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9 Best Foods for French Bulldog Puppies in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Dogster Team

9 Best Foods for French Bulldog Puppies in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

VET APPROVED

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Paola Cuevas

Veterinarian, MVZ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

french bulldog eating food from bowl

With their small stature and adoring personalities, French Bulldogs are among the most popular medium to small dog breeds. Frenchies are well known for their happy-go-lucky personalities and cute faces.

Their easy-going nature extends to their food, and they are not overly picky about what they eat. With their squashed faces, though, they can have issues eating comfortably, and French Bulldog puppies can find eating especially challenging.

Paying attention to what your Frenchie puppy eats will help them grow as healthy as possible. We put together these reviews to help you ensure that your puppy receives the nutrition that they need as they develop.

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A Glimpse at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Spot + Tango Fresh Dog Food Spot + Tango Fresh Dog Food
  • Recipes can be customized
  • Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
  • Choose between kibble or wet food
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food
  • Real beef
  • Gluten-free
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • Third place
    Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription
  • Four recipes
  • Pre-portioned
  • Real ingredients
  • Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed Puppy Recipe Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed Puppy Recipe
  • High-protein recipe with deboned turkey
  • Small kibble size
  • Includes DHA
  • Non-GMO
  • Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-free Wet Dog Food Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-free Wet Dog Food
  • Real chicken
  • Formulated for small breeds
  • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
  • The 9 Best Dog Foods for French Bulldog Puppies

    1. Spot & Tango Fresh Dog Food Subscription — Best Overall

    spot and tango fresh food

    Special Diet: Non-GMO, no hormones
    Food Type: Kibble or fresh food

    Spot + Tango has the overall best food for French Bulldog Puppies. Its recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and are free from artificial additives, GMOs, and hormones for healthier meals for your puppy. Available in both dry or wet food, the meals are delivered to your door to save you a trip to the store.

    Along with using real meat and fresh fruit and vegetables in its recipes, Spot + Tango enables you to customize the food that you receive. You can tailor the recipes to the individual requirements of your French Bulldog puppy to ensure that they grow up as healthy as possible. Spot + Tango also adjusts the meals as your puppy grows.

    As a subscription-based company, Spot & Tango dog food can’t be bought in stores. You have to subscribe to use its services.

    Pros
    • Choose between kibble or wet food
    • Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
    • Recipes can be customized
    • Delivery service
    • Real ingredients
    Cons
    • Requires a subscription

    2. Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food – Budget Buy

    Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, gluten-free
    Food Type: Dry
    Weight: 4-, 10-, or 22-pound bags

    The Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food is formulated specifically for small and medium dog breeds. If you’re worried about your French Bulldog biting off more than they can chew (literally), this kibble is perfectly sized for small mouths.

    Sold in 4-, 10-, and 22-pound bags, the Texas beef and sweet potato recipe provides high-quality protein to your puppy. Merrick prides itself on avoiding allergens, like gluten, grain, corn, wheat, and soy. It also uses DHA to promote brain development and support your puppy’s joints with chondroitin and glucosamine.

    Some fussy puppies dislike the flavor and refuse to eat this kibble.

    Pros
    • 4-, 10-, or 22-pound bags
    • Real beef
    • Grain and gluten-free
    • No corn, wheat, or soy
    • Includes chondroitin and glucosamine
    • Formulated for puppies
    Cons
    • Fussy puppies don’t like the flavor

    3. Nom Nom Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service

    Nom Nom Beef Mash

    Special Diet: Easy to digest
    Food Type: Fresh food

    As the best food for French Bulldog puppies for the money, Nom Nom is a brand with its delivery service, helping you save on trips to the store. All four of the recipes that it offers — beef, chicken, pork, and turkey — use real ingredients and are carefully crafted by veterinary nutritionists.

    All the meals are pre-sorted into individualized portioned packages before being delivered to your door, so you don’t have to worry about feeding your Frenchie the right amount at mealtimes.

    Nom Nom is a subscription-based service, and purchasing its food requires you to sign up. The company does, however, offer a trial period and samples of its meals. If you have a fussy puppy, you can test how well they enjoy the meals before subscribing.

