The 6 Best French Bulldog Foods Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024
Written By Vedrana Nikolic | Canine Coach, B.A Ethnology & Anthropology, M.A Semiotics.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 18th January 2024
Adorable, gentle, and smart… it is hard not to love a Frenchie. While they do love to eat, they can often be quite picky about their food. But what is the best dog food for Frenchies?
Is there anything special you need to consider to keep them as healthy and happy as possible? This guide to French Bulldog food will answer these questions.
To source all the most important information for you, we teamed up with veterinarians and canine nutritionists to form our own panel of independent experts. Over the course of several weeks, we tested dozens of dog food to find the best French Bulldog food. So what did we discover? Stick around to find out!
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
Petzyo Dry Dog Food Kangaroo & Sweet Potato
- Named protein first
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Low fat which is perfect for Frenchies
- Nutritious superfood additions
- No fillers or artificial additives of any kind
- AAFCO and PFIAA compliant
Runner Up -
Eureka Wild Boar & Chicken
- Rich in protein and low in carbs
- Sustainably-sourced protein
- Softer than kibble
- Enriched with superfoods
Third Choice -
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Venison Recipe For Dogs
- New Zealand free-range venison as the main ingredient
- Single-protein recipe
- Grain-free and filler-free
- Air-dried with less heat to preserve the nutrients
Australia's Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs Reviewed
Ready for some concrete suggestions? Below you’ll find our reviews of the best dog foods. In our research, we specifically considered the needs of French Bulldogs to come up with these top picks. And these were the choices that our panel of independent pros loved best. Let's check them out already!
#1: Best Overall: Petzyo Dry Dog Food Kangaroo & Sweet Potato
What sets this product apart from the rest?
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 25% |
Fat | 11% |
Fibre | 5% |
Petzyo - 5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Sustainable Kangaroo, Sweet Potato, Peas, Lentils, Carrots, Broccolli & Broccoli Stem, Tomato, Spinach, Kelp, Blueberries, Rosemary, Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Turmeric, Chicken Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, Vitamin and Minerals (Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B11, B12, D, E, K, Taurine, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline, Pantonthenic Acid, Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine and Cobalt).
- Named Protein First: Yes
- Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive
- Recipe Range: Kangaroo, Sweet Potato & Superfood Extras or Salmon, Ocean Fish & Green Lipped Muscles or Chicken, Turkey & Superfood Extras or Petzyo Raw Food Range.
- Suitable For: Suitable for all ages (depending on the recipe)
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: Yes
Dr Kathryn Rosalie Dench - M.A VetMB MRCVS.
Gentle Dog Trainers Expert Reviewer
"Petzyo was a clear winner in our dog food tests and a great option for French Bulldogs. The dog food company adhered to AAFCO & PFIAA standards, has a great nutritional profile and guaranteed analysis. I highly recommend."
If you are looking for high-quality dog food for your Frenchie, you really can’t go wrong with Petzyo. When it comes to dry dog food made in Australia, Petzyo is certainly one of the best and a manufacturer we trust. They use premium ingredients and created formulas that prove that kibble doesn’t have to be lower-grade food.
All of their dry food formulas are well-balanced and full of healthy ingredients, setting it well above and beyond our number six choice below, for example. Moreover, every ingredient is clearly listed on the ingredient list, which is something I love as it is a sign of quality dog food that I can't wait to feed to my pupper.
The Petzyo being tested by our independent expert team.
For Frenchies, our panel of experts chose to recommend the Kangaroo & Sweet Potato recipe because the main ingredient (you guessed it - the roo) is a lean and iron-rich source of protein. Since most Frenchies love to eat, pet parents often need to keep their weight in check - but this shouldn’t be done by taking away the protein from your dog.
Besides the kangaroo, this formula also includes lots of delicious plant-based additions which are not only nutritious, but also a great source of fibre (carrots, broccoli, blueberries, and turmeric - to name a few).
