What to Know
All the pet owners always are curious about what do bulldogs eat. How many meals do they have? What is the best food for them? And so on.
English bulldogs love to eat and are very food-motivated. You can feed your English bulldog anything homemade or commercial, but you surely need some knowledge about it.
What do bulldogs eat? English bulldog or any bulldog is very sensitive when it comes to their food. They are prone to allergies in their stomach, so they must be given food designed for dogs.
English bulldogs can have meals that contain 2 grams of protein depending on their weight, omega-six fatty acids, and carbohydrates from whole grains enriched with minerals and vitamins.
When it comes to our bulldogs, one thing is sure we always want the best for them. Health and nutrition are very important, and you should always see that your bulldog is getting the right vitamins and minerals.
When you start giving your bulldog proper nutritious food, it is keeping your dog fit and healthy. Your bulldog can have an amazing quality of life.
Your bulldogs must be given safe food that doesn’t develop any allergies. If you cannot figure out what do bulldogs eat, you can always visit a vet and ask. Your bulldog will stay healthy if you feed them nutritious food regularly.
What Do Bulldogs Eat?
To make sure that your bulldog is fed the best diet, you must understand what bulldogs eat and their nutritional demands and preferences. Only when you understand your bulldog’s diet can you feed them with many choices of their food.
You will be surprised to know the variety of foods and what do bulldogs eat from them.
Best Nutritious Food for English Bulldogs
At first, you must measure your bulldog’s weight, so if your bulldog is 50 lbs, then your bulldog must be given 100 grams of proteins. Check the protein level in the dog food given to them.
English bulldogs require both plant and animal-based proteins in their diet. Proteins result in strong bones and muscles as well as increase the growth of nails and fur.
Proteins also make your dogs energetic and help to produce hormones and antibodies. English bulldogs require 2 grams of protein for each pound of their weight, while the puppies and pregnant bulldogs require double as much.
You must also give your bulldogs carbohydrates in their meals. The carbohydrates help your bulldogs to stay active and contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.
Fats also help your bulldogs to supply energy and provide flawless skin and a smooth coat too. Giving your bulldogs fats can also result in a healthy nervous system and a proper body temperature.
Now we come to vitamins. They help in boosting the immune system. Vitamins are antioxidants and help the blood to clot.
The most important vitamins to be given to your bulldog are Vitamin A, C, K, E, and folate. Keep in mind to never give your bulldog the fat-soluble vitamins as they can become toxic.
Talking about minerals, they help the healing of wounds and regulate the growth of teeth and bones. The essential minerals are iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and selenium.
Water is the main and the most important nutrient for bulldogs. Now you may think about how water is included in what do bulldogs eat, but bulldogs drink a lot of water every day.
Water given to them must be clean and fresh as water flushes out maximum toxins from their body. Like humans, the body mass of bulldogs must also be 70-80 % of water.
To keep my dog hydrated throughout the day and night, I got my dog PetSafe Healthy Pet Gravity Food or Water Station. This water station is such a savior as I don’t have to get up repeatedly to give my dog water.
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English bulldogs have a condition called ‘brachycephalic,’ which means they have a short muzzle that creates difficulty swallowing food. They also find it difficult to chew sometimes due to their crowded teeth.
Due to this reason, consider giving your bulldogs their meals in split timings. You can give them their meals twice or thrice a day.
You can provide your dog with wet or dry food, whichever is preferable. But I say the best option is to give them a mixture of both.
If you feed your bulldog with just dry food, then they will lack hydration in their body. Don’t forget to check the number of vitamins and minerals on their dog food’s tins or packets.
To make my bulldog’s meals fun, I give him Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Adult Canned Wet Dog Food to not let him get bored with the same food every day. He loves it, and I give him this twice or thrice a week.
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I think now you know what do bulldogs eat. Even if you feed your bulldog homemade food, provide something good for them, not something that upsets their stomach.
Proteins for Your English Bulldog
You can feed your bulldog lamb for proteins. There are slight chances that your bulldog may have few allergic reactions like losing fur or being extra itchy to chicken.
If you notice such reactions, then quickly check for chicken in the ingredients. Replace the dog food and opt for something that doesn’t have chicken.
Also, do not forget to check for Omega-6 fatty acids in dog food. They give your bulldogs healthy skin and amazing coats.
