Is Your French Bulldog Too Skinny? 5 Reasons [& Solutions]

Are you concerned that your French Bulldog is too skinny? You’re not alone. Many dog owners worry about their Frenchie’s Weight, and for a good reason. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep your Frenchie’s Weight healthy, what you can feed them to help them gain Weight, and some tips on how to get them moving more!

So, is your French Bulldog too skinny? Your French Bulldog is too skinny if doesn’t have any fat and you can see its rib cage. Adult male Frenchies should weigh 20 to 28 pounds, while females should weigh between 16 and 24 pounds. Most owners struggle to help their Frenchie gain weight, so it’s best to consult a vet about the dog’s diet.

In this article, we are going to help you get a definite answer to whether your Frenchie really is too skinny and how to fatten up your french Bulldog, so keep reading…

Is Your French Bulldog Too Skinny?

A lot of French Bulldog owners worry that their dog might be too skinny, and that’s understandable as French Bulldogs are prone to being underweight due to their small size.

With a little bit of know-how, you can keep your Frenchie’s Weight healthy and help them pack on some pounds, but first, you need to understand the reasons for weight loss in French Bulldogs.

What Are The Reasons For Weight Loss In French Bulldogs?

There are a few reasons why French Bulldogs might lose Weight. Some common causes of weight loss in Frenchies include

1. Poor diet
2. Excessive energy output (due to high activity levels or puppies that are constantly growing)
3. Health problems
4. Worms
5. Anxiety

Poor Diet 

One of the most common reasons for weight loss in French Bulldogs is a poor diet.

Frenchies are notoriously picky eaters, and their small stomachs mean that they need to eat high-quality food that is packed with nutrients. 

If your Frenchie isn’t getting enough calories or nutrition, they will start to lose Weight. To make sure your French Bulldog is getting enough to eat, talk to your vet about what type of food is best and how much you should be feeding them. 

You may also want to invest in a quality dog food dispenser that can help you control how much your Frenchie eats.

Your Frenchie may also suffer from a sensitive stomach, and in this case, you need to get them foods that will not upset their stomachs. You can check my full guide to the best foods for Frenchies with sensitive stomachs, or you can check out my quick recommendation, which is the Purina pro:

Excessive Energy Output

Another common reason for weight loss in French Bulldogs is excessive energy output. 

Frenchies puppies have high energy, and they need a decent amount of exercise to stay healthy. However, if your Frenchie is burning more calories than they are taking in, they will start to lose Weight. 

To make sure your Frenchie is getting enough exercise, try to provide them with a good amount of physical activity every day and set aside time each day for playtime. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to stay active and healthy.

You can also make sure your Frenchie is getting the right type of exercise by taking them on walks or playing games like fetch, tug-of-war, or even hide and seek.

If you like hiking, you can take them with you to keep you company, but you need to make sure to provide them with plenty of water along the way, give them breaks, never walk too fast and pay attention to their body signs to know when to stop. 

Your Frenchie will also most likely need good shoes whether for hiking or just walks, and you can check out my full guide to the best French Bulldog shoes here for the best value-for-money options you can find today.

Illness Or Health Problems 

Weight loss can also be a sign of health problems in French Bulldogs. If your Frenchie is losing weight, it’s important to take them to the vet so they can rule out any underlying medical conditions. 

Some common health problems that can cause weight loss include: 

• Cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Parvovirus
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

Cancer

Cancer is a common cause of weight loss in dogs. There are many different types of cancer that can affect Frenchies, but the most common type is lymphoma. 

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, and it can cause your Frenchie to lose weight quickly. Other signs of lymphoma include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Lumps underneath their skin
• Loss of appetite 
• Coughing 
• Excessive drinking 
• Bad odor From their mouth or their fur
• Frequent urination 
• Limping and lameness 
• Non-healing wounds 
• Breathing difficulty 

If you think your Frenchie might have cancer, take them to the vet as soon as possible for a diagnosis. 

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is another common cause of weight loss in French Bulldogs. The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck that produces hormones that control the body’s metabolism. 

If your Frenchie has thyroid disease, their metabolism will be out of balance, and they will start to lose Weight. Other signs of thyroid disease include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Loss of energy
• Hair loss
• Intolerance to cold temperatures
• Lethargy
• Mental dullness
• Weight gain 
• Thickening of the skin
• Interruptions in the reproductive process in intact dogs

If you think your Frenchie might have thyroid disease, take them to the vet for a diagnosis. 

Parvovirus

Parvovirus is a virus that can affect dogs of all ages, but it’s most common in puppies. 

If your Frenchie is infected with parvovirus, they will start to lose weight quickly as the virus attacks their intestines and prevents them from absorbing nutrients. Other signs of parvovirus include: 

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Bloody in their stool

If you think your Frenchie might have parvovirus, take them to the vet for a diagnosis. 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body uses glucose or sugar. 

If your Frenchie has diabetes, they will start to lose weight because their body isn’t able to use food for energy properly. Other signs of diabetes include: 

• Excessive thirst
• Urination
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Cloudy eyes 
• Decreased appetite
• Chronic infections

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a common cause of weight loss in French Bulldogs. 

If your Frenchie has heart disease, their heart will not be able to pump blood properly, and they will start to lose Weight. Other signs of heart disease include: 

• Dry Coughing
• Exercise intolerance
• Difficulty breathing
• Restlessness
• Rapid Tiring 
• Potbelly (due to fluid build-up)
• Rapid weight loss

If you think your Frenchie might have heart disease, take them to the vet for a diagnosis. 

