Why Is My Frenchie Throwing Up? The Top Reasons Why Your Furry Friend Keeps Getting Sick

🦴 Updated on July 4th, 2023

french-bulldog-puppy-with-health-problem

Having a pet can be one of the best additions to your life. When your furry friend starts to have health problems, things can get scary quickly. 

If you have a French Bulldog and they start suddenly vomiting, your first instinct may be to panic and ask, “why is my frenchie throwing up?” I’m here to tell you that this problem may not be as scary as it appears.

Why Is My French Bulldog Throwing Up?

Why do French Bulldogs throw up? There may be many reasons why a dog may suddenly start vomiting. Unfortunately, this is a common issue that French Bulldog owners face. You may learn that what gives your dog such a cute face can also be the reason for their throwing up.

We all know the famously cute smushed face of a Frenchie. Even though we find it adorable, the design of their face is not very forgiving on their bodies. The shape of their face makes it difficult to breathe and can give your dog digestive problems.

The Most Common Digestive Issues 

One of the most common symptoms of having a smashed in the face with Frenchie’s is vomiting. 

This happens because they tend to regurgitate their food when eating, and this is also the reason for the most common digestive issues among the breed. If you see your French Bulldog throwing up undigested food, this is likely why.

The quickest way to characterize this type of vomiting in your dog is the presence of white, frothy foam. If this is similar to the vomit your dog has, the chance of it being due to their adorable face is high.

Wondering why else your French Bulldog keeps throwing up? Other common reasons a French Bulldog may vomit are:

  • Parasites
  • Eating bad food
  • Disease
  • Chronic illness
  • Motion sickness
  • Allergy
  • Choking

If your dog has persistent or chronic vomiting, your best route of action is to contact your vet. Although vomiting is common with Frenchies, it is crucial to address any health concerns quickly.

French Bulldog Regurgitation or Vomiting?

Are you saying to yourself, “my Frenchie keeps throwing up,” after they eat? What may seem like vomiting is your dog regurgitating its food. It is not uncommon for Frenchies to choke on or regurgitate their food since their facial structure makes it difficult to eat.

French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, which means they have a short muzzle and flattened or smushed face, and this is what commonly gives Bulldogs such difficulty when eating food.

Brachycephalism can also cause issues such as aspiration or pneumonia in your dog. This can occur when the regurgitated food goes back down their esophagus and travels to the lungs.

When your French Bulldog regurgitates their food, it may appear white, frothy, and foamy. It may also have bits and pieces of undigested food which is not a cause for alarm.

Does My Frenchie Eat Too Fast?

The most notable way to tell if your furry friend has vomited or regurgitate their food is to examine its components. If there is more liquid than solids present, it is most likely that your dog has vomited.

So, if you’re asking, “my French Bulldog keeps throwing up?” It may be because it’s eating too fast. When a French Bulldog regurgitates their food, it has not reached the digestive tract before regurgitation. 

French Bulldog regurgitation contains a vast amount of liquid such as digestive acids, water, or a foamy substance.

Symptoms of a Sick French Bulldog

If your Frenchie is vomiting due to a problem unrelated to their cute faces, you may have more of a cause of concern. There are many different reasons your French Bulldog may be sick, so your best option is to consult a vet for further testing.

Some of the symptoms you may notice when your bulldog is sick can vary greatly. Sometimes, they may exhibit no symptoms. The top symptoms to watch out for are:

  • Lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Difficulty breathing 

These French Bulldog sick symptoms can all be signs of something as mild as a cold or as serious as a chronic illness. Without consultation, there is no reliable way to diagnose your dog.

How to Handle a French Bulldog Vomiting 

If your dog has vomiting unrelated to illness, it is most likely due to their facial structure. There can be a few simple ways you can handle this. The mess can be frustrating, and you may feel bad that your dog is feeling unwell, but it is manageable.

Slow Feeding Bowls

If your dog tends to eat or drink quickly, a slow-feeding bowl is one of the best things you can purchase. These bowls are designed to make your dog eat and drink slowly instead of trying to eat as fast as possible.

Plenty of dogs have a problem with eating or drinking quickly, which can be a great way to solve it. It works by incorporating patterns and designs that are raised in the interior of the bowl. This makes it much harder for your dog to access their food or water quickly.

