How Often Should You Feed A French Bulldog Puppy?
Last Updated/Info Checked on February 18, 2023 by Linda Michaels
French Bulldogs are adorable toy dogs with a seemingly insatiable appetite. That very hunger may confuse you because you may not know how often and how much you should feed them.
I’ve had my share of worry, too. Being a mom to a labradoodle had me go through a lot when it came to his diet.
From 0 to 35 days, I was sweating over what to give it until a vet recommended two times cerelac with two times ground puppy kibble.
Onwards 35 days, I slowly started feeding him dry kibble with a whole lot of other assortments to keep him busy throughout the day.
However, I cared a lot about overfeeding him.
I know you do, too. So, this article’s going to help you with how often you should feed a French Bulldog puppy.
How Often Should You Feed A French Bulldog Puppy?
The general rule of thumb chalked out by vets, experts, and all the blogs online says that ideally, you should feed your pup 3 to 4 times a day from 0 to 4 months.
From 4 to 6 months, the meal times could be reduced to 2.5 to 3 times a day.
Onwards until the dog reaches its adult weight and height, you should feed it at least 2 times a day.
The first 4 months are growing ones. It is then that the pups’ organs, especially, bones get stronger.
To maintain that growth, they need more nutrition as compared to adults.
No wonder all the brands selling dog food have specialized puppy food to match their calorie needs.
They sell “balanced” diets so that a strong base gets formed for a healthy adult.
But more than meals, the portions of that balanced diet are important when it comes to feeding your puppies.
Increase the portions, and it will walk around with extra fat in the shape of blobs around its sides.
Decrease it and you’ll start feeling those tiny ribs. The dog will also not let go of its favorite couch because of lethargy.
The portion sizes, in turn, depend on the puppy’s age, weight, breed, size, and health condition.
A good way to start realizing how many times you should feed the dog is to see how far or near it is from the adult weight.
Keep that weight in mind, if the dog is underweight, add a few grams of food to its meals and vice versa.
But are things this simple? Absolutely not.
We have to refer to the diet and weight charts along with selecting the best food for Frenchie pups based on the nutritional requirements of AAFCO.
Before that, knowing why Frenchies seem always hungry and whether they can overeat, I think, is important.
Are french bulldogs always hungry?
For one, yes they are. They are hyper companions. According to DogTime, their energies may just have 3 out of 5 stars, which is still impressive (really?).
But the intensity with which they do things gets 4 stars out of 5.
Have you seen yours suddenly get up from its silent mode and dash around like a mad dog?
Yes, those zoomies are major energy drainers. And that should explain where the dog expands its energies and why it is always hungry.
However, there could be other underlying conditions for increased hunger than zoomies or overexercising.
Those could be diabetes, hyperthyroidism, an intestinal parasite, digestive problems, and irregularities in metabolism.
Can Frenchie puppies overeat?
If left freely, they can eat the hell out of every grain you dole out for them.
I’ve seen owners let the pups do that out of love or a lack of information.
That’s detrimental to the dog’s health. Free feeding could lead to a chubby pup, which in turn, would grow into a chubby adult.
The ensuing health conditions are innumerable because of gaining extra pounds.
But that doesn’t mean they should be fed only two times a day as most would maintain (unbelievable, right?).
Generally speaking, they need smaller meals throughout their days because they are transitioning from milk to solid food a.k.a weaning.
I already quoted the reason for this above.
In the first 5 months, the growth curve shoots up. If you were to step on that curve, you’ll slide back to the initial point because it’s that steep.
The same curve flattens from 6 to 7 months.
From 8 to 10 months and beyond, it stays flat. At that point in their age, they have already reached their max weights and heights.
I’ll come back to the initial answer.
Even if the growth rates are at an all-time high, you still shouldn’t let the dog eat at its will.
To get a good estimate if you’ve already screwed the weight of your puppy, here are weight charts by Pawlicy.
