healthy muscles as they advance into their adult years. Some would argue that your puppy being on the right food early in life helps set the stage for the rest of their life. This means it’s important to get it right.

Most puppy food is going to be heavier in calories and packed with anti-oxidants.  When young, your pup’s energy levels will be through the roof, so they can support being on a higher calorie food. Your Frenchie shouldn’t be on this type of food for longer than the first 12-15 months. If they do, it can lead to weight gain as their activity levels normalize. Below are our favorite French Bulldog puppy foods in no particular order.


Royal Puppy Canin Puppy Kibble

Royal Canin French Bulldog Puppy
  • Formulated for French Bulldog Puppies.
  • Designed to meet the biological needs of Frenchies.
  • Kibble designed for their brachycephalic jaw.
  • Promotes digestive health.
  • Antioxidants to nurture puppy immune systems.
  • 373 Calories per cup.
  • 28% Protein, 18% Fat, 3.3% Fiber.

The Royal Canin brand specializes in kibbles designed for specific breeds and life stages. This kibble is designed by canine nutritionists who have studied the French Bulldog puppy. The protein content exceeds the minimum standards set by AAFCO. It also has the lowest calorie count for those Frenchie puppies who need a little less energy.

The kibble pieces are designed specifically for the flat face and mouth of the Frenchie. Your pup will find it much easier to pick up the kibble pieces. His skin will be nourished with biotin and fish oils, and it is highly digestible for his sensitive stomach.

We love that this recipe is specifically designed with the French Bulldog puppy in mind. This means you can be sure that all of his nutritional needs are met with this kibble.


Holistic Select Grain-free Puppy

Holistic Select Small Breed Puppy
  • Grain-free formula.
  • Great for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
  • Probiotics for digestive health.
  • Antioxidants for immune health.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 481 Calories per cup.
  • 30% Protein, 20% Fat, 3.4% Fiber.

This recipe is grain free. It’s perfectly suited for Frenchies who have a sensitive stomach or have grain intolerances. The kibble pieces are also exclusively designed for smaller breed puppies and their unique bite. Anchovy and Sardine meal provide him with his protein needs and fish oils. Exotic fruits such as cranberries, pomegranates, and papaya support his developing immune system.

While this recipe focuses on balanced nutrition, it takes the sensitive digestive systems of small dogs very seriously with prebiotics, probiotics, live yogurt cultures, plenty of natural fiber. It also contains digestive enzymes, which can help soothe your pup’s sensitive stomach.

We love that the kibble pieces in this recipe are uniquely shaped for the little mouths of smaller puppies. This will make mealtime easier for your pup.


Wellness Core Grain-free Puppy

Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy Formula
  • Smaller kibble size for easy eating.
  • DHA for brain development.
  • Grain-free formula.
  • Made with nutrient-dense superfoods.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 504 Calories per cup.
  • 38% Protein, 18% Fat, 4.5% Fiber.

This puppy formula is rich in healthy and lean protein, with the first three ingredients being deboned Turkey, Chicken meal and Turkey meal, which is great for the growth and conditioning of his muscles as well as bone and joint support. Salmon oil also provides him with the DHA and ARA that he needs, as well as nourishing his skin, which was the main benefit noticed by other small dog owners.

Each kibble piece is covered in acticoat, which is Wellness’s exclusive probiotic solution to help support his digestive system. There are also plenty of nutrients that come from apples and kale, as well as parsley to help keep his breath fresh.

We love that this has the highest protein content and highest number of calories to provide the Frenchie puppy with all of his much-needed growing power.


Diamond Naturals Puppy Formula

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dog Food
  • Budget-friendly dog food.
  • Made with cage free chicken.
  • DHA for brain development.
  • No corn, wheat, or fillers.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 419 Calories per cup.
  • 32% Protein, 22% Fat, 3.5% Fiber.

Chicken and Chicken meal are the first two ingredients in this recipe, and all of their Chickens are cage free, so you can be sure that this kibble is ethically sourced.

There are plenty of antioxidants to be found in this recipe, such as oranges and spinach, as well as a blend of vitamins and minerals to support his immune system. Chia seeds, coconuts and flaxseed help to nourish his skin from the inside out, which also promotes a healthy coat.

We love that this product is the cheapest kibble in terms of price, which makes it the better option for those on a tighter budget, without compromising on quality compared to other kibbles in a similar price range.


Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Puppy

Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy
  • DHA for brain development.
  • Omega fatty acids for skin & coat health.
  • No corn, soy, or wheat.
  • No By-product meals.
  • Calcium boost for bone development.
  • 415 Calories per cup.
  • 29% Protein, 17% Fat, 5% Fiber.