Limit Food and Water Intake

By limiting your dog’s food and water intake after they have vomited, you can prevent further vomiting for a short period. If your dog has vomited, you should remove food and water from its access.

Do not allow any food or water immediately after they have vomited. After a short amount of time has passed, and your dog starts to behave normally, you can allow them small amounts of water. Gradually increase the amount they are allowed throughout the day or night, and you can begin to incorporate food again.

If your dog continues to vomit after a break from food and water, you should contact your vet to see if there is an underlying issue.

Prevent Your Frenchie From Throwing Up White Foam

Is your French Bulldog throwing up white foam in the morning? You can take many precautions to prevent your French Bulldog throwing up foam. 

Whether this is a diet change, medication, or simple care, you have a few different options to choose from when preventing your Frenchie throwing up white foam.

Allowing Bland Foods

You can give your Frenchie a few bland human foods to help settle their stomach. When making their meals, measure out the portions correctly for their weight and add no oils or seasonings to their food.

 Some of the best foods to prevent and treat vomiting and dogs are:

  • Boiled chicken
  • Rice
  • Canned pumpkin
  • Boiled carrots
  • Boiled potatoes

You may also incorporate veterinary-prescribed dog food that is designed for digestive care.

Keeping Your Bulldog Hydrated

Are you using a slow feeding bowl and giving your Frenchie bland food, yet still asking, “why does my French Bulldog keep throwing up?” 

Even though drinking too much water can cause your Frenchie to vomit, not giving them enough can also cause it. If you do not properly hydrate your dog, it can also have complications from vomiting.

When a dog or human vomits, the body loses the fluid needed for things like energy and digestion. It is vital to monitor your dog’s water intake after vomiting to reduce the chances of a second event. 

You should also monitor your dog’s water intake before a vomiting event. If your dog does not get enough water throughout the day, their chance of vomiting becomes higher.

Incorporate Medication

Under the guidance and prescription of your vet, you can add a medication to your Frenchie’s routine if their vomiting becomes serious. Sometimes your dog may require medication to stop an issue such as vomiting.

The easiest way to give your dog medication is through a small treat. It is not always best to place the medication in your dog’s food bowl because it can be overlooked, lost, or ignored. 

The most commonly prescribed medications for French Bulldog vomiting are:

  • Metoclopramide
  • Cerenia
  • Ondansetron

Some commonly-used medicines prescribed for vomiting are for specific conditions such as cancer. There are also different delivery methods like a pill, gel, or injection, and all medication should be administered under the instruction of a veterinary professional.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about why your Frenchie is vomiting.

Why is my Frenchie vomiting foam?

Your dog may have a foamy vomit due to GI stress, indigestion, or excess gas in their stomach.

When does vomiting become serious?

If your dog vomits more than three times in a day or has signs of blood or strange discoloration, you should consult your vet ASAP.

Why does my Frenchie throw up in the morning?

Your French Bulldog may tend to vomit more in the morning if they are hungry. Just like humans, their stomachs can become upset from hunger. It can also be a symptom of the previously mentioned issues.

Can I use homeopathic remedies to treat my Frenchie’s vomiting?

Homeopathy may be an option for your dog, but it is best done under the guidance of your vet. Do not give any treatment to your dog without a consultation first.

How do I know if my French Bulldog has a food allergy?

If your dog has a food allergy or you suspect so, you should change their food for hypoallergenic food.

What are other health conditions commonly seen in Frenchies?

Allergies, skin conditions, and breathing problems are among the most commonly reported health problems in Frenchies.

Summary: Why Is My Frenchie Throwing Up?

Is your French Bulldog throwing up? It’s important to know the difference between vomiting and regurgitation. Your Frenchie may very well simply be struggling to eat. In such cases, encourage them to eat slowly with a slow feeding bowl.

However, if you’re worried about your pup, it’s best to get the opinion of a vet to be sure your Frenchie is healthy.

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Sarah Alward | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Sarah Alward | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Our resident DVM helps review every article to ensure we always provide scientifically accurate, up-to-date information. She’s proud to help provide pet parents everywhere with the info they need to keep their pets safe, healthy, and comfortable.