What Can French Bulldogs Eat? Dog-Friendly Foods Explained

Understanding the question “what can French Bulldogs eat?” is one of the most crucial parts of being a Frenchie parent. We know you love your fur baby so much that you wish you could share food, especially when they stare at you with those innocent eyes! 

However, not all human foods are safe for French Bulldogs to consume. In this comprehensive post,  we will list out which human foods are safe to share with your pup – and which can be downright dangerous. Read on to keep your pet happy and healthy! 

What Can French Bulldogs Eat in Moderation?

Sharing tasty human foods with your canine companion is definitely a fun bonding experience – but only when you choose the right food. We have compiled a list of the best food for French Bulldogs that can make great occasional treats for your furry friend. To create this list, our team consulted veterinary sources to identify common human foods that are safe for dogs to consume in small quantities.

Lean Proteins 

French Bulldogs require a diet rich in high-quality animal proteins to support their muscles, organs, and immune system. While their primary protein should come from a high-quality dog food, you can offer small amounts of lean meats as an occasional treat.

Cooked, unseasoned chicken or turkey is an excellent source of lean protein for Frenchies. Don’t forget to remove all bones, skin, and fatty parts before serving, as these can be difficult for a dog to digest. You can offer shredded or diced chicken or turkey in portions no larger than a tablespoon or two per serving.

Another hearty protein that French Bulldogs can enjoy in moderation is ground beef. According to our veterinarians, you should choose meats that are at least 93% lean, and avoid anything too fatty or fried. Stick to just a few bites at a time – trust me, your Frenchie will love this treat! 

The key with proteins is to keep them simple, cooked thoroughly, and free of any seasonings, sauces, or toppings that could upset your Frenchie’s sensitive stomach.

Fruits

While fruits should never make up the bulk of a French Bulldog’s diet, some natural, juicy options can serve as healthy, low-calorie snacks. Good fruit choices for Frenchies include:

• Apples: High in fiber and vitamins, apples make a crisp, hydrating treat. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core, as these can be choking hazards. At our home, we offer our fur babies no more than a thin slice or two per serving.
• Bananas: Packed with potassium, bananas are a great way to supplement your Frenchie’s diet. Our Frenchies love it when we mash up a small piece or slice a round or two for a spoonable snack.
• Blueberries: These antioxidant-rich berries are bite-sized and fun for Frenchies to eat. You can offer a small handful as a training reward or mix them into your pup’s regular food.
• Watermelon: This fruit’s high water content makes it a refreshing treat, especially on a hot day. Make sure to remove all seeds and rinds before serving and stick to just a few bite-sized cubes.

Find it challenging to introduce new fruits to your Frenchie? I have a useful tip: Start with just a taste and watch for any digestive issues. As a rule of thumb, always opt for fresh, unsweetened, and unsalted options – no canned, preserved, or sugary fruits!

Vegetables 

Veggies can make wonderful, low-calorie supplements to your French Bulldog’s diet. Offer them cooked (never raw) and without any butter, oil, or seasonings. 

Here, we have some great veggie choices for your furry friends:

• Sweet potatoes: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, sweet potatoes are a nutritious option for Frenchies. As a suggestion from our nutritionist, steam or bake them until soft, then mash or dice into bite-sized pieces.
• Green beans: These crunchy green veggies are full of beneficial nutrients. You can lightly steam or boil plain green beans and cut into small, manageable pieces.
• Carrots: Packed with beta-carotene, carrots make a satisfying, tooth-cleaning snack when raw and cut into small sticks. You can also steam or boil them until soft.
• Peas: Fresh or frozen peas are a tasty, bite-sized treat that many Frenchies enjoy. Just be sure to serve them plain, without butter or seasoning.

Aim for just a tablespoon or two of cooked veggies as an occasional supplement to your pup’s regular diet. Vegetables should never make up more than 10% of a French Bulldog’s total calorie intake.

Dairy 

Well, perhaps you are confused! Many people online claim that all dogs are lactose intolerant, but that’s not accurate when it comes to French Bulldogs. In fact, Frenchies can tolerate small amounts of dairy items. 