Adult Male French Bulldog:
| Age (months) | Weight (lbs) |
| 2 | 9 to 12 |
| 4 | 12 to 16 |
| 6 | 17 to 22 |
| 8 | 19 to 27 |
| 10 | 20 to 28 |
| 12 | 20 to 28 |
Adult Female French Bulldog:
| Age (months) | Weight (lbs) |
| 2 | 7 to 10 |
| 4 | 10 to 15 |
| 6 | 13 to 20 |
| 8 | 15 to 22 |
| 10 | 17 to 24 |
| 12 | 17 to 24 |
There’s a small difference between the adult weights of adult males and females.
For me, that’s not considerable.
Also, keep in mind that the charts are meant to give you an estimate of where your pup stands.
If it’s a 6-month-old male, it should be anywhere between 17 to 22 pounds.
Go and visit a vet as soon as possible in case your puppy weighs 16 lbs or 25 lbs.
I will include these charts in the feeding guide for a good estimation of how many cups per weight you should be feeding your puppy.
Types of Feeding
Let’s explore this.
1. Free-Feeding
I’ve already vilified this one enough. I don’t think I should anymore. Just say NO to it.
2. Portion-Controlled
As the name suggests, you devise definite portions to feed per day to your dog.
Now selecting that portion may mean either using cups or grams. I personally prefer using grams of food than cups because they are confusing.
Sometimes when you’re in a hurry or your Chicken Teriyaki is going to burn anytime soon, you tend to not care strictly about doling out the right amount in the cup.
With grams, you get them right even if you put food to weight on the kitchen balance in a hurry.
Take heed of this advice because it’s coming from the mom of a picky eater.
3. Time-controlled
Some owners divide the portions into meals for definite times of the day.
I’m one of them and I advise the same to you.
As I said, puppies need small amounts of food after some time throughout their days.
You obviously cannot increase the portion. So, you divide the recommended grams of portion for a single day into three or four meals.
If you ask me, I combine the portion- and the time-based feeding because that’s convenient in many ways.
My pup doesn’t get hungry or devour everything in one go for future stomach issues.
How many times a day should I feed my french bulldog?
The French Bulldog is a toy dog. According to AKC, for a toy breed from 1 to 4 months, you could feed it 4 to 6 times a day, depending on how active it is.
Then it could be reduced to 3 times and then 2 times as the dog reaches its adult weight.
However, the portion size remains the same for a certain age. I’ll discuss that in the next portion with charts.
AKC also recommends that the feeding is consistent from 4 months onward.
That means the addition will be small and eventually smaller by the 8th or 10th month.
How many cups of food should I feed my french bulldog?
If you’re keen on going with cups rather than grams (the following chart contains grams-based measurements, too), then according to the charts of Royal Canin, you should give the dog at least 1 and ¼ cups when it’s 2 months old.
At 4 and 6 months of age, 1 and ⅝ cups; at 8 months 1 and ½ cups, and then at 10 months 1 and ⅛ cups.
These are for the target adult weight of 18 lbs. As I told you above that you could find the ideal adult weight of your dog by finding its father’s adult weight.
So, if your pup’s father is 22 lbs, feed it 1 and ½ cups when it’s 2 months old; 1 and ⅞ cups when it’s 4 and 6 months old; 1 and ¾ cups when it’s 8 months old, and 1 and ⅜ cups when it’s 10 to 12 months old.
Some Frenchies could go up to 30 lbs to 31 lbs.
For their pups, you should go with 1 and ⅞ cups for the first 2 months. For 4 months 2 and ⅜ cups; for 6 months 2 and ½ cups; for 8 months 2 and ¼ cups, and for 10 to 12 months, 1 and ⅞ cups.
Here’s the table containing all this info for your reference (source: Royal Canin).
Age (months) | Puppy’s weight (lbs) | Adult Weight To Be Reached | |||||
| 18 lbs | 22 lbs | 30 lbs | |||||
| Cups | Grams | Cups | Grams | Cups | Grams | ||
| 2 | 7 to 12 | 1 and ¼ | 122 | 1 and ½ | 145 | 1 and ⅞ | 183 |
| 4 | 10 to 16 | 1 and ⅝ | 153 | 1 and ⅞ | 180 | 2 and ⅜ | 231 |
| 6 | 13 to 22 | 1 and ⅝ | 154 | 1 and ⅞ | 180 | 2 and ½ | 235 |
| 8 | 15 to 27 | 1 and ½ | 139 | 1 and ¾ | 165 | 2 and ¼ | 218 |
| 10 | 17 to 28 | 1 and ⅛ | 111 | 1 and ⅜ | 132 | 1 and ⅞ | 186 |
| 12 | 17 to 28 | 1 and ⅛ | 111 | 1 and ⅜ | 132 | 1 and ⅞ | 186 |
As you can see, this table is from my favorite dog food. Only the weights have been taken from Pawlicy.
