Dog Food For English Bulldogs Buyer’s Guide
Bulldogs may be small in size, but they are muscular. It is important for them to get a proper supply of proteins.
They need adequate food to maintain a balanced body weight and shape. The problem is that many English Bulldogs are also prone to meat allergies. We all know it’s not easy to find non-meat based dog foods with a high supply of proteins. A great alternative is fish which can be a healthy protein source for your English Bulldog.
Feeding Guidelines
Puppies: These little darlings need to be fed more frequently than adult Bulldogs. You need to feed them approximately 4 times a day. By the time they reach 4 months, you can reduce it to 3 times a day. They can start eating as an adult Bulldog when they reach 6 months of age.
Adult English Bull Dog: Adult Bulldogs need to eat two times a day. Many pet owners feed their dogs only once a day, but a better practice is to feed them two times in a day. Feeding them two smaller portions of food two times a day will help your dog keep a healthy digestive system.
Hydration: You need to keep plenty of water near them especially during hot weather. Bulldogs simply cannot tolerate humidity and heat. To keep them hydrated, you need to provide them 1 ounce of water for every pound they weigh.
When To Feed Them
Many pet owners feed all the food to their dogs at one time, but it is important that they eat in small portions.
English Bulldogs are notorious for over-eating. No matter how much food you place before them, they will eat it all! To prevent bloating and other digestive problems, feed them smaller portions throughout the day.
Common Health Concerns for English Bulldogs
English Bulldogs are known for certain health issues. They were bred for a specific purpose and unfortunately, this unique body composition puts them at risk for multiple health issues. However, with a healthy diet, your dog can avoid many of these.
Weight Gain
English Bulldogs are lazy and known for lounging around all day; hence it’s very easy for them to put on weight. Pet owners need to make sure they maintain a strict diet and exercise daily.
What they need is the right amount of calories that is just right for their activity level and a formula that is free from any bad carbohydrates. Always keep an eye on their weight in order to avoid obesity because their breed doesn’t take too well to excessive weight gain.
Typically, the approximate weight of an adult English Bulldog should be 50 pounds. Bigger males can weigh up to 55 pounds while female Bulldogs generally weight around 45 pounds.
Hip Dysplasia
English Bulldogs have a distinct body build. Their body is muscular, yet very short. Their body mass is mostly concentrated near their belly. This uneven distribution of weight puts a lot of pressure on their hip joints.
This is why their hips are not properly aligned. It causes a lot of pain and makes them walk differently. You can manage this problem with the help of glucosamine. This ingredient will strengthen their joints and keep them healthy.
Look for dog foods that have natural sources of glucosamine. You can also find dog foods that are specially formulated to address this problem. Always remember to look for the supplements in the ingredients list before you buy them.
Eye Issues
English Bulldogs typically suffer from eye issues. These dogs can start losing their eyesight at a very young age. Beta-carotene is effective in improving their eyesight. With continual consumption, it can improve their vision tremendously.
You can find it in orange-colored fruits and vegetables like carrots. Keep an eye out for ingredients that have beta-carotene to help fight your dog’s poor vision.
The Key To A Balanced Diet
English Bulldogs are easily susceptible to weight gain, and so they need a well-balanced, nutritional diet. To maintain optimum health, you need to make sure they stick to high-quality ingredients.
Proteins
Dogs are naturally omnivores and so the food they eat every day should be protein based. It is the only source of amino acids for them.
English Bulldogs need the amino acids for their body to function properly. Any amount of protein shortage in their diet will lead to weakness and even organ failure.
Choosing the right source of protein is just as important as choosing the amount you feed them. Proteins are sourced from the muscles of the meat, so the best option is to find an all-natural meat source. Raw meat is best, but your dog will benefit just as well from a natural protein. Avoid processed proteins and animal by-products by all means. You can get healthy sources of proteins from:
Carbohydrates
If you are feeding an English Bulldog, it is imperative that you carefully choose the source of carbohydrates. It is the source of energy production and is generally a more affordable ingredient to use in dog food formulas. This is why many brands use high quantities of carbohydrates to maintain a low production cost.
Unfortunately, feeding high amounts of carbohydrates to your English Bulldog is not advisable because low-quality carbs will make them gain weight.
Look for ingredients that are slow-burning. It will ensure your bulldog gets enough energy while keeping them slim. Some examples are:
- Sweet potato
- Barley
- Brown rice
Fats
It is very important for your English bulldog to consume only good quality fat. The good quality fatty acids will give them healthy skin and shiny coat. Low-quality fats will make them gain weight. Essentially, fats will help to absorb vitamins and promote a healthy digestive system.
Make sure your dog food has only a small percentage of fats; otherwise he/she will run the risk of growing obese. High-quality fats include:
- Animal fat
- Flaxseed oil
- Fish oil
How To Choose The Best Food For Your English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are known for their flat face and short muzzles, giving them a small jaw.
It’s challenging for them to pick up food and chew it. It is also difficult for them to take in enough air while eating.
They are also prone to dental issues, immune and digestive problems, and obesity. They don’t live very long, and the best you can do is ensure a healthy life for them during their short lifetime.
It is very important for you to make sure that the dog food you choose for your furry friend is optimal in helping them live longer.
Here’s a list of the best food for your English bulldog when it comes to their nutrient requirement, kibble size, palatability, and more.
1. Specialist Dog Foods
Studies show that the nutritional need for dogs differs according to their age, size, and breed. An older bulldog will require a lower level of energy as compared to a puppy.
You need to take your dog’s body size into account. A larger English Bulldog will benefit from dog food formulas that are designed to boost joints.
Breed-Specific Formulas
Studies show that dog breeds have different metabolisms and that there is a lot of potential in feeding them breed specific formulations. While it may be easy to make certain specialist dog diets, it is not so easy with others.
There is no evidence in this ever-growing field that shows how these dog foods should be made for each breed. For instance, some formulations for senior dogs advertise less protein quantity, but scientists have still not proven how much protein senior dogs need.
Benefits Of Specialist Dog Foods
Despite all this, many dog owners have seen a significant improvement in their dogs when they feed them specialist dog foods based on the size, age or breed.
Many dog food companies may conduct their own internal studies to prove that their specialist diet works as advertised.
Vets definitely claim dogs benefit more from age-specific dog foods.
But there is still not a lot of information based on evidence that can create a consensus on how effective these specialist foods can be.
If you are feeding your dog one, remember that it will not act as a panacea and that it will not replace medications for any serious health issues.
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