My dog loves it whenever I come home from the grocery store with a special treat – a small container of plain, low-fat yogurt. Cottage cheese makes great protein-packed snacks, too. If your Frenchie has never tried dairy products before, offer just a spoonful or two at a time, and monitor for any digestive upset.

Whole Grains 

Complex carbohydrates like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread or pasta can provide Frenchies with beneficial fiber and nutrients. However, these should be offered sparingly, in small portions, and always without any added fats, sugars, or seasonings.

Foods French Bulldogs Should Never Eat

As you can see, many of our foods can be safely incorporated into a French Bulldog’s diet in moderation. However, there are also a number of common household items that are strictly off-limits for our four-legged friends. Consuming these hazardous foods can lead to severe health issues, from digestive distress to life-threatening toxicity:

Chocolate 

Perhaps the most well-known toxic food for dogs, chocolate contains a substance called theobromine that is extremely dangerous for canines. Ingesting even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and even death in French Bulldogs. 

With this in mind, we recommend keeping all chocolate – including baked goods, candies, syrups, and cocoa powder – strictly out of your pup’s reach. After all, their safety should be our top priority! 

Onions and Garlic 

Here is a scary fact for you: These common kitchen staples contain compounds that can rupture red blood cells in dogs, leading to a life-threatening form of anemia. Onions, garlic, chives, and any foods containing them should never be fed to French Bulldogs.

Xylitol 

Found in many sugar-free gums, candies, and baked goods, this form of sugar may cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Frenchies are particularly sensitive to xylitol poisoning, so it’s crucial to keep any products containing this sweetener securely stored.

Caffeine and Alcohol 

As a common knowledge, stimulants like caffeine and ethanol found in alcoholic beverages are poisonous to dogs. Ingesting them can lead to vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and even coma. Never share your coffee, tea, soda, or adult beverages with your Frenchie.

Fatty, Salty, and Fried Foods 

Your fur baby will gladly chew on a KFC drumstick when given a chance. After all, who could resist that delicious treat? Unfortunately, rich, fatty, or heavily salted human snacks like fried foods, butter, and gravy can trigger a painful and potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis in French Bulldogs. 

Cooked Bones 

While raw, meaty bones can be a safe, natural source of nutrients for some dogs, cooked bones become brittle and prone to splintering. If swallowed, these shards can cause obstructions, lacerations, or perforations in a French Bulldog’s digestive tract.

Tips for Feeding French Bulldogs People Foods Safely

As long as you keep in mind what can French Bulldogs eat and what not, incorporating the right people foods into your French Bulldog’s diet in moderation can be a fun way to provide tasty, nutritious supplements. 

Note that it’s crucial to introduce any new recipe for Frenchies with care and caution. Every dog has unique dietary needs and sensitivities, so you’ll need to closely monitor your Frenchie’s response. When you are in doubt, follow our steps: 

Start Slowly 

Whenever you want to introduce a new human food to your French Bulldog, always start with just a tiny portion and monitor closely for any signs of digestive upset. Some dogs may have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients.

Watch the Portions 

Even healthy people foods should only make up a very small fraction of your Frenchie’s overall diet. Stick to just a tablespoon or two as an occasional treat, rather than free-feeding from the table.

Prepare Safely 

Any human food you offer your French Bulldog should be plain, unseasoned, and prepared without any added fats, oils, sugars, or salt. Cooked, lean meats and steamed, unseasoned veggies are best.

Beware of Choking Hazards 

Choking hazards is a nightmare for any dog owner. To protect your pup, cut up any solid, hard, or stringy foods into bite-sized, easy-to-chew pieces to prevent choking. And don’t forget to remove pits, seeds, rinds, and bones! 

Wrapping Up

Now you’ve got the answer for the age-old question “What can French Bulldogs eat”! At the end of the day, when it comes to feeding your French Bulldog, it’s really all about moderation and knowing what’s safe. 

While those puppy dog eyes might tempt you to toss them scraps from your plate, you’ll want to be pretty selective. Stick to small, infrequent treats of plain, dog-friendly foods like cooked chicken and steer clear of anything from our “dangerous” list – their sensitive tummies just can’t handle those! Save this article so you and your Frenchie can enjoy the occasional food snack together!