How Much Should a French Bulldog Eat? Vet Explained Puppy to Adult Feeding Guide
The post How Much Should a French Bulldog Eat? Vet Explained Puppy to Adult Feeding Guide by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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Getting a new puppy is always so exciting! You have this little bundle of fur just wanting to eat, sleep, and play with you. As a veterinarian, we often get asked how much food is appropriate to be feeding a specific dog, in this case, a French Bulldog. This, of course, is not an easy question to answer, as each puppy and grown dog are different — just as a baby, toddler, and 40-year-old person will have different nutritional needs. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed for knowing how much to feed your French Bulldog. As always, I will also go over some tips on things we don’t recommend for your beloved Frenchie as well.
How Much to Feed a Newborn French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are not one of the breeds that occur as strays. In other words, all French Bulldogs are bred from other French Bulldogs and are not considered “mutts”. Appropriate breeding, adult, and neonatal care would dictate that the puppies are left to nurse on mom’s milk for at least the first 6–8 weeks of their life. This is crucial for any puppy to make sure they are getting not only colostrum, but all of the appropriate nutrients they need from mom’s milk.
Appropriate weaning of puppies needs to be done by the breeder. The breeder should also make sure that the mother is in tip-top shape so that she can support nursing a litter of puppies for approximately 2 months. The mother should be up to date on vaccines, preventatives, and deworming protocols as there are many parasites and viruses that can be passed through the mom’s milk.
You should never be getting a French Bulldog from a breeder younger than 8 weeks of age. If you are, then this says that the breeder has not left the puppies with mom long enough, and they may not have received the appropriate antibodies and other necessary nutrients. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, this rule should always be followed.
If the mom has become ill or cannot nurse her puppies, then only Puppy Milk Replacer (PMR) should be used. Absolutely do not buy or give any other type of milk, including goat’s milk, to a newborn puppy. Their immune system cannot handle any other milk proteins and giving them other types of milk may not only provide insufficient nutrients, but can also cause them harm. People can argue with me all they want about the benefits of unpasteurized milk, goat’s milk, etc., but you’ll be hard pressed to find a veterinarian who would feed something other than PMR to an orphaned puppy.
Once you have obtained PMR, speak with your veterinarian to make sure you have an appropriate bottle and nipple. Puppies should be fed every 2–4 hours around the clock, receiving approximately 180 ml of PMR per kilogram of body weight per day. This total amount needs to be divided amongst each feeding. In other words, do not feed 180 ml of PMR every 4 hrs. You may only be feeding 20 or 30 ml at each feeding, depending on the weight of the puppy. Make sure you are regularly weighing the puppy so that the feeding amount can be adjusted appropriately. PMR is fed until the 6–8 week mark, when a slow transition to puppy food will then be completed.
Image Credit: elabracho, Shutterstock
How Much to Feed a Growing Puppy
Once your French Bulldog has reached 6–8 weeks of age, they should be able to be weaned off of mom’s milk. Again, this should be completed by the breeder prior to you getting the puppy home. If you have an orphaned Frenchie, speak with your veterinarian about how best to wean them from the PMR over to solid puppy food.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
There are many great puppy foods on the market today. And yes, I am going to absolutely recommend commercially made puppy food. Again, we can get into an entire discussion about what not to feed your dog, or more importantly, your growing puppy. But in general, a raw diet, and/or homemade diet is never recommended for puppies due to their immune system being underdeveloped in addition to the difficulty balancing all of their nutritional needs for growth and development.
First, make sure you are purchasing food specifically labeled “puppy”. Never, ever use a product that is labeled and marketed as “all ages”. Think about it. Would you feed your 4-month-old baby the same thing as a 4-year-old child, or a 40-year-old adult?
This feeding chart is a good starting spot for how much to feed your puppy. This is based on a cup measurement of dry, commercial kibble. For a French Bulldog, I would expect their weight at maturity to likely be within the first 3 categories (3–12, 13–20 or 21–50 pounds), with the majority being 20 pounds or less. Always use this as a starting point, and adjust up or down based on your puppy’s weight, body condition, and veterinary recommendations.
Image Credit: O_Lypa, Shutterstock
How Much to Feed an Adult French Bulldog
First, I must stress that each dog is different and exact feeding requirements will depend on the health of your dog, whether they have been spayed/neutered or not, and if they have any underlying health issues. Also, the brand of food, and whether you are feeding kibble, canned food, or both will determine how much you feed your dog. In general, the bags or cans are a good starting point, as is the feeding chart above. This calculator is great for people feeding Purina Brand dog food. You can also use this calculator even if you are feeding another brand, just by selecting the food and flavor that most closely mirrors your dog’s food.