    Pros
    • Four recipes
    • Real ingredients
    • Formulated by veterinary nutritionists
    • Samples available
    • Pre-portioned
    • Delivery service
    Cons
    • Requires a subscription

    4. Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed Puppy Recipe

    Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed Puppy Recipe

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, gluten-free, high-protein
    Food Type: Dry
    Weight: 4- and 12-pound bags

    Formulated with deboned turkey, the Wellness CORE Grain-free Small Breed Puppy Recipe is designed for small dogs. The kibble is small in size so your puppy doesn’t struggle to chew on the pieces. It also doesn’t contain grain, gluten, or GMOs. The DHA and high-protein content help ensure that your puppy develops properly.

    The small bag sizes—4 and 12 pounds—are handy for single-puppy households and maintaining freshness, but there are no bigger options available for multi-dog families. The triangle shape of this kibble can have sharp corners that are difficult for some dogs to chew and might be too hard for young puppies. Fussy puppies may dislike the flavor.

    Pros
    • 4- or 12-pound bags
    • Deboned turkey
    • Small kibble size
    • Includes DHA
    • Non-GMO
    Cons
    • Triangle-shaped kibble can be difficult to chew
    • Some puppies dislike the flavor
    • Too hard for some dogs

    5. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-free Wet Dog Food

    Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-free Wet Dog Food

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, gluten-free
    Food Type: Wet
    Weight: 3.5-ounce trays

    Pre-portioned into meal-size trays, the Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-free Wet Dog Food is formulated with small and toy breeds in mind. The recipe is made with real chicken and has a stew-like texture. The soft consistency also makes it easier for your French Bulldog puppy to eat it.

    The 3.5-ounce trays are easy to open and ready-made into perfect-sized meals for your puppy, making meal-prep quick and simple. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids ensure that your puppy’s insides and outsides develop as healthily as possible.

    Since this option is wet dog food, it has a stronger smell than dry kibble, and some dog owners find it unpleasant. A few fussy puppies also dislike the smell and refuse to eat it.

    Pros
    • 12 trays
    • Easy to open
    • Pre-portioned
    • Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
    • Real chicken
    • Formulated for small breed puppies
    Cons
    • Strong, unpleasant odor
    • Some puppies dislike the smell

    6. Merrick Grain Free Wet Puppy Food

    Merrick Grain Free Wet Puppy Food

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, gluten-free
    Food Type: Wet
    Weight: 12.7 ounces

    This Merrick Grain Free Wet Puppy Food helps with digestion by offering a moisture-rich stew with real meat and vegetables. The ingredients make the formula rich in the protein, minerals, and nutrients that your puppy needs for a balanced diet. Your puppy’s cognitive development will also benefit from the support of the included DHA fatty acids.

    It’s sold in a pack of 12 for single- or multi-dog homes, and the recipe doesn’t include corn, wheat, soy, gluten, or grain.

    While this is recipe uses real beef, some puppy owners have mentioned that there isn’t much meat in the cans that they received, despite the expensiveness of this option. It also has a bitter smell, and small puppies may struggle with the large chunks.

    Pros
    • 12 pack
    • Real beef
    • Includes DHA
    • No corn, wheat, or soy
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Not many beef chunks
    • Smells bitter
    • Some puppies struggle with the big chunks

    7. American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

    American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, high-protein
    Food Type: Dry
    Weight: 4-, 12-, or 24-pound bags

    The American Journey Puppy Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe is filled with fiber-rich ingredients for a healthy digestive system and DHA to support your puppy’s growth. Real deboned lamb provides a high-protein diet. It also has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to promote the development of your puppy’s immune health.

    This grain-free recipe is sold in 4-, 12-, or 24-pound bags and doesn’t contain corn, wheat, or soy. For French Bulldogs that are prone to allergies, the lack of allergens helps keep their diet nutritious and balanced. There are also omega fatty acids to protect your dog’s skin and coat health.

    A few owners of fussier puppies have mentioned that their dogs disliked the flavor and refused to eat this food.

    Pros
    • 4-, 12-, or 24-pound bags
    • Grain-free
    • Real lamb
    • Supports immune health
    • High-protein
    • DHA
    • Fiber-rich ingredients
    Cons
    • Some fussy puppies hate the taste

    8. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe

    Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Smoke-Flavored Salmon Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

    Special Diet: Grain-free, chicken-free
    Food Type: Dry
    Weight: 5-, 14-, or 28-pound bag

    For French Bulldogs with allergies to chicken, the Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe is free from poultry ingredients and made with real salmon. It’s high in protein, prebiotics, and probiotics to promote a healthy digestive system. The nutrients included in the recipe also give your puppy an extra boost to their bone, joint, and muscle development.

    Although this Taste of the Wild recipe avoids grain, corn, wheat, and soy products, it does use canola oil. While the ingredient is approved by the AAFCO, many dog owners dislike using it. This dry food is also one of the more expensive options on this list. Due to the salmon ingredients, your puppy may start to smell unpleasant.

    Pros
    • Made with real salmon
    • High-protein
    • No corn, wheat, or soy
    • Grain-free
    • Prebiotics and probiotics
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Uses canola oil
    • Can make puppies smell bad

    9. Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe

    Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe

    Special Diet: Grain-free, no wheat, no corn, no soy, gluten-free
    Food Type: Dry
    Weight: 4- or 11-pound bags

    The Blue Buffalo Freedom Puppy Chicken Recipe is small in size but packed with energy to keep your growing puppy active. Designed for small and toy breed puppies, the kibble is formulated to be easy for small mouths to handle, making it suitable for your French Bulldog puppy.

    DHA and ARA are both present in this recipe, giving your puppy a boost to their eye and brain development. While the real chicken supplies protein to support growth, the lack of grain and gluten makes it suitable for allergy-suffering pooches.

    Despite the two bag sizes available, this Blue Buffalo Freedom recipe is only sold in small bags. These might not be big enough for households with several puppies, which makes this option expensive. The kibble size is also too big for some small dog breeds.

    Pros
    • Formulated for small breeds
    • Real chicken
    • DHA and ARA
    • Grain-free
    • Gluten-free
    Cons
    • Only available in small bags
    • Kibble is too big for some puppies
    • Expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Food for French Bulldog Puppies

    There are so many options of food out there that making sure your French Bulldog puppy gets the nutrients that they need can be difficult. It’s not impossible, though, and this guide will help you figure out what to consider when buying food for your puppy.

    Breed Size

    You can buy food that’s generally suitable for all breed sizes, but a better match for your puppy will be options tailored to their breed size. French Bulldogs are among those dog breeds that are between sizes. While they’re considered too big to fit into the small breed classification, they’re too small to suit the medium breed. That said, they can do well on both diet classifications as long as the food is based on good quality ingredients and formulated for puppies.

    blue fawn french bulldog puppy lying on grass
    Image Credit: Peebs, Shutterstock

    Easy to Digest

    If you’re familiar with Frenchies, you’ll know that they can be gassy on occasion. Their food can make this gassiness better or worse. Choose food that’s easy to digest to help ease the stress on their digestive system. Look for formulas with whole-food ingredients and fresh, and pay attention to any food allergies that your Frenchie has.

    Puppy Formula

    Tailoring your puppy’s diet to their age will help you ensure that they receive the nutrients that they need to grow as strong as possible. Good quality food that is formulated specifically for puppies will give your Frenchie the nutrition that they need for healthy growth and development.

    Dog food formulated for puppies helps support their development in a way that adult dog food doesn’t. Many puppy-based formulas include fatty acids like DHA and ARA, which are found in a mother dog’s milk, to support a puppy’s cognitive function and eye development.

    You should keep your Frenchie on specialized puppy food until they’re between 10 and 12 months old, and then you can start switching them to an adult formula. Remember to change their food gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs.

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    Final Thoughts

    Keeping French Bulldog puppies as healthy as possible is essential to their development. This list explored the best foods for French Bulldog puppies, from the best overall choice by Spot + Tango to Nom Nom as the best value option. Both of these subscription-based services use fresh ingredients.

    While Spot + Tango offers customizable recipes to ensure that the food that you order grows with your puppy, Nom Nom offers a 2-week trial and samples for your puppy to try. Both companies deliver the food to your door to take the stress out of grocery shopping.

    If you prefer feeding traditional dry food then we recommend checking out the Merrick Grain-Free Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Puppy Food a perfectly sized kibble for small mouths.


    Featured Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock

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