Ultimate French Bulldog Care Guide

French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies", with their bat-like ears and their expressive eyes, make them superb canine companions. In addition, the character traits of a French Bulldog will fit right into your lifestyle. French Bulldogs are sweet, affectionate, playful, friendly, and entertaining, giving you no reason not to keep one. 

How to Care for a French Bulldog

As a pet owner, we know that you love your canine friend and want to take good care of them. Good pet care encompasses proper feeding, adequate exercising and good grooming, and adequate attention, all of which are geared towards keeping him or her healthy and disease-free.

Obviously, there are some other care options you may have to consider along the way, such as neuter and spay. Just so you know, spay is the sterilization of female dogs, while neuter is for male dogs. Neutering is beneficial to your dog as it prevents him from conditions like testicular, prostate, and perianal cancer. Spaying, on the other hand, lowers the chance of your dog getting uterine and ovarian cancer.

Common French Bulldog Health Issues

Your French Bulldog is prone to both viral and bacterial infections and other common issues affecting canines from time to time. Most of these infections are preventable with vaccination, so make a point of having your dog's vaccines up to date. Some possible health conditions that may affect a French Bulldog are genetic. It doesn't necessarily mean that your dog will have them, but she is susceptible when exposed. It is always advised to call your vet in case of unusual symptoms.

Breathing Conditions

Because of their short noses, French Bulldogs are at risk of respiratory tract infections, particularly Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). The symptoms attributed to the conditions include shortness of breath, nasal congestion, coughing, difficulty sleeping, heat intolerance, and lethargy.

Mobility Issues

Mobility issues affecting the Frenchies range from hip dysplasia, luxating patella, spinal disc conditions, degenerative myelopathy, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Mobility conditions can arise due to obesity, previous injuries, or genetic predisposition.

Your canine buddy is susceptible to IVDD due to the nature of their short legs and experiences acute pain, inability to stand, walk or jump, possible paralysis, and bladder and bowel incontinence.

Bladder or Kidney Stones

There are many kinds of stones that may form in the kidneys or bladder, and French Bulldogs are more prone than other breeds to develop them. When you take your dog to the vet, he or she will check his urine on a regular basis for telltale symptoms of kidney and bladder stones; they're unpleasant! It's a medical emergency if your friend has blood in his pee, can't urinate, or is straining to urinate.

Skin Conditions

When Frenchies present with dry, flaky, and itchy skin, the condition can be linked to allergies. Their folded skin dermatitis can occur around the muzzle, nose, armpits, crotches, and necks. Watch out for signs of scratching, itching, and biting of the affected areas.

Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection common in French Bulldogs, following infection to a cut or scratch on the skin, causing hair loss, redness, and itching of the affected area.

Conjunctivitis

French Bulldogs are likely to get conjunctivitis, an allergic condition of the eyes that presents with pus or discharge leaking from the eyes, unusual blinking, and red or pink eyes.

Ear Infections

With their bat-like ears with narrow ear canals, French Bulldogs are prone to ear infections. The infections cause over-production of wax which makes the canal narrower and the ear glands swell. Swelling of the eardrum can lead to rupture and deafness.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea or stomach upsets are linked to diet, parasite infestation, or viruses like E. coli. be observant of your Frenchie's stool if it's runny, foul-smelling, or bloody. Other symptoms like vomiting, weight loss, or loss of appetite can occur alongside diarrhea.

Obesity

Obesity is a severe condition and the root of other medical conditions like digestive disorders, cardiac problems, and joint issues. Watch his or her weight by giving him or her the proper quantity and quality of food and doggie treats. Have a routine to walk your dog regularly and play games to keep them fit.

Dental Diseases

Dental diseases affect about 80% of all dogs by the age of two, and French Bulldogs are no exception. It begins with the build-up of tartar on the teeth and develops to gum infection and tooth root infection. If we don't take steps to prevent or cure dental disease, your friend will lose her teeth and put her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints at risk. In fact, the lifespan of your French Bulldog may be reduced by one to three years. Make a point of cleaning your pet's teeth on a regular basis to avoid tartar build-up. In addition, keeping her teeth clean will increase her lifespan and lower the risks of liver, kidney, and heart diseases.

Feeding Your French Bulldog

There is a variety of dog food available in the market in fresh, frozen, and dry foods. However, not all feeds are appropriate for your Bulldog as most are not nutritionally balanced. High-quality dry meat-based diets are recommended as they combine nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fats, meat, and other by-products.

Canned foods are similar to dry foods, but they cost more and contain 75% water. Canned food serves a similar purpose to dry foods, only that your dog needs a larger quantity to obtain the same calories. Raw diets are also popular, including ground bone, chicken breast, steak, and beef. Natural diets are available commercially, and some can be prepared at home. However, consult with your vet before feeding your dog a raw diet to avoid digestion issues.

Cornucopia Pet Foods provides the healthiest choice for your French Bulldog, considering that our products are:

• Non-carcinogenic, non-GMO, lacks preservatives, sugars, hormones, or pesticides
• Human-grade and human tested, protecting your dog from cancer.
• Have the right salt content required in pet foods to reduce the risks of heart conditions.

Low-grade pet food can cause kidney diseases and other health-related complications in your pet. Endeavor to find out more about the manufacturer and ingredients before you decide that it's what you want your pet to feed on.

Exercising Your French Bulldog

There is a general misconception that French Bulldogs don't require exercise or walks as other breeds. On the contrary, your French buddy does require training despite their lazy nature. Regular exercise is beneficial to your canine buddy in a couple of ways like:

• It would help if you walked your dog for exercise and health benefits. Obesity can cause your pet mobility disorders, diabetes, and joint issues. Regular exercise enables them to manage their weight and prevent weight-related conditions.
• Exercise allows your dog to socialize with other dogs and other people. Socializing makes your dog well-adjusted to the environment with less anxiety and depression.
• Exercise is an excellent way to give your dog some obedience skills. Being out together will allow you and your buddy to understand each other, bond, and improve behavior.
• Regular exercise is good for mental stimulation and allows your dog to get off some steam. Exercise lowers separation anxiety and reduces destructive behavior in your home.

The duration taken to exercise or walk your dog depends on the age and personality of your pet. The time for exercise can be split and done twice a day. Be observant of the weather, as Frenchies overheat and have breathing problems walking and running under hot weather.

Grooming Your French Bulldog

We cannot conclude an article on a French Bulldog care guide without addressing grooming which involves bathing, shedding, and coat care. A well-groomed French bulldog radiates its vibrant personality. Shedding is common in French Bulldogs because their fur is short, smooth, and refined. Occasional brushing with a rubber grooming mitt to gently remove the shed fur. Brushing promotes the growth of new hair and removal of the dead, thus improving circulation and forming a healthy and shiny coat.

Bathing your dog is easy as simple shampoo will get the job done. After the wash and rinse, take your time to dry your dog. Get rid of the moisture under all the skin folds on the face, neck, or armpits to prevent skin infections.

Additional grooming steps are trimming the nails as overgrown nails are painful while walking or playing. Look for tear stains on the face and noticeable signs of eye infection. Clean the ears with a damp washcloth and get rid of ear wax while looking out for signs of ear infection. Lastly, don't forget to clean the tail pocket and check for signs of irritation.

Conclusion

As a French Bulldog owner, the care you give your dog will determine its personality, irritability, and overall quality of life. A French Dog is a very special dog and needs an extra level of care. Remember, he or she is witty and vivacious and thrives on human company. The low barking propensity and minimal exercise requirements make her ideal even for apartment life. With adequate care, you can live to see your friend at the old age of 11 or 12 years, or even longer.