This grain-free recipe is made with real Chicken and Chicken meal as the first two ingredients, as well as peas and potatoes for his fiber and energy needs. It is also full of the important brain and eye developmental nutrients DHA and ARA, which is naturally found in mother’s milk.

This kibble has smaller kibble pieces designed for the smaller breed, and it also includes their LifeSource Bits that are cold-formed to retain their nutritional value, and they are full of life-stage appropriate nutrients. Many reviewers commented that their fussy pooches couldn’t get enough of this kibble.

We love that this kibble has the highest fiber content, which makes it a great option for those Frenchies who have a sensitive stomach or high flatulence.


Best Food for Adult French Bulldogs

French Bulldog Adult
Adult French Bulldogs have nutritional needs that that should be met starting at 12 months.

We recommend moving your Frenchie to a small breed adult food at around 1 year in age.  Some puppies can last through 15 months if they still have a higher activity level, but we recommend switching your pup at no later than 15 months to a proper adult dry kibble.

Usually the adult formula is something your Frenchie will be on for the majority of their life. It may take some trial and error to find the flavor and/or consistency that your pup will like. We always recommend a slow transition to a new food over several weeks as to not upset your dog’s digestive tract.  Below are our favorite adult dog foods for French Bulldogs, in no particular order.


Royal Canin French Bulldog Adult

Royal Canin French Bulldog
  • Breed-specific food formula.
  • Designed for adults over 12 months.
  • L-Carnitine for muscle development.
  • Highly digestible proteins.
  • Easy chewing for short-snouted Frenchies.
  • 330 Calories per cup.
  • 24% Protein, 16% Fat, 3.4% Fiber.

This recipe, following on from their puppy formula, is created by canine nutritionists who have studied the exact needs of the adult French Bulldog. With dried plain beet pulp and a precise blend of highly digestible fibers, his digestive tract is well-cared for and his flatulence is decreased, which is what most of the reviews praised.

Precise protein and fat content levels supports muscle tone and repair. With fish oil and folic acid his skin is well-nourished too, which is important for his skin and skin folds, which in turn promotes a healthy coat.

We love that this recipe is made with the French Bulldog adult in mind, so you can be sure that all of his nutritional needs are met and the kibble pieces are tailored to his unique muzzle and bite.


Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach

Purina Pro Small Breed Sensitive Stomach
  • Budget-friendly food.
  • Specifically formulated for digestion.
  • No corn, wheat, or soy.
  • No poultry by-products.
  • Made with rice and oat meal.
  • 478 Calories per cup.
  • 28% Protein, 17% Fat, 3% Fiber.

This focused kibble is made with a blend of prebiotic fibers and canola meal, which both aid digestibility and settle a sensitive stomach and digestive system. The first ingredient is Salmon, which provides his body with omega fatty acids that, as well as added zinc, nourish his skin and coat, as well as supporting his mobility.

Many reviewers remarked that after years of trying a variety of medications for their pooch’s skin allergies, as soon as they switched to this recipe their pup’s skin conditions improved drastically. This kibble has the highest moisture content too, so many dogs find this more palatable.

We love that this recipe is specifically designed for smaller adults that suffer with sensitive skin and stomachs, which makes it a great option for many French Bulldogs.


Wellness Core Small Breed Adult

Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy
  • Grain-free formula.
  • Smaller kibble size for easier consumption.
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin boost.
  • Probioitics for gut health.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 412 Calories per cup.
  • 36% Protein, 16% Fat, 5% Fiber.

This recipe is grain-free, which many owners prefer to feed their pup, while still providing him with plenty of energy from healthy carbohydrate sources such as lentils and potatoes. There are plenty of fiber sources too, such as spinach, carrots and broccoli, and with their unique acticoat you can be sure that his digestive system remains healthy.

Protein content is high thanks to deboned Turkey, Chicken meal and Turkey meal, and the meals are also a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin for his bones and joints. Flaxseed and Salmon oil are also listed. Reviewers commented that their pooches found this recipe very tasty.

We love that this recipe has a very high protein content, and this balanced recipe focuses on his whole health.


Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Adult

Small Breed Instinct Raw Boost
  • Made with raw food ingredients.
  • Boosted nutrition for small breed dogs.
  • Cage-free chicken is first ingredient.
  • Natural probiotics for digestion.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 469 Calories per cup.
  • 35% Protein, 20% Fat, 4% Fiber.

This recipe has the highest protein content thanks to real Duck and Duck meal, and it uses an alternative to the most common source of protein, so it is a great choice for those fussier Frenchies who are not a fan of Chicken based recipes. It still lists Chicken meal as it is a lean and healthy protein, as well as Herring meal and a long list of specified organs and bones, which are full of glucosamine and other nutrients. Super tasty, this recipe is a big hit with fussy pooches according to the reviews!

