Can My French Bulldog Puppy Eat Chicken?
Hello Dr, Kraemer!
My wife and I have a 7-month-old Frenchy named Stitch. We were told by the breeder that French bulldogs aren’t supposed to have chickens.
I’ve never heard anything like this before, and my wife is terrified now to give him anything with chicken in it.
He’s got spots we’re treating with ivermectin, which tested positive for mites. It looked like little tardigrades with alligator tails under the microscope. She thinks it’s contributing to his hair loss
Sincerely
Very Concerned “Stitch” Mom
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 9 months ago
Answer for Can My French Bulldog Puppy Eat Chicken
Dear “Stich” mom and dad
Regarding whether French Bulldog puppies can consume chicken, the answer is “yes.”
You need not be overly worried; there is no cause for alarm for a Frenchie to consume dog food containing chicken. 🐔 🥩
The Breeder Told Me Not To Feed My Bulldog Chicken WARNING:
Approach breeder advice or information from online forums with caution. Even if well-intended, the advice may be taken out of context, misinformed, lacking a scientific basis, or, worse, incorrect, potentially leading to unintentional harm if followed.
BREEDER BULLDOG MEDICAL ADVICE
Approach breeders’ medical and nutritional advice with caution. Evaluate each suggestion carefully and are supported by scientific data. Consult your veterinarian if needed.
Is Chicken Bad for My French Bulldog Puppy?
As highlighted earlier, it’s crucial to approach any medical, dietary, or nutritional advice with caution and within its proper context.
As a rule, pet food based on chicken can be excellent and safe for your bulldog.
Here is a brief list of its benefits:
- PROTEIN: A good protein source
- DIGESTIBLE: Highly digestible
- LEAN: Lean meat
- NUTRITIOUS: Contain vitamins and minerals
- INGREDIENTS: Simple ingredients
Below is more detailed information concerning each item on this list:
CHICKEN AS A PROTEIN SOURCE:
Chicken is an excellent protein source; it provides essential amino acids crucial for muscle growth, repair, and your bulldog puppy’s overall health.
CHICKEN PET FOOD DIGESTIBILITY:
Chicken, especially white meat, is generally well-digestible for most Frenchie’s.
CHICKEN AS A LEAN DIET:
Overweight bulldogs can benefit from a white, lean chicken as a low-calorie source of protein.
CHICKEN DIET VITAMINS & MINERALS:
Chicken contains vital nutrients that support various bodily functions. Such as:
- Vitamin B6
- Phosphorus,
- Niacin
CHICKEN PET FOOD SIMPLE INGREDIENTS:
The veterinary medical team frequently suggests boiled chicken with rice as a remedy for vomiting and diarrhea in bulldogs with upset stomachs.
Can My French Bulldog Puppy Eat Chicken FEEDING GUIDELINE:
There are a few simple, common-sense guidelines I recommend
- Boiled, Cooked, and Pasteurized: to prevent contaminants and food poisoning, make sure that the food is properly cooked
- Boneless: chicken bones can cause GI injuries and perforations
- Additives, Spices, and Salt: minimal salt, additives, and spices are preferred
- Manufacturer: reputable manufacturer if preferred; keep it simple
- Fresh: avoid expired products or products stored in less-than-optimal conditions.
- Variety: While chicken can be a great protein source, you can always mix or interchange with other animal-source proteins (fish, beef, lamb, etc)
- Portion size: regardless of the protein source, don’t overfeed or underfeed.
Breeder Warning Not to Feed Bulldogs Chicken Myth & Fact
Despite containing inaccuracies and being misleading, some breeders and online forums incorporate valid medical information into their “no chicken” warnings to enhance their credibility.
Compared to most canine breeds, bulldogs and French bulldog puppies are prone to common allergies, including food allergies.
Among allergic bulldogs, some may specifically be allergic to chicken. If allergy to chicken is suspected it is advisable to eliminate chicken from their diet. The same approach applies to bulldogs allergic to beef, fish, eggs, and other dietary protein source.
Food allergies in dogs often present as skin problems, although they can also lead to gastrointestinal issues.
CHICKEN AND BULLDOG FOOD ALLERGY:
If your puppy exhibits signs of an unidentified skin condition or GI upset and you suspect a food allergy, I would suggest a few week’s trial on a hypoallergenic prescription diet as mentioned above. For further information on food allergies in bulldogs, click HERE.
1. FOOD ALLERGY ITCH DERMATITIS
For such cases, a strict 6–8-week elimination hypoallergenic diet trial is recommended, preferably with a prescription diet based on hydrolyzed or novel protein sources.
2. FOOD ALLERGY GASTROENTERITIS
In contrast to itch dermatitis bulldogs suffering from GI upset and indigestion require only a 2-3 weeks elimination diet trial.
In both cases, if the condition improves you can challenge your pet with chicken to see if the clinical problems reoccur. If they do you should avoid chicken and substitute it with a different protein source or a hydrolyzed protein.
French Bulldog Puppy Food and Chicken Allergy
Chicken is a popular protein source in canine diets and rates relatively high in its allergenicity.
The reported causes of food allergies in dogs vary. Some scientific reports and published papers show this percent of allergen reactivity:
- beef (34%)
- chicken (17%)
- lamb (15%)
- wheat (14%).
- other:
- soybean
- milk
- eggs
- corn
- walnuts,
CHICKEN ALLERGY CROSS-REACTIVITY
Relevant cross-reactions include those between
- fish and chicken
- duck, turkey, and chicken (poultry)
- lamb and beef (non-chicken-related)
Chicken Diet BREEDERS PERSONAL BIASES
Unfortunately, breeders may offer medical and nutritional advice based on their personal biases, misinformation, and anecdotal evidence.
None of those have scientific backing and should be taken with a grain of salt till proven otherwise
Answer for Can My French Bulldog Puppy Eat Chicken? RULE OF THUMB
Your bulldog, much like you, is one of his kind, an individual, and unique.
That is why it is very possible that in this particular case, “Stich” may be sensitive, allergic, experience itching, or violently vomit on the breeder’s recommended diet, yet thrive on a chicken-based one.
What suits one bulldog may not necessarily be suitable for another.
Answer to French Bulldog Puppy and Hair Loss on Ivermectin
Regarding the skin bug and the hair loss second part of your question, the skin bug you named “little tardigrades with alligator tails” is called Demodex or Red Mite Mange.
To read more about bulldog demodicosis, click HERE
French Bulldog Puppy and IVERMECTIN
Puppy-localized forms of demodecosis usually do not require Ivermectin or any prescription medication.
The mite problem will resolve as the puppy’s immune system matures. For this form of demodicosis, I prefer non-pharmaceutical therapeutics
- degreasing hair follicles, flushing medicated shampoo
- a balanced, quality diet
- a relaxed, calm, stress-free environment,
- V4B Bully Therapeutics
Bulldog Demodex Mite IVERMECTIN TOXICITY
Keep in mind that overdosage and misuse of ivermectin are dangerous to your pet.
Bulldog Demodex Mite PREVENTIVES:
Last, several flea preventives also help manage and prevent demodex. Most of them have dual-to-quadruple action; using them provides for
- Flea prevention
- Demodex prevention and care
- Intestinal parasites: prevention and care
- Heartworm prevention.
Those monthly chews or topical applications are safer, easier to manage, and provide more for your $ than your current daily oral ivermectin.
I hope this summary helped remove some of your fears and concerns.
Again, you can refer to my articles that cover these topics:
Best of luck
Dr. Kraemer
Vet4Bulldog
Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs
