Last Updated on September 24, 2021 by Marco C.
As any English Bulldog owner will tell you, this is a breed of dog which really loves food! But how do we know we are feeding the right food? And what is the easiest way to monitor their food intake? Let’s find out how an English Bulldog feeding chart can help!
Best English Bulldog Diet
When choosing a food for your English Bulldog, it is very important to pick one which will keep them healthy. Many cheaper dog foods are of poor quality and may cause health problems for your dog. Remember that English Bulldogs are not a very active breed of dog, so it is essential to keep an eye on the calorie count as well.
Many Bulldog breeds are prone to skin allergies, which can be caused by eating certain foods. If your dog suffers from skin allergies you may need to look for a hypoallergenic diet or avoid certain ingredients. Dogs with sensitive digestion may also benefit from a hypoallergenic diet.
It is common for English Bulldogs to suffer from dental disease, and choosing the right food can help to prevent this. Dried foods such as kibble are better for preventing tartar build-up on the teeth. A soft or wet food might be better if your dog is suffering from dental pain.
Sadly, many English Bulldogs suffer from joint pain due to irresponsible breeding. Giving food that supports joint health can help to keep these problems at bay and relieve discomfort
If you have a young English Bulldog it will need to be fed a puppy diet. Young dogs have very specific nutritional needs. Feeding them an adult diet could cause health problems later in life.
Similarly, older English Bulldogs will need a different type of diet during the geriatric stage of life. This is because their nutritional needs change as they become older. They will need a diet that is easily digestible, and which contains different levels of vitamins and minerals.
Bulldog Feeding Top Tips
English Bulldogs are definitely not fussy eaters! These lovable rogues will munch and chew on pretty much anything, often to the detriment of their sensitive tummies. Anyone who has dealt with the aftermath of their English Bulldog eating something they shouldn’t have will know what this feels like!
Here are our top tips for Bulldog feeding:
- Your Bulldog’s daily food ration should be split into at least two meals per day.
- Use long-lasting treats to satisfy your Bulldog’s need to chew in between meals
- Slow-feeder bowls can be a good way to slow down the speed at which your English Bulldog eats, helping to prolong meal times.
- Go steady on high-calorie treats! If you want to feed a tasty snack, stick to something healthy such as carrot sticks, or cut down the daily food ration instead.
Obviously, we are all worried about English Bulldog obesity, and it is essential to keep them at a healthy weight. But as well as food intake, we can also try to exercise our English Bulldogs more. This might be easier said than done though, as these stoical breeds are not renowned for their high energy levels!
To encourage your lazy Bulldog to exercise, you need to make it fun! They will love reward-based activities, such as hide and seek, fetch, and tug of war. You’d be surprised how many calories your English Bulldog will use with just a short daily play session!
Best English Bulldog Feeding Chart
Dog feeding charts are normally included on any dog food packaging. This chart tells us how much food to give each day, based on the weight of your dog. However, this feeding chart is only a rough guide, and you will need to adjust the amount you feed to suit your dog.
This means you need to take several factors into account:
Weight
If your English Bulldog is overweight, you will need to reduce the amount of food given each day. On the other hand, if he is looking too slim, increase the daily rations accordingly.
Age
Younger English Bulldogs will be full of energy and fun and will use more calories every day than an older dog. As they age, they tend to get become more sedate and will use less energy. Remember that puppies and geriatric English Bulldog will need a special diet.
Exercise Levels
An English Bulldog who has only a short walk on the leash each day will not use much energy and will need less food. However, if your Bully is a fan of long hikes or lolloping around the park he will have higher energy needs.
So, once you’ve read the packaging, you need to increase or decrease the amount of food you give each day to suit your dog. But it doesn’t end there! Feeding your dog the correct amount is a life-long mission, which is where an English Bulldog feeding chart can help.
To make your own English Bulldog feeding chart, all you need is a simple grid on a piece of paper. On this you can record various things, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis:
- Amount of food given daily
- Number of meals
- Name and type of food
- Your dog’s weight
- Daily exercise routine
So, for example, if you have an older English Bulldog you can keep track of how much he weighs each week. This will help you to identify if he is starting to lose weight or putting on some extra weight. You can then adjust the amount you feed accordingly.
For puppies and younger dogs, the feeding chart is a good way to monitor their weight and exercise levels. You can then gradually increase their food until they reach the correct amount for their mature weight.
Summary
SummarySo, as we’ve learned, English Bulldogs will benefit from careful monitoring of their food intake. Using an English Bulldog feeding chart can be very useful to help prevent your dog from becoming underweight or obese.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about English Bulldog feeding charts. Have you ever used a feeding chart for your dog? Or maybe you have a question about how to use a dog feeding chart? Please add a comment below!
Read more about: English Bulldog Breeding Age – Can Your Bully Breed?