If you want to get very specific, you can calculate exactly how much to feed your dog based on their RER (Resting Energy Requirements). This will give you a good idea of where to start with how much to feed your dog based on their body type, lifestyle, and health factors. RER will give you the total kilocalories a day to feed, which is then divided up based on meal frequency. However, a lot goes into exactly how much each dog should get, so this amount should not be set in stone but a fluid number based on recommendations from your veterinarian, and monitoring your dog’s weight and BCS (Body Condition Score).
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How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My French Bulldog?
As a newborn puppy, if you are bottle feeding, puppies need to eat every 2–4 hours around the clock. Once the puppy is weaned over to commercial puppy food, at minimum you should feed them twice daily. Depending on how big your Frenchie is, however, your veterinarian may recommend you feed them 3 or 4 times a day until they are bigger. This is to reduce the chance of your puppy developing a low blood sugar by feeding them at more frequent intervals.
Once they have reached adulthood, it’s always recommended to feed a dog 2 or 3 times a day. This is because many veterinarians believe the risk for bloat, or GDV, increases in dogs who are only fed once daily. While there are no consistent statistics to back up this claim, many veterinarians have seen cases of bloat occur more frequently in once-a-day eaters. Why risk it?
Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock
Wet/Canned Food Vs. Dry Kibble
People often wonder which is best for their dog. In the case of a French Bulldog, both options are completely appropriate. As long as the food is well balanced for the specific age of your Frenchie, and you calculate how much of each needs to be fed for their body weight, then you’re OK. Because canned food has a higher water content than kibble, you will need to feed more on a “per weight” basis. This can get expensive in larger dogs such as a Labrador. However, in a French Bulldog, the difference may not break the bank. Always check the kilocalories per cup of dry food and per can in order to calculate how much to feed your dog.
Conclusion
French Bulldogs are the most common breed in America for the second year running. Because they are always bred and not typically found running around as strays, most people will get a Frenchie from a breeder or rescue. You should never get a French Bulldog prior to 8 weeks of age, ensuring that they were nursing on mom for the first few months of life. If you happen to have an orphaned Frenchie, only feed PMR at the recommended amounts. Growing puppies should always receive commercially made, well-balanced puppy food, fed 3–4 times a day. Once fully grown, we still recommend feeding 2–3 times daily. Always steer clear of foods labeled “all ages”, no matter how old your dog is. The package of food is a good starting point for how much to feed your dog, though this should always be adjusted up or down based on your specific dog’ s needs.
Featured Image Credit: Elayne Massaini, Shutterstock
The post How Much Should a French Bulldog Eat? Vet Explained Puppy to Adult Feeding Guide by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: Our Vet Discusses Risks, Signs & Next Steps
The post My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: Our Vet Discusses Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Chyrle Bonk DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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Most dogs have a favorite type of toy, and it’s usually one that squeaks. This type of toy is typically either plush or plastic and includes a device that makes a high-pitched noise when squeezed. While sometimes irritating, these noises tend to become background music in your home. However, it can be a big problem if your dog manages to remove and eat the toy’s squeaker. If your pup swallows a squeaker, remain calm and contact your vet immediately, as this can be a life-threatening situation.
What to Do If Your Dog Swallows a Squeaker
Whether you happen to witness the event firsthand or come home to a chewed-up plushie minus its noisemaker, it’s time to take action quickly.
Image Credit: OlgaOvcharenko, Shutterstock
1. Keep Calm
Your gut reaction may be to panic, but you’ve got to stay calm. Even though the adrenaline may be coursing through your body, don’t let your stress be known, especially to your dog. Remove them from the situation so they can’t eat anything else, and get on the phone.
2. Call Your Veterinarian
With a close eye on your dog, call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic. Explain what happened, how big your dog is, and whether they are showing any signs of distress or discomfort.
3. Follow the Veterinarian’s Instructions
Most vets will want to see your dog even if they’re acting normally. Get your pet to the clinic straightaway, preferably with your or someone else monitoring them on the drive for signs of breathing difficulty or stomach pain. Don’t feed your dog anything or induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Potential Risks When a Dog Swallows a Squeaker
Squeaky toys are made of plastic, something that your dog’s digestive system isn’t equipped to handle, but that’s not the only trouble that a dog’s body may have when they consume a squeaker.
