Foods That Are Safe for Frenchies

The French Bulldog is a unique breed, and Frenchie pet parents should feed their four-legged friends a unique diet to maintain their health. If you like to share human food with your fuzzy family member, it’s important to know which foods are safe for Frenchies and which foods to avoid. We’ve compiled a list of safe human foods for French Bulldogs to help you keep your dog healthy.

What Can You Feed French Bulldogs?

Some human foods are unsafe for dogs, but many human foods are safe and actually healthy for your French Bulldog. Treat your Frenchie to human food in moderation, because too much can cause weight gain or other complications.

You can give your Frenchie the following foods:

Rice

Rice is safe for Frenchies, and it’s actually a staple ingredient in dog food. It’s a low-fiber, low-calorie carbohydrate with probiotics that can support your dog’s immune system. Frenchies can easily digest rice, and it can help relieve stomach issues such as diarrhea or an upset stomach. You can serve plain cooked rice to your Frenchie as long as it is free of fat and seasonings.

Grains and Wheat

Grains and wheat are safe for dogs, and dogs can easily process them unless they have a specific allergy to wheat. Your dog can eat carbohydrate-rich foods such as hearty grains and wheat, and dietary fiber can help support their digestive system. You can add the following grains and wheat to your dog’s diet:

• Brown rice
• Whole wheat
• Oats
• Barley
• Quinoa
• Millet
• Rye
• Sorghum
• Corn

Meat

You can occasionally treat your Frenchie to meats such as turkey, chicken and beef for a healthy protein source. Frenchies can eat these meats as long as they are cooked and free of other ingredients such as excessive salt or unsafe seasonings.

Cheese

Cheese is safe for your Frenchie unless they are intolerant of lactose. Some dogs can be lactose-intolerant just like humans can, but if your dog can tolerate lactose, you can treat them to cheese in moderation. Avoid blue cheese as it can cause uncomfortable side effects. Cheese is full of protein, vitamins, calcium and other nutrients, but it’s also high in fat and calories. Many Frenchies are lactose intolerant, so avoid cheese if you notice any stomach issues when your dog eats cheese.

Snacks

Your Frenchie can share a bit of unbuttered, unsalted popcorn with you during the occasional movie night. To avoid choking, make sure you only share air-popped popcorn with your four-legged family member. You can also treat them to some peanut butter now and then as a special treat. Make sure it’s an all-natural peanut butter brand and free of harmful sweeteners such as xylitol. Peanut butter is high in protein, fiber and calories, and it’s a great ingredient for homemade dog treats.

What Fruit Can Frenchies Eat?

Fruit is rich in nutrients, and it’s good for Frenchies in moderation. French Bulldogs can eat bananas, and bananas are a common ingredient in homemade dog treats. Frenchies can also eat the following fruit:

• Apples: Feed your Frenchie bites of apple slices to provide them with some vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. Keep apple seeds away because they contain toxins.
• Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe can support your dog’s eyesight, and it can reduce the risk of cell damage and cancer. Cantaloupe is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin, beta carotene, folate, potassium and fiber.
• Honeydew: Honeydew is a hydrating fruit full of fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
• Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. They can also help whiten your Frenchie’s teeth.
• Seedless watermelon: Seedless watermelon is a treat that can help hydrate your dog, and it contains vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
• Cranberries: Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K.
• Blueberries: Blueberries contain antioxidants that can boost your Frenchie’s immune system. They also support cognitive development and help to prevent cancer, heart disease and urinary tract infections.

You can also treat your Frenchie to some bite-size orange pieces after removing the peel and seeds. Additionally, peaches, mangoes and cherries are safe if you remove the pit, which is a serious choking hazard. Remember to serve fruit in moderation. Fruit is high in sugar, so too much can cause weight gain and other complications in dogs.

Best Vegetables for French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs can eat potatoes and sweet potatoes as long as you boil, bake or steam them first. Raw sweet potatoes can upset your Frenchie’s stomach, and raw potatoes can contain a toxin known as solanine, so it’s important to cook them before serving them to your dog.

Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and fiber to keep your Frenchie healthy. Dogs often love the crunch of uncooked vegetables, but you can cook the vegetables if your Frenchie experiences any stomach issues or unpleasant gas. Cooking vegetables will make them easier for your dog to digest. Frenchies can eat the following vegetables raw or cooked:

• Carrots: Carrots contain beta-carotene, vitamin A and fiber. They benefit dogs’ coats and eye health.
• Celery: Celery is full of potassium, manganese, folate, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. It can also freshen your Frenchie’s breath.
• Green beans: Green beans can aid in weight loss.
• Spinach: Spinach contains beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin A, iron and other nutrients.
• Pumpkin: Treat your Frenchie to some pumpkin if they experience diarrhea or constipation because it can help with stomach issues. Pumpkin is full of fiber, and it can support weight loss.
• Squash: Squash is rich in fiber, vitamin A, beta carotene and potassium.
• Brussels sprouts: Give your Frenchie an occasional bite of Brussels sprouts for a source of fiber, antioxidants and vitamins A, B1, B6, C and K.
• Cucumbers: Feed your Frenchie some peeled cucumber for a good dose of vitamin C.

What Foods Can French Bulldogs Not Eat?

Some human foods are unhealthy for dogs, and some are toxic and life-threatening depending on a dog’s size. A large dog may grab a chocolate bar and be fine, but a small Frenchie could experience a medical emergency. French Bulldog foods to avoid include:

• Onions
• Chives
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Currants
• Avocado
• Macadamia nuts
• Walnuts
• Mustard seeds
• Fried foods
• Foods high in fat
• Chocolate
• Coconut and coconut oil
• Blue cheese
• Yeast dough
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Nutmeg
• Large quantities of salty foods
• Raw meat

Currants, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, onions can cause anemia and fried or high-fat foods can cause pancreatitis. Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E-coli, so it’s important to avoid giving raw meat to your Frenchie. Mustard seeds induce vomiting in Frenchies, and they contain poisonous elements.

While small amounts of coconut are not particularly dangerous for your Frenchie, coconut and coconut oil can cause them to have stomach issues. Nutmeg is not life-threatening, but it can cause symptoms such as increased heart rate, stomach pain, hallucinations and seizures.

What Should a French Bulldog Eat?

Your French Bulldog should only eat the food that you designate for them. The French Bulldog breed is naturally prone to overeating, and they will often eat whatever they have access to. Make sure to feed them in moderation to avoid weight gain. Low-calorie, fiber-rich treats are best for Frenchies because they help them maintain a healthy weight.

Find Your Next Frenchie With Francoeur French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs are excellent companions, and you can help your Frenchie live a long, healthy life with the right diet.

Find your next Frenchie with Francoeur French Bulldogs. We breed French Bulldog puppies from health-tested parents under excellent care. Fill out a Puppy Info Request Form, and we will respond with information about a puppy that matches your home and lifestyle.