Feeding Bulldog puppies

Feeding Bulldog Puppies

Feeding Bulldog puppies to achieve optimum health requires a bit more effort than many may anticipate. A somewhat sedentary breed, Bulldogs are susceptible to weight gain, sensitive tummy, food allergies and flatulence. Being blunt, feeding Bulldogs can be challenging! Receive smart Bulldog diet choices here and additional info about feeding Bulldog puppies.

Feeding Bulldog Puppies

Change food brands gradually

Buy a small supply of the food your dog has been fed before you brought it home. That way, your puppy’s system won’t go into shock due to a totally new food. If you want to change brands, do so slowly. Mix 1/2 and 1/2 for a week, then 1/4 and 3/4 for a week, then full change over.

Feed your puppy on a regular schedule

You should feed it three times a day on a regular schedule for the first four months after arrival. At 6 months you can start to cut back to 2 times a day and at 12 months you can cut it back further, to once a day.

Feed your English bulldog puppy a high-quality and well-balanced diet

Usually readily available commercial food is fine for your puppy. Examine the first five ingredients on the dog food label; the first one or two ingredients should be meat (not meat by products which are fine but they should be further down the list) followed by vegetables, and then grains.

Once in a while a English bulldog will have signs of food intolerance (diarrhea, vomiting or skin problems) to one or more of the ingredients in a food. If your puppy or dog shows these signs, you will need to work with your veterinarian to determine the cause and then follow a strict lifelong diet to minimize symptoms.

Avoid feeding your dog people food, especially foods that are dangerous to its system

Keep in mind that there are certain human foods that can make a dog sick or outright kill it. Foods that at toxic to dogs include (but are not limited to):

  • Avocados
  • Alcohol
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Chives, onions and garlic
  • Nuts
  • Yeast doughs
  • Anything made with the sweetener xylitol especially found in sugar free gums

 

Watch your dog’s weight

English bulldogs can put on weight easily, so you need to watch that your puppy doesn’t get overweight. If your puppy is putting on too much weight, consult with your veterinarian about the best, and safest, way to keep your dog’s weight in balance. Remember treats add calories to the diet so they should be fed in tiny amounts and sparingly. Reserve these for when your puppy is training.

Monitor your bulldog’s body condition score (BCS) to determine if it is overweight (or underweight) on a monthly basis. A normal weight dog will have a “tucked” abdomen (when viewed from the side) and its ribs will be easily felt but not seen. A fat dog will lose the abdomen tuck, as fat accumulates here and on the ribs cage. An underweight dog will have a more extreme abdomen tuck and its ribs will both be easily felt and easily seen.

Provide clean fresh water at all times

This is especially important in hot or humid weather but should be provided all of the time. Also remember to wash out food and water bowls with soap and water a couple times a week, as bulldogs can be quite slobbery.

Huskerland Bulldogs

My name is Susie McManigal. I am very blessed to be able to raise AKC Registered English & French Bulldogs. I have been breeding Bulldog Puppies for 15 years, and can honestly say that I have loved every minute of it. My dogs are not just a job they are my life, and I love each and every one of them dearly!

I encourage interested parties if possible to come and visit anytime…..we are very proud of our bullies !!

Please be aware of “SCAMS” we are contacted all the time from people who have lost large sums of cash to these “thieves”! See below comments when searching for a bulldog. We really exist, we are real people, you can call us, email us, or drive to our physical address and meet us and our bulldogs. Contact us for any questions.