This recipe is also grain free, and with a precise blend of added vitamins, you can be sure that his immune system is in good hands. Eggs provide him with DHA and ARA which help to support brain and eye function too.

We love that this premium kibble is boosted with raw meal toppers, which not only is a first for the dog food market, but it also ensures that your French Bulldog will eat nutritious and tasty freeze-dried raw pieces of Duck.


Blue Buffalo Small Breed Adult

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed
  • Budget-friendly.
  • Made with high-quality ingredients.
  • Glucosamine for joint health.
  • DHA for brain development.
  • No corn, wheat, or soy.
  • 397 Calories per cup.
  • 26% Protein, 15% Fat, 4% Fiber.

Alongside our Wellness recommendation, this recipe has the highest fiber content, with many reviewers commenting that this kibble made a difference to their pups’ flatulence and produced healthy stools. With real Chicken being the first ingredient, his strong muscles are well cared for and receive all the fuel they need for an active lifestyle.

Enhanced with natural vitamins and minerals, his immune system is strengthened so that he remains fighting fit against illness and diseases. Dried kelp provides him with calcium to keep his bones and teeth strong, and blueberries and cranberries provide him with antioxidants for a healthy oxidative state.

We love that this recipe has a mixture of LifeSource Bits, which are not only nutritious and tasty, but full of select fibers to soothe his digestive system.


Best Food for Senior French Bulldogs

Senior French Bulldogs Eating
As your Frenchie gets older, you’ll want to transition to a Senior Formula Dog Food.

When your pup hits around 7 years old, it’s time to start considering a senior dog food.  Most dogs at this age need an antioxidant boost, and need glucosamine support for their aging joints.  The French Bulldog is no exception to this. Even though their small muscular bodies take less wear and tear than a larger breed, it’s still important to make sure they get the nutrients they need during their senior years.

As with any food transition, this should be slow. Your pup may suffer from ailments as they age, and luckily there’s some different food formulas to handle that.  If your dog suffers from gas, there’s gas preventing dog food. If your pup suffers from a fiber deficiency, there’s fiber boosting dog food they can try. While these are special cases, most Frenchies will survive well on any of the recommended small dog dry kibbles listed below in no particular order.


Science Diet Small Bites 7+ Years

Science Diet Senior Small Bites
  • Veterinarian endorsed brand.
  • Made with natural ingredients.
  • Easy-to-digest formula.
  • Formula promotes dog vitality.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 353 Calories per cup.
  • 15.5% Protein, 10.5% Fat, 4% Fiber.

This kibble is formulated with your small aging Frenchie in mind, and with Chicken meal listed as the first ingredient his glucosamine needs are met, so his joints will remain as strong as possible.

With a precise blend of vitamins and minerals, such as taurine, his heart and kidney health are supported, as well as his overall immune system. Omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E look after his dry skin and promote a healthy coat.

We love that this recipe is made and recommended by scientists across the world, so everything that a small dog needs can be found here.


Purina Pro Bright Minds 7+ Years

Small Breed Senior Purina Pro Plan
  • Budget-friendly.
  • Probioitics for digestive health.
  • Calcium boost for bone density retention.
  • Designed with optimal protein to fat ratios.
  • Promotes alertness and mental sharpness.
  • 487 Calories per cup.
  • 29% Protein, 16% Fat, 3% Fiber.

Purina have discovered a blend of nutrients that support his slowing cognitive health, and thanks to amino acids such as arginine his mental sharpness is said to improve within just 30 days. Many reviewers commented that it returned their senior pooch back to their puppy energy levels.

With a high level of protein, his small stocky body receives all the energy and repair power that it needs, and calcium, phosphorus and glucosamine support his bones and joints too.

We love that this recipe is made with botanical oils that are known to promote alertness and mental sharpness.


Wellness Complete Senior

Wellness Small Breed Senior Complete Health
  • Smaller size kibble for easy eating.
  • Made with premium proteins.
  • Immune system boosting antioxidants.
  • Probiotics for digestive health.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 435 Calories per cup.
  • 25% Protein, 12% Fat, 5% Fiber.

This kibble concentrates on his complete health, so you can be sure that he will get a little bit of everything that he needs for his skin, coat, energy, digestive system, eyes, teeth, gums and immunity.

Turkey and Whitefish are both high-quality and lean protein sources, and picky eaters seemed to approve of this tasty recipe according to the positive reviews. Brown rice and pea fiber provide him with the energy that he needs without the risk of him getting to chunky.