Choking
Some squeakers may seem small, but when one is swallowed whole, it can actually be a significant burden for your dog’s throat to handle, potentially becoming lodged in there. When something gets stuck in the esophagus, your dog will cough, gag, and otherwise have difficulty getting the air that they need to survive. Choking is an emergency situation that necessitates immediate care.
Image Credit: shulers, Shutterstock
Intestinal Blockage
The noisemaker from a dog toy can’t be broken down, not even by canine stomach acid. Instead, it will journey through your dog’s digestive tract along with the other ingesta. This may be a problem when it encounters the tight twists and turns of the intestines. Depending on your dog’s size, a squeaker can become lodged in the intestines, backing up the normal progression of ingesta as it tries to make its way out of the body. Intestinal blockages can quickly become a big deal, so immediate veterinary attention is needed.
Perforation
While a squeaker in its original version is unlikely to puncture anything, a squeaker that has been chewed can. Sharp edges can rip or tear the digestive tract, potentially releasing bacteria and juices where they shouldn’t be in the abdomen, which can cause the dog to become severely ill. Perforations need to be treated immediately.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Swallowed a Squeaker?
Pups can be rather sneaky, and unless you catch your pet in the act, you may not know right away that they have eaten anything abnormal. If you don’t actively see them swallow a part of their toy, you may just find remnants of it and not be able to locate the voice box.
Therefore, your first indication that your dog swallowed the squeaker may be them displaying unusual signs, including:
Difficulty breathing, gasping for breath
Drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Vomiting
Lethargy
Not eating
Stomach pain (stretching out, bowing, whining, or crying)
Constipation
Any of these signs warrant a veterinary visit, especially if they coincide with finding shredded toy remains.
Image Credit: Taisya Korchak, Shutterstock
What Will the Vet Do When a Dog Swallows a Squeaker?
Your vet will want to get the squeaker out of your dog in the way that causes the least amount of harm. This is going to vary on a case-by-case basis, and for some, it may include watching and waiting. This is typically done for large dogs where obstructions and choking are less likely. If your pup isn’t showing any signs of discomfort, their poop should be monitored for a day or two until the squeaker reappears and they’re in the clear.
Small dogs or those having issues may need the squeaker removed through alternative methods. Ultrasound may be done to locate the squeaker, and then it may be taken out through endoscopy if available. Induced vomiting may also be an option. Your vet may do this with a medication and then monitor your pup to make sure they don’t aspirate any of the vomit. Otherwise, surgical removal may be necessary, especially if the squeaker is unable to escape the intestines.
For dogs that are choking, the Heimlich maneuver may be helpful, but you shouldn’t do this unless directed by a vet.
Image Credit: thka, Shutterstock
Safer Toy Alternatives to Squeakers
Even if your pup is infatuated with the sound, squeaker toys aren’t for all dogs. Those that are especially destructive should play with more durable items, including rope toys, high-quality rubber toys, and tennis balls. If your dog simply loves plush items, get one without the squeaker to make things safer for your pet.
Also, be sure to supervise your dog whenever they’re playing, and never leave your destructive pup unattended while they have a toy in their possession.
Conclusion
Squeaker toys are all fun and games until the noisemaker gets swallowed. If your dog ingests a squeaker, remain calm, and call your vet for directions on the next steps to follow. This will likely be a trip to the nearest veterinary hospital. If possible, have someone come with you, as they can keep an eye on your dog to make sure they aren’t experiencing any severe side effects. Once your dog has recovered, opt for squeaker-free toys.
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock
The post My Dog Swallowed a Squeaker: Our Vet Discusses Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Chyrle Bonk DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Can Dogs Get Car Sick? Vet-Approved Tips to Help
The post Can Dogs Get Car Sick? Vet-Approved Tips to Help by Jessica Kim appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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When people envision dogs and cars, they’ll often think of a happy dog poking their head out the window and enjoying the breeze. However, not all dogs will enjoy car rides, and they can even get car sick.
Dogs can experience car sickness for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s a physical reaction, while some dogs may feel car sick due to psychological reasons. Understanding why dogs get car sick can help you prevent your own dog from getting car sick and instead enjoy comfortable car rides with you.
Reasons Dogs Get Car Sick
The full reason for motion sickness is not yet understood but is thought to be related to a dog’s inner ear, eyes and sensory confusion. Dogs will start to feel car sick when their inner ear is stimulated or disturbed. The inner ear is connected to the vomiting center of the brain stem, which causes dogs to feel nauseous.
It’s common for puppies to feel motion sickness because it is a new experience for the nervous system to learn about. Therefore, many puppies will grow out of motion sickness and no longer feel it when they’re fully grown. However, adult dogs can still experience car sickness.