So, if you plan on using that one, follow this chart.
For other foods, look at the back of the pack to get an idea of how much you could use for your puppy.
Usually, the difference is not that great.
But I still want you to follow your brand’s recommendations.
There’s also another way to calculate how many cups your puppy needs at its age.
The Calorie-Based Method
The MerckVetManual has given me a calorie calculator that I find super useful in feeding my dog and my clients’.
It’s based on BCS–Body Condition Score–much like BMI in humans.
Vets assign different scores from 1 to 9 to puppies to quantitatively measure how much fat they have.
The 4/9 and 5/9 are considered ideal ones. Beyond 5/9, dogs are considered overweight.
So, to know how many calories your pup needs based on its weight, you should know its BCS. Go to your vet to find it if you haven’t been given one.
Then,
- Put the target weight in lbs or kgs in the calculator,
- Select the BCS and dog’s criteria, and then hit enter.
- You’ll be presented with Total Calories/Day to Feed.
- Enter that number into Calories/Cup or Can of Food in case you’re going to opt for wet food.
- You’ll be presented with Cups or Cans per day when you hit enter.
It’s that simple.
Suppose I own a 6-month-old Frenchie. My target weight is 20 lbs.
By putting the weight in the lbs row and selecting “4 months to adult” from the Select Dog’s Criteria, I get 732 calories per day.
By putting 732 calories in the Calories/Cup or Can of Food, I get 1.0 Cups or Cans Per Day.
That is close enough to the Royal Canin chart I shared.
Still, not necessarily exact for your dog.
Therefore, take this information with you and consult your vet to get THE EXACT size of portion for your puppy.
What is the best diet for a French Bulldog?
The best diet for a French Bulldog adult and puppy should have all the necessary nutrients in the right amount.
A balanced diet is, thus, super important.
You could get that from the dry or wet puppy foods available in the market. One such example is the Royal Canin.
However, no matter which brand you select, always make sure that it has all the recommended nutrients.
NRC has laid out those requirements for puppies after weaning from 4 to 14 weeks. But if you’re looking for a general chart of nutrients, AAFCO has laid out one. Both can be found here.
Nutritional imbalances arise when the pup doesn’t get those nutrients.
I’ve met several owners that were keen on feeding their dogs homemade foods. They were misled by false propaganda that since dry and wet foods were prepared in a factory, it will be harmful.
The truth is that making homemade food 100% nutritional is a gigantic task. Managing a household, my job, and my hobbies do not allow me to spend that much time trying to make homemade food that rich.
So, I’ll always go with packaged puppy food.
Besides homemade meals, I also do not recommend feeding the puppy adult dog food.
That’s because it’s low in calories as adults don’t need as much as puppies do and high on fillers.
As a result of nutritional imbalances arising from these reasons or any other, your pup may end up becoming sick because of nutritional deficiency.
Hypocalcemia is one of those diseases that arise from a lack of consuming the required amount of calcium per day.
The dog suffers greatly because of it. While there’s a lot going on inside, the main manifestation is uncontrollable shaking.
Now obviously it’ll be hard for you to maintain exactly that amount if you take things into your own hands.
Therefore, buy puppy food in the first place.
Should I feed my Frenchie dry or wet food?
Buying from brands is one thing, but first, you’ve to choose whether your puppy likes wet or dry food. Normally, owners prefer wet canned food for a French Bulldog puppy.
However, it’s expensive and not easy to store on the shelf. I also don’t like how it promotes teeth health less than dry food.
But my number one reason to shun wet canned food for daily use is the less calories and nutrition per portion as compared to dry food.
Hence, those like me prefer dry food for its convenience in storage, feeding, and a multitude of other benefits because of its texture or grain.
I choose wet canned food only when my puppy is going through stomach problems.
