How To Fatten Up A French Bulldog? 5 Simple Ways that Work

Do you have a French Bulldog that is too thin? Are you looking for ways to help your dog put on some pounds? If so, you are in the right place. 

In this article, we will discuss how to fatten up your French Bulldog and give him or her the best chance at a healthy weight. We will also provide tips on feeding your dog and ensuring that he or she gets the proper nutrition.

How To Fatten Up A French Bulldog? You can fatten up A French Bulldog by changing their diet if it’s not providing them with all the nutrients they need. You can also make them exercise more to build more muscles. If there is an underlying condition that’s making them too skinny, you should identify the condition and fix it. 

Now that you know the basic idea, it’s time to dig deep into the practical steps of how to fatten up your French Bulldog

How To Fatten Up A French Bulldog?

There are many ways you can fatten up your French Bulldog. Let’s break them down in more detail:

• Change their diet
• More exercise 
• Find the underlying cause
• Treatment 
• Health Boosters

Change Their Diet

If you think that your dog’s diet is not providing them with all the nutrients they need, then you should consider changing it. 

You can talk to your veterinarian about changing your dog’s diet or switching some things in their diet; maybe they require more protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, or fat. Keep in mind that you should never just change their diet or increase the portion before you consult a vet.

However, you can feed them higher quality dry food, so make sure it’s high in protein and fat to help them put on weight in a healthy way.

Adult French Bulldogs need around 25 and 35 calories per every pound of their body weight per day, and they should get 5% Fat and about 18% protein in order to keep their weight healthy. 

Their diet should include meat sources such as chicken, turkey, beef, rabbits, duck, or lamb. You should also add vegetables to every meal to help them stay healthy such as add peas, carrots, and green beans.

If your Frenchie has a sensitive stomach, you need to get them something that will not upset their stomach. You can learn more about my recommended foods for Frenchies with Sensitive stomachs in this guide, but here is a quick recommendation that will be good with most Frenchies.

More Exercise

You may think that getting too much exercise is the only way that exercise could be making your Frenchie too skinny, but getting too little exercise can also, surprisingly, cause your Frenchie to be quite skinny.

If your French Bulldog is not getting enough exercise, then this could be one of the reasons why they are too skinny. Exercise will help your dog build muscle mass and also help to boost its metabolism.

Start making a schedule for their walks and playtime, and try to stick to this schedule as much as possible. 

You can involve them in activities and exercises such as swimming and running. You can also try some weight exercises such as weight vest exercises or weight dragging and pulling exercises.

Find the Underlying Cause

If you cannot find a reason why your French Bulldog is too skinny, then it is best to take them to the vet to perform some tests and determine if there is an underlying health condition that is causing your dog to be too skinny. 

Here are some of the conditions that can cause your dog to lose weight:

• Cancer
• Hypoadrenocorticism
• Diabetes Mellitus 
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
• Anorexia 
• Pseudo Anorexia 
• Heart diseases
• Lymphangiectasia 
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Severe intestinal parasitism 
• Treatment

Once the vet has determined the underlying cause of your dog’s weight loss, they will be able to provide you with treatment options. The treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause.

For example, if they have worms, then their vet will give them a deworming drug that is safe for them, such as pyrantel, milbemycin, piperazine, and moxidectin. However, never give your dog medication yourself; it has to be approved by the vet first.

Health Boosters

There are some health boosters that can help your French Bulldog gain weight, such as:

• Adding omega-three fatty acids to their diet
• Giving them vitamin B12 supplements
• Adding probiotics to their diet

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-three fatty acids are a great way to help your dog gain weight as they will boost the dog’s metabolism and help it build muscle mass. They are also anti-inflammatory which is ideal for their joints, coat, and skin.

Vitamin B12 Supplements

Vitamin B12 is another great way to help your dog gain weight. It helps with the dog’s muscle mass and nervous system. It will also help with maintaining brain function and healthy digestion.

Probiotics

Probiotics are a great way to help your dog’s digestive system function properly as they help the dog absorb minerals and vitamins, which will make building muscles easier. They also help boost your dog’s immune system.

Adding these health boosters to your dog’s diet will help them to gain weight and be healthy. However, make sure to talk to your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your dog’s diet.

Why Won’t Your French Bulldog Put On Weight?

Your Frenchies may not put on weight for multiple reasons, so here are the most common ones.

