Food

I personally prefer a raw food diet once they have been weaned off their puppy food, but not everyone has time to dedicate to this.  You can buy premade barf, or I can help you put together a simple barf covering all their nutrient needs. Things to consider when choosing a diet for your bulldog include:

• NEVER EVER give your dog (pup or adult) RAW HIDE.
• If you choose to feed kibble, check the ingredients, make sure meat is one of the first listed (high meat content), and avoid food with high levels of 'fillers' such as grains, starches, salt or sugar.
• Puppies need to be fed three times a day, so split their daily allowance and feed morning, lunch and night until they are at least 6 months.
• Bulldogs can get an upset tummy if they have gone too long without food and may throw up yellowish foam (bile) if they are being fed once a day when they are older. Give them a small snack at the time of day they aren't getting their main meal to avoid this.
• Do not overfeed your bulldog; they can pack on weight easily, especially after they have been desexed and if they don't have a very active lifestyle.
• Remember to keep track of the amount of treats they get during the day (including when training) and take this into account when allocating their meal portion sizes.
• Learn the list of foods that are toxic to dogs, and make sure anyone who interacts with your dog (including children) is aware of these foods.
• Watch your dog for signs of food allergies and change their diet if needed. Presenting symptoms will include skin irritation, the dreaded itch, paw licking, hair loss patches, ear issues and gunky eyes.
• Monitor your dog's bowel movements for signs of stomach upsets that may need a change in diet.
• If you feed dry kibble, be aware of the dangers of bloat if your dog drinks too much water and/or runs around too much directly after eating. For a healthier bulldog, add some fresh meat and non-carb, non-starch veg as a topper. Eggs, a sprinkle of coconut, parsley, coriander, and dandelion leaves also make great toppers. Toppers keep the meal interesting by changing the taste, texture and smell.
• Bulldogs have a reputation for being able to clear a room with a single fart; finding a diet which agrees with their tummies will reduce the occurrence of flatulence. Good gut health is key.
• Monitoring your dog's breath, skin and fur condition is another good way of working out if their diet is agreeing with them.
• I always add a teaspoon of coconut oil to their evening meals. This helps with shedding and keeps their coats super shiny, as well as assisting in their internal wellbeing. A capful of apple cider vinegar into their water bowl, as well as adding cooked mashed pumpkin to their main meal, can help with diarrhoea or constipation.  
• I feed my bulldogs raw. They are all on a raw barf diet from 6 weeks old and are healthy. All pets need protein, offal and bone (bone can be fed outside of the meal, chicken or duck feet are a favourite of mine, especially frozen!) A small amount of veg and other nutritious ingredients is a bonus.

Natural Products & Treatments that play a part in overall wellness
Use natural or non-chemical options whenever possible. Flea, tick, and worm treatments should only be used when necessary—avoid pesticides, insecticides, and neurotoxins found in tablets, chews, or spot-ons (like Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio, etc). Please do your research before administering and note the side effects that we, unfortunately, see daily. Heartworm prevention is recommended only if you live in a heartworm area.