Are you wondering what health problems do French Bulldogs have? Frenchies are notorious for having particular health issues. I would recommend that you do your research before considering buying a puppy.
Knowing what health issues and concerns a Frenchie can have is very important. Being aware of the following issues and concerns can help you pick up on things quicker, know how important insurance will be, and help decide whether this breed is a good choice for you and your family.
Joint Issues
Probably one of the most common health concerns a Frenchie will face is hip and joint issues, particularly hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball joint comes out of the socket in the hip, causing discomfort, lameness, and pain. This is a condition that is usually seen in older Frenchies; however, you must understand how to prevent this from occurring. Hip dysplasia is the result of an injury to the hip. The kind of injury that normally occurs can be something as simple as jumping off the couch, or jumping into a vehicle.
A set of stairs or a small chair for your Frenchie to access the couch is recommended. If you are taking your Frenchie on a drive, it is better to pick up your Frenchie to place them into the vehicle.
Additionally, you may give your Frenchie supplements that help with the hips and joints. These can be found as powdered supplements that you add to wet food, as soft chews, or even as treats.
Breathing Issues
Frenchies are a type of dog known as a brachycephalic dog. Brachycephalic simply means “flat-faced,” resulting in a shorter snout than other dogs. Because Frenchies have short noses, they are commonly bothered with breathing issues ranging from mild wheezing/snorting to a condition known as brachycephalic respiratory syndrome.
French Bulldogs are very at-risk of upper respiratory tract infections. These will usually happen to every bulldog at least once in their lives and are infectious, so it will occur if your dog spends more time with other canines.
As a rule-of-thumb, you should know that Frenchies are not the type of dog that likes physical exercise. This is because they have a harder time breathing than a non-brachycephalic dog. Overexertion can result in collapse due to a lack of oxygen. So how can you prevent your Frenchie from experiencing breathing difficulty? The best thing you can do is limit the amount of physical exertion on your Frenchie. Whether that means shorter walks or making your Frenchie lay down after vigorous play, it’s important that they don’t become exhausted.
Frenchies are a breed of dogs that suffer from a lot of allergies. Most Frenchies will exhibit allergic reactions through their skin, where a rash will form. These allergic reactions can be caused by many sources, but most commonly it is things like grass, pollen, and in fact, you.
If you’re like most people, you probably use good-smelling detergents on your clothes and linens. Did you know that Frenchies have sensitive skin? Suppose you give your Frenchie blankets, or dress them up in clothes that you’ve washed with fragranced detergent. In that case, chances are that your Frenchie might have an allergic reaction. It’s best to not wash any of your Frenchie’s things with detergent that has a fragrance.
Allergies
When it comes to other allergens, such as grass and pollen, the best thing you can do is limit your Frenchie’s exposure to it. When taking your Frenchie outside, you can have them wear a shirt to protect their belly from grass — our lawn that you can see in our videos is made fo Synthetic grass fibers that are made from hypoallergenic materials. After bringing them back indoors, make sure to wipe them off with some hypoallergenic wipes made for dogs to remove any allergens that may be on the surface of their fur and skin.
Food Allergies
Frenchies can also be allergic to specific food so make sure that you only feed your dog top quality food from a reputable brand. Or better, prepare it yourself. But it is almost adamant that you won’t feed your Frenchie the same food you eat.
Frenchies usually have dry skin, and as a result, should not be fed dry kibble regularly. Frenchies can sometimes have sensitivities to the wheat found in dry kibble. It is important to always start out slow when introducing a new food into your Frenchie’s diet. It is okay to try out new foods but start with one kind or brand that you’d like to try and keep using it for several weeks before trying something new. Keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, nausea,or rash as these could be signs of an allergic reaction to the food.
Hot & Cold Sensitivity
As mentioned above, Frenchies have shorter snouts than other dogs. As a result, Frenchies are more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. It is never okay to leave your Frenchie outside when the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and when it is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Because Frenchies have shorter snouts, the air that travels through them travels to their lungs and vital organs faster. This can result in heat exhaustion or hypothermia in your Frenchie if they are left outside for prolonged periods of time in undesirable temperatures.
To reduce your Frenchie’s risk of getting too hot or too cold, make sure that you never leave your Frenchie unattended outside for more than 30 minutes. Additionally, when you are taking your Frenchie outside, make sure that you provide plenty of shade or a cool breeze if it’s hot, or appropriate clothing such as a sweater or coat if it’s cold.
Skin Sensitivity
General skin sensitivities in Frenchies are usually due to the foods they eat, their environment, and their personal hygiene. It is not uncommon for your Frenchie to develop a rash out of nowhere. Each Frenchie is different when it comes to how sensitive their skin is. Some Frenchies can tolerate things better than others.
Keep an eye out for skin irritations. These could be due to allergies or minor cuts or injuries. If you notice that your Frenchie has a case of sensitive skin, keep the area clean. Get some unscented hypoallergenic wipes made especially for dogs and wipe the area daily. Apply coconut oil to overly chapped areas where your dog has licked.
Dental Care
Although it may not look like it, Frenchies actually do have teeth! And just like any dog with teeth, they are prone to dental problems, too. I’ve heard many people say that they never even think about brushing or cleaning their dog’s teeth. It can be easily forgotten, but can also cause serious, even life-threatening issues down the road if gotten out-of-hand.
Well, although it sounds a bit difficult to perform, it’s important to frequently brush your dog’s teeth. You should not use human toothpaste because it contains fluoride that can be very poisonous to dogs. The best time for teaching your dog to get used to brushing is when it’s still a puppy. I suggest you to gradually teach it to become relaxed by allowing it to sniff the brush and the toothpaste. Telling some praise words and giving tasty snacks will also help a lot.
Ear infections
Frenchies have big, adorable ears. While they are very cute to look at, Frenchies ears stay open all the time, and are constantly exposed to dirt. It’s crucial that early on you treat your Frenchie’s ears with an ear rinse made for dogs. Ear rinses are a great way to clear out any unwanted build-up in your Frenchie’s ear canal.
When a Frenchie doesn’t have clean ears, it can lead to build-up, causing infection. This infection can cause inflammation and even permanent deafness in prolonged and severe cases.
Additionally, when bathing your Frenchie, make sure to place cotton balls in their ears. They probably won’t like it, but it will keep unwanted moisture from entering their ear canal, which can also bring on an infection. If your Frenchie already has an ear infection, please visit your veterinarian to pick up some medicated ear rinse for your Frenchie.
Eye Issues
They don’t have much of a snout to protect their eyes from scratches or bumping into things. A short snout and other genetic predispositions may cause them to have frequent problems with their eyes.
French Bulldog eye problems are very common, and any French Bulldog owner may quickly confirm this. Some eye conditions are considered normal for this breed and are not a threat. However, with proper preventative care, small issues can be caught before anything gets too serious. Seeing a vet regularly, experienced with bulldog care, is the best way to keep your pup healthy.
Conclusion
French bulldogs have a bigger range of possible problems than other dogs. However, that doesn’t mean that your Frenchie has to be susceptible to them or suffer any of them! Frenchies are loving dogs who are generally really healthy with the help of their owners and their veterinarians. But remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.