French Bulldogs are known as a playful breed of dogs. But in the past few years, they have become increasingly fat. Due to their adorable looks, people tend to overfeed them and as a result, make them obese. We are not sure why, but it seems that the breed is just naturally prone to it. If you have a French bulldog then there are a few things that you can do to stop your dog from becoming obese.
Why Frenchies Are Prone To Being Obese?
French Bulldogs are very heavily known to eat a lot. Most will gain weight if they do not regularly exercise, and they won’t shed that weight easily as they have a harder time getting back in shape than most other dogs because of their body types.
They are also spoiled by their owners, which then leads them to be overfed treats. Because Frenchies have shorter noses, when it gets hot or humid outside their breathing problems will escalate and cause them to become stressed. Similarly, overeating or eating poorer quality foods and lack of exercise can lead them to being obese.
The male French Bulldog can weigh between 20 and 28 pounds and females can weigh between 16 to 24 pounds. This cap exists because beyond this (even though there may be some variance in a Frenchie’s weight) the dog is considered overweight and will live a shorter life span than its peers who fall within the range of those numbers with their respective genders.
6 Tips to Stop Your French bulldog From Becoming Obese
Keep Their Calories in Check
Finding out exactly how much you and your French bulldog should be eating is tough, but don’t despair because there’s a way to make measuring calories simple. This solution isn’t going to involve any lab coats or a complicated chemistry experiment all that’s needed is pre-made pet food.
By knowing the exact number of calories in pounds or kilograms of food, one can determine in simpler terms the right amount for their dog depending on their pup’s size and activity level. That way there’s less chance of your pet getting sick from overfeeding too much as it will be easier to know at a glance which amounts are more than enough for a Frenchie.
Don’t Feed Them Human Food
When it comes to keeping your Frenchie at a healthy weight, you must stay on top of things and never feed him people food. Put together a list of rules for everyone in the house, including instructions about a daily meal- and snack times. And most importantly ‘No snacking in between meals.’ Everyone must agree to the rules. Make sure that all treats are out of reach (under a counter for example) so that he doesn’t get any rewards when he begs, which will stop eventually as soon as there are no more handouts on offer.
Give Them Regular Exercise
Frenchies certainly have a lot of fire in the belly! Whether it’s going to dog shows or working out with their owner late at night, these excitable dogs make excellent companions for ex-pat families. Most Frenchies love to go out for a walk in the morning and evening if the temperature is acceptable.
Frenchies need to spend some time on exercise or activities every day. This can be a walk but it may also be playing. In this case, the best types of activities are going to be the ones. That are best suited for your dog due to their breed, gender, age, and current physical state. It will depend on your veterinarian too though, who is always an excellent source for information. Pertaining to your French bulldog’s health and any effects he might have felt from previous experiences.
Make A Diet Plan
Losing weight isn’t easy or fast for French bulldogs. Typically, a healthy dog of this kind will lose 1-2 pounds per month once on a weight loss program and under a veterinarian’s care. Most importantly, you need to be patient with your Frenchie. When it comes to trying to get them to lose weight. As well as letting them know they won’t be turned away during any part of the process. But instead supported by you the whole way through.
And it’s also critical that you make sure that you are doing everything in partnership with your dog’s doctor. You and your vet have the same goal in mind. So any conflict that might arise between you regarding what course of action would be best for your pet should be dealt with swiftly and professionally.
Avoid Unhealthy Treats
The treats you are providing your French bulldog with may be doing more harm than good. We understand that they make your Frenchie happy. But these snacks can create a drastic change in their weight and body size over time. Which could lead to health issues down the line. One way you can help offset this is by creating your healthy alternative to the treats. Those you are currently giving them so that you can see this positive change reflected in their physique.
Use Toys
There are many fun games for your French bulldogs to play, which will improve their mobility and energy levels. For example, a Rollify LED Light ball will glow when it’s hit and can flit around in the dark making it easier for you to find Fido if he happens to get lost or trapped under something.
When it’s facing down, this toy is perfect for fetch and kickball games too. So your dog gets the most out of each time spent playing with their new toy. It can be thrown just about anywhere indoors or outdoors. It means that you can get plenty of enjoyment out of this ball as well.
Conclusion
It is natural for your French bulldog to gain weight as it grows older. But the key is to control the rate of its weight gain. If you want to stop your French bulldog from becoming obese, it is quite simple. As a general rule, your French bulldog should be fed high-quality dry dog food twice a day. A combination of healthy exercise and a good diet will go a long way in slowing down the weight gain process.
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