• Parasites
• Diabetes
• Poor Nutrition 
• Diseases 
• Underfeeding them
• Teeth conditions

Parasites

One of the most common reasons why your French Bulldogs won’t put on weight is because they have parasites. These parasites will feed off your dog’s food and nutrients, which will prevent them from gaining weight. 

If you suspect that your dog has a parasite, take them to the vet so they can be properly diagnosed and treated. 

Diabetes 

Another common reason why your Frenchie may not be putting on weight is that they have diabetes. If your dog is diabetic, then you will need to work with your veterinarian to get their blood sugar levels under control. 

Here are the symptoms of diabetes to help you figure out if that’s what’s going on with your Frenchie.

• Cloudy eyes
• Weight Loss
• Increased urination 
• Recurring infections 
• Decreased Appetite 
• Excessive Water

Poor Nutrition  

If your Frenchie is not eating a balanced diet, then they will not be able to put on weight. Make sure that their diet consists of high-quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. 

You should avoid feeding them table scraps or junk food. Also, if you are feeding them dry or wet food, you should always check the ingredients. 

Here are the signs of poor nutrition in Frenchies.

• Weight loss
• Body odor
• Dandruff 
• Fur loss
• Bad breath
• Excessive shedding
• Unusual bowel movements
• Dull coat
• Flatulence 
• Increased allergies 
• Bowed limbs
• Skin disorders
• Stunted growth
• Frequent infections

Diseases  

There are a number of diseases that can cause your Frenchie to lose weight. Some of these diseases include cancer, hypoadrenocorticism, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. 

So, if you notice sudden changes in your Frenchie’s behavior, such as a sudden lack of appetite, less energy or motivation, and refusal to move, then you should definitely take them to the vet immediately.

Underfeeding Them 

The final reason why your Frenchie may not be putting on weight is that you are underfeeding them. If your dog is more energetic than most dogs or pregnant, then you should not feed them the same portions and calories as other dogs.

So, check and see if you are feeding them the right amount of calories and if there is something missing in their diet, such as vegetables, not enough protein, or maybe too much protein.

It’s important to consult a vet about what to feed them exactly because the vet knows your Frenchie better than anyone. The vet will calculate their nutrition needs based on their energy level, age, ad weight.

Here are some signs that you are underfeeding your dog.

• Lethargy 
• Too skinny
• Always hungry
• Trying to eat random things
• Eats really fast

Dental Problems

Another reason why your Frenchie may not be putting on weight is that they have a dental problem.

If your Frenchie’s teeth are in poor condition, then it will be difficult for them to chew and eat their food properly, which will lead to them becoming malnourished and losing weight. 

If you think that your Frenchie’s teeth may be the reason why they are not putting on weight, then you should take them to the vet for a checkup. 

Here are some signs of teeth conditions in dogs.

• Pawing at the mouth
• Lack of interest in dry food 
• Chewing slower than usual 
• Excessive drooling
• Losing interest in hard treats
• Food falling from their mouth while eating
• Bad Breath
• They seem in pain when you touch their face or mouth

Conclusion

If you have a French Bulldog that is too skinny, then you should use these tips to help them gain weight. A healthy weight is important for your dog’s overall health and well-being. 

If you cannot find a reason why your dog is too skinny, then it is best to take them to the vet to perform some tests and determine if there is an underlying health condition that is causing your dog to be too skinny.

Once the vet has determined the underlying cause of your dog’s weight loss, they will be able to provide you with treatment options.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk to your veterinarian. They will be able to provide you with more information on how to help your French Bulldog gain weight. Thanks for reading!

Related Questions

Which Food Can Help Fatten Up French Bulldogs?

The food that can help fatten up French Bulldogs includes Meat, Eggs, Quinoa, Cheese (full fat), Sweet potato, Pumpkin, and Goat’s milk. You should add this food to the dog’s diet to help it gain more weight. However, make sure that your dog doesn’t have any allergies.

What Health Problems Can French Bulldogs Have?

Health problems that French Bulldogs can have include allergies, skin conditions, respiratory problems, hip dysplasia, and eye diseases. They are also prone to obesity if they are not exercised enough. Take your dog for regular checkups at the vet to make sure it’s healthy.

Helpful Resources

Underweight Dog | The Dangers Of A Skinny Dog

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