Pros | Cons |
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#2: Runner Up: Eureka Wild Boar & Chicken
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 37% |
Fat | 28% |
Fibre | 2% |
Eureka Wild Boar & Chicken - 5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Wild boar; wild boar offal (liver, heart, lung, kidney, finely ground bone); wild boar liver; free range chicken; free range chicken offal (liver, heart, tripe, kidney, lung, cartilage, bone); salmon oil; free range eggs; broccoli; flaxseed; chia seeds; blueberry; kelp; chicory root (inulin); green lipped mussel; turmeric; apple fibre; sea salt.
*Also contain: Postbiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifdbacterium animalis ssp. Lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum), lecitihin, citric acid, mixed tocopherols (natural anti-oxidant). - Named Protein First: Yes
- Dog Food Type: Grain Inclusive
- Recipe Range: Wild Venison & Lamb; Wild Kangaroo & Lamb; Wild Boar & Chicken
- Suitable For: All ages
- Cost: $$$$
- Australian Owned: Yes
Frenchies can be picky eaters. With some of them, it goes so far that they downright refuse to eat kibble. How about offering them something nicer? Eureka dog food is dry food, but it’s not overly processed like kibble.
Instead, it is gently air-dried, which, like our number three choice ahead, allows it to retain nutrients better. The result is dry food that is as close to raw as possible. The texture is softer than kibble (although still fairly tough) which might suit the tiny Frenchy jaws better.
Eureka Pet Food being tested by our independent expert team
In terms of ingredients, the food is among the best of the best. With over 90% of animal origin ingredients (meat, offal, and bones) it should be able to entice even the pickiest eaters.
Our team of independent experts chose the Wild Boar & Chicken because it’s lower in fat than other recipes from Eureka, but they are all viable options so make sure to check them out.
Pros | Cons |
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#3: Third Place: Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Venison Recipe For Dogs
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 45% |
Fat | 23% |
Fibre | 2% |
Ziwi Peak - 4.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Venison, Venison Tripe, Venison Heart, Venison Lung, Venison Liver, Venison Kidney, New Zealand Green Mussel, Venison Bone, Lecithin, Inulin from Chicory, Dried Kelp, Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Selenium Yeast), Salt, Parsley, Preservative (Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid).
- Named Protein First: Yes
- Dog Food Type: Grain-free
- Recipe Range: Chicken or Mackerel & Lamb or Beef + more.
- Suitable For: Dogs of all ages
- Cost: $$$$$
- Australian Owned: No (but NZ owned)
The Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Dog Food is another top-of-the-line choice. Ziwi Peak’s carefully prepared formulas with premium ingredients leave us with almost nothing to complain about.
There’s a lot to say about the Ziwi Peak food, but let’s start with the most important thing: the protein. Every recipe from Ziwi Peak starts with a large amount of wholesome protein. We chose the Venison formula as our favourite for Frenchies because it’s the most low-fat option. We also liked that the recipe is based on a single source of protein (venison) which reduces the chance of triggering allergic reactions for the sensitive French Bulldogs.
Ziwi Peak being tested by our independent expert team.
Moreover, if you choose Ziwi Peak you’ll know you are really giving your canine companion the best quality ingredients. A big part of this formula is free-range raised New Zealand venison meat, along with organs and bone. The goal is to achieve something that’s as close as possible to a dog's natural diet.
The meat is also gently air-dried, like our number two option, to preserve as many natural nutrients as possible. Thanks to this process, this food is also more nutrient-dense than standard kibble, which is why the serving sizes are smaller. Keep that in mind when you consider the prices, which are still quite high. The price is the only downside our panel of pros could find about this food, although we do understand that premium ingredients don’t come cheap.
Pros | Cons |
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#4: Best French Bulldog Puppy Food: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 28% |
Fat | 17% |
Fibre | 5% |
Taste of the Wild - 3.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Water buffalo, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, egg product, pea protein, peas, potatoes, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), roasted bison, roasted venison, beef, flaxseed, potato fiber, natural flavor, ocean fish meal, salmon oil (a source of DHA), salt,, taurine, dried chicory root, yucca schidigera extract, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, probiotic cultures … (see label for full list of ingredients)
- Named Protein First: Yes
- Dog Food Type: Grain Free
- Recipe Range: Chicken or Mackerel & Lamb or Beef + more.
- Suitable For: Dogs of all ages
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: No
If you are looking for a formula made specifically for puppies, the Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy formula seems to be very popular among Frenchie puppies and their human companions.