Sometimes, car sickness is caused by psychological reasons, particularly anxiety. Dogs can feel anxious when they get into the car, and this stress can cause them to feel sick and experience symptoms of car sickness. It’s common for dogs with negative first experiences with car rides to continue to start feeling car sick, even if the car isn’t moving.
Image Credit: eva_blanco, Shutterstock
Signs Your Dog Is Car Sick
Most dogs will show signs of nausea when they feel car sick. Dogs that feel nauseous will be panting, licking their lips, or swallowing or gulping the air. Other signs that dogs are car sick include yawning, whining, excessive drooling, and vomiting. Your dog will also show signs of uneasiness and may become restless or curl up and try to hide.
Tips for Dogs and Car Sickness
Car sickness is an unpleasant experience for both dogs and their owners. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your dog feel better during car rides.
Medication
You can consult your veterinarian to see if any over-the-counter or prescription medication can help reduce motion sickness signs. They can also prescribe medication that helps reduce vomiting and keep dogs calm. Available products range from anti-anxiety supplements and sprays to prescription medications for more severe distress.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Lower the Windows
You can make car rides more enjoyable by lowering your car windows a few inches. Many dogs appreciate a cool breeze, and letting outside air in can help balance your car’s air pressure with the outdoor air pressure. This can help reduce discomfort and overstimulation of the inner ear.
Image Credit: Andrey_Popov, Shutterstock
Get Your Dog Acclimatized
It’s also helpful to get your dog comfortable with car rides. Try getting your dog used to car rides by gradually building up your dog’s tolerance for them. Depending on the individual you may need to just start with popping them into the car for a few moments and not going anywhere, build up to starting the engine and then a 2-minute car ride around the neighborhood and work your way up to increasing the length of time your dog is in the car. Make sure to take your dog to fun places they enjoy, like parks or your friends’ homes. This will build positive associations with car rides as your dog gets rewarded with something fun after being in the car.
You can also place your dog in a crate or car seat to help them feel more safe and secure while you drive. Sometimes, placing toys and blankets in the car can help dogs feel calmer and more comfortable.
Refrain from Feeding Before Car Rides
Lastly, refrain from feeding your dog any food 3 hours before they need to ride the car. Eating food right before a car ride will increase the risk of your dog feeling sick and vomiting.
Conclusion
Dogs can get car sick due to a physical condition or from fear or anxiety. Understanding what’s causing your dog’s car sickness will help immensely with getting your dog comfortable with car rides. It’ll take some time, training, and experimenting, but it’s possible to find ways for your dog to ride in cars while reducing occurrences of car sickness.
It’s best to start by getting your dog examined by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can diagnose the cause of your dog’s motion sickness and point you in the right direction for getting your dog to feel more comfortable when they’re inside a car.
Featured Image Credit: Aleksey Boyko, Shutterstock
The post Can Dogs Get Car Sick? Vet-Approved Tips to Help by Jessica Kim appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Spay & Neuter Angel Day Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisianna Spay & Neuter Angel Day happened Friday even after a hurricane! We could not be happier to be helping this comminity of responsible pet owners and these precious hippos. Especially during such a trying time. Big thanks to our long time participants for always doing such an incredible job. Your professionalism and dedication is appreciated.
Everyone we continue to emplore you all to share these posts in an effort to raise awareness. Spaying and neuterting is VITAL and must be a priority if we are to ever slow the shelter intake and kill numbers. Pit bull type dogs are the majority of all dogs in IS shelters and to our knowledge this is the only national pit bull type dog spay and neuter program 9 years running in America. Please support it. Donate, educate, advocate, help anykne you know find low cost clinics and take them there if you have to. We all have to do what we can to end the needless loss of life happening to healthy, adoptable loving dogs in this country. Things are out of control and we are in a state if emergency.
Tax deductible contributions can be made on the home page of standupforpits.us.
REPOST Spay Nation For Cats and Dogs
The day after Hurricane Francine, 15 pits and pit mixes were able to participate in Angel Day 2024! We are so thankful that these pet owners’ homes and communities were unscathed by the storm and they were able to make the journey to SpayNation. We are sending well wishes to those that were affected by the storm. In honor of Angel, Stand Up For Pits Foundation, Inc incurred the cost for these awesome dogs to receive spay/neuter, Rabies vaccinations, post-op pain medication and an e-collar!
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JUST ADDED!!! Hollywood, CA Saving Jones screening!!!
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