Bulldogs are prone to specific health issues; this gentle and peaceful breed of dogs are not spared from allergies and flatulence.
When considering the best dog food for bulldogs, it’s essential to keep in mind that bulldogs have a sensitive digestive system.
Luckily, all these health problems can be easily avoided with proper nutrition.
English bulldog Health Problems
Today’s bulldog is very different from his original ancestor, human interference and selective breeding has come to a high cost and made this enigmatic breed vulnerable to dozens of health-related issues like:
- Obesity
- Tear Stains
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)
- Stomach Aches
In order to provide your dog with the best life he can have, you should be aware of the most common health conditions in English bulldogs since this breed is very special and requires special care.
The nutritional needs of bulldogs
Due to their sedentary lifestyle, bulldogs don’t require a high caloric intake; in fact, young bulldog needs to consume more calories than adult ones.
In general, an active young bulldog needs 1500 calories of quality food each day, while less energetic bulldogs need about 1300 – 1400 calories per day.
The amount of food that your dog needs may vary depending on the size of your dog, his weight, his age and overall daily activity.
Ideally, a great starting point to feed your bulldog is by splitting his daily food into 2 meals; each meal should contain 3-4 cups of quality kibble.
Adult dogs should be fed between 2% and 3% of their body weight, with minor differences based on the dog’s age and how energetic and active they are. This amount should be split into a feeding time in the morning and evening.
The quantity of food recommended for puppies is 10% of their body weight split over 3 or 4 meals per day.
Bulldog Diet: Raw Vs. Kibble
One of the most ongoing intense debates is about what is the best food for your dog; some dog owners tend to feed their dogs high-quality kibbles that may or may not include grains, besides fruits and vegetables along with meat, while other pet parents choose to feed their dogs a raw diet of meat and bones, plus other animal parts, together with fruits and vegetables.
Are Dogs Carnivores or Omnivores?
Dogs are classified as carnivores under the order Carnivora, and the same goes for cats. Interestingly, in order to survive, cats need taurine, which is an amino acid found in meat. However, dogs are able to make their own Taurine; thus, they don’t need a strict carnivore diet.
Please keep in mind that the psychology, environment and the behaviour of an animal affects his dietary needs and preferences; thus, dogs being classified as carnivores doesn’t help much in settling this debate.
Feeding your bulldog raw diet
Some dog owners love RAW feeding, and so does their bulldogs. The reason why many pet parents switch from kibble to raw is because their dogs start showing allergic reactions to almost everything, and it’s the only way to prevent their beloved friend from a life on steroids.
The overall benefits of raw feeding are better overall health, resulting in fewer trips to the vets and longer life span, shiny coats, supports the immune system, and helps against allergies, as well as a less frequent and less smelly stool.
Raw feeding can sound confusing, but it’s really not once you get into the routine of it. In fact, the hardest part of raw feeding is remembering to take the food out of the freezer in time to thaw in the fridge.
The BARF diet for bulldogs
Whether you prefer to call it “Biologically appropriate raw food” or “Bones and Raw Food”, this diet was founded by veterinarian and nutritionist Dr Lan Billinghust for the purpose of feeding dogs in such way that supports the recommended allowances for essential nutrients.
The barf diet is high in protein and moderate in fat, with a minimal quantity of carbohydrates, this adequate inclusion mimics the natural diet of wild canids, these wild animals look healthy and have shiny coats, without any human care or veterinarian help, so why not try the same with our domesticated dogs?
Pros and cons of the BARF diet
Before you make your choice about whether to feed your bulldog manufactured kibbles or raw food, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the BARF diet.
Pros:
- Feeding your dog raw food helps to make his coat healthier and shinier.
- Stronger bones and muscles.
- Homemade meals, so you can keep track of what your bulldog is eating.
- Smaller and less smelly stool.
- Keeps your dog’s weight under check and prevents obesity, which is a common health problem for bulldogs.
- Helps in curing and fighting various health problems.
Cons:
- Can be hard to chew due to the large fragments of bones.
- May lead to gastrointestinal inflammation and infections.
- Time-consuming and more expensive when compared to manufactured pet food.
- Raw meat contains bacteria and parasites that may cause infection in dogs.
- If not prepared properly, a raw diet can lead to nutritional deficiency.
Tip:
In general, a raw diet is not suggested for every dog. Due to the high levels of protein, a BARF diet can be harmful to dogs suffering from kidney disease or liver problems; please consult your vet before making any changes in your dog’s diet.
How many times should I feed my Bulldog?
The number of meals a bulldog should have on a daily basis varies depending on his age and life stage.
- 0-3 months: 4 meals/day
- 3-6 months: 3 meals/day
- 6-12 months: 2 meals/day
- Above 1 year: 1-2 meals/day
How to tailor the BARF diet for your bulldog?
Protein is the most important component of your dog’s diet. The Association of American Food Control Officials reported that this breed requires at least 22% of protein for puppies and 18% for adult dogs. Dogs must receive 2 grams of protein per each pound of their weight, thus, a 50 lb. Bulldog should consume 110 grams of protein in his meal.
Carbs supply your bulldog with the energy he needs to stay active and supports the proper functioning of his body, however, since a bulldog does not have the same energy needs as a Husky, you don’t have to feed him many calories.