Worms 

Another common reason for weight loss in French Bulldogs is worms. 

They can cause your Frenchie to lose Weight, as well as make them tired and lethargic. Other signs of worms in French Bulldogs:

• Chronic coughing
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Distended abdomen 
• Obvious increase or decrease in their appetite
• Dulling of their coat
• Visible Presence of table worms attached to their skin and around the hindquarters area.

If you think your Frenchie might have worms, take them to the vet for a check-up. 

Anxiety 

Weight loss can also be caused by anxiety in French Bulldogs. 

If your Frenchie is anxious, they may not eat as much as they should or burn off more energy than usual. Other signs of anxiety in French Bulldogs:

• Shivering
• Escaping from the house
• Excessive licking 
• Digging 
• Barking when you are away
• Destroying furniture 
• Panting 
• Hiding from people
• Howling when you leave them alone
• Self-harm
• Inability to settle
• Eating less
• Excessive Urinating 

To help your Frenchie relax, try to provide them with a calm and quiet environment. You can also talk to your vet about anxiety medication or natural supplements that can help ease your Frenchie’s anxiety.

What Is The Ideal Weight For A French Bulldog?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the ideal weight for a French Bulldog will vary depending on their age, gender, and energy levels.  However, in general, male French Bulldogs should weigh between 20 and 28 pounds, while female French Bulldogs should weigh between 16 and 24 pounds. 

Ideal French Bulldog Weight for every age

1 – 2 Weeks	3 – 4 weeks	7 – 8 weeks	10 – 12 weeks	14 – 16 weeks	17 – 18 weeks	20 – 22 weeks	24 – 26 weeks	1 year old
1.2 – 2.2 pounds	2 – 2.4 pounds	5 – 6.9 pounds	6.2 – 9 pounds	9 – 12 pounds	12 – 15 pounds	14 – 16 pounds	16 – 18 pounds	23 – 28 pounds

If your French Bulldog is underweight or overweight, you should consult your vet before you increase the portion or decrease it because you may be giving them the calories they need, and changing the portion may lead to some health issues.

It may also be unrelated to their diet, so you don’t want to change a thing till you make sure that the problem is under or overfeeding them.

How To Keep Your French Bulldog’s Weight Healthy?

If your French Bulldog falls within the ideal weight range, you don’t need to do anything special to keep their weight healthy. However, if your Frenchie is underweight or overweight, there are a few things you can do to help them maintain a healthy weight. 

If Your French Bulldog Is Underweight  

If your French Bulldog is underweight, there are a few things you can do to help them gain Weight. 

First, make sure that they are eating a high-quality diet that is packed with nutrients. You may also want to increase their food intake and provide them with regular exercise to build muscle.

If Your French Bulldog Is Overweight 

If your French Bulldog is overweight, there are a few things you can do to help them lose Weight. 

First, make sure that they are eating a healthy diet and that they are getting enough exercise. You may also want to talk to your vet about a weight loss plan for your Frenchie. 

What Can You Feed French Bulldogs So They Can gain Weight? 

First, you need to determine the reason behind the weight loss, then act accordingly. You should never start giving more food as soon as your pup starts to lose weight as it can be related to a health issue, stress, fear, or maybe they burn more than they gain.

However, if you did make sure that they’re losing weight because of the portion of their meal or because their diet has fewer calories than their body needs, then you can change their diet.

Here are some good options for calorie-dense foods:

• Cheese (in moderation)
• Beef
• Chicken
• Pork
• Liver
• Eggs
• Canned tuna
• Plain canned pumpkin
• Non-fat plain yogurt
• Sweet potato

What Are The Reasons For Weight Gain In Dogs?

Weight gain in dogs can be caused by a number of factors:

1. Overeating
2. Lack of exercise
3. Medical conditions. 
4. Age
5. Stress

Overeating

Overeating is the most common cause of weight gain in dogs. If your dog is eating more than they need, they will gain Weight. 

Lack Of Exercise 

Lack of exercise can also lead to weight gain in dogs. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, they will start to put on Weight. 

Medical Conditions

There are a number of medical conditions that can cause weight gain in dogs, such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism 
• Cushing’s Disease

Age 

As dogs get older, they often start to put on weight. This is because they become less active, and their metabolism slows down. 

Stress

Stress can also cause weight gain in dogs. 

As you know, when people are stressed, they tend to overeat, and it’s even called stress eating. Well, the same thing happens with dogs, so you Frenchie may overeat due to stress, and that’s why they are gaining weight.

Even if there is no food source except the meals you are providing them with, they might still eat harmful things such as dirt, sticks, and leaves, so you have to keep an eye on them.

Related Questions

How to Tell If Your French Bulldog Has A Food Allergy?

You can tell if your French Bulldog has a food allergy by monitoring its body for certain symptoms such as itching, skin inflammation, hair loss, red eyes, heavy breathing, and swelling in some body parts. You need to determine the food your dog is allergic to and eliminate it completely from its diet.

Do French Bulldogs Have Sensitive Stomachs? 

French Bulldogs have sensitive stomachs. You can tell that your French Bulldog has a sensitive stomach if it displays symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and lack of energy after eating. You should avoid feeding the dog any food that will cause it to have digestive problems.

Helpful Resources

Underweight Dog | The Dangers Of A Skinny Dog

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