🦴 Updated on July 8th, 2023
French Bulldogs commonly suffer from allergies, especially skin irritation due to their short, sleek coats. These tiny pooches have one of the highest genetic and environmental predispositions for allergies, and your best friend’s food might be the culprit.
To help stop your dog from itching, we’ve collected our list of the best foods for French Bulldogs with skin allergies.
Our top pick? Royal Canin for French Bulldogs. This dry food is specifically designed to meet the needs of French Bulldogs. High in protein and packed with nutrition to help alleviate your dog’s itching, this food will leave your pup’s tail wagging.
Best Dog Foods for French Bulldogs with Skin Allergies Reviewed
We know firsthand how important taking care of your furry best friend is to you, which is why we’ve researched to help you find the best food to meet your dog’s needs.
Best Overall: Royal Canin
Royal Canin is specifically formulated to meet the needs of French Bulldogs – even down to the design of the kibble.
This food supports muscle tone, which has many customers raving. The protein content gives your Frenchie the boost of energy he needs to stay active and build up muscles. As a bonus, the protein content helps reduce gas and other odors we’d rather not mention.
The bite-sized pieces were created with French Bulldogs in mind, ensuring they can easily pick up and chew their food. The kibble’s shape reduces the chances of choking for those very enthusiastic (see: speedy) eaters.
What makes this food our top choice for helping your French Bulldog with skin allergies? The formula is designed to help keep your dog’s skin healthy. It is well-known to reduce the occurrence of skin irritation and hot spots.
This food has been known to help with French Bulldog’s skin allergies and irritation. Because of its specific ingredients, it helps alleviate some breed-specific problems, like allergies and digestive issues. Some happy dog owners have even described it as life-changing.
We recommend Royal Canin for your French Bulldog if you’re looking for dry food that checks all the boxes.
Pros
- Specially formulated for French Bulldogs
- Affordable
- Reduces allergies related to skin and digestive issues
- Reduces gas
Cons
- Only recommended for adult dogs
Best for Food Sensitivities: Blue Buffalo
BLUE Basics Skin & Stomach Care is a great option for French Bulldogs with specific food sensitivities. This dry dog food has limited ingredients. It doesn’t contain many common food allergens such as soy, dairy, or eggs.
Another thing that truly sets this dog food apart is that the recipe starts with real meat from a single protein source. This is uncommon in dry dog foods, which combine protein sources such as pork or chicken.
Blue Buffalo is known for their commitment to high-quality ingredients, and you see from the look and smell of this kibble that it’s packed with nutrients.
Chicken is a common allergen in dogs. It’s an allergy that can be developed later in life as well, so this is an excellent choice for pet owners trying to detect the source of skin irritation due to food allergies.
The recipe includes pumpkin and other carbohydrates, such as potatoes, that are easy on your French Bulldog’s stomach. This means that it will help with sensitive stomachs caused by allergens as well.
In addition to these simple ingredients, this food contains fish oil and flaxseed. These fatty acids help support skin and coat health.
Pros
- Limited ingredients
- Does not contain chicken or other common food allergens
- Helps with skin and stomach sensitivities
- Contains fatty acids to promote a healthy coat
Cons
- Expensive
- Not breed-specific
Most Affordable: Hill’s Science Diet
If your dog can eat chicken without an allergic reaction, you might try Hill’s Science Diet dog food. This food is one of the best options for pet owners on a budget and still packs much of the same goodness as more expensive brands.
This adult dry dog food promotes digestive health and contains nutrients that keep your dog’s skin healthy.
Veterinarians frequently recommend Hill’s Science Diet. This brand helps patients with skin allergies due to its high levels of vitamins and nutrients.
The smaller kibble is perfect for French Bulldogs, as it’s easier to pick up and eat. Its formula helps dogs with sensitive stomachs, especially as they age. This food helps prevent diarrhea and vomiting in dogs with particularly sensitive stomachs.
Vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and other nutrients promote skin health in addition to making your dog’s coat shiny. Your pup will look as good as she feels.
This brand supports a good cause. Hill’s Food, Shelter, & Love Program has donated almost $300 million in dog food to support local animal shelters. By providing food, shelters can concentrate on what matters most: Finding the right home for a man’s best friend.
Pros
- Affordable
- Veterinarian recommended
- Alleviates itching and stomach issues
- Supports a good cause
Cons
- Contains chicken, a common food allergen for dogs
- Recommended for adult dogs only
Best for All Ages: Diamond Naturals
This grain-free formula contains wild-caught salmon, making it a great option for French Bulldogs of all ages who experience food-related skin sensitivities. Its high-quality ingredients and wild-caught protein will leave your dog eating better than you do.
Unlike other food on our list, Diamond Skin & Coat can be fed to dogs of all ages. This means that if this brand works to alleviate your Frenchie’s skin allergies from a young age, you can stick with it throughout the stages of her life.
This food is made with high-quality protein that helps promote and maintain lean muscles. It contains added vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to help keep your dog’s skin healthy and reduce allergic reactions.
This recipe avoids other common allergens. It doesn’t contain corn or wheat or any other fillers. Better yet – this food contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This is a tasty option for picky eaters due to its flavor.
Are you looking to make a positive impact on the world while promoting your pooch’s skin health? Diamond is a family-owned business out in the United States. They take pride in using sustainable methods to create a product that keeps your dog healthy making it a great option for your furry friend.