We love that this recipe has the highest fiber content, which makes it the better option for those Frenchies with a sensitive digestive system and high levels of flatulence.


Merrick Lil Plates Small Breed

Merrick Lil Plates Senior Formula Food
  • Grain-free formula.
  • Deboned chicken is first ingredient.
  • Optimal levels of fatty acids, and glucosamine.
  • Small kibble size for easy eating.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 348 Calories per cup.
  • 32% Protein, 12% Fat, 3.5% Fiber.

This is the only grain free recipe on our senior list, so this makes this kibble the better, or in some circumstances, the only option for those Frenchies with a sensitive stomach or grain intolerance. Deboned Chicken and Chicken meal are the first two ingredients, so his protein needs are met, as well as providing him with leading levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are crucial to his senior health and bones.

Sweet potatoes and peas provide him with his fiber to promote digestibility, as well as his energy needs. It also has a relatively low fat and calorie content, so his weight will be manageable with this recipe.

We love that this recipe has a high protein content over 30%, so if your Frenchie does better on a higher protein diet then this would make the better choice for him.


Nutro Small Breed Senior Formula

Nutro Small Breed Senior Food
  • Non GMO Ingredients.
  • Made with farm raised chicken.
  • Natural fiber for digestion.
  • Antioxidants for immune health.
  • No Corn, wheat, or soy ingredients.
  • 315 Calories per cup.
  • 25% Protein, 13% Fat, 5% Fiber.

This recipe is made with lean protein sources such as farm raised chicken, and chicken meal. They provide high-quality protein but also the meaty taste that dogs love. Flaxseed and Salmon oils help to nourish his skin, wrinkles and coat too. Nutro is one of our favorite brands for seniors, and directly competes with bigger brands like Blue Buffalo.

This recipe is full of selected fibers that help to maintain his gut health which is important for his flatulence and loose stools, and with the wide variety of superfoods he receives plenty of vitamins and minerals.

We love that this recipe is also known as the superfood plate, as it is packed full of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables that contain everything that his aging immune system needs.


Food for Overweight French Bulldogs

Chubby French Bulldog
If your French Bulldog gets too heavy, a weight management food is a must.

There comes a time in most of our lives that we put on a little too much weight for our frame, and the Frenchie is no different. Being a small dog, it doesn’t take a lot of weight to place him in the overweight category, and if he does find himself there be sure to switch him to a weight management kibble. Below you’ll find our favorite foods for an overweight French Bulldog, in no particular order.


Science Diet Light Diet Small Breed

Science Diet Lite Small Bites
  • Made with 18% fewer calories.
  • Veterinarian endorsed brand.
  • Contains taurine for heart and vision health.
  • Made with natural ingredients.
  • Manufactured in the United States.
  • 271 Calories per cup.
  • 20% Protein, 5.5% Fat, 14% Fiber.

Like all Science Diet recipes, this one excels for what it’s intended to do and hangs in competes directly with other big-name brands like Royal Canin. With 271 calories per cup and a fat content of 8.4%, this recipe is sure to help you help your pup lose weight, as long as it’s combined with exercise. Natural fibers such as barley will help to keep him feeling fuller for longer. L-carnitine will help his metabolism to keep burning energy.

We love the Science Diet “light” formula for many different breeds that have a tendency to put on weight. This dog food formula has shown good weight management results for several different small breeds.


Halo Small Breed Healthy Weight

Halo Senior Weight Loss
  • Made with whole meats.
  • Reduced calorie formula.
  • No factory farming.
  • Designed for easy digestion.
  • Made in the United States.
  • 400 Calories per cup.
  • 27% Protein, 12% Fat, 5% Fiber.

This formula contains 383 calories and a fat content of 12%. While this is not as low as the above recipe, it is grain-free for those Frenchies who need it. Halo is also known to produce food that is highly digestible. This might be a better option for those with a sensitive stomach. Made with Salmon and Whitefish, there are also plenty of omega fatty acids and oils to maintain a beautiful coat while losing weight.

We love Halo’s weight management formula for being grain-free, making it a good option for heavier Frenchies that may have a sensitive stomach.


Final Thoughts

The Frenchie is full of life and energy. If you want to keep your pup as healthy as possible, you’ll have to feed him the very best nutrition that your budget will allow. This will ensure he keeps his happy-go-lucky attitude for many years to come.

Not only should his chosen kibbles be high-quality, but it should also be natural and full of protein, fiber and oils. This will help his digestive health and coat. It will also provide the additional health benefits we’ve described in this guide. So, stick to our recommendations above and your Frenchie will love you just as much as he loves his new kibble.

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