Is this the best dry dog food in the world? Nope. However, for some reason it seems to work well in keeping Frenchie puppies happy. That said, I think Taste of the Wild is still a decent option. They include pasture-raised meat in their recipes, for example. The formulas are also well-balanced.
Taste Of The Wild being tested by our independent expert team.
Perhaps most importantly, the Taste of the Wild formula includes dried chicory root which is a great source of prebiotic fibre as well as live probiotic cultures. As our team of independent experts note, these additions can help dogs with sensitive stomachs, which might be why Frenchie puppies often respond well to this food.
There is one feature of this recipe that might be seen as a good or a bad thing. Namely, it includes a whole lot of different sources of protein (water buffalo, bison, and venison, along with lamb meal, fish meal, and chicken fat). While most dogs will love that, if your dog doesn’t respond well to some of the ingredients, good luck trying to figure out which one it was.
Overall, Taste of the Wild is a decent choice for a French Bulldog puppy. On a side note, you might also want to consider the top picks on our list as high-quality options for your Frenchie puppy, as those are suitable for all life stages, including puppies.
Pros | Cons |
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#5: Best Low-Fat Option: Ivory Coat Adult and Senior Low Fat Turkey
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 32% |
Fat | 10% |
Fibre | 5% |
Ivory Coat - 3.5 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Turkey, Pea Fibre, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), ground flaxseed, salmon oil, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli, spinach, parsley, apples, blueberries, vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, D3, E, Beta-Carotene, Niacin, d-Calcium pantothenate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Natural Prebiotic, Rosemary Extract & Green Tea Extract.
- Named Protein First: No (but turkey meal is ok)
- Dog Food Type: Grain-free
- Recipe Range: Chicken with Coconut Oil or Lamb & Sardine or Lamb & Kangaroo or Turkey & Brown Rice or Ocean Fish + More.
- Suitable For: Ivory Coat's recipe range can be suitable for puppy, adult and senior dogs depending on the recipe.
- Cost: $$$
- Australian Owned: No (but made in Australia)
Many Frenchies like to eat a lot. Considering that most of them are not too active either (other than their occasional zoomies), that creates the space for getting overweight. Not that we don’t like to feed our dogs, but obesity in dogs can lead to many other health issues. Now, we are not suggesting that every Frenchie needs a low-fat diet, but if you know yours does, this option from Ivory Coat is a great option.
This recipe is made with turkey and turkey meal as the main ingredients. That’s combined with lots of wholesome additions like peas, parsley, spinach and blueberries, but also flaxseed oil and salmon oil for extra healthy fatty acids. The result is a nutritious formula that is also surprisingly low in fat and a recipe similar to our number one option.
I think the main issue with this food can be the main ingredient, which is turkey meal. While not the best form of meat you could give to your dog, turkey meal is still considered ok nutrition-wise, and might even be a wise choice if you are looking for something low-fat.
Pros | Cons |
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#6: Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/D Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food
Nutritional Analysis: | |
|---|---|
Protein | 19% |
Fat | 14% |
Fibre | 4% |
Hill's Prescription Diet - 3 Star Rating
- Ingredients: Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Powdered Cellulose, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Glyceryl Monostearate, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.
- Named Protein First: No
- Recipe Range: Hill’s Science Diet offers a variety of formulas geared towards specific issues in dogs.
- Suitable For: Dogs with food sensitivities (other recipes available)
- Cost: $$$$
While this is not a dog food that we would recommend to everyone, the formula seems to work well for dogs that keep having issues with food sensitivities or intolerance to certain ingredients.
According to our panel of experts, with Frenchies (as well as other dogs), these issues often tend to show up on the skin, but the cause is actually the food. However, these issues can also show up as inconsistent stool or constant farting.
While there is a lot of trial and error involved in finding the right food for sensitive dogs like this, this formula from Hill’s Science Diet has worked for some. The key is the carefully crafted formula designed to minimise the possibility of adverse reactions. The highly-hydrolysed protein, the healthy fatty acids, the highly-digestible carbs and the added antioxidants all work together to create a very soothing food.