But even then, sometimes, I’ll mix water with ground puppy food that serves exactly the same purpose as canned one.
I also change the food to wet when the pup gets fussy about eating dry kibble all the time.
That’s not the only way I spice up his meals. If you see the way I add dog-friendly food to the base, which could be wet or dry, you’ll call me a gourmet chef for sure.
For example, I’ll add a mashed banana or a boiled potato to the kibble. Or, chop an apple and garnish the food.
And I want you to do that, too. Only with safe food, of course.
I’m going to discuss which human foods you could feed your dog.
What human foods can French Bulldogs eat?
Food that Frenchies can and can’t eat.
1. Tuna
A big NO. It has high mercury content because of its size and lifespan.
2. Avocado
No. It contains Persin, which is highly toxic for dogs big and small.
3. Tomatoes
It’s best to avoid tomatoes even if they are ripe. Green tomatoes are an absolute disaster for puppies and adults. They contain tomatine and solanine that are notorious for causing anemia.
4. Cucumber
Yes. This is safe and beneficial. In fact, it has low calories. So, you could add it to the food as a snack.
5. Watermelon
It’s rich in potassium, Vit A and C. Definitely yes, you should feed it to your pup.
6. Broccoli
Yes. Broccoli has more fiber and Vit C. You can even feed it raw but chopped to the animal.
7. Peanut Butter
Yes, but moderately. It contains Vit B and E along with healthy fats.
8. Ice Cream
Only occasionally. It’s not toxic but it may have high amounts of sugar and milk. Both of these wreak havoc with the pup’s tummy.
9. Bread
Yes. Plain white and wheat bread have no allergens. However, make sure your bulldog gets plenty of exercise after it.
10. Chicken
Yes. It is one of the cheapest and most readily available sources of protein. Cook it well before feeding it to your dog as raw chicken may contain Salmonella.
11. Carrots
Yes. Carrots are rich in Vit. A, fiber, but low on calories, thus, making them a good snack.
12. Scrambled Eggs
Yes. They are a safe and good source of protein. However, I like them to be boiled for my dog. I also remove the yolk because I’m a superstitious mom.
13. Banana
Yes. Make sure you give it as a treat. They are perfect sources of potassium, biotin, fiber, copper, and loads of vitamins.
14. Pineapple
Manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, and zinc are a few of the minerals present in pineapples. A major yes. Feed it pineapple when the dog is going through a rough digestive patch.
15. Cheese
Yes, only moderately. It has high-fat content that could take your pup’s weight toward unhealthy limits.
16. Yogurt
Absolutely yes, especially, during times when the dog’s digestive system has gone haywire. Yogurt has protein and calcium with fiber that goes easy on the stomach and intestines.
17. Pizza
No. Pizza may have high salt, non-human-grade meat, and poor-quality cheese. All of these things the dog cannot tolerate. Avoid it even if you’ve ordered it from the best outlet on the planet.
18. Shrimp
Yes. Shrimps could serve as a low-calorie snack or even a meal for dogs that are put through a diet.
19. Apples
Yes, except the seeds and the core because they have cyanide – a poison.
20. Raw Eggs
No. They may contain Salmonella.
21. Sausages
No. I wouldn’t even feed my dog a small piece because they have high-fat content and salt.
22. Potatoes
Unboiled potatoes have solanine, which causes anemia as I said above. But you can feed the puppy boiled potatoes.
23. Chicken Nuggets
No. They aren’t going to kill your dog but they may have high fat and salt that could take it toward obesity.
24. Pork
Yes but only after removing the fat. Also, do not add anything extra to it.
25. French Fries
Only occasionally. They don’t have any serious nutritional value. Instead, the high-fat content, thanks to the oil, adds to the weight of the puppy.
26. Lettuce
Yes. Lettuce is a low-calorie vegetable that could help your French Bulldog puppy to lose weight.
27. Grapes
A huge NO. Even a single grape could kill your puppy because it harms the kidneys.
28. Gummies
No. Anything that has xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener will put your pup through harm. In fact, if it ingests even one, take it to emergency asap.
29. Beer
Beer may contain alcohol, which is highly toxic to dogs. So, NO.
What are French Bulldog Puppies allergic to?