Pros
- Great for all ages
- Grain-free
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- Sustainable methods
Cons
- Not breed-specific
Best Probiotics for Adult Frenchies: Purina Adults Pro Plan
Purina Pro Adults Dog Food is our top choice for dog food containing probiotics for your adult French Bulldog or puppy.
Skin allergies in dogs are frequently linked to gut health, and probiotics promote health that begins in your dog’s microbiome. This can give your pup a huge advantage for their life-long health.
The nutrients promote joint health and mobility for your aging best friend. Because Purina formulates recipes to meet the needs of pets at different ages, this is an ideal food to use throughout your dog’s life.
In addition to being fortified with guaranteed live probiotics, this dry food touts salmon as its first ingredient. It contains oatmeal, which is easily digestible and gentle on your dog’s digestive system. Similarly, it has rice to help settle sensitive stomachs.
Sunflower oil and omega-6 fatty acids help support your French Bulldog’s skin and coat health. To further help alleviate skin irritation, this formula avoids chicken, corn, wheat, and soy, all of which are common food allergens. It contains no artificial colors or flavors.
We spoke with many owners of dogs with severely sensitive skin caused by environmental and food allergens. We can definitely say that this food helped their pups with skin irritation.
Pros
- Contains probiotics
- Options for adult dogs and puppies
- Ingredients are gentle on the stomach
- Does not contain common food allergens such as chicken and soy
Cons
- Expensive
- Not breed-specific
Best Food for Puppies: Purina Puppies Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is our top pick for Frenchie puppies who have skin allergies. Puppies need a special blend that’s even gentler on the stomach. Like other Purina foods, it contains healthy probiotics to improve your Frenchie’s gut health.
The Purina Pro Plan’s main protein source is salmon, which can improve brain functions and strong vision! And like sunflower oil, it is also rich in omega-6.
However, this food contains DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid), phosphorus, and calcium, which are both good for growing bones and for strengthening teeth. The DHA will help your little pup absorb the calcium, all while preventing bone loss.
This food type comes with prebiotic fiber, which is another way to improve your French bulldog puppy’s gut health. Similar to probiotics, prebiotics aid digestion through fermentation in the colon.
Pros
- Contains probiotics, DHA, calcium, and Omega-6
- Ingredients are gentle on the stomach
- Does not contain common food allergens, such as chicken and soy
Cons
- Expensive
- Not breed-specific
The Right Choice for Your French Bulldog with Skin Allergies
You love your dog and want to alleviate the symptoms of skin allergies, but how do you choose the right product for your dog, especially if you’re looking for the best food for a french bulldog with skin allergies? And how do you know what your dog is allergic to in the first place?
We know figuring out what’s best for your dog can be stressful, which is why we’ve collected answers to common questions to get you started on the right path to helping out your best friend.
What Are the Signs That My French Bulldog Has a Skin Allergy?
French Bulldogs are prone to allergies, and owners often find this manifesting in their dog’s skin. Itching, dandruff, crustiness, color changes, and concurrent gastrointestinal issues are all common signs that your dog has a skin allergy.
Are French Bulldogs Allergic to Chicken?
Chicken is a surprisingly common allergen in many dog breeds. While some French Bulldogs are allergic to chicken, that’s not the case for all of them.
Is chicken behind your Frenchie’s food allergies? You can eliminate it from your pup’s diet, but take note: You could be feeding your Frenchie chicken without even knowing it.
Many dog foods contain filler protein and chicken even when it’s not listed on the front. Read over the ingredients list to ensure your dog isn’t getting chicken or other allergens on the sly.
Which Other Foods Are Making My French Bulldog Itch?
French Bulldogs with skin sensitivities could be allergic to proteins like chicken but can react to environmental factors, such as pollen or grass clippings.
Other common food allergens are soy, eggs, and grain.
How Do I Know If My French Bulldog Has a Food Allergy?
There are many symptoms to look for when determining whether your dog has food sensitivities.
Food allergies can cause dermatologic signs like itchiness, poor skin and coat, and reoccurring ear infections. Some gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting or diarrhea, are other common signs.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Dog Is Suffering From Allergic Reactions?
While determining what your dog is reacting to will help manage allergies in the future, consulting with your veterinarian is always the first step to addressing these issues. Vets will work with you to determine a plan of action to help ensure your dog remains happy and healthy.
Help Alleviate Your French Bulldog’s Skin Allergies
It’s never fun when someone you care about is suffering. The same can be said of our dogs. For a dog struggling with skin allergies, it can be a struggle to pinpoint the culprit. By evaluating your dog’s food and making the necessary changes, you can help alleviate your Frenchie’s skin allergies.
Overall, our clear choice for dog food that helps French Bulldogs with skin allergies is Royal Canin for French Bulldogs.
The bite-sized pieces were created with French Bulldogs in mind, ensuring they can easily pick up and chew their food. The kibble’s shape reduces the chances of choking for those very enthusiastic (see: speedy) eaters.
This food is formulated specifically with French Bulldogs in mind, so it is designed to meet the needs of your pup. Due to this focus, many of the common allergies Frenchies have are addressed in the recipe.
Because it helps alleviate the symptoms associated with skin allergies and other issues common to Frenchies, this is our clear choice.
Still, there are other options to meet the needs of your French Bulldog. Whether you’re looking to help your aging Frenchie or introduce a new puppy to the family, there are many options to help with skin allergies.
Work with your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your best friend. Your pooch will thank you for it!
