So you’ve just brought home an adorable French bulldog puppy. Congratulations! Now comes the tricky part of figuring out how much to feed your little furball. As a new puppy parent, getting the feeding schedule and amounts right is important for your Frenchie’s health and growth. Don’t worry, with some guidance you’ll have your puppy’s diet dialed in in no time.
Best Diet and Feed Your French Bulldog Puppy?
The best diet for your French bulldog puppy is high-quality, nutritious puppy food specifically formulated for small breed puppies. Look for a puppy food where the first ingredient is a high-quality animal protein like chicken, beef, or fish. Meat-based proteins should make up at least 25-30% of the food.
Some highly-rated puppy foods for French bulldogs include:
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy Chicken Recipe: Features deboned chicken, chicken meal and fish meal as the first three ingredients. Formulated for small breed puppies.
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Puppy Food: Protein-packed, with deboned turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal as the first three ingredients. For puppies of all sizes.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Food: Has lamb, lamb meal and chickpeas as the first three ingredients. Formulated for small breed puppies.
For the first year, feed your Frenchie puppy 3-4 small meals a day. Most puppies do well starting on about 1/2 to 1 cup of puppy food per 4-6 pounds of body weight per day. So for example, a typical 3-month old Frenchie puppy weighing around 10-15 pounds would eat roughly 1 to 1 1/2 cups of puppy food per day, split into 3-4 meals.
Watch your puppy’s body condition and adjust amounts as needed to keep them at a healthy weight. Be careful not to overfeed, as French bulldogs can gain weight easily. Also make sure your puppy has constant access to fresh, clean water to keep them hydrated. With the proper diet and nutrition, you’ll have a happy, healthy Frenchie puppy in no time!
Calculating French Bulldog Puppy Nutritional Needs
Feed Your French Bulldog Puppy the right amount of healthy, high-quality food to support their growth. How much should you feed them? It depends on a few factors:
- Age. Puppy food packets will give amounts for different age ranges. For example, a 3-month-old pup may need 1 1⁄4 to 1 1⁄2 cups per day, while a 6-month-old needs 2 to 2 1⁄2 cups. Always follow the recommended amounts for their age and size.
- Size. Larger French bulldog puppies, those expected to weigh over 28 pounds as adults, may need slightly more food than smaller puppies. Your vet can give you an estimate of your pup’s adult size to guide how much to feed them.
- Activity level. More active or energetic puppies will need extra calories to fuel their play. You may need to feed very active puppies up to 1/2 cup more per day. Watch your puppy’s body condition and energy level to determine if any adjustments are needed.
- Health. Some medical conditions like parasites may temporarily increase your puppy’s nutritional needs. Talk to your vet before making any major changes to their diet.
To determine the right amount for your Frenchie pup, start with the recommended amount for their age and size, then adjust up or down by no more than 1/2 cup at a time based on their unique needs. It’s best for puppies to be on the lean side, so you should be able to feel their ribs and see an obvious waist when looking down at them. And remember, like all puppies they need constant access to fresh, clean water every day to stay properly hydrated!
Feeding Amount Guidelines by Age
Feed Your French Bulldog Puppy have different feeding requirements as they grow. To keep your puppy at a healthy weight, follow these feeding guidelines:
8 to 12 Weeks young
At this age, your puppy should eat three times per day. For a typical French bulldog puppy, this works out to about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of puppy food at each meal. The amounts may vary slightly based on your puppy’s size and build. It’s best to follow the recommendations on your puppy food’s packaging or consult with your vet.
- Make sure to choose a high-quality puppy food specifically for small breed dogs. These have the extra calories and nutrients needed for your Frenchie pup.
- Always have fresh, clean water available for your puppy in between feedings.
3 to 6 Months
- Around 3 months, decrease feedings to twice per day – morning and evening. Amounts can increase to about 3/4 to 1 cup per feeding for a typical French bulldog puppy.
- Monitor your puppy’s growth to make sure they stay at a healthy weight. You should be able to see and feel their ribs without pressing hard, and they should have an obvious waistline and abdominal tuck.
- Continue feeding a high-quality puppy food for small breeds until your puppy reaches 6 months. Then you can slowly transition to an adult formula.
6 Months to 1 Year
- At 6 months, decrease to feeding your French bulldog puppy twice per day. For most French bulldogs, 1 to 1 1/3 cups per day of a high-quality adult dog food will be sufficient.
