In my 20 years vet’s practice I am getting questions “Do French Bulldogs Need Supplements?” almost on a daily basis. One of the greatest concerns of dog owners is whether their pets get a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. Feeding a dog with balanced nutrition is one of the key factors that affect its health and overall being. However, during certain stages of life, your pooch requires taking supplements that will strengthen his/her bones, joints, and immunity. Here is what you need to know about French bulldog supplements.
Are supplements good for French bulldogs?
Including supplements in your French bulldog’s diet will have a good impact on his coat, bones, and muscles. If you’ve just brought your Frenchie puppy home, it’s important to choose food that will have a sufficient ratio of phosphorus and calcium. Aside from these two minerals, your pooch should also have a good balance of different vitamins, and other elements. Therefore, if your dog is going through a tooth growth stage or he is dealing with mobility issues due to age, supplements will play an important role.
What are the most important French bulldog nutrients?
- Fish oil
Fish oil represents a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, so it will be a good fit for dogs of all ages. Since Frenchies suffer from skin allergies, they should definitely include fish oil supplements in their diet. Some researches have shown that fish oils are useful in treating arthritis, so many owners use them for this purpose as well.
- Glucosamine
Glucosamine is naturally found in our bodies and the bodies of our dogs. It’s an amino sugar that helps in building cartilage around the joints. Since dogs lose cartilage as they age, glucosamine is an important supplement that your pet should take daily. It can relieve joint pain and improve mobility in senior dogs. You can find this amino sugar in many forms such as powder, pills, and treats. It is often formulated with chondroitin sulfate that is also part of our dogs’ tissues and bones.
- Probiotics
Probiotics play an important role in your French bulldog’s digestive system. We all know that these little gremlins are prone to gasses and flatulence, so probiotics will help in maintaining a healthy gut. You can find probiotic bacteria in yogurt, so your dog can eat meals with a few spoons of yogurt every day. However, if your dog doesn’t react well to dairy products, taking probiotic supplements will be a better choice.
Probiotic supplements can also solve your French bulldog’s diarrhea and many other digestive problems. However, we need to mention that not all human probiotics will be safe for your Frenchie. Some probiotics may contain herbs that can trigger allergic reactions, or Xylitol that can be toxic.
- Antioxidants
Antioxidant supplements are useful not only for humans but also for our dogs. They make the skin more elastic and smooth, and protect the body from destructive free radicals. They play a huge role in defending the dog’s immunity from different outdoor toxins. Frenchie puppies will need to learn to adjust to outdoor factors, so they’ll need to take supplements such as vitamins C and E, Beta Carotene, and Selenium.
Adult and senior French bulldogs will need antioxidant supplements to reduce system-wide inflammation and restore their active muscles. Besides, you can also feed your dog with natural supplements that are rich in antioxidants. Include these ingredients slowly, so you can see how well your Frenchie tolerates them:
- Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
- Spinach, carrots, sweet potato
- Lactoferrin
We can find lactoferrin in dairy products and it’s a protein that binds with iron and promotes healthy bones, digestive system, and strong immunity.