The commercial dog foods sometimes contain grains, especially in the dry food. Grains can be empty fillers, so when you read grains, make sure it is brown rice or oatmeal.
Please do not feed your bulldogs the white grains as all the nutrients from them have been stripped off. Now let’s talk about whole grains.
On the other side, whole grains contain lots of vitamins and minerals with fiber to which are good for digestion. Whole grains also reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and kidney problems.
Another good source of protein is eggs. Eggs help to strengthen the bones of your bulldog and encourage healthy skin. However, giving your bulldogs raw eggs can increase the risk of salmonella.
Can English Bulldogs Have Dairy?
Now dairy is quite tricky. Most of the bulldogs are lactose intolerant, which could result in them upsetting their stomachs.
If your English bulldog is lactose tolerant, then giving them cheese is a great idea as it has calcium that strengthens their teeth and bones. Please don’t give your bulldog cheese with many molds; otherwise, they can have diarrhea, seizures, vomiting, and fever.
You can give them yogurt in a moderate amount as it regulates digestion. You should avoid milk and ice cream if your dog is lactose intolerant. However, if your bulldog is lactose tolerant, then a little milk is fine as it provides them with extra calcium.
Can English Bulldog Have Fruits?
As far as fruits are concerned, bananas are at the top of the list. Bananas are full of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6 that is beneficial to bones and help with gastrointestinal problems. Although, be careful to feed a lot of bananas to your bulldog.
Bananas can make your bulldog fat and can also upset their stomach if fed too many. You should always feed them in moderation.
It goes similar to the strawberries as well. Strawberries contain many antioxidants that are good for the dog and contain a high amount of sugar.
Feeding your bulldogs nuts is risky. Nuts contain protein and Omega 3 fatty acids, but they also have adverse effects like making your dog fat if eaten in large quantities.
Additionally, as we know, bulldogs can be fed peanuts. There are other nuts like cashews, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, hickory nuts, and walnuts, which are toxic to them.
Number of Times I can Feed My Bulldog
The age of your bulldog will determine the number of meals your bulldog should have during the day. An adult bulldog should be feed at least twice a day.
You shouldn’t give your dog one large meal, as it can be difficult to digest. It can also increase the risk of bloating in your bulldog.
Due to this reason, you should feed your bulldog two smaller meals at regular intervals in a day. If your bulldog has not reached adulthood, then these are some feeding schedules if you want to follow:
- When your bulldog is between 8 weeks to 3 months old: 4 small meals in a day
- When your bulldog is between 3 months to 6 months old : 3 small meals in a day
- When your bulldog is six months to 1-year-old: 2 medium-sized meals in a day
- When your bulldog becomes 1-year-old and onwards: 1 to 2 meals in a day, it should ideally be two meals a day.
Before You Go
Now I am sure I made you fully aware of what do bulldogs eat. Bulldogs are fond of eating, and you can always try to give them options suitable to them as they grow.
Just ensure your bulldog gets all the important nutrients and minerals. Keep your bulldogs healthy and keep feeding them with all the love.
FAQs
What should a balanced diet for bulldogs include?
Bulldogs require a balanced diet that includes a mix of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Good food for bulldogs will include a healthy balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Can bulldogs eat a raw diet?
Some bulldog owners feed their dogs a raw diet, such as ground Cornish hens on meat days and plant-based foods like bananas, cooked sweet potatoes, apples, berries, and quinoa on other days. However, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian to ensure the diet is balanced and appropriate for your individual dog.
What foods should bulldogs avoid?
Bulldogs should avoid foods that contain corn, wheat, or soy. These ingredients are common allergens and can cause digestive issues in some dogs.
How much should I feed my bulldog?
The amount of food your bulldog needs depends on factors such as age, weight, and activity level. A general guideline is to feed adult bulldogs one cup of high-quality dog food twice a day. However, it’s important to monitor your dog’s weight and adjust portions as needed to maintain a healthy body condition.
Are there any special considerations for feeding bulldog puppies?
Bulldog puppies have specific nutritional requirements to support their growth and development. It’s important to feed them a high-quality puppy food formulated for their age and size. Consult with your veterinarian and refer to a comprehensive English Bulldog feeding chart and guide to determine the appropriate amount and frequency of feeding for your bulldog puppy.