- Keep monitoring your puppy’s growth and make adjustments as needed to keep them at a healthy weight.
- Always have fresh, clean water available for your puppy.
By following these feeding guidelines for your French bulldog puppy’s age, you’ll set them up to develop into a healthy, happy adult dog. Be sure to consult your vet for any specific questions you have about your puppy’s growth or feeding.
Feeding Schedule for French Bulldog Puppies
Now that you have your adorable French Bulldog puppy home, it’s time to establish a regular feeding schedule. Feeding a puppy appropriately is important for their growth and development.
Meal Frequency
As a young puppy, your Frenchie will need to eat more often. Start with 3-4 small meals a day. Once your pup is around 3-4 months old, you can cut it down to 2-3 meals. By 6 months, most Frenchies do well with two meals a day.
Stick to a routine for your puppy’s mealtimes. Feed them at the same times every day so they know what to expect. For the first few weeks, you may need to wake your puppy to eat if they don’t rouse on their own. As they get accustomed to the schedule, they will learn when to expect their next meal.
- For a 8-12 week old Frenchie puppy, aim for 3-4 meals of about 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality puppy food per meal.
- For a 3-6 month old, 2-3 meals of 3/4 to 1 1/4 cups per meal is typical.
- Most adult Frenchies do well with two meals of 1 to 1 1/2 cups of high-quality dog food daily.
The amounts are only a guide. Watch your puppy to make sure they seem satisfied and are maintaining a healthy weight. You may need to adjust amounts up or down. It’s best to measure out portions rather than leaving food out all the time. This helps establish the feeding schedule and prevents obesity.
Making Adjustments
Keep an eye on your Frenchie puppy to determine if adjustments need to be made. Some signs you may be feeding too much or too little include:
• Constantly begging for food: May indicate underfeeding. Increase meal portions slightly.
• Lack of appetite or disinterest in food: Could indicate overfeeding. Decrease meal portions.
• Loose stools or diarrhea: Often means too much food. Scale back to smaller meals.
• Not gaining weight or low energy: May need slightly more food. Increase meal portions and recheck.
By sticking to a regular feeding schedule and paying close attention to your puppy’s needs and cues, you’ll determine the perfect amount to keep your French Bulldog puppy happy and healthy. Be patient through the process, as it can take several weeks of adjustments to get the amounts just right for your Frenchie.
Choosing the Best Foods for Your Frenchie Pup
Your Frenchie puppy needs the right nutrition to support their growth and development. Choosing a high-quality puppy food made specifically for French Bulldogs is important for their long term health.
Look for a puppy food formulated for small breed dogs
- Puppy foods for small breeds have the extra calories and nutrients needed for your Frenchie puppy. Large breed puppy food won’t meet their needs.
- Look for a puppy food with a named meat like chicken, beef or fish as the first ingredient. Meat-based protein should make up at least 25-30% of the food.
- For the first year, choose a puppy food with a calcium level under 2%, especially for male French Bulldogs. Excess calcium can lead to growth problems in the breed.
Wet, dry or raw – which is best?
- Most puppies do well on a combination of wet and dry food. Wet food adds moisture and extra protein. Dry kibble helps with dental health. Either can be nutritionally complete for puppies.
- Raw or frozen food can be an option if properly balanced. Homemade diets need a vet’s guidance to ensure they meet all nutritional needs for a growing Frenchie.
Watch Your Puppy’s Weight
Weigh your puppy every week to make sure they’re gaining at a healthy rate. French bulldog puppies should gain about 1-2 pounds per week. If your puppy is gaining weight too quickly or seems overweight, decrease their food amount by about 1/4 cup at each meal. On the other hand, if your puppy seems underweight or isn’t gaining fast enough, increase their food by the same amount.
Conclusion
So there you have it, French bulldog owners. The key to keeping your Frenchie puppy at a healthy weight is measuring out the proper amount of high-quality puppy food and sticking to a regular feeding schedule. While it can be tempting to give in to those adorable begging eyes, overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues down the road. By starting good habits now and keeping a close eye on your pup’s growth and body condition, you’ll set the stage for a long, happy life with your new furry friend. Before you know it, your little pup will be all grown up, so cherish the puppy moments while they last!