In fact, you should only focus on high-quality carbs, avoid cheap brands or cheap foods that use low-quality carb sources like corn or soy, rather, find foods that contain whole grains like whole wheat or brown rice.
Vitamins and minerals can help heal wounds and promote bone and teeth growth as well as boost the immune system. Required Minerals involve potassium, sodium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, selenium and iron, while the vitamins you should give your bulldog are A, C, E, K.
Fat provides energy and promotes healthy skin and coat. Without an adequate amount of fat, your bulldog won’t have enough energy to get through the day. Moreover, fat regulates body temperature and promotes a healthy nervous system.
Water is one of the essential nutrients for your pup, more than 70% of the body mass of the bulldog is water, and it’s important to maintain your bulldog’s body functioning properly. On average, a healthy bulldog must drink 0.5 to 1 oz. Per pound of his or her body weight Water has many benefits, ranging from cleaning the body from waste to adjusting body temperature as well as transporting nutrients and supporting the nervous system. Always ensure that your bulldog has access to safe, clean, fresh water.
Related: Best 5 Heated Water Bowls To Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Best Dog Food for Bulldog Puppies
The anatomy in brachycephalic breeds tends to reduce airflow in the respiratory channels, which creates breathing problems especially during hot weather or vigorous exercise, the inspiratory efforts thus imposed on the English bulldog are responsible for abdominal compression that can lead to digestive issues.
In order to avoid these health problems, you need to supply your bulldog with a diet that helps reduce the odor of stools by optimizing digestion and maintain a good ecosystem in the colon.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Bulldog Puppy Dry Dog Food
Best OverallRoyal Canin Nutrition Bulldog Puppy
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Specially made for bulldogs.
Custom-made kibbles that can be picked and chewed easily.
Supports the immune system and natural defence.
Supports digestion and intestinal flora.
High-quality proteins and prebiotics.
Helps with gas and stool quality.
The royal canin bulldog food is made to meet the nutritional needs of purebred bulldogs 8 weeks to 15 months old, and support their immune system and natural defence with premium quality ingredients that include antioxidants and vitamin E along with balanced fibers to reduce digestive problems and flatulence.
Royal canin is thoughtfully made with the help of veterinarians and breeders to develop a distinctive formula for each particular breed while taking into consideration the effect of each nutrient.
This great efforts by the company aim to produce unique kibbles that suit the jaw structure and the coat type of your dog, thus, support the specific needs of each breed.
Purina Pro Plan Probiotics Dry Puppy Food
Runner-upPurina Pro Plan Probiotics Dry Savior Puppy Food
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Omega-3 fatty acids nourish the brain and supports vision development.
Premium blend of crunchy kibble features chicken & rice formula.
Live probiotics to support digestive and immune health.
Real chicken as the #1 ingredient.
Made for young dogs, this food contains high-quality ingredients that can benefit a furry friend in his early stages. It uses real chicken as the main protein source and amino acids to help build and maintain lean muscle mass
For carbs, Purina Pro Plan uses healthy rice. It also has probiotics to support the digestive and immune health of your bulldog. It also includes calcium and other minerals to aid in building strong teeth and bones. The addition of mega-rich fish oil helps to nourish brain and vision development.
Best Dog Food for Adult Bulldogs
Older bulldogs require lesser calories depending on their level of activity and individual metabolism
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Bulldog Adult Dry Dog Food
Best overallRoyal Canin Breed Health Nutrition
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High-quality protein and carbs to reduce gas and stool odor.
Designed to meet the nutritional needs of Bulldogs.
Support healthy skin and wrinkles.
Maintains bone & joint health.
Specifically made for Bulldogs, this dog food includes a mix of ingredients which manage the health problems of this enigmatic breed. Chicken meal is used as the primary source of protein, and brown rice as a high-quality carbohydrate source.
This dog food contains balanced fibers with highly digestible proteins to help with digestion and reduce gas and stool odor. Also, various vitamin along with EPA and DHA are used for joints support.
This ingredient inclusion reinforces the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, prevent dysplasia and pain in the hips.
This great dog food also supports healthy skin and wrinkles, which make it beneficial for English Bulldogs.
Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend with Probiotics Adult Dry Dog Food
Runner-upPurina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend With Probiotics
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High-quality protein and an excellent source of carbohydrates.
Supports your bulldog’s digestive health.
Highly digestible formula to promote ideal nutrient absorption.
Rich in antioxidants to support immune health.
If you’re looking for a brand of dry dog food that offers a high-quality digestible formula that is ideal for your English bulldog sensitive stomach, our top choice is Purina Pro Plan Savor. This brand offers excellent formulas for all life stages as well as grain-free and limited-ingredient recipes.
As a whole, the Purina dog food brand receives excellent reviews from veterinarians and bulldog owners as a food company that offers a variety of formulas for dogs with different and specific nutritional needs.
The Purina Pro Savor Plan is made with real lamb as the primary ingredient and the main source of protein, alongside with digestible carbohydrates and live probiotics to support digestive and immune health.
Purina Pro Plan includes nine formulas made with premium proteins such as lamb, beef, chicken, turkey and salmon. Each of these recipes is made with a limited number of ingredients to promote optimal nutrient absorption and reduce the risk of digestive problems and food allergies.