Our furry best friends need a healthy, balanced diet, just like us. No matter what, we want the best for our dogs and this includes nutrition. The right food can improve your dog’s health and quality of life. The wrong food can be extremely damaging to your dog’s wellbeing.
Just as all dog breeds have different dietary requirements, bulldogs can only eat certain foods. Other foods should never be fed to them as they can become seriously ill. On the whole, bulldogs can eat any diet that is well-designed. This can be either homemade or a commercial blend. Whether it’s dry food or raw, what bulldogs can and can’t eat is as varied as their breed.
Although knowing what you can feed your bulldog is important, knowing what not to feed them maybe even more critical. While all kinds of foods have benefits and risks, some should be avoided as they can cause health problems that can even lead to death. Foods that bulldogs shouldn’t eat include:
- Grapes and raisins
- Kale
- Ice cream
- Cooked pork bones
- Unripe and ripening tomatoes
All of these foods have detrimental side effects when fed to a bulldog so you should keep these away at all times.
Can bulldogs eat carrots?
Carrots can be a tasty, crunchy treat to feed your bulldog. Most dogs, whatever the breed, love carrots, and many would eat them every day if they had the choice. Carrots can be beneficial to dogs and are a great source of fiber. You can feed carrots on their own or mix with dog food as a delicious treat.
You probably grew up hearing how carrots were good for your eyesight. While they won’t help you see in the dark, nutrients found inside this vegetable have been found to help eye health and improve vision. The same goes for your bulldog when they eat carrots. As well as this, carrots have other excellent benefits.
Carrots are very good for your dog’s digestion. The high source of fiber works as a laxative to help your bulldog’s digestion work properly. Carrots also help boost a bulldog’s immune system, improve their dental health by keeping the teeth clean, and they can help maintain a healthy coat as well as keep their skin less dry.
However, carrots are high in sugar which can lead to obesity and other health complications. Therefore, carrots should not exceed 10% of a bulldog’s average food intake for the day.
Is chicken bad for bulldogs?
Put chicken in front of your bulldog and, chances are, it will be gobbled up within seconds. Thankfully, both raw and cooked chicken can be a great treat or even a main ingredient in a well-balanced bulldog diet. However, you should never feed a bulldog cooked chicken bones as these offer no nutritional value.
They can also splinter which can lead to perforations in the intestines. These splinters can lead to possible dental problems as they get stuck in your dog’s gums and, in extreme circumstances, even death.
Chicken without any cooked bones is safe, however. Chicken is an excellent source of protein and full of Omega 6 acids. These fatty acids help keep your bulldog’s coat shiny and healthy as well as their skin.
Chicken is also effective at treating dogs who suffer from diarrhea. It can help their digestion and decrease such problems. Even as the dog recovers, chicken can be used as a great ingredient for a bland diet.
However, bulldogs are known for suffering from allergies. Therefore, you should introduce a little bit of chicken into their diet and look out for any skin flare-ups or other allergic reactions. If you notice any reaction, then chicken may not be safe for your bulldog.
What human food can bulldogs eat?
Just because we can eat certain foods doesn’t mean our little bulldog friends can too. Although you may feel tempted to share your delicious meal or snack with your pup, it may cause an illness.
As we mentioned, bulldogs are notorious for being allergic to different food items. Although some allergies can be met with mild symptoms, some can be extremely dangerous and deadly.
Here are some foods that humans eat that can also be fed to bulldogs:
- Bananas
- Chicken
- Grains
- Peanut butter
- Cooked eggs
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Cheese
- Plain, whole dairy yogurts
- Peanuts, Brazil nuts, Almonds, and hazelnuts
- Oranges
- Kiwi (always remove the skin)
- Apples
- Pears
As with all food, these should only be fed in moderation. Foods such as peanut butter, cheese, and yogurts should be given very rarely to prevent any possible side effects. Start by adding very small amounts to their diet to check for any possible side effects.
What is the best food for bulldogs?
We have looked at what foods you should not give your bulldog but what about the foods that are best for them. The right food for your pooch should provide optimal nutrition for a healthy lifestyle. These include:
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Fat
- Water
The best food for your bulldog also depends on their age. Puppy bulldogs need a minimum of 22% protein and 8% fat for healthy growth and development. A puppy formula will be more than enough for these pups.
Adult bulldogs (starting around 12 months or 75% of their adult size) require a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat. A senior bulldog has more chance of becoming obese so it should switch over to a low-fat formula or senior recipe.
Currently, one of the best dog foods for bulldogs is Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Original Recipe With Freeze-Dried Turkey. This food’s recipe includes high-protein kibble combined with freeze-dried raw pieces of turkey to boost the flavor and overall nutrition.
It also features nutrient-rich chicken fat and fresh fruits and vegetables. These contain sources of key nutrients. This is certainly a great option for keeping your pooch strong and healthy.