Anything from the Allium family is highly poisonous for your French Bulldog puppy.
Some examples are onions, garlic, chives, and leaks. Whether cooked or raw, they cause anemia.
Besides this, chocolate, bones of any sort, macadamia nuts, walnuts, cherries, fruit seeds, dough containing yeast or otherwise, caffeine, coffee, cocoa, blue cheese, nutmeg, milk, salt, and moldy spoiled food.
How often should a Frenchie puppy drink water?
According to AKC, your puppy would need an ounce of water for every pound of its weight.
For example, if it’s 15 lbs, you should ideally feed it 10 to 15 ounces of water.
Keep the bowl beside its favorite places if you want it to drink as much water.
Also, make sure that the bowl is clean and free from any mold or other water-borne fungi.
One other thing to remember is that you shouldn’t leave water out all the time for the pup. That could make it drink more water and suffer dehydration as a result of peeing more.
I usually divide the water into portions that could go with the meals.
From my previous example, 5 ounces of water with each meal will suffice as my pup is above 4 months of age.
However, even then, I fear that it may become dehydrated for some reason such as extensive exercising.
AKC shares tests to see if the dog’s suffering from dehydration.
- Press its gums and count second until the blood returns back to the place. 2 seconds is the safe zone. If it takes more time, then the dog has less water in the blood.
- Dry teeth and gums also signal the need of feeding it more water.
- The scruff of the dog also becomes quite loose when it’s low on water. Hold your pup from there and pick it up. If the scruff returns to its place faster, then you have an okay dog. Otherwise, feed it water.
Should I add water to dry dog food?
Yes, why not? Some puppies like their food wet. Add water to the dry kibble by all means when that’s the case.
However, make sure that it’s not too much to make the kibble too mushy. Otherwise, it may repel the dog.
My labradoodle dislikes mushy food that looks like pudding.
Adding water to dry puppy food is also a good idea when it’s weaning.
All you have to do is grind the food and then add water just enough for the pup to be able to chew on it easily.
What else can French Bulldogs puppy drink?
Water is the only drink that your dog should drink. But if you still want it to taste other drinks, then whole fruit juices will do well.
In that, avoid orange juice at all costs.
You also don’t want to give fresh juice to the puppy every day because eventually, that will mean an increased sugar intake.
On days when the stool is loose and the pup doesn’t feel well, fresh fruit juices should be your number one choice.
I feed my labradoodle freshly made apple juice with chicken on plain rice when that happens.
I also alternate coconut water with fruit juice so that he stays hydrated until he’s well.
On normal days, I avoid any kind of juices because whole fruits are still better equipped with nutrition than them.
Why do Frenchies get Zoomies?
It’s a behavioral aspect of the dog. Your pup may get zoomies all of a sudden.
In scientific terms, it’s called Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAPS. It’s perfectly okay for a French Dog puppy to go through that.
However, that could make the dog hungry as hell afterward. So make sure that you keep the meal ready afterward.
Why should you listen to me?
Not just my own pup, but I’ve been called a few times to help clients with their dog’s meals.
Sometimes I’d serve as a liaison to the vet, other times, I’d be reading them labels.
That is to say that whatever you’ll read in this article will be research-based.
I won’t tell you to follow my charts strictly because I’m not going to create any.
Instead, I’ll share with you the charts of Royal Canin just to give you an idea of what you could expect.
Also, I’ll quote reliable sources such as the American Kennel Club to give you an understanding of the overall needs of your French Bulldog puppy.
There will also be information from AAFCO, Pawlicy’s weight charts, and a calorie calculator.
All of these will help you determine the right portion size for your dog.
Wrapping Up
A french bulldog puppy needs more calories than an adult. Besides, it’s still in the growing phase, so it also needs a balanced diet rich in vitamins, protein, carbs, and good fat.
Relying on homemade food for all that is a long shot. Therefore, almost all vets prefer factory-made dry or wet canned food.
The companies make them in accordance with the AAFCO’s nutritional guidelines. So, relying on them makes sense.
Besides, it’s utterly convenient. Don’t forget to follow the chart on the package of the food you choose.
If you’re still confused, though, pay a visit to your vet because setting up the right cups or grams of food per weight of the puppy is super important. They can do it well.
