One of the main concerns of Frenchie parents is how they can keep their fur babies healthy and happy at all times. If you have a French Bulldog, you may have already wondered whether your puppy needs any supplements in addition to his or her diet, and if so, what these supplements are. There are countless products on the market, so you might find it rather overwhelming to select the best for your pup. In this article, we try to shed some light on the topic and share our recommendations as well!
When should you give supplements to your Frenchie?
There are certain stages in your Frenchie’s life when he or she will need some additional support. Let’s see some cases when you’ll likely need to boost your four-legged friend’s system a bit.
Young Frenchie pups may need supplements for several reasons. During teething, the puppy’s body consumes most of the calcium and sometimes their ears can become a bit floppy. Replenishing calcium does wonders to pop them up again, so giving some calcium tablets is highly recommended during this period. While they are still growing, they suddenly gain a lot of weight, which in some cases may result in limping. If you notice that, you can give your baby some supplements that will strengthen his or her cartilages and joints. Lacking some necessary vitamins might be another reason why your vet can prescribe some supplements for your puppy.
Similarly to young pups, senior Frenchies are more vulnerable and will need a diet that is enriched with certain nutrients in order to keep them healthy. So, when your Frenchie reaches an old age, you need to make sure that you provide some supplements that are specifically designed for aging pets. In our experience, green-lipped mussel powder and hemp seed oil are great for their bones and joints and will largely improve their movement!
If you have a pregnant or breastfeeding Frenchie mom, she will need some special vitamins and trace elements like selenium. Giving hemp seed oil supplement to your pregnant Frenchie is also recommended, as it will support the healthy development of her pups’ nervous system.
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It can happen during your Frenchie’s life that he or she faces some kind of health issues. In such cases, it is highly recommended to include some supplements into their diet along with the prescribed medications to help them get back on their paws as soon as possible!
What you should look out for when selecting a supplement
The golden rule when selecting the right supplement is to always look for the purest, most natural version. You should never buy what’s cheapest as those will do no good for your Frenchie. Do your research, ask for others’, especially your vet’s advice, and always get these products from a reliable place. What you also need to keep in mind is that some supplements shouldn’t be given to your puppy on a regular basis but over the course of several months. Always follow the recommended dosage on the package and consult your vet as well.
Four supplements that we recommend for your Frenchie
Green-lipped mussel powder
In our experience, green-lipped mussel does wonders when your Frenchie has some bone, joint or cartilage issues, either as a young or older dog. You should always look for a 100% pure version which is freeze-dried, not tempered nor degreased and is in the form of a powder!
Salmon oil
Salmon oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are essential nutrients. It has some wide-ranging effects like keeping your puppy’s coat nice and shiny, treating skin problems, preventing allergies, restoring vitality, supporting vision, brain function, the nervous and cardiovascular system. It can be purchased in a liquid form and can even be poured over your Frenchie’s food if he or she tends to be picky and refuses to eat. They love how it tastes and will lick their bowl clean for sure!
Hemp seed oil
Hemp seed oil is considered one of the healthiest oils in the world. Similarly to salmon oil, it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which makes it very beneficial for your puppy’s skin and coat. It can reduce itching and support hair growth and skin regeneration as well. It also contains all the essential amino acids as well as minerals and vitamins such as A, C and E. It’s a great choice if your puppy has arthritis and joint issues thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory effects. It has other amazing benefits for the brain and the heart as it helps clean the blood vessels and fight blood clots.
Immune boosters
French Bulldogs tend to be a sensitive breed, so strengthening their immune system is very important, particularly at a younger and older age. It is especially advisable if your puppy is recuperating from an operation, having frequent allergic symptoms, skin and coat issues, or is refusing to eat. Immune boosters come in every shape and form, but liquid and soft chew supplements are usually much more effective and easier to give than tablets in our experience.
We asked our TomKings Frenchie Family members about what supplements and brands they use and recommend, if you’re curious about their experiences or you would like to share yours, you are welcome to join and read them here and here.
We have also collected some amazing Frenchie supplements from Chewy that we recommend for your fur baby. Visit our webshop to find these and treat your puppy!
The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and show puppies from their breed and their farm. Check their available puppies here, or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.