Now, this food definitely wouldn’t be our first choice, especially considering that the first ingredient is corn starch. However, if your dog is struggling with food sensitivities you might want to give it a try (best done in cooperation with your veterinarian).
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Everything You Need to Know About A French Bulldog Diet
As you probably know, the adorable Frenchies are susceptible to all sorts of health problems. From the brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome, problems with their spine, down to a variety of skin problems, allergies, and food sensitivities. Of course, not every French Bulldog suffers from health problems, but they are still a fairly sensitive breed.
Do Frenchies need a special diet? Well, according to out team of independent experts, it depends on the individual dog. However, healthy French Bulldogs just need a wholesome, dog-appropriate diet. Being fairly small, they do have the typical dietary requirements of small dogs.
What I Would Feed a French Bulldog Puppy?
“Small dog breeds grow at an exponential rate and reach adult size more quickly than larger dogs. It is important to feed a diet approved for puppy life stages because these foods are specifically formulated to ensure proper nutrition for growth.” - Heather Hoffman, DVM for PetMD
Yes, Frenchie puppies need rich and nutrient-dense food. They need lots of protein, but also lots of calories and a balanced nutrient profile in their food to push through the growing stage. Choose a formula geared specifically for puppies, or premium quality dog food for all life stages (but in that case, make sure to follow the feed guidelines for puppies - not for adults).
Related: How To Choose The Right Dog Food
Related: What is AAFCO? The Association of American Feed Control Officials
Related: What Is the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA)?
Related: AAFCO vs PFIAA: Dog Food Standards Comparison Australia
Adult Frenchie Dietary Requirements
When French Bulldogs reach the adult stage, they will need less food than growing puppies, but in general, the requirements remain the same. Being small dogs, they still need a rich diet, preferably administered multiple times per day.
“The differing metabolic rate of small versus large breed dogs continues into adulthood, which means that small dogs need to take in more calories per pound than large dogs” - Jennifer Coates, DVM for PetMD
On the other hand, Frenchies have minimal exercise needs (3) and tend to be calm and low-energy dogs in general. Considering that most also like to eat very much, this can place them at risk of obesity (4).
The key is paying attention to your dog and his or her reactions to food. Our team of experts suggest that the best you can do for your them is to feed a high-quality dog food with a good source of protein as the first ingredient.
My Final Say
Best dog food for Frenchies? Our team of independent experts all recommend that you choose one of the dry food recipes from Petzyo. Their simple formulas contain only high-quality named ingredients and come at a reasonable price considering the quality.
We agreed that another awesome alternative is Eureka air-dried food. With top-notch ingredients like pasture-raised meat, the Eureka formulas will keep any Frenchie happy, but that does come at a considerable price.
FAQ
Healthy Frenchies are capable of eating both wet and dry food, so it comes down to personal preferences. Dry food helps with dental hygiene and breath issues, but many dogs love wet food.
The exact moment to switch to adult food is hard to determine exactly. In general, when dogs approach their adult size, it’s time to switch to a diet geared more towards the needs of an adult. This happens faster for smaller dogs, and Frenchies might reach this stage about 12 months of age.
Transitioning to new dog food should always be done gradually. This is especially true in the case of Frenchies which are often sensitive to changes in their diets. What you’ll want to do is mix only a small amount of the new food with the food you were feeding your dog when introducing it. Then, keep increasing the amount of new food (and accordingly reducing the amount of the old food), until you eventually switch completely to the new kind of food.
It is a common belief that feeding Frenchies grain-free dog food will help their digestive issues and reduce flatulence. However, this is rarely the case except with dogs who are allergic to grains. While research is inconclusive, there are some indications that grains are a necessary part of a dog’s diet.
References
- Hoffman, H. September 1, 2020. “How to Keep Small Dogs Healthy, From Puppy to Senior Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-keep-small-dogs-healthy-puppy-senior-dog#puppy
- Coates, J. February 3, 2012. “Nutritional Differences for Small, Toy, and Large Breed Dogs”. PetMD. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2012/feb/nutrition_differences_for_small_toy_large_breeds-12459
- Boldan, M.March 13, 2023. “French Bulldog”. PetMD. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_french_bulldog
- “French Bulldog”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved October 31, 2023. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/
